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Don't Touch
Hope flares each morning in the tiny flash of a second before Lette touches that first thing. And destroys it.
Her online journal spans a decade, beginning with the day a thirteen-year-old inherits an extreme form of the family “gift.” Every day whatever she touches converts into something bunnies, bubbles, bombs, and everything in between.
Lette’s search for a cure leads her to Stefan, whose fairy-tale looks hide a monstrous legacy, and to Rag, an arrogant, crabby ex-angel with boundary issues. The three face an army led by a monster who feeds on children’s fear. But it’s their own inner demons they must defeat first.
Her online journal spans a decade, beginning with the day a thirteen-year-old inherits an extreme form of the family “gift.” Every day whatever she touches converts into something bunnies, bubbles, bombs, and everything in between.
Lette’s search for a cure leads her to Stefan, whose fairy-tale looks hide a monstrous legacy, and to Rag, an arrogant, crabby ex-angel with boundary issues. The three face an army led by a monster who feeds on children’s fear. But it’s their own inner demons they must defeat first.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2013
About the author
Barb Taub
11 books66 followersBARB TAUB is a humor and urban fantasy author, caffeinated AussieDog wrangler, Yankee expat, and travel junkie. Following her daring daytime escape to England, Barb has lived in a medieval castle, a Hobbit House, and a magic Scottish Isle. You can find her online at https://barbtaub.com/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 8, 2019
Lette wakes up on her thirteenth birthday and inherits a terrible problem.
A problem she neither wants nor needs.
Despite the seriousness of her plight, I was impressed by her sense of humour and the way she gets to grip with her often distressing problem.
Don’t Touch is, without doubt, a fascinating, delightful read. Extremely well written, I read it in one sitting. I followed Lette eagerly as she sought a solution, surprised by her ingenuity. Such an unusual story had me laughing at times, sad at others and I loved the romantic entanglements too.
I must confess, I loved George, the cat! Such a character, he tried his best to put a normal slant on Lette’s far from normal life.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Don’t Touch and can heartily recommend it.
A problem she neither wants nor needs.
Despite the seriousness of her plight, I was impressed by her sense of humour and the way she gets to grip with her often distressing problem.
Don’t Touch is, without doubt, a fascinating, delightful read. Extremely well written, I read it in one sitting. I followed Lette eagerly as she sought a solution, surprised by her ingenuity. Such an unusual story had me laughing at times, sad at others and I loved the romantic entanglements too.
I must confess, I loved George, the cat! Such a character, he tried his best to put a normal slant on Lette’s far from normal life.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Don’t Touch and can heartily recommend it.
December 27, 2014
4.5 stars
So, YA urban fantasy, right? I didn't even know what that WAS, let alone if I would like it or not. I bought this book because it was on offer, for a good cause (and still is, until the end of 2014!), and started to read it (as opposed to leaving it sitting on the Kindle with the hundred other unread ones) because I've read many blog posts by Barb Taub, and her smart, sharp wit is totally up my rue.
This is SO funny, I'd definitely recommend it. Lette (short for Roulette) Simoneau has a rare superpower. Each day, she has a new 'touch', which means that on a particular day everything she touches (with fingertips only) will turn into whatever her superpower has decided it will be that day. It might be jack-in-a-box toys, or roast beef sandwiches, or okra (that one made me laugh), or (hurrah!) diamond rings, or all manner of other things, including smells, or levitation. There are some real laugh out loud moments; it's very clever and witty, and completely off the wall. Barb Taub, I am going to get another Null City book soon, as long as you tell me one thing - what are you ON, and if you have any left, can I have some??!!
So, YA urban fantasy, right? I didn't even know what that WAS, let alone if I would like it or not. I bought this book because it was on offer, for a good cause (and still is, until the end of 2014!), and started to read it (as opposed to leaving it sitting on the Kindle with the hundred other unread ones) because I've read many blog posts by Barb Taub, and her smart, sharp wit is totally up my rue.
