The Healing Touch

by Zofia von Huck, Diana Krawczyk-Bernotas (illustrator)

Lim Nightingale has always been frail and sickly, which sets him apart from the other elves, even more than the fact he’s a quarter-human. He longs to study magic but fears he’ll never be strong enough.

When Lim hears of a new medical treatment being performed in the city where his estranged human half-sister lives, he is skeptical. Nothing that he’s tried has made him better, however the chance of seeing his sister makes him decide to attempt it.

As Lim and his dysfunctional family travel across the continent to the hospital, they finally start to talk, exposing long-held secrets; secrets that could tear the family apart, and make Lim realise that his body is not the only thing in need of healing.

If he wants to help keep his family together, he must first mend his own broken spirit

Genres: Fantasy

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2024

About the author

Zofia was born in Poland, lived in Mexico, grew up in New Zealand, and now lives in Sydney with her partner, two children, and four cats. She studied screenwriting, and after graduating wrote and directed a stage play Super Creeps, that played to sold out audiences in the Wellington Fringe Festival. She works at a prominent Australian university providing teaching support to students. When she is not working or writing, she is a breastfeeding counsellor, and sometimes fosters kittens.

Reviews

[Doris Stillings · Rating 5 out of 5]

healing touch

This was a good book. I thought the title was a little misleading. The young Lim did have a healing touch, but not without a cost. The horror of his treatments, the humor, and people met. All made for a very good read.

[Dari Malaunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Healing Touch by Zofia von Huck is a mesmerizing story of the Zemia Series, weaving together elements of fantasy, family drama, and a profound journey of self-discovery. The narrative centers around Lim Nightingale, a frail and sickly elf who is also a quarter-human. Lim’s dream of studying magic is constantly thwarted by his physical limitations, but a glimmer of hope appears when he learns about a revolutionary medical treatment available in the city where his estranged human half-sister resides.

The story takes readers on an emotional journey as Lim and his dysfunctional family travel across the continent to reach the hospital. Along the way, they are forced to confront long-buried secrets and unresolved conflicts that threaten to tear them apart. The novel beautifully explores themes of healing, not just of the body but also of the spirit. Lim’s realization that mending his broken family requires him to first heal himself is a poignant and central theme.

Von Huck’s writing is immersive, drawing readers into a richly detailed world where magic and reality seamlessly intertwine. The character development is particularly noteworthy, with Lim’s transformation from a frail, uncertain boy to a more confident and self-aware individual being both believable and inspiring. The dynamics within Lim’s family add depth to the story, making it more than just a fantasy adventure but a touching tale of reconciliation and personal growth.

On a personal note, The Healing Touch deeply resonated with me as someone who has been chronically ill since childhood. I felt a profound connection with Lim’s struggles and his despair in dealing with his family’s complexities. The portrayal of Lim’s journey towards healing and self-acceptance mirrored my own experiences, making the story even more impactful and relatable.
I was very struck by how reverently the mother treated her son Lim, which touched me to the depths of my soul!!!

Pros
- Tender Maternal Love: The portrayal of his mother’s attitude towards him is truly tender and magical, adding a heartfelt touch to the story.
- Exquisite Writing Style: The writing is impeccable, with not a single mistake. Everything is beautifully crafted, lyrical, and literary. Bravo!
- Engaging Dialogues and Relationships: The dialogues and character interactions are beautifully depicted, making the relationships feel authentic and engaging.
- Brotherly Bond: The relationship between Lim and Vaarem is wonderfully written. Their friendly bond is heartwarming and a highlight of the book.
- Adorable Spider Companion: If you like cute spiders as companions, you’ll enjoy this aspect. Although I am very afraid of spiders, the interactions with Isha were so endearing that even I, an absolute arachnophobe, found them charming, despite feeling uneasy at times. Forgive me for my bias here! 😅
- Emotional Resonance: A book that evokes emotions is a good one, and this book does exactly that. It pulls at your heartstrings and keeps you emotionally invested.
- Immersive Fantasy World: The fantasy world is excellently crafted, drawing you in instantly. Everything around is so interesting and captivating!

Cons
- Lack of Romance: While the absence of a romantic subplot may appeal to some readers, it didn’t resonate with me. I find that a love interest adds depth and intrigue to the story. However, this is purely a personal preference.
- Personal Resonance with Chronic Illness: Reading about a character who suffers from chronic illnesses was challenging for me. It brought back many unpleasant memories from my own adolescence, especially since Lim had support that I lacked. This made the book harder for me to get through, even though I usually handle 200 pages a day with ease. Again, this is a very personal reaction.
- Unresolved Healing Arc: I hoped the hero would be completely cured by the end of the book. It seems this resolution is planned for future installments in the series, but it would have been satisfying to see the main character find happiness after all his suffering.


