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Nathan died in the summer before his final year in high school, leaving behind a mother who was devoted to him and a girlfriend he loved. His mother and his girlfriend, Emma, are still alive; Nathan is not. But he wakes in his room—or in the shrine his mother's made of his room—confused, cold, and unable to interact with anyone or anything he sees. The only clear memory he has is a dream of a shining city, and its glorious queen, but the dream fades, until he once again meets Emma—by the side of his own grave.
Nathan wants life. He wants Emma. He wants warmth, sensation, a sleep that doesn't leave him confused and aching.
But the cost, to Emma, will be incalculably high—because Emma just might be able to give him what he wants.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2014
135 people are currently reading
1140 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Sagara
54 books1,805 followersSee also:
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle West
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle West
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 16, 2014
Spoilers
Hated this. The plot was all over the place, I didn't know what was going on most of the time — it was a rather confusing read.
-I was annoyed that there was no quick recap of the first book, all that was needed were a few sentences here and there especially since it'd been over a year since the release of Silence.
-What's what: Emma found out she was a Necromancer of some sort, her dull dead boyfriend turned up and Emma whined, then evul necromancers turned up and acted evul. The other necromancers attacked Emma and her friends, apparently some Queen of the Dead person sent them to retrieve Emma for who knows what reason. Emma found some random unrelated ghost boy and tried to help him go home, everyone acted preachy. The necromancers attacked her friends again, Emma felt guilty and then they all decided they should run away together. The end.
-I loathed Emma's character, her personality grated on me so much. She was such an insufferable cow, she was a hypocrite, she was judgmental, she always thought she was right, everything was about her and her pathetic feelings. I'm guessing I was meant to feel sorry for her because her boyfriend died four months earlier. I didn't. Her grief was dull to read about and she behaved as if she was the only to have ever suffered loss.
Losing a high school boyfriend is no doubt sad but it's hardly the worse grief in the world. Her mum lost her husband, who was also the father of her child, the man she built a home and family with, and the love of her life… But Emma had the audacity to think that her mum's pain wasn't as bad as hers. WTF?! Losing a husband and being a single mum is far worse than losing a high school boyfriend. The two don't even compare. But dumb Emma thought her dead dad wasn't as important to her mum as her dead boyfriend was to her. Just because her mum wasn't crying day in and day out eight years after his death didn't mean she stopped caring about him or that he didn't mean as much to her.
Did Emma not realise that people grieve in different ways? Not everyone publicly mourns and not everyone mourns forever. Did she not think that her mum might grieve privately or that it was too hard for her to talk about his death or that she coped by getting on with her life?
How could the thick cow believe losing a high school boyfriend was just as difficult as losing a husband? Not only did her mum lose her husband but also the father of her child, and her partner in life, and the person she built tons of memories with. Whereas Emma's boyfriend was someone she hung out with at school and went on occasional dates with — he wasn't her family, they didn't share their lives together, they didn't have kids, and there weren't even together that long. Her mum's loss was so much more worse than Emma's. How could Emma not see that?
Also, Emma's juvenile attitude towards her mum was disgusting. She was such a brat, she should have been happy that her mum had found happiness with someone else after eight years, but the selfish cow wanted her to be alone and miserable for the rest of her life.
She was a silly, judgemental, self-involved douche who thought she had a monopoly on pain and grief.
-Most of the other characters irritated on me as well. Amy was annoying, Eric had little personality, Nathan was dull, and Michael was boring. Chase was the worst, he hated Emma and demanded Allison stop being friends with her even though he'd only known both a couple of weeks. Who the hell meets someone and then shortly after demands they should give up their best friend? He had no right to expect Allison to give up Emma for him just because it made him feel better. He barely knew her yet he thought he had a say in her life. Allison had been best friends with Emma for years, she wanted to help with all her necromancer problems even if it meant risking her life, it was her decision to stick by her friend, it had nothing to do with Chase.
-The necromancers and the general world building was rubbish. Where did the necromancers come from? What was their end goal? How did the hunters come about? How could Eric see the dead if he wasn't a necromancer? Why didn't anyone ask him? How did the Queen of the Dead and Eric know each other? What was the Queen of the Dead's agenda? Why was she the way she was? What was with the lamp, the door/light, and the old lady?
-The plot was all quite disjointed, there was no clear storyline. It didn't help that the POV's randomly changed and that it wasn't always clear who the POV character was… Every character sounded the same.
-There was so much inner monologuing and pointless preaching and philosophising going on. It made for awful reading.
-The sentences were poorly constructed, the dialogue/monologue rarely flowed well.
All in all, a rubbish book with a nonsensical plot, flat characters, and poor writing.
Hated this. The plot was all over the place, I didn't know what was going on most of the time — it was a rather confusing read.
-I was annoyed that there was no quick recap of the first book, all that was needed were a few sentences here and there especially since it'd been over a year since the release of Silence.
-What's what: Emma found out she was a Necromancer of some sort, her dull dead boyfriend turned up and Emma whined, then evul necromancers turned up and acted evul. The other necromancers attacked Emma and her friends, apparently some Queen of the Dead person sent them to retrieve Emma for who knows what reason. Emma found some random unrelated ghost boy and tried to help him go home, everyone acted preachy. The necromancers attacked her friends again, Emma felt guilty and then they all decided they should run away together. The end.
-I loathed Emma's character, her personality grated on me so much. She was such an insufferable cow, she was a hypocrite, she was judgmental, she always thought she was right, everything was about her and her pathetic feelings. I'm guessing I was meant to feel sorry for her because her boyfriend died four months earlier. I didn't. Her grief was dull to read about and she behaved as if she was the only to have ever suffered loss.
Losing a high school boyfriend is no doubt sad but it's hardly the worse grief in the world. Her mum lost her husband, who was also the father of her child, the man she built a home and family with, and the love of her life… But Emma had the audacity to think that her mum's pain wasn't as bad as hers. WTF?! Losing a husband and being a single mum is far worse than losing a high school boyfriend. The two don't even compare. But dumb Emma thought her dead dad wasn't as important to her mum as her dead boyfriend was to her. Just because her mum wasn't crying day in and day out eight years after his death didn't mean she stopped caring about him or that he didn't mean as much to her.
Did Emma not realise that people grieve in different ways? Not everyone publicly mourns and not everyone mourns forever. Did she not think that her mum might grieve privately or that it was too hard for her to talk about his death or that she coped by getting on with her life?
How could the thick cow believe losing a high school boyfriend was just as difficult as losing a husband? Not only did her mum lose her husband but also the father of her child, and her partner in life, and the person she built tons of memories with. Whereas Emma's boyfriend was someone she hung out with at school and went on occasional dates with — he wasn't her family, they didn't share their lives together, they didn't have kids, and there weren't even together that long. Her mum's loss was so much more worse than Emma's. How could Emma not see that?
Also, Emma's juvenile attitude towards her mum was disgusting. She was such a brat, she should have been happy that her mum had found happiness with someone else after eight years, but the selfish cow wanted her to be alone and miserable for the rest of her life.
She was a silly, judgemental, self-involved douche who thought she had a monopoly on pain and grief.
-Most of the other characters irritated on me as well. Amy was annoying, Eric had little personality, Nathan was dull, and Michael was boring. Chase was the worst, he hated Emma and demanded Allison stop being friends with her even though he'd only known both a couple of weeks. Who the hell meets someone and then shortly after demands they should give up their best friend? He had no right to expect Allison to give up Emma for him just because it made him feel better. He barely knew her yet he thought he had a say in her life. Allison had been best friends with Emma for years, she wanted to help with all her necromancer problems even if it meant risking her life, it was her decision to stick by her friend, it had nothing to do with Chase.
-The necromancers and the general world building was rubbish. Where did the necromancers come from? What was their end goal? How did the hunters come about? How could Eric see the dead if he wasn't a necromancer? Why didn't anyone ask him? How did the Queen of the Dead and Eric know each other? What was the Queen of the Dead's agenda? Why was she the way she was? What was with the lamp, the door/light, and the old lady?
-The plot was all quite disjointed, there was no clear storyline. It didn't help that the POV's randomly changed and that it wasn't always clear who the POV character was… Every character sounded the same.
-There was so much inner monologuing and pointless preaching and philosophising going on. It made for awful reading.
-The sentences were poorly constructed, the dialogue/monologue rarely flowed well.
All in all, a rubbish book with a nonsensical plot, flat characters, and poor writing.
May 15, 2015
Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..
