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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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 really enjoyed this book. Maria v Snyder created a new and magical world, with great characters and a good story! I have enjoyed many of Maria v Snyders books and that was also the reason that I bought this book. I also like the idea of a lead character that can heal people by getting sick herself.
This book has a great story, although it sometimes is a bit predictable. I think that is one of the few minpoints of this book. Because I have read most of Maria v Snyders other book it is easy to see a pattern in her books and some things that happen are therefore a bit predictable. Like the fact that the lead person often get's captured and most of the time escapes are a bit too easy. Another point is that I found the beginning a bit slow. The start of the book was quite actionful and sucked me into the story, but after that it got a bit slow. We get to know the characters a bit and then just wait until they know each other better while they travel and nothing really happens. Until after a while the action picks up again and it didn't get slow again.
What I always love in maria v snyders books is the world building and the characters. And this book is no exception. The world is very thought through, complete with magic users, which kings and leaders have the power, political intrigues and history. This world is different from her earlier books, but just as good. I also like the new original types of magic users found in this book.
Then the characters, they are just great. I quickly became to love the characters, they all have their own personalities and quirks and that makes them easy likeable. Also the chooses they make and how they act is very believeable. I don't often read epic fantasy, but I always love maria v Snyders books, I think this is because of the attention to the characters, their personalities and relationships.
To conclude: a great book! Good world building, great characters and a interesting story. The only minpoints are the fact that the beginning is a bit slow and some things are a bit predictable. I certainly am looking forward to the next book to see the adventures of these characters continue!
This book has a great story, although it sometimes is a bit predictable. I think that is one of the few minpoints of this book. Because I have read most of Maria v Snyders other book it is easy to see a pattern in her books and some things that happen are therefore a bit predictable. Like the fact that the lead person often get's captured and most of the time escapes are a bit too easy. Another point is that I found the beginning a bit slow. The start of the book was quite actionful and sucked me into the story, but after that it got a bit slow. We get to know the characters a bit and then just wait until they know each other better while they travel and nothing really happens. Until after a while the action picks up again and it didn't get slow again.
What I always love in maria v snyders books is the world building and the characters. And this book is no exception. The world is very thought through, complete with magic users, which kings and leaders have the power, political intrigues and history. This world is different from her earlier books, but just as good. I also like the new original types of magic users found in this book.
Then the characters, they are just great. I quickly became to love the characters, they all have their own personalities and quirks and that makes them easy likeable. Also the chooses they make and how they act is very believeable. I don't often read epic fantasy, but I always love maria v Snyders books, I think this is because of the attention to the characters, their personalities and relationships.
To conclude: a great book! Good world building, great characters and a interesting story. The only minpoints are the fact that the beginning is a bit slow and some things are a bit predictable. I certainly am looking forward to the next book to see the adventures of these characters continue!
adventurous
fast-paced
I have yet to read a Maria V. Synder book that has disappointed me. So of course with her new series I had high expectations. And, she in no way let me down with Touch Of Power. It was thrilling, unique, and I loved following Avry's journey.
Avry of Kazan is a healer. But, healers are hunted and executed because they are believed to be spreading a plague. So Avry has been hiding herself for years, but when she is discovered and caught she thinks it's all over. Until a mysterious and handsome Kerrick, and his crew rescue her with one request... to heal a prince who has the plague. Avry doesn't agree, but she does decide to stay with the group and think about it. Along the way, Avry's journey is anything but easy, and she starts to discover more about her world than she ever knew. And, healing someone comes with a price... is healing this prince worth her life?
I absolutely adore how Maria is always capable of creating these fantasy worlds. How she can create whole new worlds, with interesting powers, and story lines. Living in Avry's world there are people gifted with powers. Eleven in all: Earth, wind, life, death, healing, forest, water, moon, fire, rock, and sun. Could you imagine being able to sense the earth? Use the trees? Suck the air out of someone and suffocate them? Be able take or give life? It would be quite a gift to possess these powers. I also love the fact that the ages of these characters average around my age (21). It's nice to read a YA novel where the characters aren't teen but aren't fully adult either. The world, the plot, the romance, the story line in Touch Of Power was all so brilliantly created.
Avry is one of those strong characters, who decides what's right for her and that's something I admire in her. She doesn't just do as she's told, she's stubborn and strong-willed with a good head on her shoulders and I cannot wait to read more of her story!
Throughout the book we meet so many characters, in particular there's the group Avry travels with. I loved each of them in their own way... especially Flea and Belen! Belen was probably one of my favorite characters in the book. He has such a kind heart and he's overall the perfect character. On the other side there's Flea. yet another you cannot help but fall in love with but he has his own hardships as well. I also really enjoyed Ryne once we meet him and I'm very curious to see how he plays out in the rest of the series! Oh, another I must mention is Tohon! ... Okay, yes... he's the bad guy. BUT BUT BUT he's a SEXY bad guy. One that I'm sure will make it into the villains tourney if we ever have one! haha.
And last but NOT least, Kerrick. First off... SEXY NAME. Oh my gosh, I'm a sucker for unique names and his is doozy of hottness. I absolutely loved his whole role throughout the book. He's been hurt, he keeps so much inside, he depends on himself so much, yet when his caring and protective side comes through you cannot help but fall for him. He's one of those boys with the super tough exterior but with a huge heart inside. I adored watching him & Avry fight and grow to care for each other... it was so real and so enjoyable to read.
In my opinion, Maria did a fantastic job with her ninth novel. It's exciting, thrilling, fun, sexy, has twists, and everything in between. It's a beautiful journey that you need to read for yourself!
Avry of Kazan is a healer. But, healers are hunted and executed because they are believed to be spreading a plague. So Avry has been hiding herself for years, but when she is discovered and caught she thinks it's all over. Until a mysterious and handsome Kerrick, and his crew rescue her with one request... to heal a prince who has the plague. Avry doesn't agree, but she does decide to stay with the group and think about it. Along the way, Avry's journey is anything but easy, and she starts to discover more about her world than she ever knew. And, healing someone comes with a price... is healing this prince worth her life?
I absolutely adore how Maria is always capable of creating these fantasy worlds. How she can create whole new worlds, with interesting powers, and story lines. Living in Avry's world there are people gifted with powers. Eleven in all: Earth, wind, life, death, healing, forest, water, moon, fire, rock, and sun. Could you imagine being able to sense the earth? Use the trees? Suck the air out of someone and suffocate them? Be able take or give life? It would be quite a gift to possess these powers. I also love the fact that the ages of these characters average around my age (21). It's nice to read a YA novel where the characters aren't teen but aren't fully adult either. The world, the plot, the romance, the story line in Touch Of Power was all so brilliantly created.
Avry is one of those strong characters, who decides what's right for her and that's something I admire in her. She doesn't just do as she's told, she's stubborn and strong-willed with a good head on her shoulders and I cannot wait to read more of her story!
Throughout the book we meet so many characters, in particular there's the group Avry travels with. I loved each of them in their own way... especially Flea and Belen! Belen was probably one of my favorite characters in the book. He has such a kind heart and he's overall the perfect character. On the other side there's Flea. yet another you cannot help but fall in love with but he has his own hardships as well. I also really enjoyed Ryne once we meet him and I'm very curious to see how he plays out in the rest of the series! Oh, another I must mention is Tohon! ... Okay, yes... he's the bad guy. BUT BUT BUT he's a SEXY bad guy. One that I'm sure will make it into the villains tourney if we ever have one! haha.
And last but NOT least, Kerrick. First off... SEXY NAME. Oh my gosh, I'm a sucker for unique names and his is doozy of hottness. I absolutely loved his whole role throughout the book. He's been hurt, he keeps so much inside, he depends on himself so much, yet when his caring and protective side comes through you cannot help but fall for him. He's one of those boys with the super tough exterior but with a huge heart inside. I adored watching him & Avry fight and grow to care for each other... it was so real and so enjoyable to read.
In my opinion, Maria did a fantastic job with her ninth novel. It's exciting, thrilling, fun, sexy, has twists, and everything in between. It's a beautiful journey that you need to read for yourself!
Really enjoyed this. It was nice to step into a new fantasy world of Snyder's, since I'd had my fill of Sitia. Although I don't enjoy Snyder's romances in the least, she deftly wields the fantasy genre, and I read her for that alone. I was surprised there was no overly repulsive and horrid villain in this one, either! He was tame in comparison to her Sitian villainy.
Even being as much a fantasy fan as I am, it often takes me a good while to really get into a new fantasy world. Not with this book. I was immediately drawn in and the plot gets moving right away. The world building is absolutely on point. Yay! Here are some things you should know:
Liked:
* The heroine is sarcastic, witty, talented, selfless, and capable. I really, really like her.
* I liked the magic of the world
* I was never bored!
* This is a good adventure story!
* There is a good ensemble cast who are easy to love.
Disliked
* HUGE AMOUNT OF DISAPPROVAL: the love interest backhands the MC in anger early on in the story. This will prevent me from ever really shipping them. He does apologize. More than once. But this is the sort of thing I just personally can't get over.
* I wish there was more romance. This ties in to the point above. There is a little romance here. It's built up slowly and really pays off toward the end. But. I am prevented from enjoying it very much due to the above mentioned bullet point. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Liked:
* The heroine is sarcastic, witty, talented, selfless, and capable. I really, really like her.
* I liked the magic of the world
* I was never bored!
* This is a good adventure story!
* There is a good ensemble cast who are easy to love.
Disliked
* HUGE AMOUNT OF DISAPPROVAL: the love interest backhands the MC in anger early on in the story. This will prevent me from ever really shipping them. He does apologize. More than once. But this is the sort of thing I just personally can't get over.
* I wish there was more romance. This ties in to the point above. There is a little romance here. It's built up slowly and really pays off toward the end. But. I am prevented from enjoying it very much due to the above mentioned bullet point. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
