It is a great read, the sequel can't come faster.

Give it a go!

All of it just makes you think a lot and makes you face some uncomfortable ideas.

But it is also very politically intriguing (very light on it though) read, it has some great touch starvation, cultural differences around physical contact and wanting to heal centuries of hurt.

The Reapers are scary in their own way, since they kill with just a single touch. But they also provide end of life care for people who are old or sick in ways that they have decided not to continue life.

Reapers are weirdly the less horrifying ones, even if still pretty frightening.

Horrifying!! And it makes you think.. What if some person you touched didn't disclose that they are a Giver and now you're pregnant? So you think that yes, the Givers should not just walk freely around and they should live separately under guard!

And then you realize THAT is a horrifying thought.

On top of that, the Givers are able to make women pregnant with just touch. The children are clones of their mothers, because there is no other dna to make the child from.

This is one of the reasons why Givers are not allowed to live freely. That and possibility of UNDYING NATION OF CLONE WOMEN??!!

Givers are held at a stronghold under strict guard and are only allowed to leave with guards at their side. People who are sick have to travel to this strong hold to receive treatment.

Health is only for those with either money OR HEALTH to travel to the stronghold. Horrific!!

At first you are given this very wholesome view of the Givers. They heal, take care of people and animals, what could be bad about it!

But then it is revealed that the crown limits their lives and spread, while also limiting the other non-supernatural ways of healing and medicine.

What I keep thinking about the most though is the powers.

Givers and Reapers can't be killed. Givers can heal with a touch and bring back people from dead.

Reapers obviously are the opposite of that and kill with a touch.

But it doesn't just end with living creatures.

It was also really fun to have a third main character, Elician's sister, whom I disliked a lot! But her attitude came from ignorance and years of propaganda and prejudices, so her growth is very interesting to see.

I like to be challenged to not like a main character! This succeeded in it!

I really liked this book a lot and I can't wait for the sequel. Was it ground breaking or critically acclaimed? No, but it was entertaining, writing was good, I liked the characters and the romance was sweet and slow burn.

And the opposing powers of the two main characters is good!

Two nations have been at war for centuries over a holy river that separates the countries. Prince Elician is a Giver, fighting on the front lines, but forbidden to use his healing and life giving powers.

Then a Reaper attempts to kill him, fails, and Elician decides to show him mercy.

I haven't tried the profiles but worth a shot? But making the workspace itself better might be a bigger thing. 🤔