I'm not sure what happened, but this series has completely derailed for me. I remember being completely engrossed in the first book. Sure, I was a bit frustrated with the slow pace of the world building, but the premise was great, and the characters were even better. However, this time around in TOUCH, it was incredibly hard to keep reading. It just lost that spark that drew me in the first time around. In fact, I would only get about 5-10% or so of the book read before literally falling asleep. It just couldn't keep my attention, and I only made it through 50% total over two weeks. This is very rare for me as a book typically takes me about 2-3 hours to devour. I really hate to give up considering how much I enjoyed the first book, and want to see what happens next, but I just can't seem to get any further. Everything just seemed disjointed from the characters to the multiple plot threads that didn't really jive together. Maybe I just wasn't in the right head-space for this book, but I just had to set it aside. I'll more than likely pick it back up sometime and at least skim to the end, as maybe things will turn around, but for now it just didn't work for me.
I'm not sure what happened, but this series has completely derailed for me. I remember being completely engrossed in the first book. Sure, I was a bit frustrated with the slow pace of the world building, but the premise was great, and the characters were even better. However, this time around in TOUCH, it was incredibly hard to keep reading. It just lost that spark that drew me in the first time around. In fact, I would only get about 5-10% or so of the book read before literally falling asleep. It just couldn't keep my attention, and I only made it through 50% total over two weeks. This is very rare for me as a book typically takes me about 2-3 hours to devour. I really hate to give up considering how much I enjoyed the first book, and want to see what happens next, but I just can't seem to get any further. Everything just seemed disjointed from the characters to the multiple plot threads that didn't really jive together. Maybe I just wasn't in the right head-space for this book, but I just had to set it aside. I'll more than likely pick it back up sometime and at least skim to the end, as maybe things will turn around, but for now it just didn't work for me.
July 23, 2016
This is a must read. The danger heats up in the second installment in the Queen of the Dead series. Nathan returns at the behest of the Queen of the Dead. His reunion with Emma is bittersweet. Emma is still in the dark about her powers and what her purpose is as a necromancer. Ms. Sagara pushes up the violence with threats against Emma's friends and their family. This story is dark. It isn't a fluffy teenage drama. Instead, it is more similar to Joss Whedon's season seven of Buffy, when Buffy's last glimmer of cheerleading spark is completely snuffed out.
What I really love about this story is how Ms. Sagara designs each character. Her characters are complex and well created. They all have their specific hot buttons and motivations. The way Emma's friends relate to her is a powerful demonstration of loyalty, courage and a bit of foolishness. Amy and Allison won't leave Emma, even if it means they could possibly be killed. While Chase and Ernest tries to convince Allison to abandon Emma and stay safe, Eric tries to keep Emma from getting killed. Amusingly enough, Michael is the only sane one.
What moves me about this book, is Emma's idealist sense of justice. She is outraged by Mark's situation. Mark is a child ghost who is trying to figure out what happened to him. He needs closure. Emma is angry and already creates a story in her head about why Mark is dead and she's judged and cast the evil villain. This is a very realistic portrayal of a sheltered child, especially with Emma's strong convictions of right and wrong. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm not saying that adults are jaded with flawed moral compass. What Ms. Sagara does, is show how there are shades of grey. The lines blur because each situation requires an analysis of many variables. It's not cut and dry. This is a learning experience for Emma and she grows from it. She's no longer the self-righteous child screaming "unfair"! She's now a more subdued young adult learning that real life contains hard choices and there is no such thing as "fair". There are several teaching moments here. It all comes down to core concept - choice. Each character must make a choice and accept the consequences of their choices. This speaks to me.
While this kind of lesson is critically missing in most young adult books (and adult ones), it does make the story pace a bit slow. It's also so subtle that I believe many readers will miss or ignore it. This would be a mistake because I believe this is a key element to determine what kind of necromancer she turns out to be. These are tests to see if she will show compassion and see ghosts as more than a power source. Ms. Sagara mentions this point a few times which means it will come into play in further installments. No one ever said Ms. Sagara was fast. She's frustratingly elaborate at times and takes a long time to build her foundation. It is a very solid foundation. This fantasy is highly recommended to readers who enjoy a story about loyalty, courage, idealism and struggles with moral dilemmas.
*provided by Edelweiss
What I really love about this story is how Ms. Sagara designs each character. Her characters are complex and well created. They all have their specific hot buttons and motivations. The way Emma's friends relate to her is a powerful demonstration of loyalty, courage and a bit of foolishness. Amy and Allison won't leave Emma, even if it means they could possibly be killed. While Chase and Ernest tries to convince Allison to abandon Emma and stay safe, Eric tries to keep Emma from getting killed. Amusingly enough, Michael is the only sane one.
What moves me about this book, is Emma's idealist sense of justice. She is outraged by Mark's situation. Mark is a child ghost who is trying to figure out what happened to him. He needs closure. Emma is angry and already creates a story in her head about why Mark is dead and she's judged and cast the evil villain. This is a very realistic portrayal of a sheltered child, especially with Emma's strong convictions of right and wrong. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm not saying that adults are jaded with flawed moral compass. What Ms. Sagara does, is show how there are shades of grey. The lines blur because each situation requires an analysis of many variables. It's not cut and dry. This is a learning experience for Emma and she grows from it. She's no longer the self-righteous child screaming "unfair"! She's now a more subdued young adult learning that real life contains hard choices and there is no such thing as "fair". There are several teaching moments here. It all comes down to core concept - choice. Each character must make a choice and accept the consequences of their choices. This speaks to me.
While this kind of lesson is critically missing in most young adult books (and adult ones), it does make the story pace a bit slow. It's also so subtle that I believe many readers will miss or ignore it. This would be a mistake because I believe this is a key element to determine what kind of necromancer she turns out to be. These are tests to see if she will show compassion and see ghosts as more than a power source. Ms. Sagara mentions this point a few times which means it will come into play in further installments. No one ever said Ms. Sagara was fast. She's frustratingly elaborate at times and takes a long time to build her foundation. It is a very solid foundation. This fantasy is highly recommended to readers who enjoy a story about loyalty, courage, idealism and struggles with moral dilemmas.
*provided by Edelweiss
May 2, 2014
I liked the first book a lot better. There was just something about this one that seemed slow and disjointed. I had a lot of trouble reading it. I'll definitely still get the next book because I want to know what happens but depending on how it goes I might not be able to finish it...
June 25, 2014
Loved Allison and Chase!
I found Mark's family very odd. They were my least favorite from the book.
Hoping Eric and Emma end up together!
I found Mark's family very odd. They were my least favorite from the book.
Hoping Eric and Emma end up together!
August 8, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Touch by Michelle Sagara
Book Two of the Queen of the Dead series
Publisher: DAW Hardcover
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Rating: 1 star
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
Nathan died the summer before his final year in high school. But he wakes in his room—or in the shrine of his room his mother’s made—confused, cold, and unable to interact with anyone or anything he sees. The only clear memory he has is a dream of a shining city and its glorious queen, but the dream fades, until he once again meets his girlfriend Emma by the side of his own grave.
Nathan wants life. He wants Emma. But, even if Emma can deliver what he desires, the cost may be too high to pay...
What I Liked:
I'm really trying to think of redeeming qualities of this book, I really am. But I seriously don't know what stood out, that I can remember, that I really liked. Honestly, I can't even summarize this book properly - I have no idea what was going on.
What I Did Not Like:
One: Sagara did not do a really good job of refreshing readers with events that happened in book one. You know when you first start reading a sequel, and the author slips in a really abridged recap of the first book in the beginning of the sequel? For people who are really familiar with book one, it might be annoying, but for people who don't really remember book one, it's extremely helpful. Also, the author will mention events that occurred in book one periodically throughout the sequel, and remind readers of who certain characters are.
I'm going to be honest with you: I didn't remember most of book one. I didn't even remember who Nathan was - without reading the summary of this book. I remembered Emma, Eric, and a fire. That's it. And what did not help was that Sagara didn't summarize what happened in book one for us (in the beginning of book, as most authors subtly do), and she didn't really hint at what happened throughout the book.
I usually remember books really well - even if I didn't absolutely love them. But let's be honest: I hadn't read book one (Silence) in over a year, and while I LOVED that book, I didn't re-read it like, ten times, or anything. I borrowed it from the library, read it, and returned it. That was in June 2012. So... I didn't really remember much. Just that I LOVED book one.
Two: this book is boring. Like, I legitimately had to stop around 30% of the book, and take a twenty-minute power nap. I am not joking. I could not keep my eyes open while reading the ENTIRE BOOK. That is a problem. And no, I was not reading it at early hours of the morning. I DID get a good night's sleep for the previous days. This book was just THAT BORING.
Three: the plot made very little sense to me. Or rather, there really wasn't a plot? Events seemed scattered and unrelated. Beware the Necromancers, wonder about Nathan's appearance, help a dead boy, beware the Queen... that almost sounds straightforward. But the plot is anything but that. It's so disjointed and all over the place - I couldn't figure out where the author was going with anything.
