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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This read like Maria V. Snyder took the characters of Poison Study and wrote an inferior story with them. The plot wasn't that engaging, the characters, although ripped off, not as likable. It was a very shallow story and the set up for later conflict was laughably transparent.
This book is so weird.
You know at the end of the Hunger Games series when they summarize a whole sequence of important events because Katniss was unconscious at the time? And it seemed very rushed and you wished that you could have seen the events actually unfolding? Yeah. That's what the entirety of this book is like.
But for some reason, its the only book I couldn't put down in a long time.
So I'm confused and kind of mad at myself....
Also *Spoilers* If you had the power to heal, but at the cost of your own health, wouldn't you resent it just a little? I know I would. But she's so happy to do it, every time. Like, hell no! You're cut is going to heal! I'm not taking it!
You know at the end of the Hunger Games series when they summarize a whole sequence of important events because Katniss was unconscious at the time? And it seemed very rushed and you wished that you could have seen the events actually unfolding? Yeah. That's what the entirety of this book is like.
But for some reason, its the only book I couldn't put down in a long time.
So I'm confused and kind of mad at myself....
Also *Spoilers* If you had the power to heal, but at the cost of your own health, wouldn't you resent it just a little? I know I would. But she's so happy to do it, every time. Like, hell no! You're cut is going to heal! I'm not taking it!
After the terrible Storm books focusing on Opal from the Study series, I was not holding out much hope for this new series. However, book 1 completely sucked me in with a more believable heroine, a new and exciting world, and well paced action. It did have the slight downside of the heroine being simply AMAZING at learning survival skills like all of Snyder's books, but that isn't that offputting to me. I look forward to more of this series.
This just didn't do it for me. I liked the first couple of books in the Poison Study, but that heroine became a Mary Sue as well, and I didn't finish. This heroine started out a Mary Sue, I gave up after she talked a flower out of eating her. The book ceases to be fun when she doesn't have to fight battles or even find a clever way around an obstacle, she can just pull out her hidden magic and make it go away.
MARIA SNYDER NEVER STOP MAKING FANTASY BOOKS I LOVE YOU.
All the characters are so amazing and the found family wow i love u maria. Also really love their chemistry lowkey dgaf about when he hit her, he’s such a pussy but i really like that he’s not super grumpy. FUCK Tohon btw he’s so weird. The world building as always was fucking amazing.
All the characters are so amazing and the found family wow i love u maria. Also really love their chemistry lowkey dgaf about when he hit her, he’s such a pussy but i really like that he’s not super grumpy. FUCK Tohon btw he’s so weird. The world building as always was fucking amazing.
DNF- 40%
The writing was so shockingly bad even compared to the writer's debut novel which was better for some reason??
So weirdly fast paced. I've always said I liked a fast pace compared to a slow one in books, but even I have my limits. The entire book was filled with interactions like.
The love interest goes from refusing something absolutely, to immediately caving after the female lead just asks twice on the same page. And he's supposed to be this self assured #alphaman.
Things like escaping from the bad guys, but getting caught immediately, someone getting hurt, almost dying, then healed then almost dying AGAIN and then waking up after being healed happens in 3 pages.
Also so contradictory. Kerrick goes from threatening to make our FMC character's life hell, to apologizing for that one slap he gave her. He won't do it again, he promises! But btw if she doesn't do everything he orders her too he WILL make her life living hell. But he held her hand while she was recovering from the deadly wound she got one page ago so it's okay!
How is this same writer of poison work?
The writing was so shockingly bad even compared to the writer's debut novel which was better for some reason??
So weirdly fast paced. I've always said I liked a fast pace compared to a slow one in books, but even I have my limits. The entire book was filled with interactions like.
The love interest goes from refusing something absolutely, to immediately caving after the female lead just asks twice on the same page. And he's supposed to be this self assured #alphaman.
Things like escaping from the bad guys, but getting caught immediately, someone getting hurt, almost dying, then healed then almost dying AGAIN and then waking up after being healed happens in 3 pages.
Also so contradictory. Kerrick goes from threatening to make our FMC character's life hell, to apologizing for that one slap he gave her. He won't do it again, he promises! But btw if she doesn't do everything he orders her too he WILL make her life living hell. But he held her hand while she was recovering from the deadly wound she got one page ago so it's okay!
How is this same writer of poison work?
I went into this already loving Mara V. Snyder's writing, and Touch of Power didn't disappoint. I was afraid that it was going to be too similar to the Power/Glass worlds and magic system, but Snyder managed to come up with a whole new world, a whole new magic, and a great story.
*spoiler-ish*
My one complaint is that the romantic story at the end seemed a bit rushed. I've never been a big fan of "BAM, I'M IN LOVE NOW!", and that's what seemed to happen in ToP. I was really enjoying reading the evolving friendship of the two main characters, and then out of nowhere I had their undying love thrust on me.
