Mini-Interview with Maria V. Snyder plus extras!

Hello everyone! :)


Maria's answered some questions about her new novel A Touch of Power!


1.) What was your inspiration for writing A Touch Of Power?


I had this vague idea about a healer or an apprentice healer during an epidemic. She was either going to be sought after for her powers – like everyone wanting her, or be hunted. I wasn’t sure. Then one night my daughter couldn’t sleep and she wanted me to tell her a story. She knew all my other books, so I started telling her about this healer. And every night, she’d ask, “What’s next?” That’s why Touch of Power is dedicated to my daughter.


2.) If you could have any of the powers, which one would it be and why?


Healing. I’ve seen so many friends and family members suffer with various health problems, that I wish I could just…heal them. All the money in the world is nothing compared to good health. Also as a mother – healing would be wonderful. I hate to see my kids sick or hurt.


3.) Do you see any of yourself in Avry?


A little bit. I have that nurturing instinct and now that my kids are older, I baby the cat J And we both are independent. I have no qualms in travelling by myself to foreign cities and unfamiliar places.


4.) Who's your favourite guy and why?


Belen. He's the protective Poppa Bear – concerned for his cubs and can tear someone's arms off when protecting them.


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I've got some more exciting news... You could enter this amazing competition to win an iPad! Plus, get your hands on a free copy of A Touch of Power if you're quick! :)

Create a video review of A Touch of Power and be in with a chance of winning an iPad!

Maria V. Snyder has teamed up with top teen mag Mizz to give you the chance to win an iPad and be the official book review for MizzMag TV to boot! All you need to do to enter is make a video review of A Touch of Power. MIRA Ink is giving away free review copies to the first 50 people who get in touch, so visit facebook/MIRAInk for more details on how to get involved! Also, check out Mizz Mag TV at www.youtube.com/user/MizzMagTV for an exclusive video of Maria talking about her new Healer series!

Plus... the animated book jacket is here! :) Looks amazing!

Review: A Touch Of Power by Maria V. Snyder

                                             Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V. Snyder

           Pages:  400  Published: December 20th 2011  Publisher: Mira  Source: Review

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:

‘A Touch of Power’ was really really good! I’ve already read the Study series from Maria V. Snyder so I knew how amazing she was at creating whole new lands and exciting plot turns and A Touch of Power did not disappoint! 

Avry is the main character and she is a healer from Kazan. The whole setting is very interesting with different lands and of course the plague situation growing more dire each and every day. I liked reading Avry, she was an easy character to get along with and she was a smart, independent woman. Kerrick, Flea, Belen, Loren and Quain make up the rescuers and they all have their individual personalities, which made them seem even more real. They also have bad traits -Yes Kerrick, I’m talking about you! But everything was all tied together at the end and I loved it! Some parts are very sad! L Belen was my favourite, with Flea at a tie -he was so cute! Tohon was one creepy character! He was such a slimy little man, but of course, there needs to be a villain and Tohon certainly lived up to that! 

I enjoyed how all the relationships between the characters developed as they progressed and the horrible situation that Avry was in -heal someone and die, or not heal someone and survive- something that anybody would have trouble with. The way that Avry’s and Kerrick’s power is described was really interesting! I loved it! Plus, the new character’s along the way, from Sepp, Estrid, Jael and Noelle were all great to read about.

The plot was jam packed full of endless plot changes that I would have never guessed! I was genuinely shocked, so be prepared for anything when reading this! The Peace and Death Lily’s situation was a really intriguing aspect of the book, as it was completely new and very scary! 

Overall, it’s a fantastic read! It’ll definitely leave you gasping for more and luckily the next book is out next year in 2013! Highly recommended! Grab it now! :)

4 out of 5 stars.

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 496  Published: 6th December 2011  Publisher: Walker Books Source: Bought

Goodreads:
The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. 

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.


My Review:

Well, what can you say about ‘Clockwork Prince’ apart from… it’s absolutely AMAZING!!! READ IT RIGHT NOW! Cassandra Clare can seriously do no wrong in my eyes! She is one of -if not- my favourite author and I seriously devoured this book!

Every single character developed much much more than Clockwork Angel, particularly Will -can I please say dghjdkghdd??!!! His reason for his behaviour broke my heart. I was a die hard Will fan in the first book although his attitude was horrendous towards Tessa. In this book however, I saw Jem in a whole new light. I really enjoyed reading the parts he was in. I was surprised at a certain *cough* scene! I never thought he would be like that! So, it’s made me even more torn than ever now! I thought I was a die-hard Will fan but I really like Jem now! I enjoyed how Tessa developed throughout - particularly when a certain someone dies- I thought that was really tough. 

Plus, Jessamine I kind of feel really sorry for her, even though she did bring the whole situation on herself, but she truly believed that she loved Nathaniel and that he loved her back and that was quite sad to read.

The storyline! Oh, the twists and turns left me guessing right until the very end! I was shocked on one page, then laughing on the next, then crying… etc. Everyone must have thought I looked crazy but oh well! It was worth it! I loved it! It really makes me yearn for the 19th century! The whole atmosphere and surroundings that Clare develops make it all seem so real and tangible. 

Plus, can I just say.. That last page nearly killed me. No joke. I was in a mixture of emotions, I want -no, NEED, Clockwork Princess right now. Also, that scene, yes you know what I’m talking about with Will and Tessa! It was so heart wrenching, I felt so so so sorry for Will and Tessa! I just wanted everything to work out and for it to be a nice little happy ever after, but no. Wishful thinking on my part. 

I got the Collector’s First Edition and I loved the extras! Burning Bright was really interesting to read and Will’s letter!!! Amazing. 

I absolutely loved Clockwork Prince and everyone needs to read this book right now. It’s simply amazing. I thought it was much better than Clockwork Angel -which I didn’t think was possible. 

10 out of 5 stars!! ;)  okay.. 5 out of 5 stars overall.