Four: this book is in third person, but it's in third person limited, with multiple points of view. That is SO ANNOYING, in this book. I could never tell where the switches where exactly, so I would get annoyed when I realized that I was reading the events in someone else's view. I mean, it's all third person, but Nathan Allison, Chase, and Emma think very differently. And the switches were very random. They weren't clearly marked by a symbol, or a large space, or anything. I suppose this might be fixed in the printed copies of this book, but it was so irritating to deal with, while reading.
Five: ALL of the characters, with the exception of Eric (and maybe Michael), are kind of sickeningly stupid. I remember really liking Emma, in book one. In this book, I really don't like her. She's sort of dense, or maybe just naive, or brainless, or something. I didn't like Allison either, because she decided that she needed to be in EVERYTHING, right in the middle. I didn't like Chase, because he seems too angry all the time. Chill, bro. I didn't like Amy, because I feel like she was forced upon readers, and the author tried too hard to make her a dynamic and spunky character. Just... no.
Six: the romance is so weird. One couple sort of deserves each other. But Emma and her dead boyfriend. Weird. Like, leave the dead alone. If they're supposed to be dead, let it be. Move on. This is when I dislike romance in books - when the romance suddenly make ALL the difference in the plot. Like, Emma's feelings for Nathan is what drives this book, and the next book. No. Bad. Bad, meaning, not something that I like.
Seven: the ending was CONFUSING. I mean, the entire book was confusing, and very boring, but the ending in particular was confusing. I honestly have no idea what happened, and I just spent the last three hours reading the book. The ending was kind of like a slap in the face, because the entire book is sort of la dee dah, until the climax, and that's where the author decides to throw all of the action into one scene. But I'm confused. I don't understand why, all of a sudden, everyone realizes that there is danger. Like, it's hard to explain, but basically, WHAT? Break it down, please.
Overall, I couldn't figure out what was going on, and I didn't like the characters, and this book was not for me. Cue the disappointment, because I was really excited to read this book. I gave the first book FIVE stars last year! How often does that happen?! Ugh. This was a not-so-great sequel.
Would I Recommend It:
No, not really. It's unfortunate, because I was looking forward to reading this book (and potentially enjoying it). I hate it when sequels disappoint me! Honestly, if you liked the first book, it's worth a shot. But if you have not read the first book, then don't bother with either book. It's not worth it (in my opinion).
Rating:
1 stars. I'm super disappointed with this book, and this series, for that matter. I doubt I'll be reading subsequent novels in this series. That's too bad!
Touch by Michelle Sagara
Book Two of the Queen of the Dead series
Publisher: DAW Hardcover
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Rating: 1 star
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
Nathan died the summer before his final year in high school. But he wakes in his room—or in the shrine of his room his mother’s made—confused, cold, and unable to interact with anyone or anything he sees. The only clear memory he has is a dream of a shining city and its glorious queen, but the dream fades, until he once again meets his girlfriend Emma by the side of his own grave.
Nathan wants life. He wants Emma. But, even if Emma can deliver what he desires, the cost may be too high to pay...
What I Liked:
I'm really trying to think of redeeming qualities of this book, I really am. But I seriously don't know what stood out, that I can remember, that I really liked. Honestly, I can't even summarize this book properly - I have no idea what was going on.
What I Did Not Like:
One: Sagara did not do a really good job of refreshing readers with events that happened in book one. You know when you first start reading a sequel, and the author slips in a really abridged recap of the first book in the beginning of the sequel? For people who are really familiar with book one, it might be annoying, but for people who don't really remember book one, it's extremely helpful. Also, the author will mention events that occurred in book one periodically throughout the sequel, and remind readers of who certain characters are.
I'm going to be honest with you: I didn't remember most of book one. I didn't even remember who Nathan was - without reading the summary of this book. I remembered Emma, Eric, and a fire. That's it. And what did not help was that Sagara didn't summarize what happened in book one for us (in the beginning of book, as most authors subtly do), and she didn't really hint at what happened throughout the book.
I usually remember books really well - even if I didn't absolutely love them. But let's be honest: I hadn't read book one (Silence) in over a year, and while I LOVED that book, I didn't re-read it like, ten times, or anything. I borrowed it from the library, read it, and returned it. That was in June 2012. So... I didn't really remember much. Just that I LOVED book one.
Two: this book is boring. Like, I legitimately had to stop around 30% of the book, and take a twenty-minute power nap. I am not joking. I could not keep my eyes open while reading the ENTIRE BOOK. That is a problem. And no, I was not reading it at early hours of the morning. I DID get a good night's sleep for the previous days. This book was just THAT BORING.
Three: the plot made very little sense to me. Or rather, there really wasn't a plot? Events seemed scattered and unrelated. Beware the Necromancers, wonder about Nathan's appearance, help a dead boy, beware the Queen... that almost sounds straightforward. But the plot is anything but that. It's so disjointed and all over the place - I couldn't figure out where the author was going with anything.
Four: this book is in third person, but it's in third person limited, with multiple points of view. That is SO ANNOYING, in this book. I could never tell where the switches where exactly, so I would get annoyed when I realized that I was reading the events in someone else's view. I mean, it's all third person, but Nathan Allison, Chase, and Emma think very differently. And the switches were very random. They weren't clearly marked by a symbol, or a large space, or anything. I suppose this might be fixed in the printed copies of this book, but it was so irritating to deal with, while reading.
Five: ALL of the characters, with the exception of Eric (and maybe Michael), are kind of sickeningly stupid. I remember really liking Emma, in book one. In this book, I really don't like her. She's sort of dense, or maybe just naive, or brainless, or something. I didn't like Allison either, because she decided that she needed to be in EVERYTHING, right in the middle. I didn't like Chase, because he seems too angry all the time. Chill, bro. I didn't like Amy, because I feel like she was forced upon readers, and the author tried too hard to make her a dynamic and spunky character. Just... no.
Six: the romance is so weird. One couple sort of deserves each other. But Emma and her dead boyfriend. Weird. Like, leave the dead alone. If they're supposed to be dead, let it be. Move on. This is when I dislike romance in books - when the romance suddenly make ALL the difference in the plot. Like, Emma's feelings for Nathan is what drives this book, and the next book. No. Bad. Bad, meaning, not something that I like.
Seven: the ending was CONFUSING. I mean, the entire book was confusing, and very boring, but the ending in particular was confusing. I honestly have no idea what happened, and I just spent the last three hours reading the book. The ending was kind of like a slap in the face, because the entire book is sort of la dee dah, until the climax, and that's where the author decides to throw all of the action into one scene. But I'm confused. I don't understand why, all of a sudden, everyone realizes that there is danger. Like, it's hard to explain, but basically, WHAT? Break it down, please.
Overall, I couldn't figure out what was going on, and I didn't like the characters, and this book was not for me. Cue the disappointment, because I was really excited to read this book. I gave the first book FIVE stars last year! How often does that happen?! Ugh. This was a not-so-great sequel.
Would I Recommend It:
No, not really. It's unfortunate, because I was looking forward to reading this book (and potentially enjoying it). I hate it when sequels disappoint me! Honestly, if you liked the first book, it's worth a shot. But if you have not read the first book, then don't bother with either book. It's not worth it (in my opinion).
Rating:
1 stars. I'm super disappointed with this book, and this series, for that matter. I doubt I'll be reading subsequent novels in this series. That's too bad!
April 15, 2020
Probably a little closer to 3.5 stars. A pretty good continuation of the series. I think it quite nicely sets the stage for book 3. I know I'm quite a ways from the time this came out, but what can I say, I just discovered it. I would like to read part 3, also, so I'll have to go searching online for it. The part of this series that I like the most, is when Emma is actually helping the ghosts she sees, and her interaction with Michael. I also like the fact that, in this, the second book of the trilogy, Emma still doesn't know what all her powers can do.
This is a series that you should read, even if, like me, you're a little late coming to it.
This is a series that you should read, even if, like me, you're a little late coming to it.
July 11, 2017
I could have sworn I posted my reactions to this back when I read it from the library, but apparently not. Oh, well, a few quick long-after comments, then....
2.5 Goodreads stars: not as good as the first. The plot got bogged down with repetitive introspection, and I'm getting a little impatient with the juvenile lead's continuing belief that the death of a high school boyfriend is practically the end of [her] world. Still, it's not poorly written, and I do plan to read the third (which was finally released).
2.5 Goodreads stars: not as good as the first. The plot got bogged down with repetitive introspection, and I'm getting a little impatient with the juvenile lead's continuing belief that the death of a high school boyfriend is practically the end of [her] world. Still, it's not poorly written, and I do plan to read the third (which was finally released).
May 22, 2017
A touch too angsty in places, but plenty of action in others, and the Queen of the Dead is an impressive antagonist. The characters, once past the angst, and pretty interesting too, varied and realistic for teenagers. I'm curious as to what happens next, but not enough to rush out for the next book.
