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.

Wonderful listen

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

Held my attention from the first was hard to put down.

What did you like best about this story?

The story line.

What about Gabra Zackman’s performance did you like?

Love the accent she used.

Not what I usually listen to

What made the experience of listening to Touch of Power the most enjoyable?

I bought this on one of the sales. Thought I would check out something different from my normal crime, mystery novel taste. This was a good listen and kept my attention. It had a plot, a little romance, and some mystery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure, there were a couple.

Have you listened to any of Gabra Zackman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't, and yes, I would listen to her again. She had a pleasant voice that was easy to listen to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No not really. There were points where I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened, but it wasn't a book that I HAD to get to the end. Not that it wasn't good, but I took my time listening to it. There are some books that I Can't wait to find out what happens, this was more of a leisure reading, for me anyway.

Any additional comments?

I've accumulated a library of almost 300 books and this is one that I will listen to again someday. There are some that are just DUMPed into will not listen again file.

Finding I love this author!

Another winner!

During the study series, it took me a bit to get used to Gabra Zackman as the narrator, but by the third book, I really started to appreciate her talent. In Touch of Power, she is AMAZING. There are so many subtleties to her voice to really draw the proper emotion. She is also great at consistent accents and tones for the different characters.

Maria V. Snyder did a great job with this story. Like one of the previous comments mentioned, there was a point in the story where I got a little impatient and thought, "okay, let's get on with it", but that only lasted for a moment and I was dragged right back in to the adventure. This story was meant to span a great amount of time, and she did a great job of relaying that long distance and passing of time without boring me. And the character development was definitely thorough, and appreciated.

When I first read the summary of this book (girl with the power to heal by drawing in others' sickness into her body), I was a bit hesitant and reluctant to download it, because I was worried the main character, Avery, was just going to be a wannabe Yelena from the study series. Not at all, as I discovered. Avery is an entirely different character, and holds her own. Despite what seemed like would be too much of a similarity, Avery's powers are unique and the story in Touch of Power is very original.

I definitely recommend this as a read. Now to wait for Book 2...

One of my most favorite books!

Would you listen to Touch of Power again? Why?

I've listened to this book more times than I can count! The characters are real and relate-able and the story line is intriguing!

What did you like best about this story?

I love the main characters struggle for truth of who she is and self perservation

Which scene was your favorite?

Definitely the death lilies!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES! I did!

New Ideas and great book!

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

I would because many of my friends like books along these types of story lines and it's a little different than the others we have read. I love the time period too!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Honestly picking a favorite is hard. They all have pasts that are revealed through out the story little by little that keep them all leaving ou wanting to know more!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite is when the lead female character connects with the death lilly, there is a lot of info and questions from that one scene that sticks with you through the rest of the book.

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

Humans and Nature Meet as Equals!

Any additional comments?

Gabra Zackman does a decent job with the voices. There are a lot of male voices to portray and she does her best to give each one a unique quality. The emotion given during the read is o.k. not the best but not the worst by any means. The great story line kept me hooked no matter the narration anyway!

Love it!

Would you consider the audio edition of Touch of Power to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but I've always enjoyed Maria Snyder's story. The print version let's me create the images. The voice version help cement those images using the voices provided by Gabra.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the character and how strong she is.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I kept trying to find things to do or places to go so I could keep listening!

Really Enjoyed it!

I don't know if I liked it as much as I like Poison Study, but I seriously could not put this book down. There were points that got a little convoluted but I was so swept up in the rest of it that I didn't let it bother me much. Just when I thought it was going to end and be wrapped up with a neat little bow, the book would take you on another twist and it constantly kept me wondering how the hell is Avery going to get out of this or that fix. Definitely picking up the next book ASAP.

Fun fantasy!

I need to read more from Maria V. Snyder! She just tells good, easy-to-read stories.

This was great! I kept trying to squeeze in a few extra minutes before putting my earphones down. This has action, adventure, the barest touch of romance and some interesting world-building. I don’t know if it’s the author or the combination of the author and narrator or what, but the storyline maintains excitement without making you feel too anxious even during the more desperate moments. That’s what I mean by easy to listen to!

The setting is fantasy with a slight post-apocalyptic edge. (And yes, it is fantasy. The writing is feminine, but this isn’t a romance novel so be warned if that’s your preference! Every now and again this gets misclassified.) Avery’s constantly on the run for her life but there are people out there who know who she is, and now a new group (or two, or three!) has plans for her that may have far-reaching political implications. Needless to say, that's just the beginning and then things get complicated. Somehow I was a bit worried that a story about someone whose magic involved being sick or injured would be a bit of a downer, but it wasn’t at all. The male lead did slightly remind me of the male lead from Snyder’s Poison Study series, but fear not, this is very much its own storyline.

Overall, fun story with a few unexpected twists, engaging characters, and nice narration. I’ve already bought the next in the series and give this two thumbs up. Strongly recommended!

Great story with a great narrator!

I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. It was an amazing blend of drama, action, mystery, and great characters.

I had a little trouble getting a grasp on the people and culture, so I think the world building could have been a little better. I also had to wonder at Avry's psychology. I think I'd be a little apprehensive at taking on someone else's injuries and suffering not only the physical pain, but she's also left with the scars. She just jumped right into it with not much thought. I did like that she tried to use herbs and medicines when she could in place of using her healing powers.

I also got frustrated at her when she and her friends would be fighting with very bad men and she's worried about not killing the men. Unless you're a pacifist, I tend to think that in a fight for your life you don't worry about not killing the person who's trying to kill you.

These are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent book! The narrator did a great job!

Enjoyed

Good enough to finish, not great enough to binge listen. the storyline was good, characters interesting. Especially happy no irritating characters. Narrator was very good! Did good job on male and female characters.