All in all, not a huge complaint, it didn't really detract from the story that much for me, personally (obviously, I gave this a 5 star review). I eagerly away the next installation in the trilogy, and I'm sad that it's not going to be out until 2013.
*spoiler-ish*
My one complaint is that the romantic story at the end seemed a bit rushed. I've never been a big fan of "BAM, I'M IN LOVE NOW!", and that's what seemed to happen in ToP. I was really enjoying reading the evolving friendship of the two main characters, and then out of nowhere I had their undying love thrust on me.
All in all, not a huge complaint, it didn't really detract from the story that much for me, personally (obviously, I gave this a 5 star review). I eagerly away the next installation in the trilogy, and I'm sad that it's not going to be out until 2013.
Read count: 2
"Don't worry," I said. "These men are good. They're going to save the world."
After YEARS of hearing the most amazing things about Snyder and the books she writes, the worlds she creates and the characters she breathes life into, i finally got myself one of her books! And i am kicking myself very hard for not doing so sooner!
Avry is on the run, she is a healer. Her touch has the power to heal the injured and the ill. You would have though that the power of healing would have the healers being worshiped and loved amongst the people. Instead they are hated and hunted, blamed for spreading the plague that wiped out thousands leaving the survivors in a state of fear and chaos.
Avry is rescued/kidnapped by a gang of rebels, they need her power to heal their leader. The problem with that is, he has the plague. For a healer to heal someone of the plague would mean their death. When a healer uses their power to heal someone they take the persons ailment into their own body, healer's bodies heal much quicker and are able to survive things that normal people wouldn't be able to, except from the plague. They can cure someone of it but they cannot recover from it. So Avry is torn, knowing that the plague will kill her and the gang's need to have their leader healed leaves Avry with a lot to think about..
The gang really are a lovable bunch! Kerrick, Balen, Loren, Quain and Flea. Avry quickly develops friendships with all bar Kerrick, the leader of the group. Him and Avry constantly but heads and it's brilliant! The two constantly snark at each other and argue and it really is a highlight of this book! The characters in this book are so entertaining! I loved them all and found myself really caring about what happened to them, laughing along with their jokes and getting sucked into all their antics!
Throughout this book their all constantly on the move, trekking over the nine mountains trying to reach their friend. But a price has been put on Avery's head and the gang have mercenaries chomping at their heels and magical dangers, dark and repulsive are waiting round every corner. Not only do they have to face with danger, kidnapping, the undead, they will have to face themselves and the choices they make and the effects they have. They will trust the wrong people, fall in love, have the most hilarious antics, forged friendships where strangers become family and face a ton of danger! Avry will come to realize that sometimes those who share blood cannot always be trusted.
Now i'd like to take a moment to appreciate all that is Tohon. I know, i know he's the bad guy! But he's a hot, swoony badguy who makes darkness seem much more appealing. Honestly he reminded me so much of the Darkling, and he is just another example where evil is a pant dropper. I loved his character, he really made a brilliant villain. He was unpredictable, you never knew what he was up to or what his next move would be. Even if he was psychotic everybody's got to have one flaw right?
I didn't want to go into the plot in my review because there are so many unexpected twists and turns throughout the plot that it will most definitely keep you flipping them pages and have you falling deeper and more in love with the story with every chapter. Snyder is a fabulous creator, from the world building to the characters to the high impact action scene this is a book not to be missed by fans of fantasy!
This is my favorite book of the series and the only one that is Avry's sole POV, the following two in the series are dual POV. You'll only be hurting yourself by missing out on this series, fans of fantasy get ready to join a thrilling adventure that will leave you with a thirst for more..
"Don't worry," I said. "These men are good. They're going to save the world."
After YEARS of hearing the most amazing things about Snyder and the books she writes, the worlds she creates and the characters she breathes life into, i finally got myself one of her books! And i am kicking myself very hard for not doing so sooner!
Avry is on the run, she is a healer. Her touch has the power to heal the injured and the ill. You would have though that the power of healing would have the healers being worshiped and loved amongst the people. Instead they are hated and hunted, blamed for spreading the plague that wiped out thousands leaving the survivors in a state of fear and chaos.
Avry is rescued/kidnapped by a gang of rebels, they need her power to heal their leader. The problem with that is, he has the plague. For a healer to heal someone of the plague would mean their death. When a healer uses their power to heal someone they take the persons ailment into their own body, healer's bodies heal much quicker and are able to survive things that normal people wouldn't be able to, except from the plague. They can cure someone of it but they cannot recover from it. So Avry is torn, knowing that the plague will kill her and the gang's need to have their leader healed leaves Avry with a lot to think about..
The gang really are a lovable bunch! Kerrick, Balen, Loren, Quain and Flea. Avry quickly develops friendships with all bar Kerrick, the leader of the group. Him and Avry constantly but heads and it's brilliant! The two constantly snark at each other and argue and it really is a highlight of this book! The characters in this book are so entertaining! I loved them all and found myself really caring about what happened to them, laughing along with their jokes and getting sucked into all their antics!
