Book Review: Scent of Magic by Maria V. Synder

Title: Scent of Magic (Healer #2)
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Release Date: Dec 18th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin MIRA
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Hunted, killed, survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal 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 confidant, 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.

My Thoughts
You can read my review of book #1 Touch of Power here

I have yet again been blown away by the authors ability to draw me into her beautifully written world. This spectacular and war torn land where magic is a strange and powerful gift both revered and feared rolls effortlessly from the page - Ms Snyder's imagery is fantastic.

I eagerly devoured this second instalment of Avry's story and for the most part I was happy with its progression but I did miss the presence of Belen and the 'monkey's'. The absence of their camaraderie and playful nature made some parts of this story a little flat for me.The lack of page time for Avry and Kerrick as a couple also left me wanting. I was really hoping that there would be a better pay off for all they had to go through in the first book.  However, Ms Snyder did redeem herself with the very surprising and unexpected return of one of my favourite characters from Touch of Power!

Overall, Scent of Magic with its beautiful imagery and cast of fun filled characters will take you on an adventure full of magic, deceit, friendship and love, and leave you gasping for more with its shocking cliffhanger.
A decent 4 star read.

LINKS
Author website