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The Touchstone #2
The Guardian
Sequel to The Touchstone
Superpowered teen Sam, and his boyfriend, Harry, are already struggling to navigate being gifted in a normal world, and their problems are about to get deadlier.
Their oldest enemy, Caleb Reed, will stop at nothing to capture Sam and force him to use his abilities for Reed’s benefit. Though their team of friends and allies steps up to watch their backs, Reed sneaks past their defenses time and time again, leading Sam to wonder if one of their own has betrayed them.
When Reed threatens the life of a friend, Sam is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life—one with consequences he can’t even imagine.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2019
2 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2019
Review written for WillReads.com
First thing's first: Do not read this book until you've read the first in the series. The two are intertwined to the point where you have to know what's going on first to see what got us to this oh-so-amazing place.
When I did the review for The Touchstone, I said, "I know a lot of people think of YA books as something they wouldn't normally read. Me? I enjoy the hell out of them. This one? Blew me the heck away!"
Well, book two ratcheted up that feeling by a magnitude of order. Everything I loved about book one was here; especially Harry and Sam, who are so freaking adorable together. Just look at the cover and you can see how cute they are.
Anyway, back to the review. This book had all the feels in it. Happiness gave way to sadness, then sadness to hurt, and finally to comfort. I will warn you going in that this book has some intense moments, so if you're giving it to a young person, be aware they should tend to the more mature side.
This world MC Lee created is spellbinding. The characters are vibrant and real, and their plights are far more than regular teen angst. See, these kids have powers. Well, super powers, if we're going to be accurate. In book one we discovered that Sam Riley is a Touchstone. He's gifted with the ability to take on other powers as his own. It's a heady thing, but it's also one his boyfriend Harry helps keep under control.
Only...
See, in this world, there are bad people. In this book the main back guy is Caleb Reed, a nasty piece of work, who holds no morals. He seems to think the ends--whatever they are--justify the means. He's not above hurting children if it gets him what he wants. And this time, Caleb isn't alone. He's creating his own little army to fight for him...right? Or is there a more sinister purpose as to why he's gathering these gifted kids? And what does it have to do with Harry and Sam? And what, exactly, is the link between the boys? They've always been best friends (Harry flew for the first time to save Sam), but it's grown into something deeper, more solid.
But if that's the case, why is Sammy having the dreams? The one where he...oh, no, that would be telling. Let's just say I didn't see it coming and let it go at that.
I urge those of you who like a well-written story to check out this series. I'm hopeful if it does well, MC Lee can be convinced to write a book three, because I still have questions that need answers.
(For those worried about sexual content, it is gently referenced, but not shown on page.)
First thing's first: Do not read this book until you've read the first in the series. The two are intertwined to the point where you have to know what's going on first to see what got us to this oh-so-amazing place.
When I did the review for The Touchstone, I said, "I know a lot of people think of YA books as something they wouldn't normally read. Me? I enjoy the hell out of them. This one? Blew me the heck away!"
Well, book two ratcheted up that feeling by a magnitude of order. Everything I loved about book one was here; especially Harry and Sam, who are so freaking adorable together. Just look at the cover and you can see how cute they are.
Anyway, back to the review. This book had all the feels in it. Happiness gave way to sadness, then sadness to hurt, and finally to comfort. I will warn you going in that this book has some intense moments, so if you're giving it to a young person, be aware they should tend to the more mature side.
This world MC Lee created is spellbinding. The characters are vibrant and real, and their plights are far more than regular teen angst. See, these kids have powers. Well, super powers, if we're going to be accurate. In book one we discovered that Sam Riley is a Touchstone. He's gifted with the ability to take on other powers as his own. It's a heady thing, but it's also one his boyfriend Harry helps keep under control.
Only...
See, in this world, there are bad people. In this book the main back guy is Caleb Reed, a nasty piece of work, who holds no morals. He seems to think the ends--whatever they are--justify the means. He's not above hurting children if it gets him what he wants. And this time, Caleb isn't alone. He's creating his own little army to fight for him...right? Or is there a more sinister purpose as to why he's gathering these gifted kids? And what does it have to do with Harry and Sam? And what, exactly, is the link between the boys? They've always been best friends (Harry flew for the first time to save Sam), but it's grown into something deeper, more solid.
But if that's the case, why is Sammy having the dreams? The one where he...oh, no, that would be telling. Let's just say I didn't see it coming and let it go at that.
