Only in Time: Touched by Magic Prequel

Heroines must always be punished for lying. And the funny thing was that after he made a huge song and dance about Avry lying he went ahead and did much worse. He hid Ryne's plan to hide from Tohon's army and then abandoned her in a middle of a war when he knew that Tohon would get her and act rapey towards her. Avry lying and hiding from Quain and co didn't put his life in danger whereas Quain's deception not only put her life in danger but also put her at risk of being raped by a sadistic fucker. Is Avry mad at Quain's betrayal? She was a bit bitter for a few minutes and then she forgave him… you see he had reasons and heroines should understand those reasons and just forgive.

The moral of the story is that a good decent girl should understand that guys have legitimate reasons for lying and they should forgive and forget accordingly — they cannot be angry, bitter or upset. They should also realise that they themselves have NO excuse or reason to lie.

Whereas, a guy can lie because of course he has reasons and he can also be bitter and pissed for long periods of time if he should discover that a girl has ever lied to him… Ugh. I'm so sick of the double standards in books. Even her sister didn't come across as all that important to her.

It was all about Kerrick, Belen, Flea, Ryne and the other men in her life. Heaven forbid she actually have a close friendship with a female character. She did make a couple of female friends but I didn't think they counted since 1. She wasn't particularly close to them 2. They were barely in it and 3. One of them ended up dead and the other ended up evil. Avry should have had at the very least one prominent female character that she was close to. There were no original or complex characters — they were all rubbish.

Its obvious Kerrick's not going to die. He'll probably be saved by some stupid deus ex machina. Then he'll declare his wuv to Avry even though he's never actually shown it before and then they'll run off into the sunset together… and Kerrick will beat Avry everyday and she'll love all that sweet sweet abusive love… Ugh. All in all, a huge disappointment. View all 7 comments. Apr 25, Jessica rated it it was amazing Shelves: Once again I was swept into the world of Avry, Kerrick, and the rest of the characters as they experience love, loss and many adventures.

I almost wish I had waited to read this second book of the Healer trilogy until the third book was out, just because of the way this book ended! Scent of Magic starts off with Avry and Kerrick going their separate ways in hopes of being able to get a bigger army together to go up against Tohon and his army. AT first I was worried this meant way less K Review: AT first I was worried this meant way less Kerrick, but actually, instead of just seeing Avry's point of view, we also get to see Kerrick's, which was really nice.

Even though we still got a lot of Kerrick throughout the book, I found myself wishing for more Kerrick and Avry together, I just love them as a couple. There were a few losses, some bigger than others, while another one actually got brought back, which I wasn't expecting at all. I love how instead of having so much detail that it takes half the book to explain stuff, Maria V. Snyder just gets right into the action and adventure right away, and I really love that, especially with this Healer trilogy. I seriously wanted to cry.

Total freakin' cliff hanger ending, and now I have to wait until to find out what happens! There is just not enough words to explain how amazing this book was. It was definitely just as good as the first book, but that's about all I can say without giving anyway way, it's just one you HAVE to read if you've read Touch of Power. I sssooo can't wait to read this!!! I have NO doubt this book will be just as freakin' amazing!! I might die of excitement when I get this book in my hands! This is my review in images to better explain how I felt: When I started reading it: When I found out Kerrick was still in the story: The ending of the book when I read the very last page: Jun 08, Joie marked it as to-read.

Saw the publication date was like this: Snyder and it was a fantastic read. Not for this book as it was equally as entrancing as the first! In the first novel, Touch of Power, we meet Avry of Kazan who possesses the ability to heal.. However, after a plague tore through the land, the healers were blamed and now very few healers are l On The Bookshelves Full Review Scent of Magic is the second book in the Healer series by Maria V. However, after a plague tore through the land, the healers were blamed and now very few healers are left. Her power becomes needed by a band of rogues who have been after a Healer to cure Prince Ryne of the plague, who has been in a magical stasis to prevent it worsening.

The group encounter many setbacks in the journey to Prince Ryne and Avry is stubborn against saving him, because she knows it would kill her life. But as their journey continues, she grows closer to them and they soon become her friends. With threats far greater to Avry's world, she makes the decision to heal Prince Ryne, but the magic in her world saves her as it's not done with her just yet. When it comes to picking up the sequel to a book, I always go into it very hesitantly because very often the second installment can be very disappointing after such a fantastic opening. Snyder, so I had no prior knowledge about what to expect.

However, as I gradually read further into the book, I realised this book was equally as good as the first! The book opens with Avry and Kerrick together - I quite like this couple and it's cute that they both have powers healer and a forest mage and somehow they make each other stronger! Avry is back from the dead somehow and soon the two are discussing what to do next. They decide to reluctantly part ways - Avry is to go find her sister and Kerrick is to join Prince Ryne. Naturally, of course, things don't go to plan and Avry finds herself joining Estrid's army as a sergeant.

