R.A. McDonald

**Disclaimer: A copy of the book was provided to me by the publisher, and I received no compensation in exchange for my honest review.**

Who wouldn't want to rid themselves of any and all sickness or heal any injury the moment after it happens? To be free from such pitfalls as getting winded while running or healing muscles to help them grow stronger. It would sound like a good deal to most people. But for those with such abilities, like Ada, it is as much the dark side of the coin as it is the light especially when others want that skill for themselves alone. No one should be forced to do something against their will, and Ada refuses to let anyone, even her aunt who is also a healer, tell her how she should use her gift.

At first I found it a little difficult to relate with Ada. Granted, she has been shuffled around foster homes for most of her life, her mother disappeared when she was little, and she has the bizarre skill of being able to "see others' sickness." That alone would probably make for a surly teenager. Still sometimes her negative venting became a bit tiresome though I have to admit that trait adds to her realistic nature.

Ada also does a few things I thought were too risky given the situations she was in at the time, particularly when she was practicing her healing ability. I know practice helps boost improvement, but doing so in a public place among a group of people wasn't the smartest thing to do. I'll just chalk that up to her being a teenager and a novice when it comes to judgment. It was a nice change to see her assisting those who at least helped her even if that in itself was a risk.

The supporting characters that were introduced once the story took Ada overseas were what really enabled her to grow as a person. She had been denied real kindness for so long in her life, it was great to see Ada treated so well even by people she had only just met. I really liked Madame Jardin and her willingness to give Ada a home in a strange country while she searched for her mother. McDonald even adds hints of romance into Ada with the introduction of Daniel, a young man who instructs Ada in parkour, free running. That was a unique touch as well since I haven't heard parkour used in another novel before, and McDonald was thinking outside the box with that addition.

Overall, the pacing was nice and steady, and I felt really drawn into the story. There were some intense parts where I was on the edge of my seat while reading, and I have to say those parts added to the urgency I felt for Ada as she tried to stay one step ahead of those pursuing her as she searched for her mother. Now, I just have one question for R.A. McDonald: When will the next part of Ada's story be ready for we readers?… (altro)

Ada is 15 and at the Between house after getting kicked out of another foster home, like her history of being kicked out of schools or upsetting her foster parents. She has 3 days for her Aunt Jessie to contact them before her social worker will have to send her to juvenile. Ada can tell by felling or smelling there is something wrong with someone. But they don't like hearing it when Ada asks or suggests health issues, hence part of her troubles with foster homes. The others are just not nice people. Ada's Aunt finally shows up and comes through but she travels for her own business with herbs. Ada's Aunt tells her she knows it's been hard on her but "it was preparation for what's to come." After learning more about herself and who might be after her if they know about her ability, Ada goes on the run and finds herself in Paris, meeting a nice young man and looking for her lost mother.

Ada is a strong young girl that has come from some harsh surroundings. Not only has she been in homes that are not so nice, but in lovely homes she loses after she mentions something about someones health not being good, even for something small. But all this hardens Ada to deal with the not so nice people that find out what she can do, at the same time as she finds out. Ada is a fighter. She is one to keep going and survive. And even makes her own way in the world as well. She is a strong young girl.

Ada has a strong belief about helping people. And a big part of me believes the same as her. But I do see the other side of the coin. Actually both sides of extreme here with healing. But you have to read the book to get the view as well. To me the author has opened my mind a little more to think on the helping of others. There are different views to each side and legitimate reasons to each. I really liked the way the author pulled this all together and keeping each character true to their thoughts.

Ada finds clues taking her to Paris, France. Here Ada learns more about herself and grows as well. She starts to see another side to helping people willingly. Ada even makes a few great friends that help her in learning many new things to protect herself. My only hope for future books, is we get to see Daniel again. I really liked him and his Uncle. Very nice. Daniel has been kind and yet challenges Ada to try and do more without pushing her. Just him being around makes Ada want to do more and better.

This is nice story for a Young Adult or even a Young Reader. I would definitely pass this book along to my son or a friends child with no worries at all.

