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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Fantasy, it’s a hard genre to win my love with, especially when I can’t help comparing everything fantasy to Tamora Pierce. A fantasy book has to face high expectations from me, and not a lot of them make the cut for my favourites shelf. Touch of Power definitely makes the cut. An amazing book set in a realm that is so well developed. The magic and history, mystery and adventure worked into the story just blew me away. I loved it.
Avery of Kazan is a healer, but not just any healer; a healer forced into hiding due to the consequences of an unknown plague that cause an unimaginable amount of death and distrust for the Healer’s Guild. I adored Avery. She had this spark that you can’t help liking. She stands up for what she believes in; risks her life over and over again to save people, even if they might not deserve it. She’s such a smart character in a world full of the unknown.
I love how Maria has developed this amazing world. The way the 15 Realms of Arvy’s world are in a state of disorder, with leaders scrambling to build a solid nation. It’s an epic storyline that can only bring up more adventure with each new page. And the mystery behind the healers. Despite being hated, the healers have a pretty amazing power. To take on someone else’s injury and heal themselves with it...except for the plague. They can’t survive healing someone with the plague. So just what is this strange plague and where did it come from? I really want to know the answer to this question.
A book full of action; all the fighting, it was insane. Our crew seemed to come across one group of mercenaries after another and the need for Avry to develop knife skills was essential. It also got my blood pounding. I love a good fight scene, and Maria didn’t disappoint, providing us with a few scenes to really get things going. The only thing that would have made it better for me is if someone added a bow and arrow to the mix; can’t resist a good archer!
Kerrick; oh wonderful, amazing Kerrick. A strong and sometimes harsh forest magician or hidden softie, who is extremely loyal and caring to those he loves? Or perhaps a bit of both? I’d already heard great things about Kerrick before starting the book and I never doubted what side he was on. While I wasn’t a fan of his rough treatment of Arvy at times, strangely it made him more appealing in the end because it helped to show his loyalty. I really liked the hints of a potential relationship between Kerrick and Avry. It was obvious something was going to happen between the two of them, since most books present you with your leading man early in the piece – and because friends and reviewers can’t stop talking about how amazing Kerrick is, so he has to do something to bring in that attention – but waiting for them to work it out was totally worth it. This is not a romance story, but it doesn’t lack those tingly feelings you get when you come across the perfect couple.
The only negative for me (and it’s a pretty small negative) is that at times certain lines and situations were slightly repetitive. We all knew Avry was valuable, especially after the first few times we were told; so being told over and over again that she was a unique healer and was very important was a little too much for me. Not enough to detract from the story, but enough to pick up on the repetitiveness.
Can’t wait to see what happens next. And exciting start to an equally exciting series.
5/5 stars.
Avery of Kazan is a healer, but not just any healer; a healer forced into hiding due to the consequences of an unknown plague that cause an unimaginable amount of death and distrust for the Healer’s Guild. I adored Avery. She had this spark that you can’t help liking. She stands up for what she believes in; risks her life over and over again to save people, even if they might not deserve it. She’s such a smart character in a world full of the unknown.
I love how Maria has developed this amazing world. The way the 15 Realms of Arvy’s world are in a state of disorder, with leaders scrambling to build a solid nation. It’s an epic storyline that can only bring up more adventure with each new page. And the mystery behind the healers. Despite being hated, the healers have a pretty amazing power. To take on someone else’s injury and heal themselves with it...except for the plague. They can’t survive healing someone with the plague. So just what is this strange plague and where did it come from? I really want to know the answer to this question.
A book full of action; all the fighting, it was insane. Our crew seemed to come across one group of mercenaries after another and the need for Avry to develop knife skills was essential. It also got my blood pounding. I love a good fight scene, and Maria didn’t disappoint, providing us with a few scenes to really get things going. The only thing that would have made it better for me is if someone added a bow and arrow to the mix; can’t resist a good archer!
