TOUCH

An amnesiac teen’s past brims with secrets, special abilities, and unexpected dangers in this debut YA paranormal novel.

It’s been two years since Cassie Merritt woke up in a river. She had no memory, no clothes, and no ID, and burns covered her legs. Luckily, a kind, older woman, whom Cassie affectionately calls Gram, took her into her home in a small Colorado town. It’s the one good thing in Cassie’s punishing life, as skin-to-skin contact with anyone makes her feel the agony of burning. This proximity also triggers visions—seeing people’s most awful, guilt-ridden moments. Then she meets Gabriel Knight, a college student whose touch she finds “bearable.” This sudden connection puts her close to the Knights, who even Gram assures her are trustworthy. But while they might know of Cassie’s hidden past, they’re frustratingly cryptic. “There aren’t many of us left,” Gabriel’s dad says. Cassie doesn’t trust so easily since those visions show her the worst in others. But she may have to rely on someone, as she soon crosses paths with vicious giants and menaces hiding in plain sight. There’s a lot to unpack in Kahn’s engaging series opener. The novel revels in ambiguity, from elemental magic and ominous “shadows” to characters withholding key details. Cassie proves strong, both physically and mentally, as well as amiable; all the affection she can’t experience with humans she gives to three-legged dog Zoe. The extensive cast includes copious Knights (most of whom are near the protagonist’s age) and the new guy at school, who’s one of Cassie’s two romantic interests. The author uses the story’s moderate pace to great effect, clearly and assiduously defining individual characters—even those who never actually appear. Though Cassie struggles piecing together much of what unfolds, the final act eventually spotlights an unmistakable villain and deftly sets the stage for the sequel.

Unforgettable characters drive this engrossing supernatural tale.