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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Absolutely unbelievable, Snyder at her best, loved it !
A fun story but lacks depth of character and is a little fast paced which is detrimental to the story and attachment to the characters. I would probably have loved this as a teenager but now I've read the likes of Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence I feel it is a little lacking. However, it is good enough for me to finish the series and find out what happens, it makes a good break from more involved, heart wrenching reads.
I loved this book. It reminded me of how great Maria V. Snyder's writing can truly be. I really enjoyed the story line and the characters.
Full review coming soon.
Edit: I'm really bummed I forgot to review this because I can't remember what happened, yet I know I loved it!
Full review coming soon.
Edit: I'm really bummed I forgot to review this because I can't remember what happened, yet I know I loved it!
Avry could never see a child suffer for long, and healing them only meant she had to run away and hide again, but she would do it if it meant saving them. That’s where the story begins, with Avry healing a child and being captured. After years on the run she knows this is finally the end. Then a handsome rogue and his group of men rescue her and ask for her help in healing their prince, who is dying from the plague that decimated the entire realm. Healing a plague victim means giving up her life since she won’t be able to heal herself from that. A price Avry would gladly pay if only Prince Ryne was worthy. As they travel across the land, Avry will find things she thought lost forever. Things like friendship, family, love and even a possible cure.
Avry is an amazing addition to Maria’s notable cast of characters from the other series. She’s stubborn, brave, and as a healer she has this natural drive to care and save people. I thought it was very original the way the healer role is taken. Usually in fiction healers might fight their magic depleted and become physically tired, but to actually transfer the wounds on their bodies! I think that makes the job of healer even more self-sacrificing. Her rescuers: Belen, Vinn, Flea, Quain are a lovable band of merry men. They made all the traveling and camping around in caves bearable. Kerrick’s earth magic was just superb. He’s like the freaking Predator camouflaging in the forest. In fact, the whole magic system is amazing and I hope more mages will appear in the future.
Maria V Snyder has won me over before with her wonderful story telling skills, and her ninth novel is not the exception. Once you start reading you will not want to put Touch of Power down. Intriguing plot, likable characters, and a unique fantasy world, will hold your attention for hours! Touch of Power is just the beginning of what I know will be an amazing trilogy.
*I received this book via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
Avry is an amazing addition to Maria’s notable cast of characters from the other series. She’s stubborn, brave, and as a healer she has this natural drive to care and save people. I thought it was very original the way the healer role is taken. Usually in fiction healers might fight their magic depleted and become physically tired, but to actually transfer the wounds on their bodies! I think that makes the job of healer even more self-sacrificing. Her rescuers: Belen, Vinn, Flea, Quain are a lovable band of merry men. They made all the traveling and camping around in caves bearable. Kerrick’s earth magic was just superb. He’s like the freaking Predator camouflaging in the forest. In fact, the whole magic system is amazing and I hope more mages will appear in the future.
Maria V Snyder has won me over before with her wonderful story telling skills, and her ninth novel is not the exception. Once you start reading you will not want to put Touch of Power down. Intriguing plot, likable characters, and a unique fantasy world, will hold your attention for hours! Touch of Power is just the beginning of what I know will be an amazing trilogy.
*I received this book via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
⭐5 stars⭐
When we reached the door, Belen stepped in the way. "If any harm-"
"Comes to her, you'll rip out my arms. Got it." Kerrick said.
"I'm serious" Belen said.
"I know. Do you really think I'd put her in danger?"
"Not on purpose, but things happen that are out of your control."
Kerrick gave him a tight smile. "You mean I'm not omnipotent?"
"You're not even semi-potent."
"Is that even a word?" Kerrick asked.
"He probably means you're impotent." I offered.
When we reached the door, Belen stepped in the way. "If any harm-"
"Comes to her, you'll rip out my arms. Got it." Kerrick said.
"I'm serious" Belen said.
"I know. Do you really think I'd put her in danger?"
"Not on purpose, but things happen that are out of your control."
Kerrick gave him a tight smile. "You mean I'm not omnipotent?"
"You're not even semi-potent."
"Is that even a word?" Kerrick asked.
"He probably means you're impotent." I offered.
More of my reviews can be found at Literary Exploration
I've been wanting to pick up a really good fantasy novel for awhile, but nothing has really compared to Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore so when I started reading Touch of Power I knew I had struck fantastical gold. I really loved the direction this book took, despite Avry's ability to heal the sick and injured she is mostly ridiculed and blamed for the mysterious plague that has killed thousands, causing her to remain on the run. The story did get somewhat slow in places, having me glance through some passages, but it kept me entertained enough to continue reading.
