Review & Giveaway: A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

Happy Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day. Seriously, it is. Which begs the question, why does a chocolate-covered raisin need its own day? Since I have no books about chocolate-covered raisins, instead I'll talk about a YA book that I recently finished, A Touch Mortal from debut author Leah Clifford.

ABOUT A TOUCH MORTAL: Eden didn't expect Az. Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings. Yeah. So long, happily-ever-after.
     Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven. She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own. And that's only the beginning of the end.

MY THOUGHTS: I love the idea of this book, which examines some of the issues facing today's young adults--self-mutilation and food issues and peer pressure and suicide. Clifford's portrayal  of what lies between heaven and hell (or, in this case, "Upstairs" and "Downstairs") is fascinating, and the emotions are intense. So yes, I liked this book even as it disturbed me and made me think (which ultimately is a good thing). It's really dark, so I have to warn you about that. Most books, even dystopian fiction, have some shred of positivity that shines through--a nobility of character or an unselfishness of spirit. A Touch Mortal didn't quite give that to me. It is, however, thought-provoking and intriguing and it did something not many books achieve--it honestly surprised me at the end. Clifford also did a great job of creating flawed and engaging, if not entirely sympathetic, characters.

If you've read A Touch Mortal, what did you think of it? I'm giving away an ARC of A Touch Mortal to one commenter. As always, +1 for comment, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and +1 for a Tweet or Retweet. Put away your razor blades!