Not very entertaining and did not seem to be going anywhere plot wise. Did not like either main characters and the world building was pretty slight.

This fantasy read has a lot of things going for it. It is inspired by King Midas and it was pretty different than I was expecting. There is a fair bit of adventure in this story. I wasn't expecting it but it was a plesant surprise. There could have been a bit more world builing, but it was a great start to the series and I plan to continue.

I was initially drawn to this book by the gorgeous cover, and the story sounded even better! Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Tiger Queen by the same author. The writing style was lovely and I enjoyed the characters, but I wasn't thrilled by the worldbuilding, which felt lackluster to me. Hopefully it will be expanded in the second book!

I loved everything about this book! From the cover, to the premise, to the story itself. This book is filled with wonder, twists and turns, and adventure. I plan on reading more books from Annie Sullivan as they come out and cannot wait for the sequel to this book. 😍

I would recommend this book to any readers that enjoy retellings, historical fiction, or a combination of the two. This was a fun take on the story of King Midas and I think others will enjoy it as well.

Wow! For a girl that doesn't like pirate books, I really enjoyed this one! It's a fast read that keeps your interest. It also had a lot of good wisdom in it, which I rather enjoyed. Also, it's a clean teen book, which is hard to find. I am very excited to talk this book in the middle school. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to find a sword and a pirate ship to attack. LOL!

This was a new to me author and I heard nothing but great things from other people who had read the arc. I was not disappointed. The story line and character development were exactly what I had hoped for and have come to love from this genre

I've always been fascinated by mythology, but I've read very few retellings of mythological stories. When I learned of this retelling of the story of King Midas from his daughter's perspective I was immediately intrigued. In the original story of King Midas, the king is granted one wish from the god of wine, Dionysus. The king wished that everything he touched turned to gold, making him the wealthiest man in the world. Everything is fine at first, but then he tries to eat and can't because his food turns to gold. His daughter, seeing his dismay, throws her arms around him to console him and turns to gold herself. Obviously the moral of the story is to not be greedy and to value family more than wealth.

A Touch of Gold picks up where the story of King Midas ends, so it's not exactly a retelling. It's close, though. In A Touch of Gold, King Midas's daughter, Kora, survived the touch and is alive and human once again. However, she has suffered permanent side effects. Her skin has a gold sheen to it, and anything she touches turns to gold. She can also sense gold, and it calls to her constantly. This side effect in particular is kept a secret. The King has also suffered long-lasting side effects. He cannot be too far away from the remaining items that he turned to gold himself. They are stored in a room in his palace, but someone breaks in and steals them one night. The king begins to get very sick and slowly deteriorates. In an effort to save his life, Kora goes on a journey by ship to find and return the gold to her father before it gets so far away that he dies. A handsome duke offers to take her on his ship, and the adventure begins.

A Touch of Gold is filled with action, adventure, betrayal, and a bit of romance. I flew through it pretty quickly because it was such an entertaining story. Some other mythological stories and woven into the story of King Midas, and it was very interesting to see how the author chose to do that. I liked the characters, and the twists and turns that they were involved in.

I can definitely see room for a sequel or a companion novel, and I hope that Annie Sullivan writes more mythological stories to expand this world that she has created in A Touch of Gold. Her writing is lovely and flowing, and I really enjoyed my reading experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this story to those interested in mythology and adventures on the high seas. There's strong characters and just a hint of romance, so I think there's something in it for everyone.

A pirating adventure full of dynamic characters!
Thanks to NetGalley and Blink for the opportunity to read and review A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan.
This story introduces the daughter of King Midas, Princess Kora, who has seen the bad end of "the curse of the golden touch" which was given to her father by Dionysus. Her skin is the color of gold and she’s been kept hidden for her protection since the curse. Someone steals the king’s gold, the gold that gives him strength. Kora can sense where the gold is, so she sets off on a mission with Duke Aris to retrieve the gold and help her father gain his strength back. Kora’s cousin Hettie sneaks on board for the trip only to be disheartened when she discovers how the ship’s living conditions are unlike the palace’s. Aris has gotten the crew that he’s sailed with for years but things seem to be changing and the crew might not be trustworthy anymore. As their search for the gold continues, Kora and Hettie adapt to life on the ship, while training for sword fighting and gaining friendships. The two of them soon discover who they can and can’t trust. The crew also sees the true horror that Captain Skulls encompasses, with dire circumstances. Touch of Gold is a pirating adventure with originality and dynamic characters, 5 stars!

