Touched by Cyn Balog

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Supernatural, psychic ability, magic, curses

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 307 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Summary/ product description: “Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.
But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?
In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . .”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This is probably Cyn Balog’s best yet. The story seems deeper and darker and very well thought out. Her first 3 books were just short and light. This one leaves a deeper impression. The romance is more believable, even if Nick can see what’s coming. The depiction of Nick’s ability to see his own future is interesting and overwhelming. The possibilities are endless, the decisions are hard, and if he veers of scripts, the changes can be drastic and even deadly. It kind of reminds me of the movies Next (with Nicolas Cage) and The Butterfly Effect, and towards the end, Final Destination. And then the ending (last 20 pages or so) was happy and less exciting. I figured Nan would do that. I really did like the characters though. Taryn was funny and sassy, always saying “Duh.” Nick was very self-deprecating, and had low-self-esteem. He was relatable, but in an extreme situation. As far as stand-alones go, it wrapped up pretty nicely, but the climax was rushed, and the after-the-fact dragged on a bit too long. I really enjoyed this. And I also like the Seaside setting with the carnival. I think it might be the same area that Starstruck was set in. This makes it a great end-of summer-read

Note: This book was titled Living Backwards, but the author changed it to Touched before it was published.

Cover Art Review: Really nice and mysterious. That carnival looks really creepy. I love Cliff Nielson’s illustrations! He also did the Mortal Instruments covers. He’s awesome.

~Haley G