Avry is a great female protagonist. She's extremely loyal, selfless, strong, and witty! She doesn't just go along with what other people want her to do and she resists Kerrick every step of the way which is just hilarious to read about! Her one vice, however, is sick children which tends to get her into a lot of trouble. Kerrick and is band of merry men (yes, I'm referencing Robin Hood!) are an extremely hilarious bunch! Belen reminded me of Andre the Giant, a huge guy who just protects those that are smaller than him. The other 3 are exactly how Kerrick describes them, monkeys! Kerrick himself is a tough guy on the outside, but when he lets his heart shine through he just makes me melt!!
Snyder really knows how to weave a fantastical story. The only issue I had was her use of the word "guys". For some reason I feel like "guys" should not be used in a fantasy story, but maybe that's just a minor pet peeve of mine? I really liked that the story takes place over the course of what seems like months and not just a few days/weeks. There is also some romance, but I'm not ruining it for you! I honestly didn't see it coming for a really long time! By the end of the book I was in tears! Happy tears, sad tears, all kinds of tears!
Overall I really loved this book and I'm glad I forced myself to request it from Netgalley! Touch of Power definitely has me on a fantasy kick now and I'm looking forward to reading more fantasy YA soon. I'm also really looking forward to reading more of Snyder's books which I've heard are amazing! If you're a fantasy lover, you definitely need to pick this one up. The writing is superb, the characters are fun, and the story is great! I had a hard time getting into it in the beginning but I had an easy time finishing it!
I've been wanting to pick up a really good fantasy novel for awhile, but nothing has really compared to Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore so when I started reading Touch of Power I knew I had struck fantastical gold. I really loved the direction this book took, despite Avry's ability to heal the sick and injured she is mostly ridiculed and blamed for the mysterious plague that has killed thousands, causing her to remain on the run. The story did get somewhat slow in places, having me glance through some passages, but it kept me entertained enough to continue reading.
Avry is a great female protagonist. She's extremely loyal, selfless, strong, and witty! She doesn't just go along with what other people want her to do and she resists Kerrick every step of the way which is just hilarious to read about! Her one vice, however, is sick children which tends to get her into a lot of trouble. Kerrick and is band of merry men (yes, I'm referencing Robin Hood!) are an extremely hilarious bunch! Belen reminded me of Andre the Giant, a huge guy who just protects those that are smaller than him. The other 3 are exactly how Kerrick describes them, monkeys! Kerrick himself is a tough guy on the outside, but when he lets his heart shine through he just makes me melt!!
Snyder really knows how to weave a fantastical story. The only issue I had was her use of the word "guys". For some reason I feel like "guys" should not be used in a fantasy story, but maybe that's just a minor pet peeve of mine? I really liked that the story takes place over the course of what seems like months and not just a few days/weeks. There is also some romance, but I'm not ruining it for you! I honestly didn't see it coming for a really long time! By the end of the book I was in tears! Happy tears, sad tears, all kinds of tears!
Overall I really loved this book and I'm glad I forced myself to request it from Netgalley! Touch of Power definitely has me on a fantasy kick now and I'm looking forward to reading more fantasy YA soon. I'm also really looking forward to reading more of Snyder's books which I've heard are amazing! If you're a fantasy lover, you definitely need to pick this one up. The writing is superb, the characters are fun, and the story is great! I had a hard time getting into it in the beginning but I had an easy time finishing it!
- I just LOVE Maria V. Snyder books!! *sigh* This one did not disappoint. Great story, wonderful characters, and everything in between!
- I really like Avry. She has a nice name, and a spunky, stubborn personality. Her powers are like Rogue's and Wolverine's combined! Cool!
- I love the dialogue in all of Snyder's books. The banter between characters is wonderful and hilarious. Snyder has quite the sense of humor and wit.
- The cover is nice, but I don't like the girl's face. She kinda looks like Kristen Stewart, and that bugs me.
- Each chapter always made me want to read just one more!! Of course, I couldn't stop. I just devoured the whole book from start to finished.
- I love the humor and friendship between the characters. Belen, Quain, Loren, and Flea just add so much awesomeness!! Every girl needs some brothers like these guys. Belen is my hero!
- I am not a sappy person, and I'm not into chick flicks or anything like that, but for some reason, Maria V. Snyder's books always make me swoon, sigh, and melt. Amid the adventure and magic, she always adds in a bit of romance, and I just eat it up!! I think it is because her men are always so swoon worthy.