June 7, 2017
Continues the Queen of the Dead saga, deepening the world and throwing a few curveballs in the way. Amy is just flat out awesome, but as usual it's Emma and her compassion that are the centre of the book.
April 1, 2018
I'm all for friendship, but the whole, lying to my family and putting them in danger because BFF!!!! Squeeeeee!!!! Well, that just pissed me off, and there is a strange maternal crit thread in the undead space going on that is just bizarre and was very similar to the last book.
June 26, 2022
eh, I liked the first one A LOT better. No offense but dragging Nathan this long is kind of too long for me? Maybe it's just the pace of the book but things with him could've been resolved in this book. Still like it but eh it's missing something that the first one had.
January 13, 2014
Rating: D+
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
Touch opens with a short prelude from the POV of Nathan, the deceased boyfriend of protagonist Emma who was not present in the first title, Silence. Nathan chronicles his thoughts and existence from the moment of his car crash to "present day," roughly three or four months after his accident. We discover that he was given an order by the Queen of the Dead to go home and watch his family and friends. The book then begins its story shortly after the conclusion of the first title. Emma’s friends are trying to adjust to a routine after learning about her ability to see ghosts and the existence of Necromancers, humans like Emma who have the ability gain powers from using ghosts’ energy. Necromancers work for the Queen of the Dead, who wants to kill off Emma’s friends and family.
Although I don’t normal read and enjoy YA literature, I was completely enamored with Silence, the first book in Ms. Sagara’s Queen of the Dead series. The story was engrossing and characters strong, keeping me glued to the pages, despite some confusion while reading the book. Unfortunately, the second story, Touch, did not hold my attention like the first book did. The small issues I had when reading Silence only grew and became problematic the second time around. The plot is slow moving and seemingly without a clear direction at times. There is entirely way too much introspection by these characters, and at times I just wanted to skip over the repetitive analysis of true friendship, love and death.
Overall, Touch focuses on the emotional development of each character rather than be driven by the plot and action. If that is your cup of tea, you may enjoy the book. However, I wanted a cleaner/clearer storyline that moved from point A to point B. There are side stories which are critical for the further development of the characters, but did nothing for the overall plot of the book.
Unfortunately, each of the characters fell flat for me. The strength I found in each before, seems to have fizzled under the weight of insecurity. Too often characters are harshly judging themselves or uncertain what course of action would be best. The only character who seemed to have her act together is Amy, the Cordelia-like (Buffy) friend of the gang who takes charge, even over the knowledgable elders. And don’t get me started on the parents who didn’t seem to care that their kids are leaving at all hours of the night and won’t share where they are going. These kids must live in a world where parents are gullible, and I found it annoying. I like that the author tried to include the parents, but I felt it was an inadequate effort.
I appreciate that the book does not shy away from some thoughtful and meaningful issues and ideas, the primary being what it means to be a true friend. It also touches on the subjects of moving on and forgiveness. On the surface, I like the topics and how they are handled. However, after a while, the discussion carried on too long and the story became lost in introspection and repetition. For example, I appreciate the theme of friendship and what defines a true friend, but I was bogged down by the constant reminders that Emma and Ally are best friends no matter the dangers. They continually have to justify it to the Necromancer Hunters, Chase and Eric, and it got old.
Once again the author makes the reader work to comprehend the fundamentals of her world. While I appreciate not being spoon fed every detail, it made for confusion, and after two books, I would have like a little more concrete idea of what is happening, rather than having to infer every detail. I’m still not entirely clear on who the Queen of the Dead is and why she wants Emma so badly, which bothers me. There were times that I re-read a section more than once, yet still felt like I was missing something and didn’t fully comprehend the significance of what was said or happened.
While there are some exciting and tense moments, unfortunately they were too few and far between. One of the side stories involved a deceased child who was lost and wanted to go home. There is such great potential for action in the story line; however, it ended with a rather long commentary on forgiveness. In addition, at one point during the deadly climatic confrontation, two separate characters took a rather lengthy time to evaluate his/her life and place in the world that I felt they certainly should have been killed off during that time!
I had high expectations for Touch after reading the first title in Ms. Sagara’s Queen of the Dead series. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the title. It has some good qualities, and the very ending was excellent and holds great potential for the next book. However, the good was overrun by too much introspection and discussion of heavy topics. While I appreciate the discussions, they all became repetitive and some were ill-timed, which detracted from the book and plot. If you enjoy a book driven by character development, you may enjoy Touch much more than I.
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
Touch opens with a short prelude from the POV of Nathan, the deceased boyfriend of protagonist Emma who was not present in the first title, Silence. Nathan chronicles his thoughts and existence from the moment of his car crash to "present day," roughly three or four months after his accident. We discover that he was given an order by the Queen of the Dead to go home and watch his family and friends. The book then begins its story shortly after the conclusion of the first title. Emma’s friends are trying to adjust to a routine after learning about her ability to see ghosts and the existence of Necromancers, humans like Emma who have the ability gain powers from using ghosts’ energy. Necromancers work for the Queen of the Dead, who wants to kill off Emma’s friends and family.
Although I don’t normal read and enjoy YA literature, I was completely enamored with Silence, the first book in Ms. Sagara’s Queen of the Dead series. The story was engrossing and characters strong, keeping me glued to the pages, despite some confusion while reading the book. Unfortunately, the second story, Touch, did not hold my attention like the first book did. The small issues I had when reading Silence only grew and became problematic the second time around. The plot is slow moving and seemingly without a clear direction at times. There is entirely way too much introspection by these characters, and at times I just wanted to skip over the repetitive analysis of true friendship, love and death.
Overall, Touch focuses on the emotional development of each character rather than be driven by the plot and action. If that is your cup of tea, you may enjoy the book. However, I wanted a cleaner/clearer storyline that moved from point A to point B. There are side stories which are critical for the further development of the characters, but did nothing for the overall plot of the book.
Unfortunately, each of the characters fell flat for me. The strength I found in each before, seems to have fizzled under the weight of insecurity. Too often characters are harshly judging themselves or uncertain what course of action would be best. The only character who seemed to have her act together is Amy, the Cordelia-like (Buffy) friend of the gang who takes charge, even over the knowledgable elders. And don’t get me started on the parents who didn’t seem to care that their kids are leaving at all hours of the night and won’t share where they are going. These kids must live in a world where parents are gullible, and I found it annoying. I like that the author tried to include the parents, but I felt it was an inadequate effort.
I appreciate that the book does not shy away from some thoughtful and meaningful issues and ideas, the primary being what it means to be a true friend. It also touches on the subjects of moving on and forgiveness. On the surface, I like the topics and how they are handled. However, after a while, the discussion carried on too long and the story became lost in introspection and repetition. For example, I appreciate the theme of friendship and what defines a true friend, but I was bogged down by the constant reminders that Emma and Ally are best friends no matter the dangers. They continually have to justify it to the Necromancer Hunters, Chase and Eric, and it got old.
Once again the author makes the reader work to comprehend the fundamentals of her world. While I appreciate not being spoon fed every detail, it made for confusion, and after two books, I would have like a little more concrete idea of what is happening, rather than having to infer every detail. I’m still not entirely clear on who the Queen of the Dead is and why she wants Emma so badly, which bothers me. There were times that I re-read a section more than once, yet still felt like I was missing something and didn’t fully comprehend the significance of what was said or happened.
While there are some exciting and tense moments, unfortunately they were too few and far between. One of the side stories involved a deceased child who was lost and wanted to go home. There is such great potential for action in the story line; however, it ended with a rather long commentary on forgiveness. In addition, at one point during the deadly climatic confrontation, two separate characters took a rather lengthy time to evaluate his/her life and place in the world that I felt they certainly should have been killed off during that time!
I had high expectations for Touch after reading the first title in Ms. Sagara’s Queen of the Dead series. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the title. It has some good qualities, and the very ending was excellent and holds great potential for the next book. However, the good was overrun by too much introspection and discussion of heavy topics. While I appreciate the discussions, they all became repetitive and some were ill-timed, which detracted from the book and plot. If you enjoy a book driven by character development, you may enjoy Touch much more than I.
May 28, 2017
It gets deep and philosophical
Clearly to flush out the world and prepare us for the and by reading the trilogy last book. I'm enjoying it
Clearly to flush out the world and prepare us for the and by reading the trilogy last book. I'm enjoying it
December 28, 2018
Not quite as good as the first. A little too talky. But good enough that I want to read the last book in the trilogy.
March 27, 2022
See review for volume one. Very good read.
April 29, 2024
It was a lot better than the first. Excited for the third installment!
