Healer #3 Taste of Darkness

This is another mind-blowing series that ends with this mind-blowing finale. Presenting Healer #3 Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder.

Here is the summary of the book:

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

High Fantasies always need much more detailing than most. You need everything spelled out. From the world building down to every minuet detail about the characters.... and there are always more than one leads of this genre.... You are literally building a new world in this genre story and if not done well, readers loose interest.... But Snyder's high fantasy Healer series, maintains its distinct identity throughout.

Taste of Darkness starts off slow, just where the 2nd book ended but gains momentum quickly. Avry, Kerrick, the Monkeys, Flea and Bear are all in here. Even Tohon and all the baddies as well..... But this is Avry's crowning glory. She is still very stubborn, still insistent on risking herself and putting the life of others before her. She has matured considerably throughout the series. When Kerrick goes missing she remains steadfast that he will return. Openly defiant to Prince Ryne and still passionately and hopelessly in love with Kerrick. Got to say she is one ass-kicking heroine.

Kerrick.... A worthy male protagonist. His chemistry with Avry truly works wonders for the saga. He is strong, brooding, romantic, selfless and passionate adding his forest magic powers as cherry on top. Belen, Loren & Quain, and Flea made some considerable appearances, Flea specially what with discovering his powers as a death magician. Tohon of course rears his head, haunting Avry's dreams and there is a new enemy on the horizon too, the cannibalistic Skeleton King.

This is an intricate world with intricate magic woven like beads throughout the length of the rope..... Even the Lily comes alive - Giant man size ones capable enough to swallow a person whole and even develop a consciousness  too. Even the forest has a voice. Combine that with the final battle, the romance and the unraveling and you get this marvelous Healer saga. Well done!

"An action-packed and romantic conclusion to Maria V. Snyder's Healer series. Definitely does not disappoint"

Genre :      Young Adult, High Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Release Date: 31st December, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Touch of Power
              #2 Scent of Magic

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Healer #2 Scent of Magic

A further chapter into this splendid series. Presenting Healer #2 Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.

Sequel to Touch of Power....and its quite good. Mind you it didn't have the amazing feel like the first book had but it was still very good. Scent of Magic was definitely not bad but could have been better.

So, Avry's alive and well because that Peace Lily spit her out. But things are a mess now. There is a manic king, a sister who hates her and some creepy walking dead people. And there you have it the scope of the tale widens....a sure sign of the second book syndrome(just a little bit) but still worth the read.

Scent of Magic is actually divided into two parts - one half focuses on Avry and the other on Kerrick....why did they have to separate! We do see Belen "the poppa bear", "the monkeys" and Prince Ryne again though. But whereas Touch of Power that had the thrill of the chase, of spells cast, Scent of Magic substitutes it with the palpable tension sprouting throughout the entirety of the book.

There is a certain level of uncertainty among the characters, they do not know what they are looking toward, they are all on edge over the eminent battle with King Tohon, and the need to defeat him before he destroys them all. Then there is the mystery of the Peace and the Death Lilys. I have to say Avry was truly kick-ass, it takes a lot of it to stand tall in the face of danger. Then there is Kerrick, i did enjoy reading him worried about Avry but sorely missed on the current on the current on route action (with Avry).

Maria V. Syder provides a book that stays true to the state and time of battles. There is tension, preparation, deception, diplomacy, uncertainty, desperation.......rather a big degree of desperation. All these elements are here and us readers can feel it. but I still wasn't satisfied because the story book ran in two different targets which is definitely not good.

But that cliffhanger.......GOD SAY IT AIN'T SO.....all I say it involves Kerrick and I AM DYING TO READ 'TASTE OF DEATH' IS IT 2013 YET!!!!!!

"Dark with the clouds of battle overhead, Scent of Magic is but a bridge that needs to be crossed to proceed to the next level"

Genre :      Paranormal Romance, High Fantasy


Publisher: Harlequin MIRA


My Copy:  Netgalley and Publisher


Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Healer #1: Touch of Power

You have a gift that can work wonders but it is this gift that has people all round looking for you to turn you in to the gallows...not a bright future for you...anyways below I present before you all my review of Healer #1 Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder.

Here is the summary of the book:

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...


I'll be honest this is my first Maria V. Snyder book and I can't believe I never read any of her books before...well no worries and full steam ahead we shall be looking towards the finer aspects of Touch of Power the first book in the Healer series. Avry is a healer and is hunted for it, healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos. She is stressed and in hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues and is shocked to find out that they appreciate her gift and want her to heal a plague ridden prince, against her beliefs. He maybe the only man who can help in bringing forth the peace and correcting past mistakes.

Enter the leader of the rogues, Kerrick. He is headstrong, rather very much focused to the task and tries to pretty much keep to himself and stay aloof. But he has a gift of his own and is rather unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. Avry knows what will happen to her if she heals the prince and she is not ready to give it up her life for what she doesn't believe in. So Kerrick and his merry men have their work cut out for them and try every means possible to make Avry believe about the prince because the enemy might just be round the corner.

Touch of Power for a lack of a better word is ingenious - well crafted story, a high fantasy in its own rights. Avry has a sarcastic side that comes out in leaps and bounds and her dry humor definitely leaves you wanting more. She is a smart girl, has a good head on her shoulders and knows what she wants to do in her next steps. A trait that comes with hiding and running from hunters. Kerrick as I already mentioned is a mysterious character and very unequivocal in his demands. The chemistry between them is undeniable and rather swoon-worthy. He maybe stubborn and very much unbearable but he is a tortured soul who carries his baggage around himself.

The other character as also nicely fleshed out. Their background are well explained and properly thought out. There is definitely an abundance of action here, rather visual action to be exact. I am definitely on board for the sequel and really need to read her other books.

"Exhilarating and visible, Touch of Power has a magical touch of its own"

Genre :      Fantasy, Adult Fiction


My Copy:      Publishers and Netgalley


Publisher: Mira


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)