Synopsis
George, a sixteen-year-old death witch and medium, hates her “gift” of experiencing someone’s future death with a touch, but when she sees herself killing the new student, she must embrace her magic before blood stains her hands.
Death is permanent. Even if it hasn’t happened yet.
With just a touch, George experiences a person's future death. High school is hard enough, but sixteen-year-old death witch Georgiana “George” Colburn can’t seem to catch a break. Even Jen’s ghost, the recently deceased popular girl who ignored George in life, won’t leave her alone. George is convinced her life can’t get any worse. That is until she bumps into the new student and experiences his death at her hand.
When a coven mate, Trixie, offers to help her with her magic, George finds herself with a new friend and crush, but she knows even if she found the courage to ask her out, a relationship is impossible: she’d never be able to touch her. With the help of her friends, George must face her fears and learn to embrace her powers to unlock the secrets of her magic before blood stains her hands.
Review
Touch of Death is a YA witchy mystery that expertly blends dark elements with a lighthearted touch. Munsell masterfully weaves together magic, suspense, and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
George is exactly the awkward high schooler this story needed to keep things from being too heavy for a young audience. She is relatable, endearing, and finally embracing her role as Rising Supreme. I love the way Munsell breaks a few high school stereotypes by pairing the gothy outcast with the popular girl, the outgoing new girl, and the mysterious too-attractive-for-his-own-good new kid.
Touch of Death deals with loss/grief, teenage angst, identity/self-discovery, friendship, and good vs. evil. If the words "death coven" excite you - read this book.
Thank you, Books Forward, for a copy of Touch of Death. I truly enjoyed this story!
Dates read: Mar 29, 2024 - Mar 30, 2024