Review: Scent of Magic by Maria Snyder

For my vacation abroad, I virtually packed Scent of Magic on my Nook (via NetGalley):

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet: an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat. War is coming and Avry is alone.Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.

Ok. First things first.  I didn't realize Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder was part of a series.  That last line of the description... "Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again[emphasis added]" should have been a clue.  I blame my pre-vacation eye twitch for this oversight.  Still, I chugged along, surprisingly, it was not that hard to follow.

• Originality: 6.   This reminded me quite a bit of other books, but still, the way that magic could be sensed, and the powers, was cool
• Absurdity: 5.  Guys, this is 100% fantasy, with bad guys, zombie warriors and magic.  Just roll with it.
• Paranormal Romance: 7.  They can feel each other through the plants in the forest.  LIKE.  And for a change they BOTH have powers, none of that lopsided wizard/ muggle struggle happening here.  Also, Kerrick seems hunky and is at one with nature. LIKE.
• Level of Harry-Potterness:  4.  This book is a very easy read, and given the way that they rehashed so much of the plot of book 1 that I didn't need to read it?  Not super high sophistication happening here, but considering I was on vacation, it was just fine.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a review copy from Harlequin Publishing. Happy reading followed. (We do not accept or receive compensation for reviews at YAF and WS.)