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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I've loved Maria V. Snyder's past work--Poison Study is one of my favorite books ever. Touch of Power isn't quite up to Poison Study standards, but I still really enjoyed it (and amazed some people with how quickly I can read when I want to). I found the ending a bit abrupt and confusing, but I suppose so did the characters, so....
I basically read this book in a day. Maria V. Snyder has a way of creating characters and plotting stories that sucks you in and won’t spit you out until they’re done with you, similar to the death lilies in this story. :) This book is an amazingly fun read and I can’t wait to follow the characters into the rest of the series.
2.5 stars
Not bad but not all that good, either. I skimmed through some parts so I could finish it faster. The characters were pretty flat and the world-building wasn't very thorough. I have absolutely no desire to read the rest of the series.
Not bad but not all that good, either. I skimmed through some parts so I could finish it faster. The characters were pretty flat and the world-building wasn't very thorough. I have absolutely no desire to read the rest of the series.
A young woman finds herself falling in with a group of men intent on saving their dying friend, although the price could be her life.
I absolutely loved this book! The world building was interesting without being cumbersome, while the characters were intriguing and unique. Told in first person, Avry's unreliable perspective added mystery to an otherwise straightforward plot. Speaking of Avry, I really loved her spunk and resiliency. She is definitely one of my book girl crushes! Sparks fly between the two potential love interests, which I always find entertaining. The ending highlights where the series may go moving forward without giving too much away.
Fair warning, some scenes in the book may turn readers off. This book had several scenes depicting violence against women and children.
tl;d Strong heroine, political intrigue, and a slow burn romance make this a must read.
I absolutely loved this book! The world building was interesting without being cumbersome, while the characters were intriguing and unique. Told in first person, Avry's unreliable perspective added mystery to an otherwise straightforward plot. Speaking of Avry, I really loved her spunk and resiliency. She is definitely one of my book girl crushes! Sparks fly between the two potential love interests, which I always find entertaining. The ending highlights where the series may go moving forward without giving too much away.
Fair warning, some scenes in the book may turn readers off. This book had several scenes depicting violence against women and children.
tl;d Strong heroine, political intrigue, and a slow burn romance make this a must read.
This was a quick read and highly entertaining. I am a sucker for gotta-prove-yourself stories and there were definitely moments of that here. The characters were likable, the villains not completely evil (i.e. not cartoonish) and the story line was quite interesting in its ties to the Black Death.
The only thing that bothered me was the slang that sounded completely modern American. I mean, it's a fictional world so it doesn't matter so much, but some of it really threw me out of the story for a minute.
The only thing that bothered me was the slang that sounded completely modern American. I mean, it's a fictional world so it doesn't matter so much, but some of it really threw me out of the story for a minute.
Reread
***********************************
July 2012
Maria V. Snyder has to be one of my favorite authors. I really liked this book, just as much as her other novels I've read. A great cast of of characters with a clever and brave main character. Definitely a read again book for me and can't wait for the next in the series!
**Some swear words included. Sex is mentioned but not described.
http://dragonflowersandbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/touch-of-power.html
***********************************
July 2012
Maria V. Snyder has to be one of my favorite authors. I really liked this book, just as much as her other novels I've read. A great cast of of characters with a clever and brave main character. Definitely a read again book for me and can't wait for the next in the series!
**Some swear words included. Sex is mentioned but not described.
http://dragonflowersandbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/touch-of-power.html
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I can't tell if I liked this or not. It kept me turning the pages but I wasn't 100% invested into the story. Plus Kerrick was a major asshole (he bitched-slapped Avry for heaven's sakes) and then all of a sudden he's in love with Avry. I might read the next one in the future.
4.5/5
I am a big Snyder fan (Poison Study is one of my top 5 books of all time) so it was a no-brainer that I would be picking up this book. And I ended up being so satisfied, getting a heroine with plenty of similarities to my beloved Yelena from Poison Study while being a completely different character.
In this world, Avry has tremendous power being a Healer; however she also has a bounty on her head, due to the anger felt by the populace against healers after a devastating plague wiped out most of the population while healers did nothing. Avry has been on the run for three years but is caught after healing a little girl; she calmly faces her execution only to be taken by a group who desperately need a Healer. The leader, Kerrick, demands Avry's assistance in healing Prince Ryne, someone she loathes. Despite her refusal, she is brought along, fending off mercenaries, rival leaders, and her own attraction to the dashing Kerrick.
I'm not really sure how to start this review because there was so much I loved. Maybe I could start with the writing, which flows so well and absolutely swept me away. I meant to read only a few chapters to get a taste but I ended up reading nearly half the book, sleeping while my Nook charged, and then diving back in to finish. I did not want to put it down; I just wanted to know what Avry would do next.