I found it to be an interesting novel with a great premise: King Midas had the ability where whatever he touched turned to gold. Obviously, with that power there is to be consequences. Using the perspective from his daughter, we are able to fully understand what happened. Annie Sullivan is an amazing writer. I recommend this novel for any anyone looking for a great fantasy.

Because sometimes all it takes is knowing you're not in it alone, that you have a crew who's got your back.

I got the chance to meet Annie Sullivan at BookExpo this past May, and she is a delight. In just the short 45 seconds or so that I had to chat with her while she signed an ARC of A Touch of Gold for me, I could tell she really loves what she does — she's super personable and extremely excited for this book! I was really excited, too, to get my hands on an early copy of Gold after reading the synopsis for it months prior. It sounded like an adventurous pirate tale, and I was here for it.

A Touch of Gold is a new take on the King Midas myth, one of which I'm not that familiar with. I knew the basics of the story going in, so I can't be a great judge on whether anything in this book is very accurate or not. Regardless, this story is about Kora, Midas's daughter, and her struggle with the aftermath of her father's curse. Her father's gold is stolen, and she teams up with some pirates to help get it back. I liked the aspect of her being able to "track" the stolen gold through her connections with it and the curse, it made the story more unique.

I'm happy to say that overall the book was quite enjoyable! I liked the twists and turns the plot took, even when some of it was slightly predictable. Some characters come across as being too good to be true right from the start, so it wasn't a surprise to me at all when their true colors were shown. Despite that, I appreciated Kora's growth throughout the story. She starts as a timid recluse, scared to show her true self and her potential risk to others. By the end of the story, she's come into her own and accepted her powers, and it was great to see her with confidence. I also enjoyed Royce and his journey. He seemed standoffish at first, but it was with good reason. I'm hoping there will be more to this world and Kora's story because I feel like I've barely dipped my toes in — which leads me to why I docked off a bit from the rating.

I felt like everything was super rushed. As much as I was engaged throughout the story — which Sullivan's writing is good at doing — I felt like everything happened so quickly. Character relationships seemed to blossom from pure convenience, and plot twists were thrown at me so quickly, at times I had to reread parts to really understand what was happening. The ending wrapped up incredibly fast with a pretty drastic reveal occurring within the last 10 pages. Like I said before, I really hope there's a sequel or even a novella to continue this story because I do like the characters and the world, and I'd love to see more.

This is Annie's debut, so I definitely feel like she's got more coming for us! Overall, the adventure and obstacles Kora and her crew face in this story are entertaining, and I'd definitely recommend Touch of Gold for anyone who's looking for a quick, swashbuckling adventure!

I can never resist an unusual myth or fairytale retelling, so when A Touch of Gold caught my eye, I knew I needed to get ahold of a copy. I found it to be a cool reimagining of a familiar tale.

Right at the beginning, I wasn’t too sure about the book, though. The prologue is long and kind of confusing. It kind of sets up the story by recounting the story of Midas and introducing Kora, but I think a lot of that information could have been included in the early chapters instead. That would have made the opening read more smoothly for me.

Once I got into the story, though, I liked it a lot more. I wasn’t sure about Hettie, Kora’s lady-in-waiting, who at first seems super selfish and complains about EVERYTHING. Eventually she finds some things to be happy about and even stops seeming quite so selfish, which was great. She definitely grew on me as the story progressed.

I worried a little bit as I passed the halfway point, that A Touch of Gold was going to be a straightforward, boring story where it came to the romance. And then, boom! PLOT TWIST! Everything changed. It wasn’t an unpredictable move, but it was a really satisfying one. I loved the story even more after that point.

All in all, I’m glad I read this one. A Touch of Gold proved to be a quick read and an entertaining one at that. If you’re like me, and you can’t resist a retelling that’s a little more unusual, then resist no more – get you a copy of this book.
You might also be interested in A Touch of Gold if you liked Whisper of the Tide by Sarah Tolcser or Goddess Tithe by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.

