Series Recap: Sense Thieves by Corrine Jackson

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Touched (Book 1, Published on November 27, 2012)
Pushed (Book 2, Published on November 26, 2013)
Ignited (Book 3, Published on May 27, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out the reviews.

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Synopsis recap:

Remy O'Malley is different. She can heal people, but only by absorbing their injuries into her own body. Only when she arrives Blackwell Falls does she realize just how unique she is. She's hunted -  both by Healers and Protectors, because she's half of both and she's the best of both worlds. She needs to be exceptionally strong -  both physically and mentally - if she wants to acquire a stable life. This is her story.

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Thoughts recap:

Contrary to popular opinion, Touched is actually my favorite book in the trilogy. It's very calming and I can be sure that I won't get into major mental breakdown or have my systolic pressure rising too high. It's mostly because of the sweetness of this book, though, the fiery first love between Asher and Remy. It's easy to think about them as the ultimate HEA. The whole introduction of the concept of Healers and Protectors is fascinating. Yes, Pushed and Ignited are also about them, and probably more fascinating because... well, no spoilers. But it's a good introduction and I'm soaked into this trilogy because of this book. It has a special place in my heart. I can't bear to re-read again though, because of Ignited.

Pushed is a little different. It is a thorough demonstration of just how dangerous Remy is, and just how dangerous the world around Remy is. It has an edge of excitement that I really appreciate. It's a turning point of a lot of stuff. I'm actually torn about this book because on one hand things get crazy and I love crazy personally, but on the other the atmosphere of innocence is fading fast and I miss that a lot (which is one of the reasons why Touched is my fav book, by the way). And of course, I'm torn between two Blackwells, which is not a good feeling.

Ignited is a thrilling conclusion. But it also left me emotionally exhausted. I don't take bitchiness well unless it's heavily mixed with reason and wit. And there are a lot of that without those two crucial factors. Which is why I keep cursing reading the first half of it. The second half is awesome though, with all the action and power display. Watching someone kick some ass makes my day. The biggest problem is, I can't watch Touched again after reading Ignited.

It's a nice trilogy though, and I think everyone should give it a try.

Overall rating: 8/10
Do I recommend this series: Yes

Ignited: Review

Synopsis

Nobody hides forever.

Ever since Remy O'Malley discovered her dual identity as a Healer and a Protector, she's kept alive by staying one step ahead of both sides in this centuries-old war. Now someone's trying to draw her out of hiding, using her kidnapped father as bait.

To save him, Remy will need every friend she's got. But as new alliances form, old bonds fray. Her boyfriend Asher is losing his powers, becoming more mortal every time she touches him. Meanwhile, Remy finds herself growing closer to Asher's brother Gabe, even as a family tragedy drives her sister Lucy farther away.

On a rescue mission to London, Remy decides she's tired of being the hunted. It's time to end this war once and for all, as Protectors and Healers alike hurtle towards a final, violent confrontation that not everyone will survive.

***

Again, I'm very bipolar towards this book. Or I should say the characters of this book because I want to slap every single one of them (well, except maybe Gabe and Lottie) at least once for different reasons, and some more than others. But the book itself is a good conclusion of the trilogy.

The better part is the second half of the story. It's very intense in terms of action and suspense. We get to see a kick-ass master plan carry out. A lot of unexpected new characters emerges as well, which is a huge surprise, because the whole thing is related to Remy. They have something unusual about them, and it's so nice to learn about those guys. I kinda wish they appear sooner because I feel like they can make a greater story. There are also a lot of Remy with one of the Blackwell brothers in this book. Since it's one of the hugest spoilers to reveal the name, I'm just going to say this brother and Remy fit together perfectly and they're incredibly cute and sweet together. It's so awesome to see them together because it makes me grin whenever they have some cute moments together, even when the other brother (in a way) makes my heart ache too.

The other part where I want to slap most of the character is the first half of the story. Don't get me wrong, aside from a little awkwardness, the storyline is still crazy and nice. But the attitude of the characters is anything but nice. It makes my head hurt and it brings out the bitch in me, simply because some of the characters are acting like one (esp. two of the main characters). I guess I understand that grief can be a straight pathway leading to anger and hatred, but it doesn't make anything better. But then, we get to see some glimpses of Remy's strength (and some little snippets of bitchiness), which are both satisfying to read about. For various reasons (because I can't talk about it without revealing spoilers).