This is SO funny, I'd definitely recommend it. Lette (short for Roulette) Simoneau has a rare superpower. Each day, she has a new 'touch', which means that on a particular day everything she touches (with fingertips only) will turn into whatever her superpower has decided it will be that day. It might be jack-in-a-box toys, or roast beef sandwiches, or okra (that one made me laugh), or (hurrah!) diamond rings, or all manner of other things, including smells, or levitation. There are some real laugh out loud moments; it's very clever and witty, and completely off the wall. Barb Taub, I am going to get another Null City book soon, as long as you tell me one thing - what are you ON, and if you have any left, can I have some??!!
December 21, 2013
Having super powers must be every girl's dream. Specially on your thirteenth birthday. Unless you get to have the most super weird powers in the universe. Every morning, Lette wakes up to a brand new, freak power that might turn everything she touches into a bunny, a sandwich or a gold nugget. The latter wouldn't be so bad, except that your parents are much better being alive than a Midas souvenir. After many disastrous mornings, she grows into a life that wasn't supposed to be. Living in a cabin in the woods, wearing thick gloves, and hunting with a bow all sounds very heroic, but it's maddeningly lonely for a vibrant woman in her twenties. Until fate knocks on the door or, more precisely, climbs up the ladder.
Though this is a short story, it never feels lacking. I loved the story from the original first page to the satisfying last one. Before I go on, let me tell you I want to read more of this heroine and her companions. Lette is a strong but very approachable woman, at least from a character point of view. In the story, it's almost impossible to cross the barriers her touch-powers rise between the world and her. Despite her haunting and daunting situation, she has developed a way of life that is very interesting. Life has so much more to offer, though, that when the opportunity arises in the form of a good-looking fairy tale hero in disguise, she jumps to take it. From this moment on, we travel through a fast-paced, incredibly creative and funny paranormal story that grips and entertains the reader at all times. I loved the city Lette goes to in order to claim her right to a normal life. I loved the means of transport she hops on to get there. Her feelings and decisions resonate well within me, and the two male characters pose a fantastic balance to her emotional evolution and to the story. One of them is really important to help Lette realize who she is. The other one is strangely well suited to her wits and temper. Both of them are necessary and very welcome.
There is magic, bad guys you want to punch in the gut, intense love interests, mysterious entities, and lots of fun. Definitely worth a read.
Though this is a short story, it never feels lacking. I loved the story from the original first page to the satisfying last one. Before I go on, let me tell you I want to read more of this heroine and her companions. Lette is a strong but very approachable woman, at least from a character point of view. In the story, it's almost impossible to cross the barriers her touch-powers rise between the world and her. Despite her haunting and daunting situation, she has developed a way of life that is very interesting. Life has so much more to offer, though, that when the opportunity arises in the form of a good-looking fairy tale hero in disguise, she jumps to take it. From this moment on, we travel through a fast-paced, incredibly creative and funny paranormal story that grips and entertains the reader at all times. I loved the city Lette goes to in order to claim her right to a normal life. I loved the means of transport she hops on to get there. Her feelings and decisions resonate well within me, and the two male characters pose a fantastic balance to her emotional evolution and to the story. One of them is really important to help Lette realize who she is. The other one is strangely well suited to her wits and temper. Both of them are necessary and very welcome.
There is magic, bad guys you want to punch in the gut, intense love interests, mysterious entities, and lots of fun. Definitely worth a read.
November 15, 2014
4.5 stars
The morning after Lette Simoneau turns thirteen she awakens to find she can feel colours. Weird? Lette thinks so. Not quite the superpowers she might have dreamed of. It was so bizarre to be able to tell what colour an object is just by touching it. Lette couldn’t see the point of such a lame power, but she didn’t realise this was just the beginning.
As the summer weeks and months pass, the touch as Lette calls it, manifests in different ways and on an ever-increasing number of occasions. Each day’s manifestation is different, Lette could be turning objects into gold one day, or cupcakes or sandwiches another day, and sometimes into much more dangerous things.