Filled with fun, adventure and a tale that kept me deeply intrigued by the richness of the story!

We all know the story of King Midas and his golden touch, but there is more to the story than many have heard. After his golden touch almost killed his daughter, Kora, King Midas had the golden touch taken back from him. Princess Kora still shows the effects of her father’s curse, her skin has a golden shine and she is rumored to have secret powers of her own. Afraid to be out in public, she stays hidden away in the castle and keeps her skin covered from everyone. One day, a young duke arrives and helps Kora see that there might be some in the world who won’t run in fear from her. Things turn frantic when a thief steals her father’s gold and Kora is the only person able to track him. She can sense the gold and sails off on an adventure unlike any she has ever had to keep the kingdom from falling apart and her father from fading away.

This is the first book I have read by Annie Sullivan as well as the first about King Midas. I was very intrigued by the premise of this story and it did not disappoint. Each chapter brought new characters and adventures that propelled the story ever forward. Kora was stronger than she realized, it just took being in a different location with different people for her to test her limits and see what she was capable of. I loved the way the characters naturally flowed together, regardless of if they were for or against Kora and her mission. Even the secondary characters made an impact and I felt connected to each and every one of them. There is a good bit of romance throughout but that just adds to the tension when things are not going the way the characters would like. This story is one I can truly say is driven forward with tension, what each character desires most is put in danger, and what that may be is different for each character making the story tight and true to its purpose. Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy adventure, suspense, a little romance, and a fun look at a fantastical tale.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Touch of Gold is a King Midas retelling, where his golden touch ends up turning his daughter to gold. This story is packed with action and adventure, with pirates and the high seas. I thoroughly enjoyed the retelling; after being kept away from pretty much everyone since she was afflicted, Princess Kora, is very sheltered and is afraid of herself and her abilities, but on her adventure, she learns so much about herself. Some might feel that this book has "special snowflake" syndrome since Kora is the only one with these abilities, and while the formula of the book is a common one, it is told in a different way. I definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys retellings and stories with pirates!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free arc of this book in exchange for a review. This does not affect my opinion.

This review was originally published at http://fictionistmag.com/

You have never read a fantasy retelling like this.

I was vaguely interested in A Touch of Gold because it was a retelling of the story of King Midas from the point of view of his daughter. It seemed like something I haven’t come across before, and I’m glad I didn’t do any more research into it. In fact, I didn’t even finish reading the summary — which isn’t particularly bad, since I don’t think the Goodreads summary is very indicative of the huge amount of adventure, pirates, betrayal and, of course, gold that you’ll be seeing in A Touch of Gold.

Then again, there are quite a few twists and turns, so maybe that’s a good thing.

I’m not going to painstakingly craft another summary, but I will give you guys some spoiler-free notes:

If you like sword fighting, training montages where the leading lady doesn’t magically become a master swordsman in five seconds, magical gold, curses, sea ‘Temptresses,” and some light romance… This book is for you. Bonus if you’re into re-tellings, especially since the story of King Midas isn’t your usual fairytale re-telling.

If you aren’t intrigued enough, I’ll get into what I loved about this book.

It flew by. I started it over the weekend and stayed up until 4:00 AM Sunday night reading. I read every spare moment during work Monday and finished the book on my walk home. It was so worth it. Annie Sullivan may not be a household name (yet?) but she absolutely knows how to keep readers turning pages. Even if you don’t totally identify with the characters, the plot will still reel you in and keep you invested.

I feel like I’m on the fence about the characterization in this book, though. It was very plot-driven and there wasn’t much time for characters to really settle into themselves. I would argue Royce and Hettie have the most personality out of anyone else, perhaps including the main character, Kora. I see why Sullivan chose to write this way, but it left me feeling both exhilarated (because of the amazing story) and a little empty (because I didn’t feel super connected to the characters or the world).

My heart was pumping, and by the last chapter I was hoping I could just read this story forever, but when it was over I didn’t feel that strong yearning to be back in Kora’s world. I didn’t have a book hangover, as many bookworms refer to it. I absolutely stand by my points about its originality and the amazing plot, but I didn’t have that soul-level connection with the characters or the world.