Kerrick; oh wonderful, amazing Kerrick. A strong and sometimes harsh forest magician or hidden softie, who is extremely loyal and caring to those he loves? Or perhaps a bit of both? I’d already heard great things about Kerrick before starting the book and I never doubted what side he was on. While I wasn’t a fan of his rough treatment of Arvy at times, strangely it made him more appealing in the end because it helped to show his loyalty. I really liked the hints of a potential relationship between Kerrick and Avry. It was obvious something was going to happen between the two of them, since most books present you with your leading man early in the piece – and because friends and reviewers can’t stop talking about how amazing Kerrick is, so he has to do something to bring in that attention – but waiting for them to work it out was totally worth it. This is not a romance story, but it doesn’t lack those tingly feelings you get when you come across the perfect couple.
The only negative for me (and it’s a pretty small negative) is that at times certain lines and situations were slightly repetitive. We all knew Avry was valuable, especially after the first few times we were told; so being told over and over again that she was a unique healer and was very important was a little too much for me. Not enough to detract from the story, but enough to pick up on the repetitiveness.
Can’t wait to see what happens next. And exciting start to an equally exciting series.
5/5 stars.
I loved the authors other series [b:The Study Series Bundle|6139020|The Study Series Bundle (Study, #1-3)|Maria V. Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328303622s/6139020.jpg|6317845] but didn't love [b:Storm Glass|6080889|Storm Glass (Glass, #1)|Maria V. Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327899480s/6080889.jpg|2830002] as much. But I thought I'd give this a go as it was new characters situations etc.
This was so so for me. I really liked Avry, I thought she was very self sufficient and selfless & just generally likeable.....no damsel in distress here!
I really loved the other guys and side characters in the story and am keen to get back to them to see how they all fare out :)
This was so so for me. I really liked Avry, I thought she was very self sufficient and selfless & just generally likeable.....no damsel in distress here!
Spoiler
not quite sure how I feel about Kerrick, not sure he has redeemed himself enough for me yet. he was an absolute wanker to Avery at the start and I'm not ready to forgive him yetI really loved the other guys and side characters in the story and am keen to get back to them to see how they all fare out :)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Oh, I absolutely LOVED this book. This is defs going on my favourite list, I honestly don’t know why I have not read this before. It’s exactly my cup of tea.
Timeline and pacing:
I think Snyder actually hit the sweet spot with this book’s timing and pacing. It was not so fast that you feel like something’s missing or that you don’t know what is going on. It was also not so slow that it became boring and I wanted things to go faster. Although the timeline was spread out in terms of the novel playing out over a few months, I don’t mind that. It felt more ‘realistic’ (even for a fantasy novel okay…)
The characters:
Oh this was a favourite of mine. I loved the relationships that was developing throughout the novel between everyone. It was such a treat to see and you start to love the characters more and more (not you, Tohon). Their humour, loyalty and personalities that were unique made this book stand out a little more, especially how each one of them had their own battles and emotions they were working through. The conflicting emotions felt relatable and although Avry didn’t trust any of them, she was not being irrationally stubborn about it. She actually accepted changes and she worked with it. I honestly HATE a book that makes the protagonist so set in their ways it actually cuts off the opportunity for a character to develop.
The world building:
This is something that makes or breaks it for me. I have the imagination of a potato (for real), so I rely heavily on the author to help me with world building. And in this novel it was really well thought out. It was not too complex that it baffles the mind, it is all connected and there is reasons behind everything. Most of all I love Avry’s healing gift. Although it has been done before, I think her special gift has some twists to it that makes it special. The logic and reasoning behind everything has been done so well, and I really am glad my poor braincells don’t need to overwork to fill in a ton of gaps and answer my imaginary questions.
