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March 22, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Touched by Corrine Jackson

Touched (Sense Thieves, #1)
Title: Touched (Sense Thieves, #1)
Author: Corrine Jackson
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Publication date: November 27, 2012
Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal/Supernatural)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 343
Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll be coming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.
Touched by Corrine Jackson was an amazing Paranormal novel. However I have to point out that it has a ton of similarities to Twilight, something that I know many readers didn't enjoy in this novel. Even with the lack of originality, I loved the characters, as well as the fast pace and development of the plot. Corrine is obviously a very skilled writer and even with the twilight similarities, in the end, I did enjoy Touched. 
I hope I didn't scare you away with the Twilight similarity. This novel stands on its own. It has enough merits, such as the plot, characters, and writing, to label it as a great supernatural novel. Remy, the main protagonist, can heal people by touching them, however whatever injury she heals becomes her own injury and then has to heal herself. Other than this big downside to her healing touch, some injuries are too severe for her to heal herself from immediately, such as a gun shot wound, etc. So her power is restricted based on the severity of the injury. However Remy tries to help anyone who needs it, even though she knows she'll get hurt in the process. She always heals her mother after acting as a punching bag to her husband, Remy's stepfather. Remy was also the target of her abusive stepfather one too many times. 
Finally, when things went too far, Remy's dad intervenes and takes her to live with him, his wife, and his daughter who is Remy's age. I am sure you are all thinking "uh oh.. cat fights" but NO! that actually didn't happen, even though I was preparing myself for the double standard or fakeness to be revealed at any point. However Remy's step sister was AWESOME! I loved her. She instantly befriended Remy, introduced her to all her friends and accepted her, no hidden agendas or underlying evil plotting anywhere. I also appreciating how fatherly her dad was as well as how sweet her stepmom was. I absolutely loved how welcoming her new family was. It was great to read about that. As for Asher, the love interest, he also has some supernatural.. traits, to say it simply. The romance between Remy and Asher, while it wasn't fast paced, it reminded me a bit of Bella and Edward from Twilight.. I know I know I promised myself I wouldn't bring Twilight up anymore, but I can't deny the similarities. I was able to get past that but I know some people who weren't able to. 
I just have to point out, again, even with all the similarities, I did find it to be pleasant. Also, the whole aspect of Remy's stepfather stalking her and being this looming threat that never left her in the novel was very unique. She wasn't only facing threats from the supernatural world but also from people that were a part of her life for years. There is a sort of forbidden love in this story, because Asher is a protector and Remy is a Healer and it is not known for a Healer and Protector to be in a relationship, it reminded me a bit of Half Blood by JLA but without any regulations. Remy is an amazing protagonist, not a passive damsel in distress we often see in paranormal novels. I can't wait for the sequel and find out more about the history between the Healers and Protectors.

Kensington Teen have generously offered one copy of Touched to one lucky winner. This giveaway is US/CA only. Be sure to enter using the rafflecopter below


15 comments:

  1. Nina22 March 2013 at 08:23

    Great review. This book hasn't been on my radar. It sounds fun, but the Twilight similarities put me a bit off. Yes, I read Twilight and liked it, but when I read a book that makes me think of Twilight I end up not liking it. I might try it if I can find it at the library. :)

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  2. tthepageturner22 March 2013 at 08:33

    Glad to hear the Remy isn't a typical PR mc! I've been on the fence about this book, because of the Twilight comparisons, but it's reassuring to hear that you enjoyed it despite that. Great review!

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  3. Jenny22 March 2013 at 10:10

    I read Corrine's If I Lie and fell madly in love with it, so I'm excited to see what she does with this paranormal novel, even if it is lacking a touch in originality. And hmmmm, what paranormal ability would I want? I'm going to go with either telekinesis or teleportation. Both would come in really handy I think:) Thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  4. Jasprit22 March 2013 at 12:09

    I really enjoyed Jackson's If I Lie, so I did have my eye on this book afterwards too. The twilight similarities would probably annoy me a bit, but I think I still would give this book a try as I like the sound of the premise and Remy's power sounds a bit like Wolverine's from X-Men! Great review Juhina!

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  5. Anonymous22 March 2013 at 12:09

    Thanks for your review. It is always nice to read one that is balanced and well-thought-out. I'm glad you pointed out both what you liked and what you found to be some of its shortcomings.

    If I could have a supernatural power, I think I'd like to be invisible. Sometimes, it's nice to just observe without being seen in return.

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  6. Desiree22 March 2013 at 12:50

    I've a lot of things about this book, some of them bad, some of them good, but I think it sounds really good and I want to see for myself. I'm glad that you found it to be an interesting read. Lol I'm not sure why I find it so hilarious that everyone reads this book and then decides not to finish it because of the Twilight similarities. And they hate it because of that. If they had never read Twilight, or seen it, they wouldn't have made those comparisons. Lol anyways, that's not the point. The superpower I would love to have is telekenesis. It would be an awesome ability to possess.

    Awesome review!

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  7. Unknown22 March 2013 at 18:26

    This is one that I have been curious, but couldn't decide whether to pick it up or not. I know my library has it, so I think I will. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  8. Unknown22 March 2013 at 18:55

    Thanks for the awesome review and giveaway! I totally loved this book.

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  9. Eve22 March 2013 at 21:10

    I've seen this one on Goodreads before it even had a cover, but apparently I'd missed it when it was released. Gah, bummer! And it's good for once that when the new girl moves in town, she has support from her family and her step-sister isn't a bitch (that's used as a plot device in many books and it's infuriating :|...). And Remy's powers sound so cool - at least she has a limit to what and how fast she can heal and she's not all-powerful like pretty much every other "special" heroine in a book. Remy's character seems like the best thing in this book! And if I'm able to get past all the Twilight similarities, it would be even better.
    Great review!

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  10. Unknown22 March 2013 at 21:50

    It was a tiny bit similar to Twilight but more it just felt super cliche to me. I felt like it was every paranormal book I ever read. I only made it 50% through and then gave up. I wouldn't have even made it that far had it not been a gift. Glad you still enjoyed it though!

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  11. Unknown23 March 2013 at 04:54

    Thanks for the review! I hadn't heard of this one but it sounds great! I love how selfless the protagonist is, and how intricate the plot seems.

    If I had a superpower, strange as it sounds, it would be the ability to let one person feel what another is feeling - it would make doctor's jobs much easier. sort out misunderstandings, etc. I'd like to spread empathy and understanding.

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  12. monicarnc30 March 2013 at 22:44

    Thanks for reviewing..haven't heard about this book sounds interesting!

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  13. Stack of Hardbacks8 April 2013 at 15:33

    Great review, it sounds really good! And I'd probably go with telekinesis!

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  14. gracelo10 April 2013 at 23:03

    Wow! You're review's wonderful, and I liked how you pointed out the similarities of Touched with other YA novels.

    Superpower . . . I'd love to have the ability to control time. Rewind it, stop it, fast forward. I'll never be late to class again c:

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  15. Anonymous11 April 2013 at 14:23

    I've been wanting to read this book for a while now it sounds AMAZING! Your review was great too! My Supernatural power I would like to have would be a healing power! I always read books about healing powers and I LOVE books like that!

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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