I love the interaction between Lette and George, her mother’s evil cat. Eventually the inevitable happens and Lette inadvertently touches George with hilarious consequences.
The book is written in journal entries and through this we get to know, like and sympathise with Lette and, as one disaster follows another, she decides living alone is her only option. Despite this less than satisfactory way of life Lette copes with her situation very well. She’s a strong protagonist with a great character.
Lette isn’t destined for this kind of life much longer though, as she learns of a place where she could live normally. There’s much more to life than living as a virtual prisoner and when the opportunity to travel to Null City arises Lette doesn’t think twice. What follows is an amazingly imaginative and innovative adventure with Stefan and Rag, two great central characters. Lette has to make some hard decisions and, at the same time, learns some valuable lessons, on her journey, not least of which is making the best of a sometimes challenging situation.
I love that the villain of the piece is a horrific beast-like creature of folklore, said to be the son of Hel, and is part of a tradition which is centuries old. You just know when you read something written by Barb Taub it’s going to be vividly imaginative and full of humour, fun and excellent writing. This intriguing and engaging story is no exception.
The morning after Lette Simoneau turns thirteen she awakens to find she can feel colours. Weird? Lette thinks so. Not quite the superpowers she might have dreamed of. It was so bizarre to be able to tell what colour an object is just by touching it. Lette couldn’t see the point of such a lame power, but she didn’t realise this was just the beginning.
As the summer weeks and months pass, the touch as Lette calls it, manifests in different ways and on an ever-increasing number of occasions. Each day’s manifestation is different, Lette could be turning objects into gold one day, or cupcakes or sandwiches another day, and sometimes into much more dangerous things.
I love the interaction between Lette and George, her mother’s evil cat. Eventually the inevitable happens and Lette inadvertently touches George with hilarious consequences.
The book is written in journal entries and through this we get to know, like and sympathise with Lette and, as one disaster follows another, she decides living alone is her only option. Despite this less than satisfactory way of life Lette copes with her situation very well. She’s a strong protagonist with a great character.
Lette isn’t destined for this kind of life much longer though, as she learns of a place where she could live normally. There’s much more to life than living as a virtual prisoner and when the opportunity to travel to Null City arises Lette doesn’t think twice. What follows is an amazingly imaginative and innovative adventure with Stefan and Rag, two great central characters. Lette has to make some hard decisions and, at the same time, learns some valuable lessons, on her journey, not least of which is making the best of a sometimes challenging situation.
I love that the villain of the piece is a horrific beast-like creature of folklore, said to be the son of Hel, and is part of a tradition which is centuries old. You just know when you read something written by Barb Taub it’s going to be vividly imaginative and full of humour, fun and excellent writing. This intriguing and engaging story is no exception.
February 2, 2016
A little bit Neil Gaiman, P.B. Kerr, and Rick Riordan. A very good mixture of character and adventure.
Wondering if magic awaits the people of Null City? Ride the Metro, check in with the SA.
Wondering if magic awaits the people of Null City? Ride the Metro, check in with the SA.
January 13, 2015
DON'T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BARB FOR SENDING ME A COPY TO READ AND REVIEW AS I NOW PART OF ROSIE AMBER'S BOOK REVIEW TEAM
THE BLURB
Hope flares each morning in the tiny flash of a second before Lette touches that first thing. And destroys it.
Her online journal spans a decade, beginning with the day a thirteen-year-old inherits an extreme form of the family ‘gift’. Every day whatever she touches converts into something new: bunnies, bubbles, bombs, and everything in between.
Lette’s search for a cure leads her to Stefan, whose fairy-tale looks hide a monstrous legacy, and to Rag, an arrogant, crabby ex-angel with boundary issues. The three face an army led by a monster who feeds on children’s fear. But it’s their own inner demons they must defeat first.
