Title: The Pain MerchantsSeries: The Healing Wars Book 1
Author: Janice Hardy
Release Date: 1st February 2010 (Australia)
My Rating: 3/5
Fifteen-year-old Nya is one of Gevegs many orphans; she survives on odd jobs and optimism, finding both in short supply in a city crippled by a failed war for independence. Then a bungled egg theft, a stupid act of compassion, and two eyewitnesses unable to keep their mouths shut exposes her secret to the two most powerful groups in the city: the Pain Merchants and the Healers League. They discover Nya is a Taker, a healer who can pull pain and injury from others. Trouble is, unlike her sister Tali and the other normal Takers who become league apprentices, she cant dump that pain into pynvium, the enchanted metal used to store it. All she can do is shift it from person to person, a useless skill that's kept her out of the league and has never once paid for her breakfast. When a ferry accident floods the city with injured, the already overwhelmed Takers start disappearing from the Healers League and Nya's talent is suddenly in demand. But her principles and endurance are tested to the limit when her talent turns out to be the only thing that can save her sisters life.
This was a really cool read. At first I thought it would be one of those fantasy books with names I can't pronounce and worlds that confuse me, but that was not the case. I found it was easy to read and understand. It was suspenseful, exciting and unique! I'm really looking forward to the sequel.
I would probably compare it most to when I read 'The Hunger Games'; a different and unique type of life where teenagers are forced into hardship and have to be strong for their families. The characters are likable and their actions believable. Ages 12+
i thought this book was really good, and i couldnt put it down <3
ReplyDelete