Annotation:
After
Dez has a chance run in with the handsome and mysterious Kale, she learns that
her father is part of an elite organization called Denazen that collects Sixes:
people with mutations that give them extraordinary super powers.
Personal
thoughts: One thing I kept thinking throughout this novel was, “This is
what X-Men would have been liked if
Magneto had been in charge of the school instead of Professor Xavier.” After
finishing it, that thought pretty much sums up the story! I found a lot of
elements in the book to be similar to other young adult novels, and the
parallels with X-Men are so apparent
that the author even mentions them in the book. The one thing that really saved
the novel for me was the author’s obviously thoughtful construction of Dez. She
starts off the story seriously annoying and obnoxious, but the reader gets to
see her personality mature and progress as she becomes more entrenched in her
plight to find out the truth about Denazen. So often, protagonists in young
adult novels are somewhat wooden, so it was nice to read about a “real” girl
with a lot of spunk. Although this book wasn’t my favorite, I would still
recommend it to teen girls who want something with action and romance. There is
enough to enjoy about the story to make it a worthwhile read.
Plot
summary: Seventeen-year-old Deznee “Dez” Cross has spent most of her life
trying to break through her lawyer father’s iron guard by making him angry. Her
mother died giving birth to her, and Dez has always assumed that her dad’s icy
relationship with her is because he blames her for losing his wife. Dez isn’t
sure how else to get his attention, so she spends her days partying, hooking up
with guys, and pulling daredevil stunts like skateboarding off of roofs. One
night after a particularly wild party, Dez happens to meet a handsome and
mysterious guy named Kale. Kale seems disoriented, and Dez soon learns that he
is on the run from Denazen, the “law firm” her father works for. Kale informs
Dez that her father is actually involved in the collection of Sixes, people,
mostly children and teens, with a mutated sixth chromosome that gives them
extraordinary superpowers. Kale has the ability to kill anyone just with the
touch of his hand, but he and Dez are shocked to discover that Dez is
inexplicably immune to his power. Horrified by the truth about her father, Dez
and Kale find themselves both targets of Denazen and on the run. But how long
can Dez evade her father, and what will happen when he and Denazen discover a dangerous
secret she has been keeping all of her life?
Review: Debut
author Jus Accardo’s personality shines through in Touch, the first novel in a new series for teens. While the
storyline isn’t really anything new, the author’s writing style gives it a bit
of freshness, particularly in her portrayal of Dez, a foul-mouthed, rebellious
seventeen-year-old with a dangerous secret. Almost from the first pages of the
book, it’s clear that Dez isn’t a typical teen heroine. She’s rash, abrasive,
and more than a little obnoxious. As the story progresses, however, the reader
experiences Dez maturing as she learns more about the truth of her father and
his role in the sinister Denazen Corporation. Her relationship with Kale, the
handsome and strong Six who managed to escape from Denazen, is enjoyable and
romantic, although predictable. There are also many twists and turns in the
plot, with characters switching allegiances and secrets being revealed left and
right. Overall, Touch isn’t a
particularly original novel, but it is entertaining and has all the elements that
will appeal to many readers, especially teen girls. The sequel, Toxic, is set to be released September
11, 2012.
Genre: Science-Fiction
Reading
level: Grade 8+
Similar
titles: X-Men comic
series, Damage by Anya Parrish, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by
Ransom Riggs, Shatter Me by Tahereh
Mafi, Tempest by Julie Cross, Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson.
Themes: Superpowers, father/daughter relationships,
conspiracy, kidnapping, romance.
Awards/Reviews:
Positive reviews from authors Darynda Jones,
Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Inara Scott.
Series
Information: First installment in Denazen
series. Second novel, Toxic, set
to be released September 11, 2012.
Discussion
questions:
- Why do you think Dez is constantly trying to “piss her father off”?
- Why was Dez so quick to side with Kale against Denazen?
- Do you think that Dez’s father actually loved her? Why or why not?
- Who was your favorite character in the novel? Why?
- Dez told Alex that she didn’t think she would ever be completely over him. Do you think it's common for people to feel that way about their "first love"? Why or why not?
- Which plot twist surprised you the most? Why? Did you anticipate anything that happened in the novel?
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