Despite some of the headache that some of the characters bring about, it's generally a crazy and intense conclusion of a story. And I think we might actually get a chance to read more about Remy's story, or a story set in the same world as this trilogy, because it's a kind-of loose-ended story, which makes me curious and excited. 

Rating: 8/10

Pushed: Review

Synopsis:

She didn’t know how far she’d go—until she was pushed.

Remy O’Malley was just learning to harness her uncanny healing power when she discovered the other,darker half of her bloodline. Now she lives trapped between two worlds, uneasy among her fellow
Healers—and relentlessly hunted by the Protectors.

Forced to conceal her dual identity, and the presence of her Protector boyfriend Asher Blackwell, Remy encounters a shadow community of Healers who will put her loyalties to the test.

Pushed to the limit, with the lives of those she loves most on the line, Remy must decide whether to choose sides in a centuries-old war—or make the ultimate sacrifice and go to a place from which she may never return…

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Pushed is pretty awesome as well. More so than Touched in more ways than one. But for some reason I like Touched more than this book. But just so you know, this book has so many good parts and the characters are so good that there's no way to explain it all. It's a pretty nice sequel and I like almost every part of it.

Good parts first. It has a mysterious streak that Touched doesn't have. Remy has to stay safe and figure out away to stay out of trouble while trying to find out more about her dual identity. But danger still finds a way to sneak into her life and it has a potential to destroy Remy's life. This means only one thing: a sense of mystery. Which is something I love. And the outcome is pretty dynamic too. I really wish I had Ignited right now because I can't wait to know what will happen.

Remy is the character I like most in this book. She's so strong through all the bad stuff. And she's very protective when it comes to who she loves. It's a huge surprise to see Gabe is there too, and he has a really big part in Pushed. His presence and scenes between him and Remy gives a new twist to the story. He's not what I thought he would be. There are so much more of him than he lets out to be. It makes me curious about him. I have a feeling we'll see more Gabe in Ignited and I'm so excited because I've grown to like that guy. 

But I like Touched more than Pushed. The first reason (and the main one) is that there are so many angst in Pushed that I just can't stand so much of it. Touched, on the other hand, has the right mix between action and romance and emotions. And then there's just not enough Asher/Remy scenes in Pushed. I miss the cuteness between them a little. But other than that... Pushed is pretty awesome. It's a sequel you will want to read. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Touched: Review

Synopsis:

Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies. Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll be coming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.

This is Book One in the Touched trilogy.

***

I know there's a fair chance I will like this book but I didn't realize how much I love it! I regret that I don't read this sooner because Touched has hooked me right in. I just can't stop turning the pages and when I finish it, I can't wait to start reading the second one and I can't stop thinking about this book. I've not been feeling it for quite some time and I'm so glad I'm pulled from my reader-slump state by this book. And that is saying something.

Touched stars Remy, a Healer who can heal with touch - but unlike others she absorbs their wounds and injuries. She's a pretty great character. Smart, funny and surprisingly self-sacrificing. Don't ask me why her self-sacrificing quality is surprising because I just think it is. Pretty tough too, which is what I like most about her. Her determination not to be broken by a sadistic jackass from her past is admirable. There's nothing I don't like about her. Asher is a little different. I'm not sure if I will enjoy reading his part of the story because at the beginning he pisses me off a little. But he has grown on me, and I really like that guy now. I can't wait to see more of him and Remy in the sequel.

As for the plot... well, the first three chapters made me question a little about if I will enjoy reading it because it's pretty uneventful. But after these chapters, my interest spikes, simply because everything gets so much more interesting afterward. Besides the first three chapters, I enjoy every single part of the book. And I feel strongly for what happened to the characters too, which is... well, relatively rare these days considering I was in the state of reader-slump. Trust me, a book that can brings me out of that state equals greatness. 

I'm so excited to read the sequel. Touched is a really good start of a series and I think I might just recommend it to my friends. 

Rating: 8/10

Teaser Tuesday: Pushed by Corrine Jackson

This weekly bookish meme is host by MizB @ Should Be Reading

To participate you:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn¡¦t give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

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This week I choose Pushed by Corrine Jackson.

Ten minutes ago I'd bet him that I could take him down in a fair fight, and he'd agreed with terns of his own if I lost.

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