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)