Book Shelf: Touch of Death (Touch of Death #1) by Kelly Hashway

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

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Review:

Kelly Hashway’s debut novel Touch of Death mixes necromancy and mythology in a fun, new story that is filled with romance and action.

Racing through this quick read, I found Touch of Death to be an overall enjoyable read. While the writing is simple, it’s solid and the inclusion of Greek Mythology throughout the book was interesting. Personally, I would have liked a more driven plot and at times the story dragged in my mind but Touch of Death more than adequately kept my attention.

While the cast of characters in this book were necessary to the story, I couldn’t help but find them dull the majority of times. I found it hard to connect with them in a manner I would have liked. However, no one was as they seemed and I enjoyed this aura of mystery. The Ophi were an intriguing group of people but something that wasn’t explored enough in my mind to create any depth to the characters.

As our main character, I liked Jodi, but there was nothing about her that stood out for me. I wanted to, really wanted to find something about her that I loved but I just couldn’t. Her kindness and bravery in the middle of everything that was happening was a stand out for me, but everything else about her personality seemed to get lost within the pages.

Alex unfortunately was on par with Jodi in my mind; a nice character but a bit too cardboard cut out for my liking. I liked that little spark he had and his wickedness in the beginning, but again there was just something missing for me. Both he and Jodi obviously had a connection but their romance seemed rushed and wasn’t something I felt needed to happen so soon considering Jodi had only recently lost her boyfriend.

And yet for all it’s faults there was something about this book that kept me reading. I’ve definitely read better books and feel like the authors brilliant idea fell flat. I’d like to see Jodi and Alex’s relationship deepened and explored in the next book as well as what it means for the couple and the group of kids they’re with now that they’ve defeated their enemies (for the time being) and have made an interesting new agreement with Hades.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Spencer Hill Press. (Thanks Kate!)
Format: Paperback ARC.
Pre-order it: Amazon // The Book Depository
Recommendation: If you love Greek myth, then you'll enjoy this.
Cover: I LOVE this cover! It's stunning!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Undecided at this point--possibly.