Review: Touch Of Power by Maria V. Snyder

                                                                               



Touch of Power
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Touch Of Power

Maria V. Snyder

Paperback 390 pages

Published: December 20th 2011 by Mira

ISBN: 0778313077 (ISBN13: 9780778313076)

Series: Healer #1

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure

Borrowed From Library

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...


Review:  Loved It!! Fantasy, strong female heroine, fast-paced adventure, laced with humor and intrigue.

First, I want to share my thoughts of this book cover, with you. This cover is what first drew me into this book. Loved the colors, flowers, and the castle in the background. I love a good fantasy read especially with a female heroine in it. So, I was excited to finally read this book.

Maria V. Snyder is an author I've never heard of, until seeing and reading this book. I'm so glad I took the plunge and started her book. She drags you into her fantasy/adventure series and has you fall for the characters. This book had all the elements I love in a fantasy book, strong characters, female heroine, adventure, magic, and a growing love story. I'll be looking forward to reading Maria's other books and cannot wait to revisit Avry and the others as their adventure continues!

Avry is a young woman who has the power to heal with her touch. She's smart, savvy, and has alot of heart. Healers, like Avry were once liked and accepted, until the plague. The plague that would kill many in the Fifteen Realms, rumored to have been started by the Healers. Avry must live in exile and must hide her identity, before she is used or killed for her gift. Reminiscent of the Salem Witch trials, ignorance of the people have left them in fear and bounties are placed on the heads of the Healers. Avry is constantly on the run, until one day when she is caught and set to be prosecuted. Jailed and destined for an early grave, she is saved by a group of men. These men have a purpose to finding one of the last healers left in existence, to save their friend, and Prince.

Prince Ryne has fallen ill, with the plague, and is only kept alive in cased in magic in a far off cave. Avry is not a fan of the Prince, and tells the group of men she will not heal him, but she must journey with the men who saved her from death now, that there is a bounty on her head. They continually save her, from groups of mercenaries, looking for her. 

The men and Avry will have to journey to Prince Ryne's hideout. It is a long and adventurous journey, The leader of the group is Kerrick. He is smart, and infused with magic and mystery. Avry and Kerrick don't get along, and he basically treats her with a hard attitude. She in-turn gives it right back too him, and grows to dislike him more and more. As their journey continues, Avry is slowly coming to enjoy the friendship between the men as she is accepted into their circle of friendship. Kerrick is hard pressed for time, but shows heart in the decisions he makes, and slowly you see him falling for Avery, but he never shows his emotions to her. She thinks he is a pompous a**, but she slowly wishes he would like her. Though, she knows his heart could never choose her, and all of his actions are for saving the Prince.

The friendships between Avery and the group, is fun, and shows heart. The secondary characters in this book held my interest, as they were a vital part in the story. The men in the group brought out the lighter side of the ongoing tension Other than, Kerrick(who deep down inside, is mysterious with his feelings toward Avry) the rest of the small group embrace and grow to like Avery, and she and the men enjoy the each others company.

I'm not going to spoil the rest of the plot for you, just know that the book gets better with each turn paging chapter.
The adventure heats up as well as the emotions, as we are introduced to villains, and Avry is thrust into this villains world, he who has the power to control her emotions....

You will not be able to put this book down and will be left with a slight annoyance, because the next book in the series will be published in 2013. Though it's a happy annoyance, I still am highly awaiting their journey to continue and see where it may lead them. I must add one more thought, even though this book is listed under the young adult genre it is highly enjoyable for adults as well as young adults, and should not be overlooked.