WHAT I SAY
I loved this book 5 stars .
This is the 2nd book in the Null city books but you can read as a standalone like i did
The other books in the Null City tiles are
One way fare book 1
Don't touch book2
Tales for Null city book 3
I have now got to get the others as i enjoyed this so much . It a urban fantasy novella i so wanted it to be longer as i got hooked into the plot by first page and was hook till i finish reading it .
The story told as journal entries by Lette ( that short for roulette )
She has a very rare superpower she has' touch' everything she touches with her fingertips will turn into that days super power each day it was something new somedays we got gold , cupcakes, diamond rings. Jack in box and sandwiches some day it could be more dangerous thing she would never knew till she touched something she had to wear rubber gloves to stop it happening .
He life was so hard to cope with or did she like it ? I not sure what did you feel ?
On her thirteen birthday Lette awakens to feel that she can see colour but her eyes were closed she could see through her fingertips what was around her ,was that the start of this power ?
Her power seemed to grow she had to live my herself or i should say with George her mum evil cat i loved him but one day lette touches him it just so funny what happens you got to read lette and George work so well together both are very funny at times they just make you laugh so much .Both are very witty character
Did lette like they way she lived i not sure what did you think ? She a very strong character you do get to hear all her emotions she did not seem worried by her powers she just learn to live or cope with them .
One day she learns of Null city and Stefan he going to help her get there both need to go to Null city it could change their life for them both .That would be good they could be normal or could they ? What is normal?
You could see her room in your mind the way barb writes it so clear the descriptions are so spot on you can see and feel what they felt
Lette as a character was so strong she seem very sure of her self and what see wanted in her life i like that she carried a crossbow and quiver like we all carry are hand bags around . She was not good a cooking . She seem to grown as the story when on i liked how her mind worked thing out She was a thinker she liked to think about things first then do them .
Stefan was a very good character too he was very handsome with lovely eyes .
His family wanted him to take over the family business but his does not want to he got a degree in teaching ( he love to use that one day )
We learn all about his family business and why he need to go to Null city
Both of them just want to be normal
You could feel a bit of romance between than they do become very close
The book wrote in a very clever way it full of humour , fun and both characters have some very tough decisions to
Make and lesson to learn on their journey
It was very challenging getting to Null city for them both .
The metro train plays a big part of the story which i like i just wanted to go on it too this is were we met Rag
Rag was a very good character he was hard to read i was not sure what his power were or of him to start with i like all his notes they made me smile. He was a very powerful man his had a very strong mind you will just warm to all the character they become like me family to me
At Null city can thing change ? What will happen them all ?
You got to read to see what happens
It just sounded so nice i wanted to go there i could see it all in my mind it just a story packed with fun and adventure you just got transported into this world of the metro and Null city
I just enjoyed it all i just got pull into the plot from the first page my only
Criticism is it to short i wanted to hear more about them all . I recommend you all read .It a very quirky read i found it a compelling story this fantasy world was so cool it just a exceptional and creative read
5 stars
WHERE TO FIND BARB
Author website: http://barbtaub.com
Author blog:http://barbtaub.com
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NullCityNovel
Author Twitter: @barbtaub
Author Goodreads Profile page: http://www.goodreads.com/barbtaub
Author Amazon Profile page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00EZP9BS8
AMAZON LINKS
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Touch-Null...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-Touch-Nu...
Product Details
Publisher:Hartwood PublishingGroup
release date:4 Dec. 2013
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BARB FOR SENDING ME A COPY TO READ AND REVIEW AS I NOW PART OF ROSIE AMBER'S BOOK REVIEW TEAM
THE BLURB
Hope flares each morning in the tiny flash of a second before Lette touches that first thing. And destroys it.
Her online journal spans a decade, beginning with the day a thirteen-year-old inherits an extreme form of the family ‘gift’. Every day whatever she touches converts into something new: bunnies, bubbles, bombs, and everything in between.