August 12, 2024
Well written
I was surprised to enjoy these books so much as the subjects are teenagers, but they are so well written that I got involved with characters and the plots and enjoyed them thoroughly
I was surprised to enjoy these books so much as the subjects are teenagers, but they are so well written that I got involved with characters and the plots and enjoyed them thoroughly
December 3, 2024
Great Story - Storytelling, such as details and transitions, and who's speaking could be more clear.
April 21, 2014
Wow. Sagara doesn't shy from the hard subjects, and this book is full of them. The theme of this story (not the plot) is "what makes a human a monster/evil, and who gets to define that?" From the first book, we readers learned that assassins travel the world trying to kill budding necromancers before they come into power because of the assumption that they will be evil. Emma, our heroine, is a budding necromancer who refuses to command or control the dead. In the opening of this second book, Emma is dealing with all kinds of pressures, like talking with her dead dad over homework and navigating high school. Added to that, her friend Allison is dealing with her own lack of talents in just about everything but school and being a good friend. Stir in a guy who has lived with resentment most of his life for never having anyone love him. Add normal things, like parents, and less-normal things like dead people arguing with live people.
This is the second book, and gets rather assumptive of backstory here. Most of Emma's necromantic powers are already established for the reader. Emma can see/talk to the dead, and she can make them visible/audible to others if she touches them. She can use her physical hands in metaphysical ways. But she continues to refuse to use or abuse anyone around her to strengthen herself or exercise power for personal gain.
Emma's powers of friendship are quite strong, mostly because of loyalty and acceptance of people as they are rather than as she wishes them to be. That requirement of understanding is the foundation of her friendships with everyone from Michael (high functioning autistic) to Allison (plain bookish introvert) to Amy (queen bee and social force of nature). Emma, Eric, Chase, and a host of other characters move through the story. The alliances and understandings among the group are fluid, and come under storytelling pressure both from Emma's decisions and from those of her friends. All of the various relationships are in play in this series, and are highlighted even more as this second book breaks into separate points of view, rather than focusing exclusively on Emma.
Spoilers ahead
The point of view that is most perilous is that of Nathan, Emma's months-gone dead boyfriend. The book starts out in present tense from his point of view inside the car accident that kills him. In an edifice of storytelling that I find difficult to enjoy, Nathan's POV in the story is told in present tense, contrasted by the mostly past-tense rest of the story. (Either Sagara does not have quite a firm enough grasp of grammar, or I of her idiom, to make those tense transitions well.)
The other strongly presented point of view besides Emma's is that of Allison, loyal friend and girl of no particular powers or talents. She's smart, she understands Emma and Michael, and she can communicate when no one else wants to do so. She also has weaknesses of pride - for example, she hates to fight in front of anyone because she knows it makes her face red and blotchy - and strengths of character that make her decisions completely believable.
For most of the story, Allison's arguments centered around her loyalty to Emma, and focused on the character most trying to pull them apart: Eric. But there was some budding resentment, too, as Nathan reappeared in the story and therefore in Emma's life. Allison and Nathan got along well enough, but Allison was not used to being ignored by Emma in favor of an invisible friend.
painful spoilers ahead
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In the previous book, Emma and her friends went off into danger to save a ghost-toddler from a long-burned-out housefire that he was permanently reliving. In this book, Emma talked a crying ghost boy out of a ravine by promising to take him home. This ghost was both autistic and confused about why he died. He did what his mother told him to do - wait in the cold in the ravine until she came to get him.
Yes. What you think.
This was a painfully real part of the book. As I said, the theme of this book is "what makes a person a monster" and here was a huge psychological confrontation for me, as a reader, to step into a book and face a reality of life: mothers abandon their children to die.
Sagara, and therefore Emma, pushed the plot and that question through some very painful contemplations and confrontations to a point beyond judgment of another person. This was where the strength of Emma's character was proven to be so solid, and not maleable for the sake of plot continuation. Emma was willing to step beyond her mental judgments of people to see the actors in this tragedy as they were, not as she wanted to believe. And while the resolution was ok-enough for the moment, Sagara did not waive any epiphany wands over any characters' heads to change who and what they were for the sake of readers' solid sleep later.
I picked this book up because the first one was really quite good. I recommend it with caution to people who would like to continue along in the story.
This is the second book, and gets rather assumptive of backstory here. Most of Emma's necromantic powers are already established for the reader. Emma can see/talk to the dead, and she can make them visible/audible to others if she touches them. She can use her physical hands in metaphysical ways. But she continues to refuse to use or abuse anyone around her to strengthen herself or exercise power for personal gain.
Emma's powers of friendship are quite strong, mostly because of loyalty and acceptance of people as they are rather than as she wishes them to be. That requirement of understanding is the foundation of her friendships with everyone from Michael (high functioning autistic) to Allison (plain bookish introvert) to Amy (queen bee and social force of nature). Emma, Eric, Chase, and a host of other characters move through the story. The alliances and understandings among the group are fluid, and come under storytelling pressure both from Emma's decisions and from those of her friends. All of the various relationships are in play in this series, and are highlighted even more as this second book breaks into separate points of view, rather than focusing exclusively on Emma.
Spoilers ahead
The point of view that is most perilous is that of Nathan, Emma's months-gone dead boyfriend. The book starts out in present tense from his point of view inside the car accident that kills him. In an edifice of storytelling that I find difficult to enjoy, Nathan's POV in the story is told in present tense, contrasted by the mostly past-tense rest of the story. (Either Sagara does not have quite a firm enough grasp of grammar, or I of her idiom, to make those tense transitions well.)
The other strongly presented point of view besides Emma's is that of Allison, loyal friend and girl of no particular powers or talents. She's smart, she understands Emma and Michael, and she can communicate when no one else wants to do so. She also has weaknesses of pride - for example, she hates to fight in front of anyone because she knows it makes her face red and blotchy - and strengths of character that make her decisions completely believable.
For most of the story, Allison's arguments centered around her loyalty to Emma, and focused on the character most trying to pull them apart: Eric. But there was some budding resentment, too, as Nathan reappeared in the story and therefore in Emma's life. Allison and Nathan got along well enough, but Allison was not used to being ignored by Emma in favor of an invisible friend.
painful spoilers ahead
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In the previous book, Emma and her friends went off into danger to save a ghost-toddler from a long-burned-out housefire that he was permanently reliving. In this book, Emma talked a crying ghost boy out of a ravine by promising to take him home. This ghost was both autistic and confused about why he died. He did what his mother told him to do - wait in the cold in the ravine until she came to get him.
Yes. What you think.
This was a painfully real part of the book. As I said, the theme of this book is "what makes a person a monster" and here was a huge psychological confrontation for me, as a reader, to step into a book and face a reality of life: mothers abandon their children to die.
Sagara, and therefore Emma, pushed the plot and that question through some very painful contemplations and confrontations to a point beyond judgment of another person. This was where the strength of Emma's character was proven to be so solid, and not maleable for the sake of plot continuation. Emma was willing to step beyond her mental judgments of people to see the actors in this tragedy as they were, not as she wanted to believe. And while the resolution was ok-enough for the moment, Sagara did not waive any epiphany wands over any characters' heads to change who and what they were for the sake of readers' solid sleep later.
I picked this book up because the first one was really quite good. I recommend it with caution to people who would like to continue along in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2017
Not as enjoyable as the first book, I found the pacing dragged a bit in this one and there seemed to be a bit more existential philosophising which I find a little tiresome, but that's just me.
March 9, 2017
Loved reading this book! Great sequel, especially after the ending of Silence, and yeah, need to finish this series!
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Despite having nearly an identical plot structure (Emma saves kid, is confused about her powers, battles necromancers in the end), this second book in the series departs stylistically from the straightforward YA first novel and instead is very much a Michelle West/Sagara novel. That is both good and bad: Sagara neither shows nor tells, there are multiple POVs, and a lot of sermonizing about love and friendship bogs down the action/plot.
In book 2, we continue right where the first book left off: Emma is still going purely on instinct with her necromancy powers and her friends realize this isn't a game when they too find themselves in danger. When Emma becomes distracted helping a lost boy realize his last wish, she will give the Queen of the Dead an opening that may end with the death of those Emma loves.
Book 2 was interesting in that it not only brought in Nathan but also gave us many more POVs: Nathan's, Chase's, Ally's, as well as Erik's and Emma's. More was revealed about Erik's connection to the Queen and the relationship between Chase and Ally is really a lot of the focus of the book. Erik is left in the background through most and likely will reappear for a major part in the third book.
Book 2 could be very inscrutable at times, reminding me much more of Sagara's other series, The Sun Sword, more than the first book Silence. The constant change of POV's and Sagara's style made it difficult to follow who was speaking and I often found myself having to go back and reread (e.g., one paragraph may have 3 people speaking and you have to watch the quote marks carefully or you don't realize someone else is suddenly saying something). It made reading tedious when you have to constantly watch the punctuation marks just to know what is happening. I will always prefer paragraphs to denote new speakers.
