(ARC Review) A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

A TOUCH MORTAL

Author: Leah Clifford

Source: Around the World Tours

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (February 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062004999
• ISBN-13: 978-0062004994

SUMMARY:

Eden didn’t expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.

And that’s only the beginning of the end.

MY THOUGHTS: 

First of all, let me say this book is not a light or quick read.  It is 418 pages in ARC format.  It is also has a romance with a darkness to it that is not what you would normally see in a normal young adult romance.  

The first half of this book was very difficult for me to get through.  It was confusing with talk of Touch, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Bound, The Fallen and everything in between.  Afterlife is not what Eden thought it would be.  She thought heaven with angels, or hell with demons.  What she didn't expect was living on Earth still -- forgotten by everyone she knew-- yet immortal.  Add onto that the ability of Touch and it can leave you even more confused than Eden the first few chapters. 

In my opinion, there were too many people to keep track of, too many paranormal trends, and the romance between Eden and Az felt forced.  Yet, when you get past the first half of the book, everything starts to fall into place.  The things start clicking in your mind like a puzzle that has finally been solved and it all starts to make sense.  When Az reappears in Eden's life, the romance turned up a notch and took off.  Between Az struggling not to completely Fall, Gabe trying to keep his friends secrets from the Bound, and Eden trying to find her way with new abilities, you find yourself hoping for each character to find happiness and love.  

Then for the last half of the book, it EXPLODES!  The suspense, drama and climatic scenes will leave you in awe at the excitement that follows.  Usually, you expect a huge and climatic ending in the final chapters, but the author used the last half of the book as one giant climax for the reader.  

The ending was frustrating in the fact that now I have to wait forever for the next book to see what is to come with each person in the story.  

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS