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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this! The magic system is pretty cool. I absolutely love the mechanics of the healing magic. The MC is great, and the love interest is good enough. To be honest, I liked his friends more than him lol but he's adequate. I'm a sucker for a good found family. I docked a star because I wasn't a huge fan of the section with the MC and the King. It was necessary for the plot, but I was still meh about it. I wanted him to be more ruthless. That section needed more consequences, especially after her reaction to his little army. Also the ending felt a tad bit anticlimactic. I wanted a bigger blowup from the guy when he found out about the potential consequences of healing the plague. Overall though, really enjoyable read!
One of my favorite genres is female-driven fantasy, and I'm always thrilled when I come across a new book that gives me more of what I crave. In this case, a smart, gutsy heroine, fabulous world building, political intrigue, and a truly messed up, powerful villain. Oh yeah, and a touch of romance that's handled just right. I wasn't a fan of the author's Study books, but she really won me over with this one. Her writing has such a compelling, engaging quality to it. I couldn't put the book down, and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
4.5 stars
I went into this book with no expectation whats so ever,this book surprised me a lot.
The story started of slow for a while. there was a lot of description and information to what lead to this catastrophic. it really helps you settle in. There was a lot of character development that you become really attached to and a lot of plot twist.
I love the slow romance between Avry and Kerrick, it wasn't 'love at first sight'. In the beginning I hated Kerrick, he was arrogant nuisance and cold-hearted. however in the end I absolutely loved him.
the only reason why i couldn't give the 5 stars: The ending felt too rush and not what I was expecting
The second half of the book did not feel the same as to the first half.it was like everything happened soo quickly that you didn't have the time to digest the information.
However overall it was a good read
I went into this book with no expectation whats so ever,this book surprised me a lot.
The story started of slow for a while. there was a lot of description and information to what lead to this catastrophic. it really helps you settle in. There was a lot of character development that you become really attached to and a lot of plot twist.
I love the slow romance between Avry and Kerrick, it wasn't 'love at first sight'. In the beginning I hated Kerrick, he was arrogant nuisance and cold-hearted. however in the end I absolutely loved him.
the only reason why i couldn't give the 5 stars: The ending felt too rush and not what I was expecting
The second half of the book did not feel the same as to the first half.it was like everything happened soo quickly that you didn't have the time to digest the information.
However overall it was a good read
The middle king of lagged somewhat, because the forest was getting kind of boring, so I was glad when they finally made it to King Tohon's castle. Everything else was great: the magic, the people eating flowers (that are on the cover <3), the power struggle, the teasing between the group/family/(what do you call them?)... You get the idea. :P
I liked this book. I really did. It's just that the fantasy world the writer created is sort of...confusing. I really liked the concept of a Healer and I really loved Avry of Kazan and was amazed by her healing powers. She is all a main character should be; smart, intelligent, strong, brave, reasonable, sweet, selfless, badass...Also I liked the side characters like Kerrick and the gang especially Belen. The romance between Avry and Kerrick was fine even though it was too late. The thing that I didn't like about the book is the writing. The writer confused me so much with her writing. It was really hard keeping up. There are a lot of mixed ideas and plots and LOT of strange and hard to remember names of characters, places, realms...i struggled sometimes with the idea she was trying to give. I understood but the way she was trying to deliver information and scenes was so wrong. If the book was written in a different way I would have given it 5 stars no hesitation. The book was good and it was filled with love, loss, adventure, evil, good, magic, surprises and so much more. I want to give the writer and the characters plus the story a chance and I'll continue with series. Maybe not right away but someday...:)
Touch of Power is a new series debut for Maria V Snyder whose Study, Glass and Insider series have earned her many fans.
As a newly apprenticed Healer, Avry of Kazan has been in hiding since a plague swept through the Fifteen Realms decimating the population. Panicked villagers blamed the disease on the Healers, a small group of people with the natural born skill to absorb sickness and pain, who seemed to be immune to the fatal plague yet could not save the people from it. Finally caught and just hours from execution, Avry is rescued by a group of soldiers yet her death sentence has not be commuted but simply stayed, for they have abducted Avry to save the life of their plague stricken King. During the dangerous trek across the Realms at the mercy of magic and mercenaries to reach the King, Avry has a decision to make, does she save the King, or herself?
Snyder takes her readers on quite an adventure across her mythical lands. I enjoyed the creativity which governs the Fifteen Realms Since I am not a huge fan of high fantasy I was glad that Touch of Power has a contemporary feel though it's setting is decidedly other, somewhere between medieval and dystopian really, yet it works surprisingly well. The story is almost an old fashioned quest as Avry and Kerrick's team battle murderous bounty hunters, killer plants, zombies and sociopathic rulers to rescue the King and save their country. There is plenty of action, drama and suspense as well humour and romance that creates an easy to read page turner.
In Avry of Kazan, Snyder has created a smart, resourceful and strong protagonist for her new series. Avry's unique ability to heal should be regarded as a blessing but it is as much a curse for when Avry heals she takes the pain and suffering of the affliction into herself. As a Healer her power that allows her to survive almost anything, including the fatal embrace of the Death Lily, except the ravages of the plague. I liked Avry's attitude, she is outspoken and a little rash at times but with so few options available to her I appreciate her determination to create her own fate.
Avry's saviours, Kerrick and his motley crew of mercenaries - Belen, Vinn, Quain and Flea, are surprisingly endearing characters and I really enjoyed it as the bonds between the men and Avry developed. While a relationship between Avry and Kerrick does evolve, it does so slowly and works well within the story. Kerrick is just a little 'alpha' but his sense of loyalty, honour and desire to protect make up for his arrogance.
Snyder expertly balances adventure, fantasy, drama and romance with interesting characters and a creatively imagined world for a wide audience. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Touch of Power, though probably I shouldn't have been since it has similarities to Poison Study which I liked a lot as well, and I'm already looking forward to the release of the second book expected in 2012.
As a newly apprenticed Healer, Avry of Kazan has been in hiding since a plague swept through the Fifteen Realms decimating the population. Panicked villagers blamed the disease on the Healers, a small group of people with the natural born skill to absorb sickness and pain, who seemed to be immune to the fatal plague yet could not save the people from it. Finally caught and just hours from execution, Avry is rescued by a group of soldiers yet her death sentence has not be commuted but simply stayed, for they have abducted Avry to save the life of their plague stricken King. During the dangerous trek across the Realms at the mercy of magic and mercenaries to reach the King, Avry has a decision to make, does she save the King, or herself?
Snyder takes her readers on quite an adventure across her mythical lands. I enjoyed the creativity which governs the Fifteen Realms Since I am not a huge fan of high fantasy I was glad that Touch of Power has a contemporary feel though it's setting is decidedly other, somewhere between medieval and dystopian really, yet it works surprisingly well. The story is almost an old fashioned quest as Avry and Kerrick's team battle murderous bounty hunters, killer plants, zombies and sociopathic rulers to rescue the King and save their country. There is plenty of action, drama and suspense as well humour and romance that creates an easy to read page turner.
In Avry of Kazan, Snyder has created a smart, resourceful and strong protagonist for her new series. Avry's unique ability to heal should be regarded as a blessing but it is as much a curse for when Avry heals she takes the pain and suffering of the affliction into herself. As a Healer her power that allows her to survive almost anything, including the fatal embrace of the Death Lily, except the ravages of the plague. I liked Avry's attitude, she is outspoken and a little rash at times but with so few options available to her I appreciate her determination to create her own fate.
Avry's saviours, Kerrick and his motley crew of mercenaries - Belen, Vinn, Quain and Flea, are surprisingly endearing characters and I really enjoyed it as the bonds between the men and Avry developed. While a relationship between Avry and Kerrick does evolve, it does so slowly and works well within the story. Kerrick is just a little 'alpha' but his sense of loyalty, honour and desire to protect make up for his arrogance.
Snyder expertly balances adventure, fantasy, drama and romance with interesting characters and a creatively imagined world for a wide audience. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Touch of Power, though probably I shouldn't have been since it has similarities to Poison Study which I liked a lot as well, and I'm already looking forward to the release of the second book expected in 2012.
Great book..first in a new series. I liked the characters..especially Belen.
The prose was concise; different than what I'm used to. It wasn't terrible, by any means. I am definitely intrigued by the mechanics of the magic in the setting and what's happening with the plants!
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have very mixed feelings. The story is alright and I like Avry. The villain is properly menacing and creepy. I like a lot of the worldbuilding and the way healing works. I though the last 6 chapters were the best part of the book.
On the other hand, I really didn't like the writing (haven't read prose this bland in a while), I really didn't care for the romance, Kerrick is an especially bad love interest, I thought most of the side characters were dull, and I didn't always understand the character's motivations. The book failed to convince me that Ryne can do anything to stop Tohon or was at all worth Avry dying for. I really didn't like how disconnected I felt from Avry for most of the book. It took a long time for us to fully learn her motivations. For a book with only one POV, I need to stay in sync with that character for most of it.
Even so, I didn't hate the book and would be willing to continue with the series if people could assure me the other books are better. If not, I think I'll be stopping here.
On the other hand, I really didn't like the writing (haven't read prose this bland in a while), I really didn't care for the romance, Kerrick is an especially bad love interest, I thought most of the side characters were dull, and I didn't always understand the character's motivations. The book failed to convince me that Ryne can do anything to stop Tohon or was at all worth Avry dying for.
Even so, I didn't hate the book and would be willing to continue with the series if people could assure me the other books are better. If not, I think I'll be stopping here.