A Touch of Gold (A Touch of Gold #1) by Annie Sullivan
Summary
Gold is wealth. Wealth is power. Power is a curse. This captivating fantasy adventure—the untold story of the daughter King Midas turned to gold—will dazzle you with the kind of action, adventure, twists, turns, and a bit of romance to make any fan of magic and mythology greedy for more.
After King Midas’s gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, he relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father’s wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide.
Kora spends her days concealed behind gloves and veils. It isn’t until a charming duke arrives that Kora believes she could indeed be loved. But their courtship is disrupted when a thief steals treasures her father needs to survive. Thanks to Kora’s unique ability to sense gold, she sails off on her quest to find the missing items.
Magic, mythology, fantasy, and pirate adventures charge through every page as Kora learns that not everything is what it seems—not her companions, not the thieves, and not even Kora herself.
Book Details
A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan
A Touch of Gold Series, Book #1
Young Adult Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / Greek & Roman / Clean & Wholesome
Published August 14th 2018 by Blink
Hardcover, 313 pages
My Rating: 4 Stars
Review
A TOUCH OF GOLD by Annie Sullivan spins an enchanting tale of magic, adventure, and romance. This inventive retelling of the Greek legend of King Midas and his gift—or curse—of turning everything he touches into gold, including his daughter, will capture your heart.
“Once upon a time, a little girl helplessly watched as liquid gold spun a web across her tiny frame, racing to wrap her up in an icy cocoon.”
This is a wonderful story filled with plenty of twists and turns. Readers can count on a story full of maritime adventure, betrayal and romance all set in a world reminiscent of Greek culture touched by magic.
The story begins with the legend of King Midas and how he ends up cursed by the trickster god Dionysus who grants him the wish to turn anything he touches into gold.
What makes this version unique and compelling is that it is told from the perspective of Kora, King Midas’s daughter.
Turned to gold by accident, then brought back to life after the god Dionysus feels sorry for Midas, Kora remains touched by gold—forever enchanted by its insidious powers. Her skins glisten strangely and dark rumors are spun about a curse that plagues her family.
Hidden from the world, Kora conceals herself behind gloves and veils, until a charming duke arrives who seems to see beyond her curse and begins to court her. When a thief steals treasures that are part of the curse her father needs in order to survive, Kora sets sail on a quest to find the missing objects.
Along with the help from her cousin, Hettie, who is a wonderful secondary character, Kora sets sail and along the way, they will come across pirates, sirens, and gods in this whimsical adventure.
Kora learns to stand on her own and becomes a strong independent person. Readers will cheer her on and find her engaging and relatable.
One of my favorite scenes involves battles and some sirens and I really couldn’t have been happier with its descriptions and lore.
I will say that though the story is inspired by the Greek legend, the world-building is only dusted by this and could have been even more amazing had it been given more substance.
The romance is lovely and sweet and I really enjoyed how Sullivan used the troupe of insta-love to really write some terrific and compelling thoughts on the outcome and twists it can have.
Kora learns that hard way that not everything is what it first seems, from her father’s seemingly distance from her to a trickster god full of gifts, to her companions and even her enemies.
I look forward to continuing this series and need more time spent with Kora, Hettie, and the crew! Recommended to readers of fantasy and retellings who enjoy a clean, adventurous read with a sweet romance and a touch of magic.
