Touch of Power (Healer #1)Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Mira, 390 pages
Publication Date: December 20, 2011
From Goodreads:
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....
Review:
Fantasy done right. Magic, political intrigue, incredible and intricate world-building, great characters (including the villains), slow-building romance, this book has it all. Avry is such a great heroine. She's strong, a bit feisty, and sarcastic. What's not to love? And the group of men who abduct her are well-fleshed out and each one is distinctive. I just loved their interactions with each other and with Avry. There's Kerrick, the leader, who has his own magic (the strong and silent type who Avry continually defies); there's Belen, who Avry nicknames Poppa Bear (and it so fits); Flea, the young thief who learns to juggle; and Loren and Quain (who they call "the monkeys"). What a wonderful world Maria V. Snyder has created...she has her own form of magic. I loved loved loved this book.
Posted by: Pam
I really need to read more Maria V. Snyder books. I loved both Poison Study and Magic Study (but admittedly still need to read Fire Study). Really happy to hear that you loved this one. It sounds like it has a lot of the same qualities I loved in the Study series. I will have to read it!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Study series too so I knew I would enjoy this one. Maria V. Snyder can definitely write a fantastic fantasy! ~Pam
DeleteI read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it although I can't remember much about it now so I'll have to reread it before I read the next one.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading the next two this week so I don't have to reread, I'm so glad all of them are out! ~Pam
DeleteI've never heard of this one, but you know I'm all about fantasy! I'll definitely be adding this to my list. So if she heals people by taking their injuries and illnesses into herself, doesn't she get sick or hurt? Guess I'll have to read to find out. :)
ReplyDeleteMaria V. Snyder writes great fantasy, you should definitely check her out. The Study series is really good, I loved it. And yes, she does get sick or hurt, but she heals herself very quickly (and that's in the beginning so it's not a spoiler). Let me know if you read it! ~Pam
DeleteOoooh, this wasn't really on my radar before but I'll have to add it to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI just started the next one. What's great is that the whole series is out so no waiting! ~Pam
DeleteI was tempted to read this one and even borrowed it from work, but eventually ended up returning it before I even got to it. I'm definitely rethinking that now, will be hunting this one down now!
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend it, I thought it was great. If you get it again, hope you enjoy it! ~Pam
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