Of course the characters were a big reason for my loving the book. Avry was always proud to be a healer and it pains her so much to be unable to heal people; it's what she is meant for. Happily we get to see several instances when she does get to exercise her powers and it's so exciting to see her live the life she was meant to. Besides that, she is fiercely intelligent and eager to learn more, something I always support in a MC.
I also loved Kerrick, the brusque and competent leader of the pack. He takes good care of his men and is fiercely loyal to Ryne. Although he starts out exceedingly cruel to Avry, he begins to reform. I loved every instance when she challenged him, forcing him to consider other ideas (usually ones that were better!) The other men in the gang (Belen, Flea, Quain, and Vinn) were also great personalities. Belen is probably my favorite as the "poppa bear" of the group while Flea's irrepressible spirit brightens up the group; Vinn and Quain are also reliable supporters.
There are also a whole host of other characters as Avry remembers her family and mentor and we get a picture at the stakes. There are three major rivals for control over the fantasy land created here: King Tohon, a power-hungry mage with evil intentions; Estrid, the religious dictator; and Ryne, who could be a real player if he weren't in stasis to ward off death. Ryne is presented as the best choice while Tohon comes off as the worst. Estrid is somewhere in the middle and hopefully the second book will touch on her more.
As for the setting, we have a crazed world with so many dead and power vacuums. Much of the book is spent journeying around as they try to reach Ryne with lots of different locales and adventures. This contributed to my flipping the pages as I just had to find out what came next.
It sounds like I love this book, right? So why not a perfect 5? Well, I was very uncomfortable by one of Tohon's powers, which was the ability to force Avry's desire for him. He repeatedly kisses her and has the ability to make her want him such as she almost sleeps with him, if not for other interfering circumstances. If she had a genuine interest in him, I'd be okay but the element of coercion makes me so sick.
Overall: Highly recommended for fans of Poison Study!
I am a big Snyder fan (Poison Study is one of my top 5 books of all time) so it was a no-brainer that I would be picking up this book. And I ended up being so satisfied, getting a heroine with plenty of similarities to my beloved Yelena from Poison Study while being a completely different character.
In this world, Avry has tremendous power being a Healer; however she also has a bounty on her head, due to the anger felt by the populace against healers after a devastating plague wiped out most of the population while healers did nothing. Avry has been on the run for three years but is caught after healing a little girl; she calmly faces her execution only to be taken by a group who desperately need a Healer. The leader, Kerrick, demands Avry's assistance in healing Prince Ryne, someone she loathes. Despite her refusal, she is brought along, fending off mercenaries, rival leaders, and her own attraction to the dashing Kerrick.
I'm not really sure how to start this review because there was so much I loved. Maybe I could start with the writing, which flows so well and absolutely swept me away. I meant to read only a few chapters to get a taste but I ended up reading nearly half the book, sleeping while my Nook charged, and then diving back in to finish. I did not want to put it down; I just wanted to know what Avry would do next.
Of course the characters were a big reason for my loving the book. Avry was always proud to be a healer and it pains her so much to be unable to heal people; it's what she is meant for. Happily we get to see several instances when she does get to exercise her powers and it's so exciting to see her live the life she was meant to. Besides that, she is fiercely intelligent and eager to learn more, something I always support in a MC.
I also loved Kerrick, the brusque and competent leader of the pack. He takes good care of his men and is fiercely loyal to Ryne. Although he starts out exceedingly cruel to Avry, he begins to reform. I loved every instance when she challenged him, forcing him to consider other ideas (usually ones that were better!) The other men in the gang (Belen, Flea, Quain, and Vinn) were also great personalities. Belen is probably my favorite as the "poppa bear" of the group while Flea's irrepressible spirit brightens up the group; Vinn and Quain are also reliable supporters.
There are also a whole host of other characters as Avry remembers her family and mentor and we get a picture at the stakes. There are three major rivals for control over the fantasy land created here: King Tohon, a power-hungry mage with evil intentions; Estrid, the religious dictator; and Ryne, who could be a real player if he weren't in stasis to ward off death. Ryne is presented as the best choice while Tohon comes off as the worst. Estrid is somewhere in the middle and hopefully the second book will touch on her more.
As for the setting, we have a crazed world with so many dead and power vacuums. Much of the book is spent journeying around as they try to reach Ryne with lots of different locales and adventures. This contributed to my flipping the pages as I just had to find out what came next.
It sounds like I love this book, right? So why not a perfect 5? Well, I was very uncomfortable by one of Tohon's powers, which was the ability to force Avry's desire for him. He repeatedly kisses her and has the ability to make her want him such as she almost sleeps with him, if not for other interfering circumstances. If she had a genuine interest in him, I'd be okay but the element of coercion makes me so sick.
Overall: Highly recommended for fans of Poison Study!