Review: Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway
Touch of Death (Touch of Death #1)
by: Kelly Hashway
Publication Date: Jan. 15, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Fantasy/ Mythology
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from e-Library
Page Count: 235 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Jodi Marshall isn’t
sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute
she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing
boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy
no one seems to know.
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
-goodreads.com description
Let's put it this way: I read this book in the span of a day. It was that good. The story was very well-paced, and I found myself flying through the pages.
Everyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with mythology: Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Norse... it doesn't matter, I am fascinated by it all. Hashway did an amazing job tying Greek mythology in with her novel. From the summary above, "A branch of necromancers that are descendants of Medusa." How cool is that?!
I really did feel for Jodi, the book's protagonist. We are introduced to her and instantly all of these strange things start happening to her that she can't explain. Animals she thought to be dead, coming back to life. Healthy humans mysteriously dying. All after being in contact with her. Not to mention the fact that a random blonde haired boy with green eyes seems to be following her everywhere she goes.
I liked that Jodi was tough, but at the same time she was also sensitive. Hitting a deer at the beginning of the novel upset her. I like my protagonists to be real and believable. We have a 17-year-old girl who's life is turned upside down and it would be strange if she didn't show her emotions in regards to the death that is occurring every which way around her.
Alex, the blond haired 'stalker' is not a stalker at all, but actually is there to help Jodi get a grip on everything that's occurring. After finally getting her to listen to him, he tells her he can help her understand what's been happening to her and help her control her necromancy. He brings her to a 'school' with others who are descended from Medusa, where she will begin training. I ended up really liking Alex and I liked seeing him and Jodi interact. Alex ended up being Jodi's rock, seeing as no 'school' could be complete without your token mean girl! Abby takes an immediate dislike to her and becomes an adversary of Jodi's. Not to mention she also so happens to be crushing on Alex. (Who clearly isn't interested.)
However, Jodi now has a new set of problems to face. She is different from the others and there is a big battle brewing with Hades, who does not like the fact that these Ophi can raise the dead.
Betrayal, lies, and deceit all await Jodi. Can she overcome them and do what she was meant to do? Guess you'll have to read and find out!
The second book, Stalked by Death, will be released later this year. I can't wait to see what happens next!
6 comments
Hello,
ReplyDeletenew follower from the goodreads group. please follow me back at Nette's Bookshelf Reviews Thank you!
Thanks for following! I have done the same.
DeleteThank you for such an amazing review! I'm so glad you connected to Jodi and her story. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again Kelly for stopping by!
DeleteI also enjoyed this one! Although I found a few things that didn't appeal to me, the story overall was fairly entertaining. Glad you enjoyed it, I am also a fan of mythology.
ReplyDeleteI can devour all types of mythology. I adored both of Rick Riordan's series!
DeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.