Lette’s search for a cure leads her to Stefan, whose fairy-tale looks hide a monstrous legacy, and to Rag, an arrogant, crabby ex-angel with boundary issues. The three face an army led by a monster who feeds on children’s fear. But it’s their own inner demons they must defeat first.
WHAT I SAY
I loved this book 5 stars .
This is the 2nd book in the Null city books but you can read as a standalone like i did
The other books in the Null City tiles are
One way fare book 1
Don't touch book2
Tales for Null city book 3
I have now got to get the others as i enjoyed this so much . It a urban fantasy novella i so wanted it to be longer as i got hooked into the plot by first page and was hook till i finish reading it .
The story told as journal entries by Lette ( that short for roulette )
She has a very rare superpower she has' touch' everything she touches with her fingertips will turn into that days super power each day it was something new somedays we got gold , cupcakes, diamond rings. Jack in box and sandwiches some day it could be more dangerous thing she would never knew till she touched something she had to wear rubber gloves to stop it happening .
He life was so hard to cope with or did she like it ? I not sure what did you feel ?
On her thirteen birthday Lette awakens to feel that she can see colour but her eyes were closed she could see through her fingertips what was around her ,was that the start of this power ?
Her power seemed to grow she had to live my herself or i should say with George her mum evil cat i loved him but one day lette touches him it just so funny what happens you got to read lette and George work so well together both are very funny at times they just make you laugh so much .Both are very witty character
Did lette like they way she lived i not sure what did you think ? She a very strong character you do get to hear all her emotions she did not seem worried by her powers she just learn to live or cope with them .
One day she learns of Null city and Stefan he going to help her get there both need to go to Null city it could change their life for them both .That would be good they could be normal or could they ? What is normal?
You could see her room in your mind the way barb writes it so clear the descriptions are so spot on you can see and feel what they felt
Lette as a character was so strong she seem very sure of her self and what see wanted in her life i like that she carried a crossbow and quiver like we all carry are hand bags around . She was not good a cooking . She seem to grown as the story when on i liked how her mind worked thing out She was a thinker she liked to think about things first then do them .
Stefan was a very good character too he was very handsome with lovely eyes .
His family wanted him to take over the family business but his does not want to he got a degree in teaching ( he love to use that one day )
We learn all about his family business and why he need to go to Null city
Both of them just want to be normal
You could feel a bit of romance between than they do become very close
The book wrote in a very clever way it full of humour , fun and both characters have some very tough decisions to
Make and lesson to learn on their journey
It was very challenging getting to Null city for them both .
The metro train plays a big part of the story which i like i just wanted to go on it too this is were we met Rag
Rag was a very good character he was hard to read i was not sure what his power were or of him to start with i like all his notes they made me smile. He was a very powerful man his had a very strong mind you will just warm to all the character they become like me family to me
At Null city can thing change ? What will happen them all ?
You got to read to see what happens
It just sounded so nice i wanted to go there i could see it all in my mind it just a story packed with fun and adventure you just got transported into this world of the metro and Null city
I just enjoyed it all i just got pull into the plot from the first page my only
Criticism is it to short i wanted to hear more about them all . I recommend you all read .It a very quirky read i found it a compelling story this fantasy world was so cool it just a exceptional and creative read
5 stars
WHERE TO FIND BARB
Author website: http://barbtaub.com
Author blog:http://barbtaub.com
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NullCityNovel
Author Twitter: @barbtaub
Author Goodreads Profile page: http://www.goodreads.com/barbtaub
Author Amazon Profile page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00EZP9BS8
AMAZON LINKS
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Touch-Null...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-Touch-Nu...
Product Details
Publisher:Hartwood PublishingGroup
release date:4 Dec. 2013
March 3, 2017
I saw that this book was being offered for free, and I thought I might take a chance because I liked the cover. I’m glad that I did. I was hooked from the beginning, and the pleasure only grew as I read on.
