Touch of Power - Maria V Snyder Review

Goodreads Synopsis
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...

Review
Avry of Kazan is a very unique character whose power seems to be the most useful thing in society as well as the most selfless. The only problem is that Healers are hated, people think it is the Healers who started the plague and therefore are killing all the Healers. Avry is captured by the local town for saving a young girls life, a band of rogues save her only to ask her to heal someone who may be against Healers too! Avry is an amazing character, she is very strong willed even though, for most of the book she remains bound to the band of rogues. She is a very clever female protagonist and I really enjoyed finding out about her life on the run. What really tugged at my heart strings during the novel was how Avry would heal people and scar her body and go through pain in order to heal strangers. Her completely selfless nature makes her completely lovable. 

Kerrick is perhaps my other favourite character, I warmed to him after the section I found quite amusing which was the hide and seek. The band claims Avry will never find Kerrick but little do they know he also hides a secret to which only Avry becomes privy to. I love that Kerrick is a constantly developing character throughout the novel making him more and more enticing with each page turn. 

The fantasy world is very very well developed and I felt this world was believable, which I always find vital when reading a novel like this. I loved the history Snyder put into the novel about the nine mountains and the Fifteen Realms, it really helped the reader place themselves within that world. When I can fully immerse myself into that world I really know that the author has done a good job. 

In terms of writing I found that Snyder always kept me hooked onto the action, hooking you right from the first page. I found myself becoming one of the rogues as she speaks about them almost lovingly. The novel was ended nicely with a nice hook to drive you into the next book which I can't wait to read! I think there are lots of nice clues into the rest of the series and I hope it turns into lots of books which will keep me hooked. I had never come across this author before and I'm delighted to say I'll be buying many more of her books in the near future. 

Now, this book hasn't been out too long and after chatting to Maria she has kindly agreed to do an Author Interview AND and INTERNATIONAL giveaway of a SIGNED copy of her book!!! Look out for the giveaway later in the week!