#176 Book Review: Scent of Magic [ARC]

Scent of Magic [ARC]
Release Date: 1st January 2013
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again

Cover:
This cover does not match the original Australian version of Touch of Power's cover but the covers are re-designed and I love the new look! The flower reminds me of the Lilys in the book and I love the contrast between the dark background and the firey green colour.

Story:

To die or to be living-dead?

Scent of Magic picks up directly from Touch of Power's ending. Avry luckily survived after healing Prince Ryne but the most crucial matter unresolved is Tohon and his living-dead army. Avry continues her journey as the only healer in the 15 realms, separated from her love to continue the fight against Tohon.

After loving Touch of Power earlier this year, I was worried whether the sequel would live up to my expectations. I was anxious whether or not Scent of Magic will have the 'second book syndrome' but luckily, Scent of Magic was just as amazing as Touch of Power. What I simply adored and loved with no doubt in this book is Maria V. Snyder's captivating and exciting tale. The adventures Avry undergoes are always full of excitement and even though they can be troublesome, I can't help but enjoy it. This book is packed with actions and I can never have enough. The romance is not the main focus but I really enjoyed it, particularly towards the ending. However, I was surprised that the book ends in a cliffhanger! Oh how I need the third book now!

Characters:
Avry is as usual, such a kind-hearted and awesome heroine. She never stops trying to help everyone and continuously shows her determination to defeat Tohon. There is not a single moment where I feel annoyed towards Avry. Instead, I have strong sense of adoration for Avry. She is separated from Kerrick but it does not mean that she becomes weak. The interesting feature of Scent of Magic is how we still get to read Kerrick's story. There are two points of view in this book now, one Avry's and the other, Kerrick's. I also enjoyed reading about Kerrick's men such as Flea, Quain and even Tohon, the evil and crazy evil antagonist!

Overall:
Loved Touch of Power? Anxious for the sequel? Scent of Magic is the thrilling and adventurous second book in the Healer series. As Avry continues her journey to defeat Tohon, Maria's writing brings you an exciting fantasy book which fans of the first book will love. If you've read Maria's Study series before, why not check out the Healer series?

5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Scent of Magic!

Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

#59 Book Review: Touch of Power

Touch of Power (Healer #1)
Release Date: December 20th 2011
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon & The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads

Summary 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....

My review:


Cover:
The small lights gathering around the girl is really gorgeous. I also love the girl's dress and hair plus the shiny feeling of the cover. The girl actually reflects Avry, with the healer's tattoon on her back. I can actually imagine myself living in the world of this book through the cover!

4 Forget-me-not flowers for the cover!

Story:

When you're the only one of your kind left, all you can do is survive...



Avry of Kazan is a healer. While healers are supposed to be honoured and respected, she is hunted. Healers are hunted because people believe that they cause the plague that has killed lots of people in different territories. When she is captured by the people after healing a little girl, a band of rogues rescued her and soon, she becomes close to them. They have no intention of killing her, yet asks her to heal a Prince who can bring peace once more to their lands. As Avry travels to seek the Prince, she finds herself caring for this group of people she is travelling with and this makes her task complicated, because saving the Prince means losing her life...


So this is my first Maria V. Snyder book and all I can say is WOW. JUST WOW! Maria, you've got one more fan! This book was very addictive. Touch of Power is written in Avry's POV, as she struggles with her identity secrecy of being a healer until the band of rogues rescued her and asks her to save the Prince who can bring peace once more to their lands. Set in a beautiful fantasy world, I can actually imagine myself living inside the world Maria has build in the story and taking the journey the characters are going through. Her descriptions of the lands, the people, the healers are very detailed and rich it makes everything comes to life. The storyplot was an exhilirating ride, with lots of actions and interesting thing happening on the way. There are plenty stuffs happening that I did not expect and things that particularly interests me such as the Death Lilys and Peace Lilys. The way Maria described them seems as if they are more than just plants, that they are almost like humans and I am having these wildest imaginations when there are scenes involving Death and Peace lilys. I also really enjoyed the romance in this book because although it wasn't the main focus, the romance are not sappy, it wasn't an insta-love because the characters grew to love each other and I loved reading about the time they spent together. Touch of Power has hooked me from the very first page until the end and I'm so glad it's not a cliffhanger because I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR FOR THE SEQUEL!!! 


Characters:
Oh Avry, what a spectacular heroine you are! I love reading about you, your thoughts, the way you want to help people with your healing skills and your feelings towards the 'gang' you are travelling with. She is someone who does not easily give up and tries hard. I love her and I was able to connect with her easily because I adore heroines like her!


Kerrick of Alga! Kerrick! Kerrick! All this hype going on about how awesome you are is just SO TRUE! Even though you're cold, a bit rude to Avry in the beginning, you become such a sweet character who I love even more. Your strength, powers, leadership, story makes you a very amazing character. When you call Avry with her name, I swear I actually melt! Oh, you have to take me with you on your journey! I have powers too! Like...swatting fleas? Pretty useful when you're on a journey right? Nevertheless, just take me with you!


Belen, Flea, Quain, Loren and just every single member of the group Avry is travelling with, you guys are awesome and loveable. I love how Maria gave you each a different personality and makes the journey seems more fun and exciting! If Kerrick won't let me join, then you guys have too! Deal?

Prince Ryne, I nearly forgot about you! Even though we actually get to read more about you closer to the end of the book, I actually love you! I've been wondering what character you're like since you're always in the conversation between Avry and the other 'gang' members and how Avry is not really convinced to heal you but you are actually such an awesome character. I believe you can bring peace and fight that evil Tohon!


Tohon, you are a very interesting twisted character. I think you're too obsessive with healers and such. And just for your information, Avry belongs to Kerrick so YOU STAY AWAY!


To summarize, all the characters are AMAZING, VERY WELL-WRITTEN and I LOVE THEM! 


Overall:
Touch of Power will take you on an exciting journey filled with dangers and obstacles, set in a beautiful fantasy world and characters you'll love for their different personalities and awesome-ness. My first Snyder's book is COMPLETELY AWESOME and this makes me convinced that I have to read all her books! If you haven't read this book, what are you waiting for? A must read for all fans of fantasy! 

5 Forget-me-not flowers for Touch of Power!

Thank you to HarlequinTeen Australia for the review copy!

I hope you're convinced to read this book because if you haven't got a copy, here's your chance to win the book! I'm giving away 2 copies of Touch of Power, thanks to HarlequinTeen Australia! Open to Australian and New Zealand mailing adresses only! Giveaway closes in 10 days so hurry up! Click HERE to be directed to the giveaway post.

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder Giveaway!

Hey guys! I've been REALLY busy with school that I'm having such limited time for blogging but I'm here now to give you a chance to win 1 out of 2 copies of Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder, thanks to HarlequinTeen Australia! 2 COPIES of TOUCH OF POWER ARE UP FOR GRABS! This giveaway is open only to Australian and New Zealand mailing addresses as the books are provided by HarlequinTeen Australia (Sorry international people!) Good luck!