Throughout this book their all constantly on the move, trekking over the nine mountains trying to reach their friend. But a price has been put on Avery's head and the gang have mercenaries chomping at their heels and magical dangers, dark and repulsive are waiting round every corner. Not only do they have to face with danger, kidnapping, the undead, they will have to face themselves and the choices they make and the effects they have. They will trust the wrong people, fall in love, have the most hilarious antics, forged friendships where strangers become family and face a ton of danger! Avry will come to realize that sometimes those who share blood cannot always be trusted.
Now i'd like to take a moment to appreciate all that is Tohon. I know, i know he's the bad guy! But he's a hot, swoony badguy who makes darkness seem much more appealing. Honestly he reminded me so much of the Darkling, and he is just another example where evil is a pant dropper. I loved his character, he really made a brilliant villain. He was unpredictable, you never knew what he was up to or what his next move would be. Even if he was psychotic everybody's got to have one flaw right?
I didn't want to go into the plot in my review because there are so many unexpected twists and turns throughout the plot that it will most definitely keep you flipping them pages and have you falling deeper and more in love with the story with every chapter. Snyder is a fabulous creator, from the world building to the characters to the high impact action scene this is a book not to be missed by fans of fantasy!
This is my favorite book of the series and the only one that is Avry's sole POV, the following two in the series are dual POV. You'll only be hurting yourself by missing out on this series, fans of fantasy get ready to join a thrilling adventure that will leave you with a thirst for more..
Maria V. Snyder’s debut novel, [b: Poison Study|60510|Poison Study (Study, #1)|Maria V. Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388519019s/60510.jpg|1180409], is quite possibly one of the best YA fantasies I’ve ever read, and I keep rereading it. So I came into Touch of Power with plenty of expectations, and it didn’t quite measure up.
That’s not to say Touch of Power was terrible, exactly. Its premise was fascinating: Avry is one of the last healers in a world where healers have been blamed for starting a devastating plague. Instead of just healing someone with no consequences, a healer’s magic comes with a price–they have to assume the injuries of the patient, and heal themselves quickly.
Snyder’s storytelling skills are as strong as ever. Her impressive imagination created a world of adventure and intrigue, and I never once felt bored even though the main characters’ journey was one of Lord of the Rings proportions. The pacing was off, though. Weeks would pass normally, and then all of a sudden a couple months would go by in the same amount of pages. It was hard to keep my bearings, so eventually I just gave up and went with it.
Touch of Power isn’t on par with Poison Study because it lacks the depth of characterization and setting of the earlier novel. It also just seemed more “typical YA,” in that it was a fun read but not very thought-provoking. It didn’t stick with me long after I’d finished it like Poison Study did. Avry is a typical YA fantasy heroine: she’s strong, kind, brave, etc. But she has none of the steely determination and intelligence that made me love Yelena so much. And don’t even get me started on Kerrick, Avry’s love interest. He not only pales in comparison to Poison Study‘s Valek–he’s just a raging douchebag with few redeeming qualities. I kept wondering why Avry was going on and on about him smelling like sunshine when he was backhanding her and threatening her and just generally being a dick.
All in all, Touch of Power was entertaining but didn’t meet my expectations. It just felt like it was geared toward a younger audience than Poison Study, which it may well be. It needed more development in many places, but Snyder’s storytelling abilities kept me hooked despite its flaws.
Check out this review and others on my book blog here.
That’s not to say Touch of Power was terrible, exactly. Its premise was fascinating: Avry is one of the last healers in a world where healers have been blamed for starting a devastating plague. Instead of just healing someone with no consequences, a healer’s magic comes with a price–they have to assume the injuries of the patient, and heal themselves quickly.
Snyder’s storytelling skills are as strong as ever. Her impressive imagination created a world of adventure and intrigue, and I never once felt bored even though the main characters’ journey was one of Lord of the Rings proportions. The pacing was off, though. Weeks would pass normally, and then all of a sudden a couple months would go by in the same amount of pages. It was hard to keep my bearings, so eventually I just gave up and went with it.
Touch of Power isn’t on par with Poison Study because it lacks the depth of characterization and setting of the earlier novel. It also just seemed more “typical YA,” in that it was a fun read but not very thought-provoking. It didn’t stick with me long after I’d finished it like Poison Study did. Avry is a typical YA fantasy heroine: she’s strong, kind, brave, etc. But she has none of the steely determination and intelligence that made me love Yelena so much. And don’t even get me started on Kerrick, Avry’s love interest. He not only pales in comparison to Poison Study‘s Valek–he’s just a raging douchebag with few redeeming qualities. I kept wondering why Avry was going on and on about him smelling like sunshine when he was backhanding her and threatening her and just generally being a dick.
All in all, Touch of Power was entertaining but didn’t meet my expectations. It just felt like it was geared toward a younger audience than Poison Study, which it may well be. It needed more development in many places, but Snyder’s storytelling abilities kept me hooked despite its flaws.
Check out this review and others on my book blog here.
