Good Choice Reading: REVIEW: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: December 20th 2011
Harlequin/Mira Books
ARC Received through NETGALLEY

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....

Avry is a healer, and in the world she lives in healers are hated and executed. A plague has killed most of the population and all healers are blamed. Avry has been living on the run for three years and has done an excellent job at surviving. It’s isn’t until she decides to help her neighbor out, that she is discovered. While in prison waiting for her sentence, she meets Kerrick. Kerrick offers to get her out of prison if she agrees to help him heal a friend. He’s been searching for a healer for two years and has finally found Avry. Avry doesn’t know if she can trust him or not, but her survival instincts kick in and she jumps at the chance. She believes she can somehow escape him once out, so why not use him? Well, Avry quickly found out how serious Kerrick was and how badly he wants her help.

I hated Kerrick in the beginning of the story. He was rude, obnoxious, and didn’t care who he hurt as long as Avry healed his friend. There were parts of the story where I just couldn’t believe Kerrick took it that far. There were a lot of raw moments and some really suspenseful ones, where I was biting my lip just waiting for the worst. Somewhere down the line though, Kerrick sneaks into your heart. It was unexpected and a nice twist. Avry is also a kick-ass heroine. She wanted to survive and would do anything to make sure she did, but it just seemed like no matter what she did, she just couldn’t catch a break. She goes through a lot in this story.

Touch of Power is my first novel by Maria V. Snyder, but it definitely will not be my last. I will now be purchasing all of her other books.

Touch of Power was a wonderful and super entertaining read. It’s fast paced, full of magic and lots of unexpected moments. Maria V. Snyder really knows how to pull her readers in and hold their attention. She doesn’t waste anytime jumping right into the action. I loved this book and I am looking forward to the sequel, Scent of Magic. A Good Choice for Reading!!

5 out 5 stars!!