The characters changed as well - and oddly I wouldn't say that they grew so much as withdrew. Emma and Erik faded and Chase/Ally really came into prominence. Unfortunately, nearly all of it was a tennis game of, "I want to protect Emma" and "You'll get yourself killed protecting Emma." It led to a lot of philosophizing that became tedious in its repetitiveness. A moral subplot with another trapped boy child ghost further bogged down the story.
I really enjoyed the first book - it was a quick and eventful read with great pacing and solid storytelling. The second book, however, started to lose me about 50% in - I just fell out of interest, especially when the plot in the first book was nearly completely echoed in the second. It was actually difficult to finish the book, which surprised me.
Despite the issues above (and some really 'can't suspend disbelief/logic' scenarios that surprised me from an author as sophisticated as Michelle Sagara) I will be continuing with the series. A writer of Sagara's maturity means we don't have whiney females, soppy romance, or egregious plot holes. As well, all the clues were laid out now in the first two books that the next book should be very good.
Received as an ARC from the publisher.
January 3, 2014
*Genre* YA Paranormal
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Touch, book # two in The Queen of the Dead series, was a story that I've been patiently waiting for since the release of Silence in May of 2012. Yes, this book seems to have been pushed back by the publisher and author which doesn't surprise me since she is attempting to write TWO different series at the same time. If you haven't read her Chronicles of Elantra High Fantasy series, I would definitely encourage you to check it out. I would also say that if you haven't read Silence in awhile, to please refresh your memories before starting Touch.
Touch starts out with Nathan's story and twists its way back to Emma and her friends, Chase, Eric, Allison, Michael, and Amy. Nathan, as you may, or may not know, died unexpectedly the summer before his final year of high school after promising Emma Hall that he would not leave her behind. It has been FOUR months since that fateful day. Nathan's story is mysterious in nature, and ends with a cliffhanger that readers will have to wait until sometime in 2015 to learn what happens next. After believing that he was heading for his final destination, he mysteriously ends up finding his way back to home and to Emma after being diverted. Why was Nathan sent back? Why is Emma targeted by every necromancer who happens to come to town? Who is the mysterious OLD WOMAN who questions why Nathan is still with Emma?
We finally get to meet the mysterious Queen of the Dead that this series is named for. Even though you can pretty much guess what the Queen wants with Emma, there is still the mystery as to what her intentions are for Nathan and whether or not Emma will finally understand her necromancer abilities and use it to save her friends and family while stopping the necromancers from hurting anyone else.
Emma can see and guide the dead. As you know from reading Silence, when she touches the dead, like Nathan or her father Brendan, those around her can see them as well. For Emma, this ability comes with consequences as there are those who hunt Necromancers, and kill them so that they don't get too powerful. Hunters like Eric and Chase have come to learn to respect Emma since she doesn't let her abilities control her or turn towards the dark side.
Once again, Allison, Chase, Michael, Amy, and Eric are key ingredients to the story even though the story lacked a bit of depth until the end. Apparently there is a budding relationship growing between two of the secondary characters as well which should be fun to see if it is allowed to bloom or perish.
I think there was way too much focus on Emma's determination to reunite a dead boy with his family even when things are getting dangerous for her and her friends. I also found her concern for her mothers possible new love interest to be pretty normal for a teenager to deal with. I may or may not trust this particular character, and wonder what the reason for adding it to this story in the first place. I understand that Emma has a kind heart and she can't differentiate between the living and the dead but she also needs to focus on protecting herself so that noone else has to end up in harms way.
Recvd 09/27/2013 via Edelweiss - Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by DAW Hardcover
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Touch, book # two in The Queen of the Dead series, was a story that I've been patiently waiting for since the release of Silence in May of 2012. Yes, this book seems to have been pushed back by the publisher and author which doesn't surprise me since she is attempting to write TWO different series at the same time. If you haven't read her Chronicles of Elantra High Fantasy series, I would definitely encourage you to check it out. I would also say that if you haven't read Silence in awhile, to please refresh your memories before starting Touch.
Touch starts out with Nathan's story and twists its way back to Emma and her friends, Chase, Eric, Allison, Michael, and Amy. Nathan, as you may, or may not know, died unexpectedly the summer before his final year of high school after promising Emma Hall that he would not leave her behind. It has been FOUR months since that fateful day. Nathan's story is mysterious in nature, and ends with a cliffhanger that readers will have to wait until sometime in 2015 to learn what happens next. After believing that he was heading for his final destination, he mysteriously ends up finding his way back to home and to Emma after being diverted. Why was Nathan sent back? Why is Emma targeted by every necromancer who happens to come to town? Who is the mysterious OLD WOMAN who questions why Nathan is still with Emma?
We finally get to meet the mysterious Queen of the Dead that this series is named for. Even though you can pretty much guess what the Queen wants with Emma, there is still the mystery as to what her intentions are for Nathan and whether or not Emma will finally understand her necromancer abilities and use it to save her friends and family while stopping the necromancers from hurting anyone else.
Emma can see and guide the dead. As you know from reading Silence, when she touches the dead, like Nathan or her father Brendan, those around her can see them as well. For Emma, this ability comes with consequences as there are those who hunt Necromancers, and kill them so that they don't get too powerful. Hunters like Eric and Chase have come to learn to respect Emma since she doesn't let her abilities control her or turn towards the dark side.
Once again, Allison, Chase, Michael, Amy, and Eric are key ingredients to the story even though the story lacked a bit of depth until the end. Apparently there is a budding relationship growing between two of the secondary characters as well which should be fun to see if it is allowed to bloom or perish.
I think there was way too much focus on Emma's determination to reunite a dead boy with his family even when things are getting dangerous for her and her friends. I also found her concern for her mothers possible new love interest to be pretty normal for a teenager to deal with. I may or may not trust this particular character, and wonder what the reason for adding it to this story in the first place. I understand that Emma has a kind heart and she can't differentiate between the living and the dead but she also needs to focus on protecting herself so that noone else has to end up in harms way.
Recvd 09/27/2013 via Edelweiss - Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by DAW Hardcover
January 15, 2014
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
It is a very rare occurrence that I cry while reading a book. I’m not much of a crier in general (Hunger Games movies notwithstanding), so if a book makes me cry, it’s a big deal.
I cried during the prologue of Touch. The prologue.
Nathan was killed in a car accident four months ago, and Emma hasn’t gotten over it. She’s learned to live with missing her father, who died eight years ago, but the thought of having to live without Nathan is too much. So she goes through the motions of everyday life, convincing most people she’s fine, even though she’s not.
In the intervening months, Emma’s learned she’s a Necromancer, or at least, she has necromantic powers. She’s different from the others with the same powers; unlike them, she sees the dead as people and wants to help them find solace. Not use them for the power they can give her. Because of the events at the end of Silence, she’s become a target, and her friends, who have refused to leave her side, are caught in the crossfire.
Touch is much darker than Silence. If Silence was about grief and loss and the love you felt for someone who was gone, Touch is about acceptance of that loss – and what it can do to you if you don’t. Emma isn’t ready to let Nathan go. Nathan isn’t ready to let Emma go. He doesn’t care that her touch gives him a little bit more of her warmth and kills off a tiny part of her each time. They’re only for each other, and reading about Nathan waking up after the accident, realizing he’s dead, and that he’s left Emma behind, that made me cry.
The story is told mostly from Emma and her friend Allison’s points of view, which is a change from the previous book. Allison is worried about Emma. She knows Em’s putting on a show for everyone else, and she knows that one more death, one more loss, will destroy her. She’ll give up the pretense of living and just wait for death. When Chase, one of the hunters sent to kill Emma, starts trying to convince Allison to abandon her friend for her own safety, Allison won’t, even though she’s in danger.
Pretty much everyone’s in danger this time around. The Necromancers want to bring Emma to the Queen of the Dead, and they’ll kill anyone who gets in the way. Friends and family aren’t safe…and they’re also in the dark. Aside from a few friends, no one knows Emma can see the dead, so they don’t know they’ve got targets painted on their backs.
It gets a little preachy toward the middle (there’s a subplot involving Emma and a small dead boy trying to find his way home), but the story is otherwise solid, and the connection between Nathan and Emma is heartbreaking. By the end, we think we know that Emma and Nathan will have to make a choice to let the other go.
But we may very well be wrong.
It is a very rare occurrence that I cry while reading a book. I’m not much of a crier in general (Hunger Games movies notwithstanding), so if a book makes me cry, it’s a big deal.
I cried during the prologue of Touch. The prologue.
Nathan was killed in a car accident four months ago, and Emma hasn’t gotten over it. She’s learned to live with missing her father, who died eight years ago, but the thought of having to live without Nathan is too much. So she goes through the motions of everyday life, convincing most people she’s fine, even though she’s not.