Overall, The Healing Touch is a compelling read that will resonate with fans of young adult fantasy and those who appreciate stories about the complexities of family relationships and the power of inner strength. It’s a promising start to the Zemia Series, leaving readers eager for more adventures in this enchanting world.

I can't wait to see more about this series <3
Kind regards, Dari
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My rating system (explained):
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: It touched my heart and soul in some sort of way.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: I loved it.
⭐⭐⭐: Neutral - not good, not bad.
⭐⭐: It was not my cup of tea.
⭐: I was unwell while reading this book, obviously I didn't like it.

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is a balance in all things, " thought Lim. “The bad is always counteracted by some good. In turn, we recognise the good as good because we know what is bad. To know joy, one must know pain.”

The Healing Touch took me aback. It wasn’t what I expected when I first opened it.
I guess I imagined I would read a book about a personal journey, full of magical creatures and (mostly introvert) adventures.
It was very different. The journey is –literally as much as metaphorically– a collective one. More than Lim’s realizations about life, the book is about his family and how they all need to heal, maybe more than he does. He doesn’t have control, and doesn’t gain so much of it in the end. But he learns a lot, and his family does too. I found it very interesting that the main character’s arc is the family’s, as a whole, and not just Lim’s (or his brother) as an individual. That aligns with one of the book’s messages, interconnections. If it was quite surprising, it was an interesting choice. I clearly didn’t expect either how hard the hospital part would be, especially in a cozy fantasy book. There are a lot of abuse situations, of “medical violences”, in this book. It is very well told, and IMO the idea to talk about it through a fantasy point of view is a great one. It concerns about 25% of the story, and mingles with other hard subjects (but most are more “light” and less “frontal” than this one, except for the bullying situation).
I adored Lim. Despite all the difficulties that weigh on his frail shoulders, he’s a light, the most sweetheart you can find. He lingers as a ghost among his family, and gradually takes shape as his body gets stronger and his mind more confident about what he really wants. It felt very nice to have an AROACE representation, especially with a character who bonds easily with people to establish friendships. I really loved that part, and that character in general.
I usually prefer a more “lyrical” writing in fantasy novels than the style here, as I like to be sensorially immersed, but that’s 100% a personal preference, and I would say it can make this book easier to be picked by some non-fantasy readers, as a good first dip in the genre, as it is very accessible and easy to read, with interesting and important themes –if you are emotionally prepared to all of it.

Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. My opinions are my own

[Wither · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Healing Touch is a delightfully cozy fantasy story. If you are looking for a low-stakes, slower-paced comfort read, this is the perfect book for you! Lim is immediately lovable as the main character and I adore his relationship with his twin brother. They’re very kind and sweet to each other. Lim’s chronic health condition is portrayed in a realistic way, which makes him relatable. This is sorely needed rep in the fantasy genre.

Spoiler Warning:

I was surprised that the journey to cure Lim's illness ended quite early into the book. Terrible things happened to him and there are no negative repercussions for the individuals who harm him. It makes this plot point feel less fulfilling than it should. However, I understand this is a cozier fantasy story, so that likely was not the goal of the author. Overall, the plot is very loose and often feels like little vignettes as the characters travel and form relationships. I did enjoy this aspect, although sometimes I wished there was an overarching goal to look forward to.

There is some character growth, mostly in improved relationships with Lim's parents, but Lim himself never seems to do anything wrong. There is very little room for character growth for him at the start and he doesn't have much of an arc.

Overall, despite these imperfections, I found the story very engaging and enjoyed Lim as a character. The writing flowed smoothly and the story definitely gives off very cozy vibes :)

[H.F. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written story about an Elf called Lim.

It isn't my usual genre, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it.

It follows Lim as he copes with a debilitating illness and how it affects those around him. They travel to seek a cure, and it follows their journey. You learn more about their family and secrets that have been hidden.

I personally found the hospital section to be emotionally hard. I am a squeamish person, so unfortunately, I had to skip through these pages. I wouldn't mark the book down for this, however, as it's a personal choice.

The author deals with sensitive issues well.

[Caroline Helenasdotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an enchanting read that delves into the realms of fantasy while addressing themes of mental health and healing. The book is exceptionally well-crafted, with meticulous character development. The protagonist, in particular, stands out as a compelling and relatable figure. I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy and young adult fiction.