Touching Smoke - Review

Touching Smoke (Touch #1)

By: Airicka Phoenix

Published: July 25, 2012

320 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

Summary:

For sixteen-year-old FALLON BRAEDEN being on the run had been the easiest part of her life. Packing up and crossing whole cities on a split second decision had been tedious, having no friends and being alone had been painful, but being caught by the truth was something she learned too late was worse.

Fallon is a weapon. She was created to destroy. Keeping her alive, keeping her safe is all Isaiah knows. It’s all that matters, because Fallon is his. She belongs to him. She is a part of his body, his soul, his heart. He will do anything, kill anyone to keep her, even if it means sacrificing himself.

But can Fallon believe the stranger on the motorcycle claiming he was there to die for her? How do you trust when you have no one but the memories of a girl you’ve never met and a tall, dark, gorgeous boy that you feel pulsing deep in your soul? What do you do when you’ve been lied to your whole life? When you’re told you’re normal even though nothing about you is normal? Fallon must learn quickly just what she is before the evil chasing her finally gets what it wants… her blood.

The world depends on her not falling in love, not giving in. But what happens when the temptation becomes too great, when falling is her only option? Can she live knowing the world will burn because his touch is the only thing keeping her alive?

Touch Passion. Touch Power. Touch Smoke!

My Review:
This book was a nice change of pace from my current infatuation of contemporary YA or NA romances.  Touching Smoke has a mixture of similarities from shows such as Heroes and movies like Wolverine's and Resident Evil - not the zombies but specifically Alice and the fact that she was genetically altered and remade over and over in the efforts of trying to make the perfect weapon.  Genetic mutation is the common theme among all of these and I can see perhaps some inspiration drawn from them by the author.

There are 2 main characters.  Fallon is 16 years old when the story starts.  She and her mom are always moving from one place to another never staying anywhere for long.  What Fallon doesn't know is that her mother is running from a group of people who want to harm Fallon and her Mom does everything she can to protect Fallon from them.  It isn't until a mysterious motorcycle man shows up following them on the road that she begins to find out bits and pieces of what is going on.  What little she sees and learns start to build questions of everything she's ever thought she knew about not only her life but humanity in general.

Isaiah is the mysterious motorcycle man in the beginning who Fallon seems drawn to, strangely protective over, and she doesn't know why having never met him before.

The story jumps right into action and I loved that!  You don't have to wait for long for things to get interesting quick.  By chapter 4 the story is suspenseful and it doesn't slow down throughout the whole story.

Favorite quotes:

"Next you'll tell me you're my father." I faltered, actually feeling my face twist up in disgust.  "You're not, are you?"...At least my miniature-sized attraction to him wasn't anymore twisted than it already was. 

I was mindlessly drawn to him, to his heat.  His presence.  His soul.  His scent.

"You're not something overly cliche like a vampire or a werewolf, are you?  Because I have to be honest, I won't be impressed."

"I don't make promises very often, but I promise that I will always protect you, even if it means from myself.  Keeping you safe is my only mission, and I never fail." (Isaiah)

If one taste had made me longing for him with an appetite that left me burning, two tastes may just kill me.  Oh but what a sweet way to die.

"Not many would claim to have found their soul mates in their lifetime, but you have.  You've found each other.  The perfect match.  Two pieces of a very important puzzle.  Your existence is the key to the next evolution."

Final Rating - 4 stars.