Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

  

Title: Touch of Power

Series: Healer #1

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: Harlequin Mira

Published on: December 20, 2011

Source: publisher (BEA 2012)

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes 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 Territories, 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....

My Thoughts:

This was a really good adventure (with a slight touch of fantasy)book! I have always been drawn to stories with made-up places and an unknown timeline. Like this one for example. Others include Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore, Legacy series by Cayla Kluver and LOTR and Narnia. but what's unique here is that some modern medical things such as syringes exists, and women are allowed to wear tunics and pants. And I kind of like the existence of man-eating flowers. Gruesome, I know. 

Avry, the main character, and the narrator of the story is instantly likable. Her stubborn attitude and fearsome qualities exudes her from others. She's no plain Jane either. Her presence in the novel is very much important and she makes everything interesting. She's a healer, and her compassion to others are admirable. She risks her life everytime she heals, because healers were ordered to be killed at that time. Her love-hate relationship with Kerrick, a prince from the land of Alga, who rescued her the night before her execution in exchange for her healing his friend. Ayway, their arguments are mixed amusing but with content and sense. It's amazing how this type of novels tackle politics just in another language, but still more or less the same with our politics in the real world. I like the in-depth analysis each point explained. Plus, the plot is really good. Page after page of adrenaline-filled events happened. There were really lots of things that happened. I felt like I stayed with the characters for months too! And honestly, it was not boring. The romance part was also an added bonus.

Sometimes the events were predictable but they were delivered in an unexpected way. This is my first time reading a novel by Maria Snyder, and this will certainly not be the last. I'm looking forward to the next one. :)