Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Release Date: 6th January, 2011

Publisher: Mira Books

Pages: 400pgs

The Story

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 of the price of peace may well be her life . . .

The Review

A big thanks to Gabrielle from Harlequin Australia for sending a review copy of this book!

TOUCH OF POWER is the first book of the new Healers trilogy. When I was sent a lovely package from Harlequin Australia, I was literally over-the-moon when I got an ARC copy of this book because everyone knows how much of a fangal I am of Maria V. Snyder. She's not only a fantastic author but she's the kind to always surprise me and indeed she did in this new, thrilling, and adventurous trilogy!

In the book TOUCH OF POWER it tells of a tale of a young girl named Avry, who is a healer and is the last of her kind. She has been on the run since the healers were blamed for the plague, killing thousands in their wake, and Avry has managed to hide her abilities and go under the radar for a long while - until now. Avry is soon kidnapped by a group of rogues who decide to use her 'abilities' on their terms, instead of killing her like most people would if they found her. And with that, Avry must decide whom to heal at the expense of her own life.

Seriously this book is back to the high quality of Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study series. It may not be as good as the Poison Study series but it's not so far behind. Avry in particular was the main reason why I loved this book so, so much. She's a very strong-minded character with a lot of fight in her and she's one of those young women you can't help but admire. And she's smart which is always a good trait for a female heroine to possess. Same praise goes to the supporting cast of followers in the book, who have just the right amount of purpose and have individual personalities that intrigue you in all sorts of directions.

As for the storyline itself it was absolutely brilliant in its fantasy elements without going too overboard. But considering that we're talking about Snyder here, as a writer she can go overboard as much as she likes because much like the story she's a brilliant writer. Not to mention I will read anything of hers. With enough action, adventure, magic, and war explored in the novel, there was plenty of things to fall in love with and Snyder explores a well-established world forging together something of the old and something of the new to create something that is beautifully different compared to most books of today.

Overall, TOUCH OF POWER may not be your Poison Study but by the end of the book fans of Maria V. Snyder's writing will be satisfying in all accounts. As you slowly become fascinated with the blended mixes of fantasy and experience what Avry must go through in the fight of her life, by the end of the book you will be left wanting more and more of this series. And boy did I love every moment of it. I can't wait for the next book now!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Inside Out & Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

For today's post I'm doing something a 'little' different compared to my other past book reviews. Since I recently and FINALLY finished these two books in Maria Snyder's YA series, I thought it would be cool to do them together - but a slightly more 'mini review' form! Also be on the lookout for an upcoming contest featuring some Snyder goodies! *More details to come*

Release Date: Both books are out now!

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 315pgs / 326pgs

Inside Out

The Story

Keep your head down.

Don't get noticed.

Or else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own. Until I accidentally start a rebellion, fall in love with an Upper and become the go-to-girl to lead a revolution . . .

The 'Mini' Review

I'm a huge fan of Maria V. Snyder - both with her Poison Study and her Glass series - and since I love the trending dystopian genre and her work . . . I knew I would love this book series too! And I was right. This particular series took me a while to get into compared to my favourite Poison Study series (one of the best series by the way), but this novel certainly grew on me as I learnt more about Trella and of her world. When it comes to Trella as a main heroine, she has a lot of hard choices to make throughout the book and it's a real struggle for her as she has to cross the fine line between being told what to do and to do what needs to be done. You can tell once all these little pieces click together that the character herself begins to grow into a young woman but in a more positive way than the girl you first meet at the beginning of the book. She's in for the fight of her life - and she knows what's right - and I love that about Trella. But most of all . . . I fell in love with the cleverness in Snyder's writing, the emotional scenes with each and every page, and the sheer pleasure of reading Synder's words flow until the very end. So pick up a copy now! It's well worth it!

Outside In

The Story
Me?

A Leader?

Okay, so I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. A whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion between worker scrubs like me and the snobby Uppers who rule the world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one Upper I think I can trust.

But then we learn that there is an Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

The 'Mini' Review

When I read the first book INSIDE OUT, I thought the whole EPICNESS had a WOW depth to it. Trella reminded me a lot of Katniss from the Hunger Games and judging by this book alone, I can definitely see the similarities in her personality and in her strengths. But when it comes to Snyder's sequel, OUTSIDE IN, she yet again WOWed me more than ever before. There's riots breaking out, there's some epic heart-stopping action, there's a race against time kind-of-adventure happening, and also there's some deadly bombings . . . the list is endless. What I love most about Maria Snyder is that you don't know what to expect when it comes to her new books and that's why I love reading every single book she brings out! Without revealing spoilers, I can definitely say if you haven't read a Maria V. Snyder book then please do! OUTSIDE IN gives us readers the mystery we want to endeavour, the danger we want to put ourselves in, the action we want to experience, the suspence we want to keep us on the edge of our seats. In the end, Maria Snyder will leave you wanting more and MORE! And I mean MORE! Great books we got here folks!

The Rating

(for both books)

5/5 stars