Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Synopsis:
 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..

Review:
This book crossed my radar after I accidentally came across it's sequel on netgalley. And while Scent of Magic is fine as a stand alone book I found myself wondering how it all began and how the friendships and relationships started.

So I made my way over to Amazon and purchased the book so I can start from the beginning without trying to piece together the holes on my own.

I was transported into a world full of magic and intrigue and the aftermath of a plague that wiped out many of their worlds population. With a war brewing and two sides fighting for the control of the population, with Healer's considered the founders of the plague, I was immediately hooked as a hidden healer decided to help a child on the brink of death.

The twist on healer's powers was that they took the sickness or injury into themselves and with their rapid healing they were able to either survive or perish to the disease if they could not heal it in time. 

So as Avry is waiting in prison for her execution she is taken by a group of men on their own journey to save a prince thought to be dead, having perished along with countless others to the plague.

I loved the twist and the friendships that were created in the book, it was fun getting to be there for the inside jokes and moments that will transcend into the second book.

 There is a certain standard that I expect when I start reading a Maria V. Snyder book, and I was not disappointed with the magical creation she shared with all of us.

Rating:
4 Raven's out of 5.

Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem by Melissa Lemon

Synopsis:
 Stuck in her family's apple orchards, Kat's got plenty of work to do and only pesky Jeremy to help. But when Jeremy convinces her to run away, Kat will discover that nothing---and no one---in her life is quite what it seems. Wonderfully reimagined, this is the magical tale of Snow White as you've never read it before!
Review:
It seems this is the year to do remakes on the classic tales we all grew up on, especially Snow White. There have been two movies both of which I own, being the fairy tale fanatic that I am and who knows how many other books and shows I have read or watched.

In this tale, the Queen is not the wicked step mother but instead Snow Whites real mother whose real name is the meaning of Evil.

This story is narrated by the magic mirror with a twist just waiting around the corner at the end. 

Snow's name comes from a protection spell cast on the girl as a babe by the mirror when trying to aid in her escape. A spell is cast that offers the snow as a warning/protection against those that would do her harm.  A spell that acts up in one man in particular when he comes around.

I liked that so many aspects of this story where the same but there were also so many different twists and details that kept the story close to home but gave it an all new life of it's own.

It seemed like I had finished this tale in no time, becoming so immersed in the tale and invested that it took me barely a day to finish the book.

Rating:
4 Ravens' out of 5

Volcanoes by Nicole Hamlett Tour Stop

Synopsis:
Be careful what you ask of Fate - sometimes she gives it to you.

When we last saw our heroine, she'd watched her faithful pet rip off her new best friend's head to save her son's life and Atlantis was rising from the depths. Now, Grace Murphy is back in the third installment of the Huntress series, but this time she's facing an all-out war. It's critical that Nyx (and Atlantis) stay buried, but her psychotic brats will do most anything to get her back.

With Hypnos invading her dreams, Dylan caught up in the throes of his "change" and juggling her relationships with Drew and Heph, to say Grace's hands are full would be an understatement.

You didn't think that was all, did you? Of course there's more!

Grace wished her life would just go back to the way it was before, and that she wouldn't have her powers or responsibilities anymore. Unfortunately, it looks like Fate answered this time. The results aren't pretty.

Review:
I chose to read this book without reading the other two due to a busy schedule, and since I was assured it was a stand alone book I didn't worry about trying to fit the first two of the series in.

It was, I admit, a slow starter for me. It didn't really pick up to the point that I found myself gripping the kindle as I devoured the pages, until the last probably half of the book, and by that time I found myself hooked.

I loved the way it was written, the description fit beautifully with each setting. I also enjoyed that being a part of the Sci Fi/ Fantasy setting's there can be major hit or misses and N.H. nailed it all within this book.

The only down side of the book was how much seemed packed into the story, I found myself having to re-read sections to make sure I got everything and I still felt like I had missed parts. It is definitely going to be a re-read once I have time to get the other two read so I am more invested in the series.

I love how down to earth Grace was however, you really fall in love with the characters N.H. invests so much time in.

Rating:
4 out of 5 Raven's.