Salsera1974's Reviews > Touch

In this novel, Oriel is a slave who possesses an unusual gift: once he connects with other people, he is compelled to serve them (regardless of whether or not he wishes to do so) by giving them their deepest desires. That can range from turning fallow fields into productive fields, to making barren women pregnant, to serving the sexual needs of the person who feels desire for him. Basically, it's anything at all. (The author doesn't really explore any limits on his gift very well.) When he meets the son of the ruling Lady of the City, Chariz, he connects with him more intensely than he has ever connected with anyone else. Specifically, Oriel does not simply connect with Chariz; Chariz connects with him, too, and the mutually-reinforcing link between them allows them to identify and heal some of the emotional wounds that each one possesses. Ultimately, this power forces Chariz to make a choice: What is he prepared to sacrifice for the sake of love? Overall, this was an okay read.