I found I enjoyed this Young Reader book more than I was expecting. And so much so I would love to read more of Ada and her journeys.… (altro)

The story itself is unique...not in the choice of characters (teen girl with powers and issues struggling to find her place in the world....certainly familiar) but in what the author does with them. Ada is no wall flower. She may prefer to stay out of the limelight because of her abilities, but she is not afraid to stand up for herself, and at times leads to some pretty funny moments. Back to those abilities...

Seeing sickness and injury is only the beginning for as the title implies, she can heal others as well. The extent to which this applies is mind boggling and I'll leave you to discover on your own but the moral dilemma it introduces is huge. How DO you determine whom to heal and who should not? What makes one more worthy than the other? Jessie sees it as her way of giving back and sharing her gift (except in the case of a particular person of power that wants them as his own fountain of youth) but Ada raises a good point as well. To heal everyone is a beautiful thought, but the reality of that could be rather scary. Think about it. We have population issues now, imagine if the due course of nature didn't take place and people lived on til virtually forever. Then again, no one wants to say goodbye to their loved ones so we're back to square one of the dilemma. The way the issue is explored is realistic and offers both sides of the coin inviting readers to reflect further on the ideas after the reading. Props to the author for the one two successful combination! Now back to the characters...

Aside from Ada and Jessie, we have a whole cast of interesting folks along the way. Some are temporary fixtures like one Simone LaRue, while others leave lasting impressions on both Ada and her life such as Ms. Jardin and Daniel. As each learns a bit more about Ada's life and abilities, it's interesting to see their reactions and interactions going forward. You can see where human nature and curiosity get the better of some while others remain nonplussed. The Senator though? Evil! Really, he is quite the manipulator...and his henchmen, no different. Just watch out for them, trust me.

So we've covered the story and the characters in brief, let's talk artwork which is a rarity in YA books nowadays. The cover art is only the beginning. Throughout the story there are images scattered about illustrating some of the more important moments and lending a visual to an already stunning story. I love the gritty feel of the art. It speaks of the life she has lead and the troubles always there just around the corner but it doesn't stop there. There is always this inclusion of these butterflied around the edges of the image which to me show that despite all she endures, beauty and wonder can be found in the situation as well as the gift she's been given.

In short, a great book with a lot of meaning, adventure (anyone heard of Parkour? Definitely worth the look up..), and what ifs that end in an astonishing twist. Well worth the read and high recommendation if I do so say myself...and I do.… (altro)

Ada is an interesting novel. The tagline to this book reads "If you had the power to heal, What would you do?" I thought that is a really interesting question. My first response to this question is yes, of course. Then after thinking about it for awhile, I began to reconsider my answer. There are many pros and cons that kept entering my mind. R.A. McDonald does a fantastic job answering these questions in Ada: Legend of a Healer. Ada is teenage girl who has grown up in foster care. She is not an average teenager though, she has a special ability. Ada can not only sense sickness she can heal it. So far this gift has been a burden to her. It freaks people out if she tries to tell them. Because of this she is moved from one foster home to another over and over again. Ada has pretty much given up on humanity until she meets someone who can help unlock the mystery of who she is and what she can do. I thought the storyline in this book was outstanding. It's a bit dark at times but not without cause. It is a fast paced novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The setting of the book constantly changes as Ada tries to find answers to what happened to her mother.
Ada is a teenage girl that has been through a lot in her fifteen years of life. She's been moved around constantly. This leaves Ada disgruntled about life. She's rough around the edges but you can see bits and pieces of a softer side of her. Ada understandably has trust issues. She's always prepared to bolt if the need arises. I like her character a lot. McDonald does a great job of exposing Ada's insecurities and her strengths at the same time. Ada is forced to make tough decisions at a young age. Ada has to learn to trust. Through her journey she meets several interesting characters. My favorite character in this novel is Madame Jardin. She is an older lady that shows Ada true kindness.
Overall this was a really good book. It is a quick and easy read with a lot of depth to it. I enjoyed it from cover to cover. I'm not sure if this book is the first in a series but from the way it ended it could be. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes paranormal and is looking for something different to read.… (altro)