TOUCH OF DEATH by Kelly Hashway review and giveaway!

Touch of Death
Kelly Hashway

Rating: B-
Release Date: 01/13/12
Synopsis:
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 descendants 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.

My thoughts on the book:
Touch of Death is an excellent start to a new series. This book kept me hooked from the very first chapter. I loved the mythology, concept, and characters. However, the pacing was a bit slow, and I felt misled from the synopsis. Furthermore, some of the plot occurrences felt more convenient than realistic. Overall, though, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new YA paranormal series. 

I absolutely loved the mythology for this book. It's based on Greek mythology, but not Hades and Persephone. Hades is involved, of course, and I do love the Hades and Persephone retellings, but I have to admit that it's refreshing to see a story starring another mythological character other than those two. Medusa is the main mythological creature in this story, and I loved it. 

I also loved the characters in this novel. Jodi is a very likable character, and she's not bratty like so many leading female YA characters are. I also loved Alex. He is fantastic, brave, and super sweet. Matt was also wonderful, and he really added a lot to the story. All of the characters are dynamic, well-developed, and believable. 

The pacing was a bit slow for my liking. Jodi's revelation came way too late in my opinion, and at times, she seemed super stupid not to be able to figure out what was going on. Also, some of her reactions to being stalked were unnatural to say the least. The secondary characters, such as Jodi's mom's reactions, also felt forced. A lot of the time, it felt more like the author was manipulating the story than it seemed like the story was unfolding at its own pace. Additionally, the ending felt forced and too convenient. I'll wait and see what happens next to make my final judgment on the ending, though. 

Final verdict? This book is interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal stories that are based on mythology. Touch of Death sets up what's sure to be an interesting series. 

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