- After finishing this book, I just feel happy and giddy.
- The ending is GREAT!! There are still things left to find out though, but I'm sure that will be taken care of in the future books. The end wasn't a huge cliffhanger (THANK YOU VERY MUCH!), but I'm eager for #2 in this series.
- I really like Avry. She has a nice name, and a spunky, stubborn personality. Her powers are like Rogue's and Wolverine's combined! Cool!
- I love the dialogue in all of Snyder's books. The banter between characters is wonderful and hilarious. Snyder has quite the sense of humor and wit.
- The cover is nice, but I don't like the girl's face. She kinda looks like Kristen Stewart, and that bugs me.
- Each chapter always made me want to read just one more!! Of course, I couldn't stop. I just devoured the whole book from start to finished.
- I love the humor and friendship between the characters. Belen, Quain, Loren, and Flea just add so much awesomeness!! Every girl needs some brothers like these guys. Belen is my hero!
- I am not a sappy person, and I'm not into chick flicks or anything like that, but for some reason, Maria V. Snyder's books always make me swoon, sigh, and melt. Amid the adventure and magic, she always adds in a bit of romance, and I just eat it up!! I think it is because her men are always so swoon worthy.
- After finishing this book, I just feel happy and giddy.
- The ending is GREAT!! There are still things left to find out though, but I'm sure that will be taken care of in the future books. The end wasn't a huge cliffhanger (THANK YOU VERY MUCH!), but I'm eager for #2 in this series.
I've now read 6 books from Maria V. Snyder, and I have just loved every single one. My book love started with Poison Study, and continued all through the trilogy. Then she came out with a second trilogy, starting with Storm Glass, but I (embarrassingly!) haven't gotten around to reading it. And then came the two books, Inside Out and Outside In, which I fell into completely. Those books were SO good. So I was looking forward to Touch of Power, even though the cover art is too cheesy for my tastes. It did not disappoint.
Is it possible to get your heart rate up from reading? The first chapter had me biting my nails and sweating from the action and tension. Maria V. Snyder can write action sequences like no other. And fantasy really is her strong suit. Another trait of Snyder's writing that I can look forward to is the strong females. I loved the character of Avry, with her healing touch and wise intellect. She was an incredible woman that never backed down from a fight or doing what was right. And then there was Kerrick, who had plenty of flaws, but also a tender side to him that made him a most interesting character to play opposite Avry. Even the minor characters were completely fleshed out - like Belen and Tohon. Each one of them had specific reasons for doing what they were doing.
I already mentioned how I think the cover art is super cheesy, but it does a good job in representing the story. Can't give away too much, but I sure hope I never run into a Death Lily!
So thank you, Maria V. Snyder! This book was fun, exciting, scary, and soft-hearted, all at once. I can't wait for the next installment in the Fifteen Realms!
Is it possible to get your heart rate up from reading? The first chapter had me biting my nails and sweating from the action and tension. Maria V. Snyder can write action sequences like no other. And fantasy really is her strong suit. Another trait of Snyder's writing that I can look forward to is the strong females. I loved the character of Avry, with her healing touch and wise intellect. She was an incredible woman that never backed down from a fight or doing what was right. And then there was Kerrick, who had plenty of flaws, but also a tender side to him that made him a most interesting character to play opposite Avry. Even the minor characters were completely fleshed out - like Belen and Tohon. Each one of them had specific reasons for doing what they were doing.
I already mentioned how I think the cover art is super cheesy, but it does a good job in representing the story. Can't give away too much, but I sure hope I never run into a Death Lily!
So thank you, Maria V. Snyder! This book was fun, exciting, scary, and soft-hearted, all at once. I can't wait for the next installment in the Fifteen Realms!
Was a four star until like three quarters in when the plot took a turn that I wasn't a super huge fan of? Not a huge fan of the whole rapey villain, who then two seconds after assaulting the main character, gets described as this like adonis of a man? I did really enjoy Avry as a protagonist, and again I'm a sucker for the female main character surrounded by a band of gruff men who actually really care about her. It's like fantasy found family? Can that please be a thing? I did enjoy Kerrick but the relationship would go from 0 to 100 to 0 again in like two seconds?
I love the Study series and Synder's writing and I will be continuing with the series when I can get my hands on the second book (managed to find the third whilst thrifting).
I love the Study series and Synder's writing and I will be continuing with the series when I can get my hands on the second book (managed to find the third whilst thrifting).