The Protagonist:
Avry is brave, she is determined, and stubborn. And sarcastic. But she was not over the top. Her personality started to show as the book progressed and she was consistent in her choices and her moves. I read so many books were the author tries too hard to show a personality then it's over the top to the point of annoying. Her personality allowed her to grow and change at a natural pace. She is hella stubborn but thankfully not to the extent that she becomes a cow. She’s pretty cool and badass but in a nice way
Timeline and pacing:
I think Snyder actually hit the sweet spot with this book’s timing and pacing. It was not so fast that you feel like something’s missing or that you don’t know what is going on. It was also not so slow that it became boring and I wanted things to go faster. Although the timeline was spread out in terms of the novel playing out over a few months, I don’t mind that. It felt more ‘realistic’ (even for a fantasy novel okay…)
The characters:
Oh this was a favourite of mine. I loved the relationships that was developing throughout the novel between everyone. It was such a treat to see and you start to love the characters more and more (not you, Tohon). Their humour, loyalty and personalities that were unique made this book stand out a little more, especially how each one of them had their own battles and emotions they were working through. The conflicting emotions felt relatable and although Avry didn’t trust any of them, she was not being irrationally stubborn about it. She actually accepted changes and she worked with it. I honestly HATE a book that makes the protagonist so set in their ways it actually cuts off the opportunity for a character to develop.
The world building:
This is something that makes or breaks it for me. I have the imagination of a potato (for real), so I rely heavily on the author to help me with world building. And in this novel it was really well thought out. It was not too complex that it baffles the mind, it is all connected and there is reasons behind everything. Most of all I love Avry’s healing gift. Although it has been done before, I think her special gift has some twists to it that makes it special. The logic and reasoning behind everything has been done so well, and I really am glad my poor braincells don’t need to overwork to fill in a ton of gaps and answer my imaginary questions.
The Protagonist:
Avry is brave, she is determined, and stubborn. And sarcastic. But she was not over the top. Her personality started to show as the book progressed and she was consistent in her choices and her moves. I read so many books were the author tries too hard to show a personality then it's over the top to the point of annoying. Her personality allowed her to grow and change at a natural pace. She is hella stubborn but thankfully not to the extent that she becomes a cow. She’s pretty cool and badass but in a nice way
Check out my review on abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com
http://abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com/2014/11/touch-of-power.html
http://abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com/2014/11/touch-of-power.html
2013: Pretty much just as good the second time around. I decided to re read it before I read scent of magic. I am now really excited to find out what happens next. I am glad I decided to re read it, there was a lot I had forgotten. And Yes I did cry at the end again. hehe
2011: That was amazing. I just loved it. It has been ages since I have cried in a book. The ending in this one had me crying like crazy. What an adventure this one was.
There is so many directions that the story could continue on too. I can't wait to find out what happens. 2013 is too far away.
2011: That was amazing. I just loved it. It has been ages since I have cried in a book. The ending in this one had me crying like crazy. What an adventure this one was.
There is so many directions that the story could continue on too. I can't wait to find out what happens. 2013 is too far away.
i read this book years ago, and now reading it again in 2022… i still love it just as much.
Imagine that you are the last healer left in a world that has systematically killed all of the other healers because they believe that the healers have caused a plague. You are a young girl and you are constantly on the run. You don't know if your family is alive or dead, you can't stay anywhere for long because you cannot chance being caught. The world that you live in is at war with different leaders vying to be the leader of your world. Your desire to heal is great because this is what you are born to do. This is Avry, the protagonist of the book.
This was a good story for me, easy to read and it left me wanting the next book. I won't tell you anymore than I just did because nothing I told you in a spoiler, and that is never my style. I will tell you that this book is full of characters that will entertain you and I love the villains. I have always been a fan for bad guys in movies and books so this was a plus for me.
Should you read it? Yes of course!!
This was a good story for me, easy to read and it left me wanting the next book. I won't tell you anymore than I just did because nothing I told you in a spoiler, and that is never my style. I will tell you that this book is full of characters that will entertain you and I love the villains. I have always been a fan for bad guys in movies and books so this was a plus for me.
Should you read it? Yes of course!!