So, as far as why I rated this book four instead of five stars… The lack of characterization or worldbuilding, coupled with a very strange and troubling portrayal of demonized female (non-human) beings who hate all men and blame men for all of their problems. It seems important to note that these beings were actually once human, but damned for eternity by a male god because he thought they were pretty but got bored of them, basically. They tried to remind Kora of all of the men who have let her down or hurt her and tried to get her to be swallowed by a hatred of men so she would join them, but Kora resisted. I can’t tell whether the scene seems anti-feminist or not, but it was a little disconcerting, dragged me out of the story a bit, and was just overall weird that the dialogue was so explicitly coded.

Honestly, though, none of the reasons I knocked a star off should prevent you from reading this gorgeous book! Sullivan’s expertly-crafted descriptions of what Kora is feeling at any time coupled with intense action sequences made this book a thrilling read. I would gladly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in Greek myths, fantasy re-tellings, magic or pirates. It’s a super fun read, and at 320 pages, it’s easy to blaze through.

It is incredibly hard to believe this is Annie's debut novel!! What a great idea to write a book about King Midas and his daughter!! I loved every word of this book and hope it is bought to be made into a movie!!

Being a fan of mythology (and retelling of fairy tales), I was excited to read this book -- and it didn't disappoint (if you're looking for a quick, easy, and fun read). King Midas received his 'gift' and accidentally turns his daughter Kora into gold. Kora is able to remember the feeling of being gold, and can only live her life surrounded by his curse and how it's affected her, for better and for worse. Enter a dashing hero, and there I can't say anymore to avoid spoilers.

This was a cute little twist on the King Midas story, with Princess Kora after being affected by the curse sets out to save her father some 10 years later. It wasn't a grab you and hold you type of YA that a lot of books have been lately. However, it did have the typical girl meets boy, boy betrays girl, girl finds new boy type triangle that we've sort become accustomed to. I will say this, it reminded me of an innocent regency romance that I used read way back when lol. Maybe that's why I liked it. I feel like it definitely could've been more intriguing, it fell flat in some places. Worth the read if you like romances.

I knew I had to request “A Touch of Gold” when I read the synopsis.
And when I saw the cover it doubled my excitement. It’s stunning!
I began this book with high hopes and wasn’t disappointed.
A wonderfully new and thrilling retelling of King Midas; Annie Sullivan’s talent shines.
Our main character, Kora, shows her wit and strength right away, which she somehow maintains after being a virtual prisoner in her own home.
Silently feared and judged by her own people, Kora is the unspoken shame of her father, King Midas. Even knowing that her notoriously golden skin is a result of his carelessness, King Midas punishes his daughter by neglecting her.
A life under a veil, Kora is made to be invisible, until one day she is the kingdom’s only hope of survival. And boy, does Kora take her shot!
We get to follow her through land and sea, love and betrayal, all while on a dire mission filled with twists.
Sullivan portrays Kora’s developing self confidence with sensitivity and great skill.
That aspect made the novel touching; adding individuality and uniqueness.
Against all odds our hero has “come a long way since then” and continues to make strides.
With this book, it is easy to be reminded of how strong one can be when one is given the chance.
Annie Sullivan wrote the type of story I love reading.
“A Touch of Gold” kept my knee bouncing with anticipation throughout.
This book is engaging and fun, while still maintaining a deeply powerful narrative.
I am very glad I read this book. I can’t wait to read it again!
I have recommended “A Touch of Gold” to friends.
I also recommend this book to readers of ya retellings and fantasy.


Thank You Blink Publishing & NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy!

Posted to Goodreads: Princess Kora is the daughter of King Midas. Kora shares the consequences of her father's cures after he turned her to gold. She is no longer golden however her skin does shine. Kora lives her life behind the palace's walls while her father tries to find her a suitor. However, when Kora's father's gold goes missing she must leave the safety of her home to track the only thing that makes her father's curse tolerable. Kora will travel across oceans with the help of her new suitor to save her father and her kingdom.

This book felt like a very original spin on a classic story. Kora's perspective on Midas's tale was interesting and had adventurous moments that I quite enjoyed. However, I wasn't as drawn into the story or connected to Kora as I would have liked. The book is entertaining and will appeal to a wide variety of readers however it didn't quite make me love it.