Touch of Power

By: Maria V. Snyder

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

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….

©2012 Maria V. Snyder (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

The lilies are wrong.

Why in the book covers the lilies are so small? If you read the book you know an entire body needs to fit in to those. I like the books but this is a little irritating.

Great new Series!!!! Can't wait for the next book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES and YES, great listen. Great Story! I want more.

What about Gabra Zackman’s performance did you like?

She does a great job as always. She has a great voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The next magically Love story.

Any additional comments?

I want the next book in the series!!!

too slow

Ineresting premise and engaging characters, but it moves so slowly I set it aside twice before finally finishing it.

Bodice buster arrogant jerk to lover formula

I had a suspicion when over several chapters in, the arrogant jerk doesn't modify much. The rest of the characters were great, I liked the storyline but The jerk hit the female protagonist. Sent her flying early on. He was offended by something she said. The arrogant jerk is slightly better with his men, who of course love and respect him. I would have been willing to stick with the book, though I don't like the jerk to lover formula, if he hadn't hit her. I looked at descriptions in volumes ahead. I stopped reading the book because the turn their relationship is taking. I am deleting it.

Another great story

I loved the story.
It was exciting from the begining and never got bored.
Happy that there is already the second book to this series.

Another Winner

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

One of my favorite authors is back with yet what looks to be another excellent triology. I can't wait for the next book in this new series! And, as always, Gabra Zackman is wonderful in her narration! This is truly a 5-star winner!

Great story & fantastic narration.

PJV Quickie: I highly enjoyed TOUCH OF POWER from Maria V. Snyder, but what else can be expected with this author. Synder has a way of building tension, creating characters and painting a picture with every sentence.

Review: Avry of Kazan is a healer, by placing her hands on an injured or sick person she assumes their sickness, and her own advancing healing system heals her. It was once a respected profession, until the plague. Now, because of the devastation of the plague assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Avry is left to live a half-life, where she has to hide what she is and watch as people die around her. Unable to watch the young die from something that she could save, Avry gives in and the parents of a girl she saves turns her in. Healers are hated and feared. The regent of the territory has also put a big reward on a healer’s capture. But, before she can be killed she is “saved” by a group of men, who insist that she has to save their “friend.”

TOUCH OF POWER was a fun and fantastical listen. The narrator Gabra Zackman was very talented and unobtrusive. The book was classic Synder. Both Avry and Kerrick were characters that will resonate with me for a long time to come. The most poignant point of the novel is the transition of Avry, she is a great character. She goes from scared but still courageous to empowered and willing to take on the world for her new friends.

Then there was the world-building, a fantasy mixed with a dystopian, it was great. Plague destroyed world with rogues and magic. I was also a big fan of the relationship dynamic between the characters and the mystery surrounding the mission of the rogues and Avry. Everything was laid out perfectly. From Avry’s point-of-view the information was revealed as she discovered it and any withholding made sense and was expected.

How can I describe this perfectly? The story just unfolds as you read it. It lays before you, every little piece something to be appreciated. Kerrick the secondary character is the puzzle that is most intriguing and his character’s transition within the eyes of Avry is the reason I read books. I read to experience characters like this. But, don’t take my word for it. This is a highly recommended book and I urge you to experience it for yourself.

But, I know what you are thinking. Why only 4.5 stars PJ? Where did the but…come in? And quite frankly, it is because I read POISON STUDY. One of my all time favorite books. And in fact, I read POISON STUDY right before listening to TOUCH OF POWER. It is one of my favorite books to re-read and I wanted to experience it on audiobook, so I downloaded both POISON STUDY and TOUCH OF POWER. Because of this, I noticed similarities between the characters of Avry and Kerrick and Valek and Yelena. Mostly in the transition of the characters. While the similarities were annoying it did not distract from the overall story.

Recommendations: Recommended for Young Adult fantasy and lighter fantasy fans. Fans of POISON STUDY should really enjoy. This is a more mature young adult so it is recommended for older teens and in fact I would think of this more of an adult novel then young adult. I highly recommend to my readers that you pick up a Maria V. Snyder book if you haven’t already – they are truly an experience.

Very Good

Very good, exactly what I expected from Maria V. Snyder. Garbra Zackman does a wonderful job narrating. Can't wait for the next one.

Change of pace :)

I have learned to love science fiction/ fantansy romance books. However, this book has been a nice change of pace. I have felt every emotion possible and it is pretty innocent. I would definately listen if I were you :)

great narration and an awesome story

I loved the story and the characters. it had everything I look for in books, a strong female lead, magic, action and romance that doesn't dominate the whole story. it was great. also a special thanks to the narrator, her voice was very nice to listen to and the way she did each character made them feel even more unique then they already were.