I loved this whole plot of Avry joining the army to train them to 'go silent' within the forest and the other characters that were present during this were fantastic - lots of banter, fun and tension. Since Avry and Kerrick are separated in this book, each chapter is from Avry's point of view and at the end of each one, there's about 5 or so pages from Kerrick's POV which contains what's going on with him. With some books, POV's can come off as the same 'voice' which really irks me and I usually end up hating it. However, Snyder has given the two characters their own individual voices and I found it great to be reading Kerrick's POV so we knew what was happening with him and being captured by the tribes.

At first I wasn't really sure about the whole Death and Peace Lily concept when reading Touch of Power, but now it seems more interesting after learning more details about what Tohon was doing attempting to create healers like Danny and Zila and now discovering that the Peace Lily has preserved Flea and he lives! It's very interesting that Flea seems to have some kind of power and I hope to see what it is exactly in the next novel.

This novel kept me on my toes and I was shocked about some of the twists that Snyder incorporated, such as the end scene with Avry, Tohon, Kerrick and Cellina. I definitely wasn't expecting it at all and it makes me really happy when I don't go guess what's going to happen early on and at the end go 'so I was right', even though it's quite satisfying knowing you were right. Overall, I really like Snyder's writing. It flows so well, the storyline is interesting and the magic concept is fantastic.

I'm intrigued to try one of her other series and see what they are like. Even though Snyder was around first, if you're a fan of Sarah J Maas, I think you'd really like this series to read whilst you're waiting for the next book release. It's also very refreshing to still be reading YA books and have the main character be older Avry is I think it causes the character to feel more developed and creates a better storyline.

I have no complaints about younger protagonists, because that's what YA usually is, but I just think once in a while, it's nice to have a bit of a change. Dec 23, Katerina rated it it was amazing Shelves: You've found your heart. And I lost mine with that ending I get it,life isn't fair,not even in books.

But I suppose that's what makes them realistic,if there is no pain and agony they don't resemble reality. Still,Avry and Kerrick had their fair share of troubles and sorrow. After her fake death,Avry wanted to spend some time being someone else,she wanted to make amends with her sister and gather intelligence on their allies' whereabouts. The real reason though behind the decision that Ah,Kerry. The real reason though behind the decision that took her away from Kerrick was that she feared Tohon's reaction to her survival.

Pretending she was an army sergeant,she changed her appearance and tried to contribute to a war that seemed like a lost cause,since Tohon's walking dead were not easy opponents. Meanwhile,Kerrick returned to the north to help Ryne and fight the tribes that attacked his kingdom. As much as he wanted to hold Avry in his arms again,he couldn't leave his country defenceless against the barbarians,who turned out to be quite fascinating people. Betrayals,huge revelations,backstabbings and so many plot twists made Scent of Magic a unique novel.

It was more intriguing than the first and narrated in dual POV and for that I am thankful since Avry and Kerrick were separated during most of the book and made my heart ache. They didn't deserve all these hardships. The war was ruthless,cruel,you could not guess anyone's loyalty or motives,only waiting in utter frustration and desperation their next move,their next plan and the next obstacle. Snyder did a great job setting the reader on edge,there were times I was shaking and could not properly breathe.

I hate Tohon,he is one of the worst villains because he actually thinks he is doing the right thing.

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His jealousy over Kerrick is so sick and twisted,he gave me goosebumps! I suffered with my heroes,their deaths and their heartbreaks and mostly when Avry and Kerrick were not together. Kerrick has become one of my most beloved heroes,he was willing to sacrifice himself to save others,and his affection towards Danny was heartwarming! I missed the dynamic between the original gang but this made their scenes even more precious. Scent of Magic was a wonderful second book in Healer series,and I hope I will not bawl like a baby in the finale.

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Highly unlikely,but a girl can dream. I am so very, very glad I picked up another Maria V. Snyder book by getting my greedy little hands on Touch of Power, because I so very much love Avry and the world Snyder has constructed in Healer. The question is, can it hold up to the first book? Maybe it depends on the type of reader you are. For me it almost did, but not quite. There was much less of the long walking scenes in this novel and much more of Avry doing what she I am so very, very glad I picked up another Maria V. There was much less of the long walking scenes in this novel and much more of Avry doing what she should be doing.

Avryfying the world with her badassery. Allow me to list the good things about Scent of Magic: Like he went from being Douchetastic to likable. It was amazing, actually. Doctor Who fans, just imagine I said that in a River Song voice with a cheeky wink. So this book is a lot more suspenseful and has a whole lot of new characters — which is the plus. Less walking, also a plus. I refuse to speak of it. However the magical discoveries of this majestic plant keep cropping up. Anyway, end result is that I am definitely reading the next one. The review, and others like it, can be found on my blog, Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.

Review copy provided for me by Harlequin AU for reviewing purposes. No money or gifts were exchanged for this review. View all 4 comments.

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman review – an enchanting prequel to Practical Magic

Maria what are you doing to me!? Once again MVS takes us into a fast paced, action filled, epic fantasy story. One thing is unlike the other stories. Kerrick gets some chapters to tell his part of the story as well! I've read this story in one amazing sitting, i just couldn't put it down. And I've loved everyone of her stories till this one, it shouldn't surprise Finishing thought: And I've loved everyone of her stories till this one, it shouldn't surprise anyone I loved this story as much as the rest.