In the intervening months, Emma’s learned she’s a Necromancer, or at least, she has necromantic powers. She’s different from the others with the same powers; unlike them, she sees the dead as people and wants to help them find solace. Not use them for the power they can give her. Because of the events at the end of Silence, she’s become a target, and her friends, who have refused to leave her side, are caught in the crossfire.
Touch is much darker than Silence. If Silence was about grief and loss and the love you felt for someone who was gone, Touch is about acceptance of that loss – and what it can do to you if you don’t. Emma isn’t ready to let Nathan go. Nathan isn’t ready to let Emma go. He doesn’t care that her touch gives him a little bit more of her warmth and kills off a tiny part of her each time. They’re only for each other, and reading about Nathan waking up after the accident, realizing he’s dead, and that he’s left Emma behind, that made me cry.
The story is told mostly from Emma and her friend Allison’s points of view, which is a change from the previous book. Allison is worried about Emma. She knows Em’s putting on a show for everyone else, and she knows that one more death, one more loss, will destroy her. She’ll give up the pretense of living and just wait for death. When Chase, one of the hunters sent to kill Emma, starts trying to convince Allison to abandon her friend for her own safety, Allison won’t, even though she’s in danger.
Pretty much everyone’s in danger this time around. The Necromancers want to bring Emma to the Queen of the Dead, and they’ll kill anyone who gets in the way. Friends and family aren’t safe…and they’re also in the dark. Aside from a few friends, no one knows Emma can see the dead, so they don’t know they’ve got targets painted on their backs.
It gets a little preachy toward the middle (there’s a subplot involving Emma and a small dead boy trying to find his way home), but the story is otherwise solid, and the connection between Nathan and Emma is heartbreaking. By the end, we think we know that Emma and Nathan will have to make a choice to let the other go.
But we may very well be wrong.
December 20, 2013
Michelle Sagara, who also writes as Michelle Sagara West, is one of my favorite authors. If anyone asks me for a recommendation for a fantasy series as good as Game of Thrones, I always recommend her Sun Sword series and House Wars (the series that follows it). If someone is looking for something in the paranormal romance vein I recommend her Chronicles of Elantra series. Now that she's writing Queen of the Dead, a young adult series, I recommend it. When I am feeling really low and cast down, overburdened and in need of escape, I return to all of her books - they're smart, heartfelt, full of characters that can be adored or hated, and in worlds that are beautifully built. Best of all, much of her writing centers around questions of identity, but maybe more importantly family - the ones we're born into and the ones we create for ourselves. She's a great storyteller and I always enjoy roaming around inside of her creations.
Touch is book two in the Queen of the Damned series, a story about a teenage girl (Emma) who discovers that she is a necromancer after her boyfriend is killed in a car accident and her group of friends - an absolutely terrifying popular girl, a sweet and nerdy bookish girl, an autistic boy, and a pair of hunters whose job is to hunt down and kill necromancers. Before Emma, all necromancers that the hunters encounter have been evil - chaining the dead and channelling their energy for nefarious purposes. Emma is different - her powers are different as are her motivations and these books explore all of the characters as they come of age in the face of this talent.
What if someone you were still mourning came back? You could see them, touch them, but their touch was bone-chilling and could kill you if you held on too long. Would it be a happy return or would it be painful and regretful or some combination of all? What if they were sent back to you by an evil queen (think the Snow Queen for a corollary) who wanted to trap you and your powers? How would you navigate this? What if everyone you loved was endangered because you loved them? What then?
Touch is a rollercoaster ride of action, emotion, and lots and lots of great questions - many of which are left to the reader to resolve. I loved it. I really love the band of friends and the risks that they face to be just that - a band of friends who matter to each other because they choose to do so. Smart, sad, and fun, a great book for any young (or not-so young) adult with strong female characters and plenty to keep the reader up late. Can't wait for the next book - highly recommended.
Touch is book two in the Queen of the Damned series, a story about a teenage girl (Emma) who discovers that she is a necromancer after her boyfriend is killed in a car accident and her group of friends - an absolutely terrifying popular girl, a sweet and nerdy bookish girl, an autistic boy, and a pair of hunters whose job is to hunt down and kill necromancers. Before Emma, all necromancers that the hunters encounter have been evil - chaining the dead and channelling their energy for nefarious purposes. Emma is different - her powers are different as are her motivations and these books explore all of the characters as they come of age in the face of this talent.
What if someone you were still mourning came back? You could see them, touch them, but their touch was bone-chilling and could kill you if you held on too long. Would it be a happy return or would it be painful and regretful or some combination of all? What if they were sent back to you by an evil queen (think the Snow Queen for a corollary) who wanted to trap you and your powers? How would you navigate this? What if everyone you loved was endangered because you loved them? What then?
Touch is a rollercoaster ride of action, emotion, and lots and lots of great questions - many of which are left to the reader to resolve. I loved it. I really love the band of friends and the risks that they face to be just that - a band of friends who matter to each other because they choose to do so. Smart, sad, and fun, a great book for any young (or not-so young) adult with strong female characters and plenty to keep the reader up late. Can't wait for the next book - highly recommended.
February 25, 2014
I called book 1, Silence, Sixth Sense meets Ghostbusters with the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (reviewed it in 2012 http://vbplrecommends.blogspot.com/20...), so I've been looking forward to the sequel.
I find reading series that book 2 is a difficult spot sometimes because I liked book 1 and want more but what will book 2 maintain the momentum or meet expectations set up in book 1?
Book 2 picks up from the ending of book 1 with the appearance of Emma's dead boyfriend as a ghost. There is more information about the mysterious Queen of the Dead and her connection to the characters, more exploration of the dead's experiences in their existence after death (and the Queen's role in what it is), and more backstory of some of the characters. Book 1 was about introducing Emma to the world of Necromancers and the ongoing fight between them and the secret organization of hunters. With book 2, the stakes are better known, and the world of Necromancers is dangerous, not just to the players but to the friends and family who know them.
What I like about the series is how the characters are connected by their relationships and grounded in their lives. The hunters and Necromancers are not connected to anyone outside of their respective groups, but Emma and her friends completely surprise them because they have a normal life and are connected to other people, and this is not something easily abandoned. Emma and her friends are not fighters and have no training and have not experienced true danger. Book 2 captures the clash between these very different worlds of experience, and the struggle to do the right thing when kill-or-be-killed and surviving are involved.
Touch follows a very similar outline to Silence, and some may find the pacing slow where not enough happens, but, at the same time, I find it lets you see the characters grow by the choices they make, how this could be a life disrupted versus an action movie or story when the action escalates from one thing into the next in 1 day or similarly short period and is resolved. It's an ongoing struggle with the secret organizations and their normal lives. Emma and her friends aren't secretly talented fighters or undiscovered strategists, but they want to do what is right and protect those they care about. Book 2 leaves on a cliffhanger and a turning point for Emma and her friends.
I find reading series that book 2 is a difficult spot sometimes because I liked book 1 and want more but what will book 2 maintain the momentum or meet expectations set up in book 1?
Book 2 picks up from the ending of book 1 with the appearance of Emma's dead boyfriend as a ghost. There is more information about the mysterious Queen of the Dead and her connection to the characters, more exploration of the dead's experiences in their existence after death (and the Queen's role in what it is), and more backstory of some of the characters. Book 1 was about introducing Emma to the world of Necromancers and the ongoing fight between them and the secret organization of hunters. With book 2, the stakes are better known, and the world of Necromancers is dangerous, not just to the players but to the friends and family who know them.
What I like about the series is how the characters are connected by their relationships and grounded in their lives. The hunters and Necromancers are not connected to anyone outside of their respective groups, but Emma and her friends completely surprise them because they have a normal life and are connected to other people, and this is not something easily abandoned. Emma and her friends are not fighters and have no training and have not experienced true danger. Book 2 captures the clash between these very different worlds of experience, and the struggle to do the right thing when kill-or-be-killed and surviving are involved.
Touch follows a very similar outline to Silence, and some may find the pacing slow where not enough happens, but, at the same time, I find it lets you see the characters grow by the choices they make, how this could be a life disrupted versus an action movie or story when the action escalates from one thing into the next in 1 day or similarly short period and is resolved. It's an ongoing struggle with the secret organizations and their normal lives. Emma and her friends aren't secretly talented fighters or undiscovered strategists, but they want to do what is right and protect those they care about. Book 2 leaves on a cliffhanger and a turning point for Emma and her friends.
January 27, 2014
I give this one 3 1/2 stars. I liked it, but not as much as the first book. But don't get me wrong, it was good.
In the second installment of this series, there is still action. But this time, character development comes to the forefront. Both are important ingredients to a good book, but it felt like the action and character development were too far separated, with the former being a bit slow.