I urge those of you who like a well-written story to check out this series. I'm hopeful if it does well, MC Lee can be convinced to write a book three, because I still have questions that need answers.
(For those worried about sexual content, it is gently referenced, but not shown on page.)
December 2, 2019
Full review at :
When I first read The Touchstone, I was hoping for a sequel. From the very beginning, I was falling in love with Sam and Harry. These two went through a lot at a very young age, being by themselves and looking after each other.
Later, during the first installment, we found out that it’s actually Sam who triggered Harry’s gift because Sam was a Touchstone—a very rare ability to emphasize other’s power.
Sam’s acceptance in the Bunker was hard as we all know from book 1. But after the discovery that Sam is the most powerful of them all, it seems that everything is settling in its right place. Except it’s not.
Sam has a secret. Uhmm, no, I’m not gonna tell…
Caleb, being Caleb, wants to get his hands on Sam desperately, and he does anything to achieve his wishes.
Because of who Sam is, the members of the Bunker are in serious danger. They’re targeted by Caleb’s goons, and among those, is Maya’s brother.
Sam considers the possibility of running for the benefit of the guys whom he considers as his own family now.
This book is more angsty than the previous one. We face inner turmoil as well as some tension between Sam and Harry.
Sam is working closely with Jonah, to reach his potential as fast as he can, but the exercise leaves him mentally and physically ill. All there is Sam’s secret, and no, I still not telling you guys, that makes him extremely secretive.
Harry being Harry, knows that there are things Sam is keeping from him. He feels hurt by his boyfriend’s actions. He wants to be a pillar as well for Sam as he was for Harry.
The pressure on Sam and Caleb’s attacks leaves them only one thing…to give in to Caleb’s request and to join his team.
This book is one of my favorite YAs ever! It has everything: angst, romance, teenage mistakes and so much more.
I can’t wait for the next in the series…it’s definitely a must-read!
***The ARC was provided by Ink Harmony . My review is an honest opinion of the book ***
When I first read The Touchstone, I was hoping for a sequel. From the very beginning, I was falling in love with Sam and Harry. These two went through a lot at a very young age, being by themselves and looking after each other.
Later, during the first installment, we found out that it’s actually Sam who triggered Harry’s gift because Sam was a Touchstone—a very rare ability to emphasize other’s power.
Sam’s acceptance in the Bunker was hard as we all know from book 1. But after the discovery that Sam is the most powerful of them all, it seems that everything is settling in its right place. Except it’s not.
Sam has a secret. Uhmm, no, I’m not gonna tell…
Caleb, being Caleb, wants to get his hands on Sam desperately, and he does anything to achieve his wishes.
Because of who Sam is, the members of the Bunker are in serious danger. They’re targeted by Caleb’s goons, and among those, is Maya’s brother.
Sam considers the possibility of running for the benefit of the guys whom he considers as his own family now.
This book is more angsty than the previous one. We face inner turmoil as well as some tension between Sam and Harry.
Sam is working closely with Jonah, to reach his potential as fast as he can, but the exercise leaves him mentally and physically ill. All there is Sam’s secret, and no, I still not telling you guys, that makes him extremely secretive.
Harry being Harry, knows that there are things Sam is keeping from him. He feels hurt by his boyfriend’s actions. He wants to be a pillar as well for Sam as he was for Harry.
The pressure on Sam and Caleb’s attacks leaves them only one thing…to give in to Caleb’s request and to join his team.
This book is one of my favorite YAs ever! It has everything: angst, romance, teenage mistakes and so much more.
I can’t wait for the next in the series…it’s definitely a must-read!
***The ARC was provided by Ink Harmony . My review is an honest opinion of the book ***
January 1, 2020
I definitely enjoyed reading more in this universe, even though the world building is still missing. :/ Plus, I find Jonas incredibly one-dimensional and annoying (he's so narrowly focused, and it bugs me that he doesn't seem to care about any of the kids that much -- beyond what they can do for his cause). As with the first, I really like the loyalty we see in the boys, though Sam's insistence on keeping Harry in the dark throughout much of the book was ridiculous (and a very obvious plot device).
I'd give this 3.5 stars rounded up for the unique ideas and sweet romance between Sam and Harry.
I'd give this 3.5 stars rounded up for the unique ideas and sweet romance between Sam and Harry.
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January 1, 2021review to follow
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews