ARC Review: Maria V. Snyder - The Touch of Power

The Healer Series:

Book 1:

The Touch of Power: Avry of Kazan and Kerrick

Release Date: December 27^th, 2011

Summary:

A plague has just run rampant throughout the 11 realms wiping out more than half of the total population. No race or gender was left unscathed.  Healers were blamed for the plague and are now hunted and killed on site. Avry is a healer and has been on the run for the last three years, tired of running she is finally caught and sentenced to death. Before her death sentence can be carried out she is “rescued” by a team of men that want her to heal their leader of the plague.  Only problem is that leader is one of the reasons she has been in hiding and running all this time, she refuses to heal him knowing to heal him will mean her own death sentence.  Kerrick cannot accept that answer from Avry, he knows this leader has the ability to bring all 11 realms back under control and into peace; he must be healed at all costs. Avry was once rescued and now she is a prisoner of Kerricks as he drags her into the torturous nine mountains area, if the trip doesn’t kill her Kerrick might if she doesn’t heal his leader…

Review:

The world Maria V. Synder created is very interesting and creative.  Avry at the age of 20 is smart and brave and has somehow managed to stay in hiding for three years which is longer than any other healer; she is the last left of her kind. She has grit and determination and will not let anyone force her into their beliefs. I really admired Avry through the book; she used what resources she has on hand and true determination and intelligence beyond her years.  Kerrick, I really thought I was going to hate him through the entire book, but as his attitude softened so did mine. By the end of the book I was even rooting for him. His magick was also pretty cool as a Forest mage, he could connect with the forest and through him so could Avry. I really liked how M. Synder incorporated his magick into the novel. The descriptions of the characters and their environments were so clear it was easy to envision everything.  The story moved along rapidly and certainly was not boring there was enough going on to keep you entertained. Although this book falls under the “romance” category it is tame enough for a YA, with hardly any romantical action. I also think lovers of Fantasy novels will enjoy this book.  I will definitely carry on with this series and will probably look into other Maria V. Synder books.

This book was provided to me for an honest review through NetGalley.

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