So, that's what I didn't like. Here's what I loved...
1. I'm disappointed that this didn't cause more conflict among the characters and develop into something more. But ultimately, it's pretty clear that But in the end, you'll see why this was so important to the plot..
2. Amy keeps a prominent role in the book. She can be a bit overbearing, but I like her. She has a no-nonsense attitude and has wonderful focus when dealing with a problem. Every part of the book that has her in it is fun to read and hard to put down.
3. The relationship between begins to develop some more, but feels painstakingly slow.
4. Both Allison's and Michael's characters develop considerably, but it's often slow going during those parts.
5. Where there's action, it's pretty good.
6. So much for the yearbook.
7. The entire part with Mark was heart wrenching. This was the part of the book that seemed slower for me and took a while to get through. There are some emotional parts there so you'll want to have a tissue nearby. It also riled me up, considerably. In fact, the one conversation with her Dad had me angry with him, but I think I understand what he was trying to say. (See how this book will pull you in?)
8. In the end, we finally got .
This book was good and I recommend the series. When the next book comes out, I'm sure to put it on my list. A lot happened in this one that really makes me what to see what's next!
In the second installment of this series, there is still action. But this time, character development comes to the forefront. Both are important ingredients to a good book, but it felt like the action and character development were too far separated, with the former being a bit slow.
So, that's what I didn't like. Here's what I loved...
1. I'm disappointed that this didn't cause more conflict among the characters and develop into something more. But ultimately, it's pretty clear that But in the end, you'll see why this was so important to the plot..
2. Amy keeps a prominent role in the book. She can be a bit overbearing, but I like her. She has a no-nonsense attitude and has wonderful focus when dealing with a problem. Every part of the book that has her in it is fun to read and hard to put down.
3. The relationship between begins to develop some more, but feels painstakingly slow.
4. Both Allison's and Michael's characters develop considerably, but it's often slow going during those parts.
5. Where there's action, it's pretty good.
6. So much for the yearbook.
7. The entire part with Mark was heart wrenching. This was the part of the book that seemed slower for me and took a while to get through. There are some emotional parts there so you'll want to have a tissue nearby. It also riled me up, considerably. In fact, the one conversation with her Dad had me angry with him, but I think I understand what he was trying to say. (See how this book will pull you in?)
8. In the end, we finally got .
This book was good and I recommend the series. When the next book comes out, I'm sure to put it on my list. A lot happened in this one that really makes me what to see what's next!
November 4, 2015
I don't know what to say.
For the most part, it's really really really slow. You can sum up the whole book within a paragraph and that's without losing any main points, only minor details.
Emma is still the same, sort of, perhaps worse. By worse, I mean more Emma-like, like this Emma is 140% of Book 1's Emma. For some, it's quite loathsome. I do loath it but I can still find my enjoyment while doing so.
I really don't get Chase (pardon my spelling if I'm wrong). In Book 1, Chase was portrayed like a younger brother/cousin of Eric. The pain in the ass and joking kind. In Book 2, it's like he got recreated. He's not that guy anymore. At first, I was like wth man. Why is Vikas Adam using that low voice on him again? They're just teenagers. I can understand 200 years old dragons that look like 19. But, it actually worked. Chase 2.0 is less cheery from the dialogues and more of a dark background.
There's also Emma and Nathan's relationship which I really really really hated and felt disgusted. She is probably 18 and what in the world does a 18-year-old know about actually "love" which is a word I hate to use in books like this. Seriously, do not force a supposedly well built relationship on to some teenager as it's just plain stupid. If anything, Nathan is just an anchor mixed with being a boyfriend, not a lover.
You know how someone is just emo, sad and grieving or missing a part of their life and then they final their saving grace or holy grail which they latch on to? Yeah, Nathan is more like an anchor boyfriend than a lover that the author forced him to be.
Nathan's whole plot is disgusting and that's probably going to be part of Book 3, 4, 5, 6 and to infinity because the plot progresses so damn slow. I enjoyed saving the boy part though. And that also means there will be another kid at age 12 in Book 3 and another at age 16 for Book 4 and so on. Just following the trend, Andrew was 4 and Mark was 8 (11).
For the most part, it's really really really slow. You can sum up the whole book within a paragraph and that's without losing any main points, only minor details.
Emma is still the same, sort of, perhaps worse. By worse, I mean more Emma-like, like this Emma is 140% of Book 1's Emma. For some, it's quite loathsome. I do loath it but I can still find my enjoyment while doing so.
I really don't get Chase (pardon my spelling if I'm wrong). In Book 1, Chase was portrayed like a younger brother/cousin of Eric. The pain in the ass and joking kind. In Book 2, it's like he got recreated. He's not that guy anymore. At first, I was like wth man. Why is Vikas Adam using that low voice on him again? They're just teenagers. I can understand 200 years old dragons that look like 19. But, it actually worked. Chase 2.0 is less cheery from the dialogues and more of a dark background.
There's also Emma and Nathan's relationship which I really really really hated and felt disgusted. She is probably 18 and what in the world does a 18-year-old know about actually "love" which is a word I hate to use in books like this. Seriously, do not force a supposedly well built relationship on to some teenager as it's just plain stupid. If anything, Nathan is just an anchor mixed with being a boyfriend, not a lover.
You know how someone is just emo, sad and grieving or missing a part of their life and then they final their saving grace or holy grail which they latch on to? Yeah, Nathan is more like an anchor boyfriend than a lover that the author forced him to be.
Nathan's whole plot is disgusting and that's probably going to be part of Book 3, 4, 5, 6 and to infinity because the plot progresses so damn slow. I enjoyed saving the boy part though. And that also means there will be another kid at age 12 in Book 3 and another at age 16 for Book 4 and so on. Just following the trend, Andrew was 4 and Mark was 8 (11).
June 8, 2014
It's in! It's in! My library finally got Touch, and I am going to pick it up!
(I may have to edit this review; I am not sure I am able to do Touch justice, writing with a migraine.
Or it may be that those 1 star reviews have irritated me so that I want to convince everyone that Touch is wonderful...since I joined Goodreads, I have read many awesome books that got bad reviews, and some bad books that got great reviews. All books deserve to find someone to love them. Touch deserves lots of love.)
I am glad Sagara took the time to get Touch the way she wanted it; readers should be willing to wait for a good book. And Touch is a very good book, and a fitting sequel to Silence. I read Silence again before starting Touch, so I am not the best judge of Touch's ability to stand alone. However, in my humble opinion, the books are not meant to stand alone. Thus, another reader might want to skim/read Silence before diving into Touch. Since I stayed home today with a 'mild' migraine, I devoured Touch in one sitting. Although I am not a fan of multiple points of view, I care so much about these characters that I did not mind the addition of Allison, Nathan, Eric and Chase to the narrators. With the Queen of the Dead and her minions aware of Emma and her abilities, the threats and danger to Emma, her friends and their families are going to force everyone to face some major decisions. Michael remains a main character, and his interactions with and contributions to the group are an integral part of this story. Emma continues to deal with the grief caused by her abilities, as she tries to use those abilities without causing harm. Amy is hysterically funny and awesome. Chase is irreverant, and continues as the group's bad boy. Unfortunately, Michelle Sagara tortures her readers with another cliffhanger ending that makes me hope book 3 will be easier to write!
(I may have to edit this review; I am not sure I am able to do Touch justice, writing with a migraine.
Or it may be that those 1 star reviews have irritated me so that I want to convince everyone that Touch is wonderful...since I joined Goodreads, I have read many awesome books that got bad reviews, and some bad books that got great reviews. All books deserve to find someone to love them. Touch deserves lots of love.)
I am glad Sagara took the time to get Touch the way she wanted it; readers should be willing to wait for a good book. And Touch is a very good book, and a fitting sequel to Silence. I read Silence again before starting Touch, so I am not the best judge of Touch's ability to stand alone. However, in my humble opinion, the books are not meant to stand alone. Thus, another reader might want to skim/read Silence before diving into Touch. Since I stayed home today with a 'mild' migraine, I devoured Touch in one sitting. Although I am not a fan of multiple points of view, I care so much about these characters that I did not mind the addition of Allison, Nathan, Eric and Chase to the narrators. With the Queen of the Dead and her minions aware of Emma and her abilities, the threats and danger to Emma, her friends and their families are going to force everyone to face some major decisions. Michael remains a main character, and his interactions with and contributions to the group are an integral part of this story. Emma continues to deal with the grief caused by her abilities, as she tries to use those abilities without causing harm. Amy is hysterically funny and awesome. Chase is irreverant, and continues as the group's bad boy. Unfortunately, Michelle Sagara tortures her readers with another cliffhanger ending that makes me hope book 3 will be easier to write!
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