MVS' writing is fast paced, and keeps you guessing about what'll happen next. I'm a huge sucker for plot twists, and Avry's story has a lot of them! The ending broke my heart, but damn, it's left me craving for more! Even the bad guys I love to hate! The first, and my favorite Healer character is Belen. Belen is a big teddy bear you just want to cuddle.

He reminded me a lot of Ari. He's just as soft but though at the same time. Belen and Ari are both protective teddy-bears you don't want to mess with! And what would Ari be without a Janco? I see a lot of Janco's unconditional love and devotion in Flea. And both of them seem to never be short of energy. And now Avry the healer and heroin of this series.

She's an act first, think later kinda girl, she puts the needs of others before her own and she doesn't react well to authority. Does that remind you of someone? Avry has a lot of Yelena, but she's softer and more innocent. I love Avry, as a nurse I totally understand the way she puts the need of others before her own.

The only character I 'missed' in the Healer series so far is a Valek.

But Kerrick has grown on me like he did with Avry. Nope nope nope nope nopity nope. Guys, you may want to buckle in for a possibly long rant, because I have a lot to say, and none of it is good. This is by far the worst book I have read by Maria V Snyder, and makes me hesitant to ever pick up another of her books again. And this was so disappointing because I enjoyed the first book!

Sure, it wasn't a masterpiece, but it was addictive and there were things I liked about it. I had a great time reading it. I was looking forward to finishing Nope nope nope nope nopity nope. I was looking forward to finishing the series. And now I don't know if I ever will, because this book destroyed anything I ever liked Touch of Power. And I don't want to have to go through this experience again in the last book. It was painfully bad, okay?

I don't even know how to describe it - it is just appallingly bad. It is just so ineloquent, the vocabulary choices are poor, and the whole thing just needs a load more editing. It honestly feels like a fist draft, because there are awkward sentences, bad structure and it is just so poorly executed. Snyder also uses jarringly modern phrases in such a medieval world. The constant use of "too bad" at the beginning of a sentence began to make my eye twitch towards the second half of the book.

And using titles like "mom" or "poppa bear" in a fantasy world just - argh. It just throws the whole thing off. And even when I'm not twitching with annoyance at every sentence, the writing itself is very basic and simplistic, and I'm not sure why this is at all marketed as an adult fantasy. It has none of the maturity or complexity of an adult book. Which is sad because I actually liked them in Touch of Power.

But Avry is so cocky and just knows everything. She can just work everything out and draw conclusions from things that don't entire make sense or you're not sure how she got there, but it is a way to progress the plot. And she just wants to heal everyone. She feels so plastic and fake and I just can't deal with reading from her perspective. And her attempts at badassery are just laughable - and not in a cute, awkward way.

In a "i think i'm sooo cool" way when we all know she actually isn't. And we also got landed with Kerrick's POV chapters and can I just say that this added nothing to the book? I honestly could not care less about him and Avry pining for each other the whole time. It felt like the end of Fire Study all over again. Things happen that almost don't fit into the rules of the world, or rather, this wasn't something that we were told about until it was needed to make something happen. This whole thing with Death Lilies and Peace Lilies feels so random and out of place, makes no sense, and is literally just a way to make a nonsensical plot happen and make Avry look clever.

Some of the events just seem so disconnected and random and almost unrealistic. The characters are also in and out of character depending on what the plot is doing. And the whole thing with Tohon is literally the stupidest thing I have ever read. Please can we just stop with this? There is no reason for him to be attracted to her! Oh, and lastly, this book makes a half-hearted attempt at being feminist, but it just doesn't pull it off.

Okay, so this was a disappointment and actually made me pretty angry. I don't give out that many one star books. I save 2 star ratings for books that I don't care about, and 1 star ratings are for books that make me angry, or that I hate with a burning passion.

I don't know whether I'll read the last book. I'm not going to go out of my way to read it, that's for sure. If I see it in a library somewhere If I don't have other books to read. Now, that's a tricky one. Dec 03, majo rated it liked it Shelves: I don't want to say I'm disappointed in this book I feel it suffered from the middle book syndrome a little.

Hopefully the next one is better! View all 6 comments. The first novel, Touch of Power , was a great introduction to the newest series by this prolific writer, but much like what happened for me with her Study series, the sequel left a lot to be desired. It took me a while to sort out how I felt about this novel after finishing it, especially deciding on the rating. I just split the difference and settled with 2. Seconds chances are rare. Filtering Exclude erotica Include mainstream erotica Include all erotica. About Publish Join Sign In. Readers Benefits of registering Where are my ebooks?

Describe your issue Have a question not already answered in the links at left or on our main FAQ page? He lied to protect her. She left to forget him. Neither expected the past to change their future. Jonah McCabe has no time for love. As one of L. See full terms and conditions and this month's choices.

The Rules of Magic | Book by Alice Hoffman | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

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