I’m not big on recapping the story in my reviews. You can get that from other reviewers and the description/blurb on the dustjacket. I’m here to tell you that I loved the story. The climax built slowly and when it was at the apex, and when Lette and her two cohorts had to fight for their lives … well, that was writing at its best.
I started reading the book to kill a little time before starting my work for the day. The next thing I knew, I was three quarters of the way through and I got no work done that day. And it killed me to have to stop because of a prior commitment.
I know the term “page turner” is overused, but this was right up there with Baldacci and Child. I am definitely going to have to check out the rest of the Null City series.
I’m not big on recapping the story in my reviews. You can get that from other reviewers and the description/blurb on the dustjacket. I’m here to tell you that I loved the story. The climax built slowly and when it was at the apex, and when Lette and her two cohorts had to fight for their lives … well, that was writing at its best.
I started reading the book to kill a little time before starting my work for the day. The next thing I knew, I was three quarters of the way through and I got no work done that day. And it killed me to have to stop because of a prior commitment.
I know the term “page turner” is overused, but this was right up there with Baldacci and Child. I am definitely going to have to check out the rest of the Null City series.
February 1, 2015
Until now I had viewed the Null City books from a bit of a distance thinking that I don’t really do fantasy, let along urban fantasy - whatever that may mean - and I’m certainly not YA so these can’t be for me. Right? Wrong...how wrong could I be? I was hooked from the moment I read this:-
‘Hope flares each morning in the tiny flash of a second before Lette touches that first thing. And destroys it.’
Lette (short for Roulette, fabulous name!) is our heroine here and she has a pretty tough time from the moment she hits 13 and inherits the family ‘gift’ where whatever she touches each day changes form. Some days this is great, diamond rings and opals appear alongside cup cakes for example, on other days life becomes precarious when her touch causes things to levitate or explode. Lette learns to cope. She wears vinyl gloves all the time to protect others and isolates herself to live alone. Stefan arrives in her life one day encouraging her to come with him to Null City where they can live a normal life. Stefan, you see, has his own family legacy he is trying to escape from and for a brief time Lette is able to experience the blossoming of a romance. The ‘cure’ of Null City doesn’t go to plan for Lette and she has to move on making another contact with Rag, an ex-angel with boundary issues, along the way.
I can’t begin to tell you how entertaining this book is. I’ve loved Taub’s writing on her blog for a while now, it’s perceptive and witty and this book is no different. A strong, beautiful heroine (who doesn’t see herself as that) with a superpower that is both humourous and heart-breaking, an original story, handsome hero’s with their own tragic pasts, a hopeful but ultimately doomed romance and plenty of action...oh and there’s an evil cat, George, ...what more could you want in a book!
‘Hope flares each morning in the tiny flash of a second before Lette touches that first thing. And destroys it.’
Lette (short for Roulette, fabulous name!) is our heroine here and she has a pretty tough time from the moment she hits 13 and inherits the family ‘gift’ where whatever she touches each day changes form. Some days this is great, diamond rings and opals appear alongside cup cakes for example, on other days life becomes precarious when her touch causes things to levitate or explode. Lette learns to cope. She wears vinyl gloves all the time to protect others and isolates herself to live alone. Stefan arrives in her life one day encouraging her to come with him to Null City where they can live a normal life. Stefan, you see, has his own family legacy he is trying to escape from and for a brief time Lette is able to experience the blossoming of a romance. The ‘cure’ of Null City doesn’t go to plan for Lette and she has to move on making another contact with Rag, an ex-angel with boundary issues, along the way.
I can’t begin to tell you how entertaining this book is. I’ve loved Taub’s writing on her blog for a while now, it’s perceptive and witty and this book is no different. A strong, beautiful heroine (who doesn’t see herself as that) with a superpower that is both humourous and heart-breaking, an original story, handsome hero’s with their own tragic pasts, a hopeful but ultimately doomed romance and plenty of action...oh and there’s an evil cat, George, ...what more could you want in a book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews