Ada: Legend of a Healer

by R.A. McDonald

Ada hasn't grown up in a house with a white picket fence. Instead she was cast off and absorbed into the foster care system, quickly putting up a shield of hostility. Always knowledgeable of the sicknesses of those around her and never getting hurt just seemed like facts of life. Finally on her last strike of trouble, an estranged aunt comes to the rescue, giving Ada the knowledge of how to use her healing power. Now Ada, who up to this point has shunned the world, all of the sudden has the power to heal it.

This book delves into the psychology and growth of a teenage girl coming to grips with the knowledge that there are some good people out there; some people worth healing.

Along with action and adventure, Ada, Legend of a Healer also brings to light numerous philosophical issues. Like many middle and high school girls, Ada is introduced to society's harsh realities at a young age, so she's built a wall of anger to strengthen her self reliance, to survive. Despite the pressure and demands, Ada refuses to sacrifice her self-worth, and in this she discovers that a strong will overcomes all obstacles.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Coming Of Age

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

MY THOUGHTS
Though its cover might initially cause readers to balk at the nearly indecipherable and chaotic image, the story that lies in wait is simplistic in the best possible way, progressing swiftly and easily and entertaining us with every page. In the beginning as we are introduced to Ada's healing gift, we quietly chastise her for her attitude and unwillingness to help those so clearly in need as Jessie does. As the story moves forward though we begin to feel how much of a burden such a gift can truly be, questioning ourselves instead of Ada and wondering how we would deal with the weight of deciding between life and death, pain and relief, and misery and euphoria for strangers and friends alike. We quickly come to realize the predicament Ada is in, and our yearning for her gift coupled with our rejection of the responsibility that accompanies it makes for an emotionally enthralling read.

Connecting to Ada in the beginning is a bit of a challenge in and of itself, her seeming disdain for people in general understandable given her experience in the foster care system, but her icy quips and finely honed instincts telling her to push everyone away have the desired effect. It doesn't take long for us to become extremely involved in her life as she goes on the run though, willing the displays of strength we've seen from her thus far to carry her through and help her find a permanent home and family. The more she uses her gift, the more protective of her we become, shifting our disapproval regarding its use from Ada to those around her who risk her exposure and capture by repeatedly asking for assistance. We then have to physically shake ourselves for that reaction, knowing if we were suffering we would seek out any help possible as well. Thus, we as readers see Ada's gift through a variety of different filters, instinctively reacting to each one and learning about a different aspect of humanity through every new instance.

Beautifully blended into the turmoil surrounding Ada's healing ability is a sweet relationship with Daniel, a young man she meets in Paris who helps her learn to defend herself and perfect the art of escape. With each interaction we hope for Ada to find a haven with Daniel, awed by the lessons he gives her in expertly traversing the streets of Paris, and intrigued by the subtle quality to their increasing affection for one another. Though a taste of romance is present, the flavor of the overall story is not consumed by it, and we are continually swept from event to event as Ada searches for answers.

Ada, Legend of a Healer is a pleasantly surprising read, absorbing us into its pages quickly and refusing to relinquish us until the very action-packed end. This story isn't one to linger in one place too long, keeping us constantly on the move with Ada which, while keeping us glued to the pages, can also at times make us feel like we are playing catch-up as we attempt to chase after Ada before she gets too far out of our grasp. Additionally, this tale does end a touch abruptly, kicking us out mid-adventure but leaving us very much looking forward to meeting back up with Ada and Daniel again.

Rating: 4/5

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Article first published as Book Review: Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald on Blogcritics.

Raised in the Foster Care system, Ada has pulled her last stunt. At fifteen, she is rebellious and tired of moving from place to place. Her caseworker has finally had to make a decision, they will contact her aunt Jessie O’Neil, if Jessie cannot take her, she will have to reside in the between house, a place for kids no longer able to be placed.

Jessie is not really her aunt, but her mother’s best friend; she has the healing touch and she has been on the run for as long as she can remember. Originally, when she learned about her healing abilities, she was free with healing, joining a program put together by Senator Harold Grimes. As time went on, the Senator wanted the healing only for himself. Escaping his facility, she has been on the run, and can only stay for short periods in any local. She refuses to stop healing, but must move quickly as the news spreads, bringing the Senator and his henchmen after her each time.

Jessie knows that Ada too has the healing touch. What she does not realize is that Ada is stronger, capable of healing the most chilling of conditions. However, Ada is also stubborn and does not find her healing to be a miracle, to her it is a curse. Treated with fear each time she would make a comment on another’s health, her youth was peppered by incidents of healing and disbelief. Considered a freak for as long as she remember, healing held no magic for her. As Ada follows Jessie from place to place, a young paraplegic approaches her. Choosing to try her healing on in an unthinkable fashion, surprise is in store. Her healing power is beyond that of other healers, and his body begins a restructuring process. Promptly, her skill comes to the attention of the Senator.

Now Jessie has disappeared and Ada is running for her freedom. Immediately thinking her mother can be of assistance, she begins searching for her. She has been missing since Ada was a baby, but Ada is able to find a trace in Paris, France. After reaching France, Ada finds group of teenagers that have found a unique way of traveling in the city. After watching them and trying to emulate their maneuvers, she becomes convinced this type of travel will help her stay clear of the Senator while she looks for her mother. Her life has taken an unexpected turn, she is in a strange place, with people she does not know, and yet she must find her way. Can she stay ahead of the Senator, or will he finally take her captive as he has many of those before her? Will her new friends make the difference?

In Ada: Legend of A Healer, R.A. McDonald has built a story around the mysterious healing abilities of a small group of people. Ada is a charming but stubborn rascal, with a good sense of humor, but she is also an angry young woman. Left on her own, she has had to deal with her abilities without direction. They are anathemas to her, and yet she cannot control her visions, or her seeing of others illness. Her anger sometimes gives way to kindness, the coldness melts and she uses her abilities to heal those she feels a connection to. The rebelliousness of her age and background determine her decisions.

Jessie is doing what she can to heal as many as she is able. Having Ada with her brings attention she does not need. However, Ada needs her. Jessie felt that leaving her a ward of the state was the only thing protecting Ada all these years. Her best friend and Ada’s mother disappeared years before leaving her to make tough decisions. She is feisty and gregarious, insistent on using her abilities even when they put her at risk. Sending Ada to find her mother and doing her best to stay in touch only makes that risk more palpable.

Ada: Legend of a Healer, is a wonderful story of coming of age. Ada deals with problems that others her age will never realize. She has found a way to deal with the issues and continue with her life. In Paris, she finds a new group of friends, those who will back her in any way they can. This is a charming story; the art in the book is beautiful and unique only adding to the reading experience.

I would recommend this book for the young reader in your home, but it is a delightful read for any age. It is thoughtful and well-written full of suspense and wonder, a great addition for any library.

This Book was received from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instantly you get the sense that Ada hasn't had a lot of love or caring relationships in her short life. Her attitude and personality is rough, hard, and flippant, but in the first few pages - the very first chapter to be exact - we see that in her there is a part that is compassionate. And that really sums up the essence of Ada's story.

In the beginning of the story Ada says, "Everyone hangs on for a stale crumb of the good life." The compassionate thing she does in chapter one and what she says here are the two things that really shaped Ada for me. (Btw, that was only pg. 11 I had to go look it up to quote it exactly.)
As a teenager she had already written the world off, like so many of us did then (or perhaps do now). When it came down to do or die time we watch as people with substance (good and bad) come into her life, such as Jessie, out of obligation; others out of lust, greed or even hatred. But for Ada it will take finding those individuals that don't want something from her or for her that affect her view on the world.

I felt that Ada, Legend of a Healer was a quick, exciting, and intriguing read. It pulled me right in and the action style of writing combined with the dark captivating drawings at the beginnings/ends of chapters kept me engaged. Though once or twice predictable, there were twists that kept me biting my nails-literally (I can't help it.)

I loved that parkour is in the book, I think it brought about a light on Ada's gift, goals and personal dangers (because of the people after her) that couldn't have been shown better in another way. Parkour is amazing to watch & can be very dangerous. Reading about the adventures I could visualize everything; it really gave me a scare at times. It was awesome!

I really enjoyed that in the end, the book isn't wrapped up with a bow--There are many questions left unanswered and paths that are untold. As many have mentioned before, I look forward to reading the next book. Or at least I hope there is a next book.

Disclosure: I received this book from the illustrator and author. All opinions are my own.

P.S. Please let there be a next book.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ada is not your average fifteen year old. She doesn't know her father, her mother's whereabouts are unknown and she is pretty tired of being bounced around in foster care. Sure, she has her problems and isn't the easiest person to live with, but that's normal for a teenager, right?

When her current foster parents call Ada's social worker to come pick her up, Ada knows it is back to the half-way house for her until they find her another foster family. But Ada is determined to live with her Aunt Jessie, and she does come to pick up Ada. But Jessie is a bit different and likes to live on the road.

She takes Ada to many hospitals and sick places, all along asking Ada if she has ever hurt herself badly and healed herself. Ada pays attention to the questions and learns that she has healing abilities like Jessie does. But Ada thinks it makes her a freak, not anything to be proud of

But when a senator determined to using her abilities so he can be forever youthful is out to get her, the stakes heat up. When Jessie disappears, Ada goes to Paris where her mother was last seen, but dodging those that want to use her for only her abilities takes creativity and wit.

Ada blooms in this novel. We meet her as a troubled teenager who through trial, error and life, she manages to try and find her path. Mystery, fantasy and a coming of age story mesh together into a phenomenal page-turner! McDonald is a masterful storyteller whose characters are brilliantly developed and compelling. Not just for young adults - adults will enjoy this one too!

[Mindy/fangedmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book, the cover fascinated me. I loved the mysteriousness of it and the title itself made me want to learn more about it. Then I received it.

Once I picked this book up, I had a very hard time putting it down. I read it very quickly as I had no choice but to keep reading. I had to know what Ada would do next & where her adventure would take her.

Ada is a product of the Foster system. She is not happy with her Foster parents. She knows that she is not exactly right but has no clue why. When she is hunted down by weird strangers & she meets Jessie, new light is shed on who she is. She makes a vow to go on a finding mission. She is ready for anything, or so she thinks. She has great adventures & not only learns a lot about herself but also about the world around her. Is being a Healer a curse or a gift?

I LOVED the questions at the end of this book. LOVED THEM! I love to think about a story I just read. I love to hear how the author challenges you on a view or perspective you have after reading the book. Sometimes these simple questions can make you see a whole new picture. LOVE THEM...

I got to the end very sad as I wanted to keep reading. I always read the ending more than once to make sure I did not miss anything. This book is DEF a 5 star to me. Any book that leaves me wanting more at the end is so worthy of a 5!!!

Thank you Conner for sending me this wonderful book! I really do appreciate it.

[booklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ada is a well written, but in my humble opinion not very believable Y.A. novel. Based on the cover, it looks like something I'd never read. Even my daughter asked me why I was reading that ‘Goth book’. I don't care for the art work either.

However, it is not Goth, nor is it about vampires, which is what my other daughter thought when I suggested she read it. It has an intriguing premise: a young girl with the ability to heal. Not only can she heal, but she can heal anything from cancer to life threatening wounds and not only can she heal others but she can also heal herself. Nice! Who doesn’t dream about such gifts? The thing is, in Ms. McDonald’s book, the central character, Ada, can heal at will no matter what her mental, emotional or physical state. There are no catches, no limitations, and no requirements—well she can’t bring people back from the dead. But aside from that, she can do just about everything she sets her mind to ... whenever, wherever and and as often as she likes.

Now I don’t know about anyone else, but for me as a reader, I find this unsatisfying. Never mind the religious side of me which believes such rare gifts come by the Grace of God, to the humble, well-disposed soul after deep and profound prayer. Let’s say just for the sake of a riveting good read, we have a character who has this God-given gift through no merit of her own. Even if she could heal at will, there are still constraints when characters expend so much energy as is described so vividly by the author of Ada performing one of her healings. Even fantasy fiction must abide by a certain sense of logic, fair play or something resembling E=mc². By rights Ada should be spent and wasted after one of her healings and not able to go on healing others or herself endlessly growing stronger as she goes; the physical draining of energy caused by the healing energy going out from her would leave her weak and vulnerable, or at least hungry or tired or something. Of course, the author's answer is that Ada is healing herself so the energy is contained, but still the energy has to come from somewhere. Or perhaps what I mean is, the energy has to come at some price. Something doesn't come from nothing. And it takes something massive to produce all that healing energy. It's illogical to portray it as inexhaustable. Ada would have to consider how and when she used her gift realizing that when she did, she left herself open to others who were after her and her gift. The author has Ada constantly running from those who want to exploit her, which I do think is believable. But Ada’s unlimited and even growing ‘powers’ seem to lack any check except available daylight hours and this reader’s credibility. Every character needs his or her weakness(es)—even superheroes, perhaps especially superheroes. It’s what makes them loveable. Without them, they don’t seem real. Ada needs an Achilles’ heel.

The story is set up for sequels. We shall see.

Interesting premise. Major flaw was the major character had no flaw.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Ada by R.A. McDonald. I even stayed up late to finish reading it—a fairly rare occurrence. So I’m glad I persevered beyond the longer title to read the story. Legend of a Healer sounded oddly pretentious to me; I wasn’t sure I wanted to read some new teen-world-view legend. But Ada’s story isn’t pretentious at all. It’s hard-hitting, gritty, built on teen anger rather than angst, with deep questions and fascinating characters. Plus it’s a really intriguing tale.

Ada’s anger at life is well-founded, and the reader meets her first as yet another foster-home fails her. In a fairy-tale dream she would find her family now, but in this tale family’s a fragile thing, eagerly sought, but maybe not quite living up to eager expectation. Perhaps Ada’s right to trust no-one, or perhaps she just hasn’t had the chance to learn.

The story travels the world of nations and possibilities. The excitement of running, adrenaline of the chase, despair at betrayal, and burgeoning hope of friendship—all are beautifully told. Ada herself seems very real, her point of view poignantly given, and her character honest in her questions, her slow learning of mystical power, and her determined hope.

Questions raised for the reader –some are given at the back of the book—certainly leave no room for easy answers, just like real life. And that, I suppose, is why I couldn’t stop reading; the author convincingly portrays a questioning girl in a questionable world; a girl with power to heal and honesty to know she can’t heal everyone; with care and concern hiding beneath her shell; and with hope, though I’ll have to read the next book to know where that hope might lead her.

The back of the book calls this “one of the greatest girl empowering novels of its generation.” I’m not sure I’d go so far—I’m not sure I’m qualified to go so far. But I would say it’s a really good read that raises some really intriguing, and yes, maybe even girl-empowering questions. And the late night staying up for the end was worthwhile.



Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I’m really grateful to have had the chance to enjoy it.

[Monsoonmoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many sci fi/fantasy books out there that are directed towards young people. Most of them are about monsters and magical lands far away that don't exist. This is not one of those books. This story is set in real places and deals with real characters. The settings are metropolitan areas, ranging from Seattle to Paris. Cities which are depicted realistically, as both charming and at times dangerous. The outstanding illustrations allow the reader to connect with these places and people in a very tangible way. The heroin, Ada is a resilient and resourceful young girl, who's been thrust into a chaotic whirlwind of events in search of what little family she has left. She is a very real character, not made to seem like a prodigy or super hero. She's a real kid with real problems, who was born with a power that even she doesn't fully understand.

The fantasy element in the book is the power to heal with the touch of a hand. The idea is well constructed, utilizing elements of science and also confronting a social dilemma that proves Ada's moral character time and time again.
Throughout her journey she meets people who genuinely care for her, but also people who are only interested in her powers. It's her struggle to discern who really cares for her and who's trying to exploit her. One of her defining traits is being a good judge of character, something of increasing importance and rarity in this day and age. I commend this author for not patronizing young people and addressing real issues.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at 445pm on a Monday, stayed up until 3am Tuesday morning and had the book finished by 8pm Tuesday night. It is a great read for both teens and adults and an excellent book to read and discuss with others. The characters are very well developed and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep anyone reading well past bedtime. More than just a fun read, this book raises questions such as "If you have the ability to help someone, are you obligated to help that person?", "If only certain people are deserving of help, how do you decide who is deserving?" and "If a person has the ability to help large numbers of people, does the government have a right to make that person use his/her abilities?" I know that a lot of people will compare this book to Twilight, because of the well developed story line and characters. However, while I enjoy the Twilight books, and consider them excellent brain candy; I think that this book has more to offer in terms of encouraging intelligent conversations.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Jeff's daughter and I absolutely loved the book.
I cannot wait for the next, and yes I am assuming there is a next because you
cannot leave me hanging like that.. :)

P.S. I love the artwork too! :)

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great scifi book that keep my attention from start until finish. The pace and whit of the authors writing makes this read hard to put down. Although this strayed away from my normal scifi reading the venture off the beaten path was a refreshing one.

[Jenna Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was defiantly a great book for me. I was always on the edge of my seat literally not wanting to stop reading. I just wanted to get to the end of the book where everything was unfolded. This book drew me in every time, and I think that is why I loved it so much. It was very suspenseful and not scary just I was eager to read the next line. It was very adventurous and event packed, there wasn't many boring spots in the book. I think this book suits me because I like exciting books and books that continue to keep going. This book also shows hows challenges can be overcome and in the end every thing will work out.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this novel had a little bit of everything in it and left me with some questions that I was a little uncomfortable with answering. Actually I couldn't answer them. It starts out ordinary enough with Ada in yet another foster home with the typical portrayal of two unfit foster parents. Ada has done something outrageous to get herself out of a bad situation and the social worker is once again sighing and taking her to the house where she waits until she gets a new place to live. This time is different though. They finally reach her Aunt Jessie who takes her away and things get really strange from there.

Ada has always had the ability to heal things. She's known it and it's made her stay away from people and be the weirdo. She was left by her mother as a baby with Jessie and for some reason, Jessie put her in the foster care system and because of Ada's antics, not entirely her own fault, she's bounced around a lot. But with Jessie, she learns people want her for her power to heal and will go to any lengths to get her. Jessie has the power to heal as well and they're after her too. There are a lot of chase scenes and separation of Ada and Jessie. But the real power of the story lies in the difference in beliefs between the two. Jessie believes the power to heal is a gift and it's her duty to heal the sick. Ada believes it's almost a curse and that the sick are sick for a reason and that if she heals them, then the Earth will be over populated. As they discuss this at a safe place with a professor who sides with Jessie and they discuss Ada's mother, Ada decides she needs to find her mother. So, in the middle of the night, she runs away.

Over the course of a few weeks, Ada gets her passport and heads to the airport for Paris, the last place anyone has seen her mother. She's wise about getting through security being fifteen and without an adult then meets someone who helps her to learn French and takes her under her wing. Ada has healed a few people out of desire before she left and while she lives with this woman she heals her too. But it's dangerous to heal too many and people come looking for Ada. She escapes and stays with a friend.

She makes friends with kids her own age in Paris and they practice something called "Parkour" where they run for hours, scaling walls and stairs, jumping over things, jumping from building to building, you name it they climb it, jump it, scale it. The first day she's with them she runs for five hours through Paris and doesn't even get tired, but that's because her body heals itself. Through several weeks she and Daniel get closer and they along with their two other Parkour friends Florien (male) and Elaine help her look for her mother.

Running throughout the novel is the underlying fact that Ada is not safe anywhere and neither is anyone close to her. She's always in danger of being caught and the people that want her will use any means to get what they want. I also forgot to mention that some of the people that want her are for their own gain, health and money, making sure only those that can afford it get healed. She isn't free. But she is free in who she uses her healing powers on. And she wants to keep that freedom.

At the end of the novel, which ends with the definite conclusion that there will be sequels, there are questions to consider and a request to answer them on the website http://www.adaslegend.com/ . I looked through them. They are incredibly thought provoking and some, I just couldn't answer. Here's a tough one- Should the betterment of humanity be considered more important than the rights of an individual? Now take a moment to consider- she can heal cancer, paraplegics, diabetes, broken necks, bring people back from the brink of death. She can touch someone and know what's wrong and how to heal them. Should she be forced to do that if she doesn't want to? Put yourself in that position.

I really enjoyed the story in this book. It was interesting, the depths to which Ada thought about what she could do and the thought she put into whether or not to heal someone was of great importance. It's a character driven novel, but there is plenty of action. Parkour is indeed real as described by Wikipedia-

"it is a utilitarian discipline based upon the successful, swift and energy-efficient traversing of one's surrounding environment via the practical application of techniques, based around the concept of self-preservation and the ability to help others." There was a lot of thought and detail in the book, but not too much. There are also a few black and white illustrations in it, some hard to see, others very clear in detail. The final page shows a glowing Ada with the words "THE LEGEND CONTINUES".

So, you want a little thinking with your reading, Ada, Legend of a Healer is the book for you. Want a great story with a little romance, a lot of action and a well thought out plot and main character? Ada, Legend of a Healer is the book for you. It's both and you can take it either way, think about the implications (I found it hard not to) or just read it as a story. I of course left quite a bit out. Didn't want to give away the surprises. But it's a quick read, unless you pause to consider and then you may get stuck for days. This novel could be rewritten with Jessie and Ada thinking opposite ways and it would be a whole new story. So many possibilities. If you answer the questions in the back of the book, give me a shout. I'd like to know.

[Shadow Slayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐. I generally appreciate short books, but this book felt incredibly abrupt. There would be a bit of dialogue and then all the sudden Ada is in Paris. It's like when you skip a page accidentally in a fantasy book and everything's blown up, minus the skipping part. I also didn't really like the ending and wish she Ada could have had a better conclusion. I did enjoy the illustrations though and the premise itself was decent.

[Julie York · Rating 1 out of 5]

ADS Legend of a Healer

I looked into this story and it isn't my mind of story. I don't know why I picked this book to begin with.

[Elsa Carrion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet clean story. I would say the story is geared more for middle school age readers. Had this for a while and I'm glad I've read it. Sometimes it nice just to read something innocent.

[Haley Mathiot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ada has the unique ability of being able to heal anything she touches. Having lived in the foster care system her whole life, she finally gets the opportunity to live with her aunt, Jessie, who is also a healer, and explains her special ability. But Ada and Jessie have different viewpoints on a healer's responsibility, and Ada decides she's had enough. She takes off on her own heading to Paris with only an address and a photograph to attempt to find her mother, who she discovers isn't dead.

There's just one problem: There's a man who wants to find her and use her as his personal fountain of youth.

Reviewing self-published books is a tricky business. There's a wide range of them: the really crappy ones that make the editor inside me want to cry, the mediocre ones that are just missing a story, and then the occasional gem that I'm so glad I managed to get my hands on. I've had one or two other gems: Ada makes the list, and is pretty high up on it.

I loved Ada's story. I read it almost completely in one sitting. I liked Ada, and admired her will power and strength. We didn't see eye to eye on everything, and I thought she was immature and disrespectful at times, but I could still relate to her well enough that I couldn't hate her for it. About halfway through the book, some characters were introduced that I didn't expect to stay in the story, simply because of the way they were brought in. But isn't that the way our lives work? We meet someone and aren't sure if we'll ever really see them again, but they end up as our friends, and sometimes it's someone really special? That was Ada and Daniel. Daniel is going to have to be added to my list of literary crushes. Not only is he good looking, he's a "bad boy" and a sweetheart at the same time. And he's got a delicious smile. And he does Parkour. And he's French.

The writing was clear and descriptive and easy to understand. It wasn't perfect and there were a few irritating sections with poor grammar, but it didn't distract from the overall piece enough to bring down the star rating.

One of the things I really liked was the pacing. Sometimes a book has an interesting plot, but it takes way too long for things to actually happen that you fall asleep, or have to read an entire series just to get the same amount of plot you're looking for in a single novel (coughtwilightcough). The pacing was really fast in Ada, almost to the point where I wished it was just a little slower so I could really concentrate on what Ada was thinking and feeling.

There was one very tiny part that I didn't like. At one point, Ada tries to practice healing herself, so she takes a pair of scissors to her arm. I thought this was completely inappropriate and very risky, because through Ada's interior monologue, it almost seemed to show self-cutting in a good light. Yes she was practicing healing herself and learning to ignore pain, and trying to figure out her power, and Ada thought it through well enough that the reader would understand why she was doing it, but it just seemed bold and risky. Because of that, I wouldn't want young young adults to read it—I feel like it would make them uncomfortable. I also can't help but wonder what kind of influence that will have on young readers.

Scattered through the book were some truly beautiful illustrations. I found myself flipping through them and just staring at them. They have a pen-and-ink with watercolor sort of feel to them: very lose and impressionistic, almost dreamlike, but with wild pen and scratches thrown through to add definition. Here are two of my favorites (very poor quality photos, though, so I apologize ahead of time).

All in all, I was very pleased and excited about Ada: Legend of a Healer, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Content/Recommendation: Some swearing, small reference to self-abuse. Ages 16+

[Alanna (The Flashlight Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had the power to heal, what would you do? Ada is faced with the dilemma in Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald. Growing up in multiple foster homes with people who didn’t understand her or took advantage of her has made Ada somewhat rough around the edges. She has never met her mother or any other living relative. When she exhausts her welcome with her current foster family, Ada’s aunt Jessie comes to the rescue. It’s an odd match, but Ada is thankful for the escape from the foster system.

She quickly learns, however, that Jessie’s life is nothing like what she expected. Living with Jessie means no permanent address, no phone, and no chance of a normal life. Instead, she finds that they are constantly followed and hunted by the deranged Senator Grimes. When she asks Jessie why people are constantly trying to capture them, she learns that Jessie has a unique power. Jessie can heal any sickness with a simple touch. As shocking as this is, it is even more surprising for Ada to learn that she has the power too.

After several narrow escapes and suspenseful chase scenes, Ada arrives in Paris, France looking for her mother, Simone. While in Paris, Ada befriends Madame Jardin. Suddenly, Ada realizes that she wants to heal Madame Jardin’s illness—not because someone is making her, but because she truly wants to do it. With that act, Ada realizes that she does have the power to change someone’s life. Although her time with Madame Jardin is important, meeting Daniel and Uncle Henri end up being the most important events in Ada’s life. With Daniel and his Parkour running group Ada finds true friendship and a sense of belonging. Together, Ada and Daniel set out to find Ada’s mother. Unfortunately, when they find her she is nothing that Ada thought she would be.

If you enjoy fast paced plots, this book certainly has one. There are plenty of chase scenes and narrow escapes to appease the adventure lover. Throughout the book there seems to be an element of subterfuge that never goes away. While the plot is fast paced, it does tend to leave you hanging at the end. Of course, this is because Ada’s story is just beginning. There is an open door for the second installment in this series.

Part of the plot’s lure is the unexpected characters. I wasn’t exactly sure what I expected to find in Ada’s mother—after all the woman abandoned her daughter from birth—but I was certainly surprised. Simone is not at all the loving, warm mother-figure you might expect. I’m not even sure if she was thankful for being rescued. I got the feeling that she has an extreme sense of entitlement, which really makes me dislike her. Adding in her character makes the plot all that more juicy. After all, life is not full of happy endings, so it seems fitting that finding her mother was not Ada’s happy ending.

Not all of the characters are worthy of loathing. In fact, the majority are very enjoyable. Ada is a sardonic teenager. She does not hesitate to lash out with her bitter tongue if the mood strikes her to do so. I personally found her witty and a lot like the teenagers I work with, at least with her attitude towards others. Ada grows as a person during the course of the novel. In the beginning she is untrusting and cold towards most people, but by the end she is defending others and has a sense of connection to Uncle Henri and Daniel and his friends. I enjoyed that she didn’t stay stagnant. Additionally, there is an element of romance between Ada and Daniel (nothing more than a kiss occurs, however). You can feel the tension building between the two, but I don’t feel like it ever went anywhere. It seems that from the beginning Daniel is drawn to Ada—and vice versa—but I never fully understood why. Overall, though, it was a believable match and what seemed like a lack of foundation didn’t bother me.

[Khaliah Camarena · Rating 4 out of 5]

n the book Ada Legend of a Healer I really enjoyed the hyperbole of the book, “her stomach felt like it was pushing up through her throat, but all her focus was on holding her body.” Pg 249 In this quote it’s making me feel very suspenseful to know what’s about to happen next if she escapes or gets caught. Furthermore the conflict in this book was outstanding “The woodcut the wind like a swipe of a helicopter blade.” Pg 58 It truly tells the reader how Ada springs into action trying to protect the cat from the boys abusing it.” Likewise imagery was outstanding, “a long staircase painted as dark as a night sky, the strings of colored lights to guide the way downstairs.” Pg 78 I truly believe this quote captures imagery perfectly, depicting the staircase to be dark and creepy as the night sky. Moving onto imagery once again “the smell of old books and freshly polished wood reminded her of a library.”pg 106 This gives the reader a better sense of where Ada is and what her surroundings smells and looks like. Lastly I enjoyed the use of metaphor in this story pg 81-82 states the quote “the darkness hid the bay making it a black abyss except for a sprinkle of light and the sound of the pushing and pulling of the waves.” This gives the reader a good representation of symbolization. Overall I truly did enjoy this book and my overall rating is 5 stars. I would definitely recommend it to someone who’s into suspense and supernatural books

[Mishel Forte · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.25/5 stars!

I haven’t read a book in one sitting in quite a while. I forgot how it felt to be sucked in by a really great story. I forgot how time seemed to be non-existent and not really matter much. R.A’s writing is simple, clean, and very engaging. And I just love the fact that there are illustrations in the book. I never considered myself a big visual learner or anything but when a book has pictures to go along with the story I always seem to enjoy it better. I just like images to go with what I’m reading about. Of course, good books that can put images in my head from written details win major points with me as well. But back to my point…the illustrations go perfectly with Ada’s story. They are dark yet full of heavy emotions, like Ada herself.

Ada’s had a tough childhood bouncing around different foster homes and dealing with different adults that never took the time to get to know her or really take care of her. It doesn’t really help that Ada’s got a pretty bad attitude about life and isn’t afraid to show it. What really sets her apart from the rest of the world isn’t the way she dresses, the way she talks, or the way she acts…it’s her amazing healing abilities. She’s always been able to heal herself and others and looks upon her gift like a burden.

After getting kicked out of her last foster home Ada’s only hope is her estranged aunt Jessie. Jessie is very mysterious when she’s first introduced but she’s very kind and has a warm personality. After spending some time with Ada Jessie tells her that she is a healer too. She also tells Ada a little bit about her past and Ada soon learns that her mother is in Paris. Ada doesn’t remember much about her mother because she’s been in foster care for so long. After Ada finds out her mother is a healer Ada is determined to find her and more information about who she is. The adventure really begins in Paris when Ada embarks on her journey to find her mother. It’s in France where Ada’s transformation begins. Ada becomes a different person as danger presents itself almost daily and she is forced to come to terms with her healing powers and make them apart of who she is.

I enjoy having to put myself in a character’s shoes and ask myself what I would do in their situation. R.A. provides some really great reading guide questions that really help to open the reader’s mind. At first glance, I would of course love healing abilities. I would probably also be of Jessie’s mind and want to help everyone out with my gift. However, Ada’s attitude about being a healer makes sense to me as well. She doesn’t really resent her abilities so much as she feels she shouldn’t have to be responsible for every sick and hurt person. I know I myself would be torn, wanting to save the entire world but have some semblance of a normal life. It’s really a tough decision and one that I could probably go on and on about…

Ada, Legend of a Healer was not what I expected. It was so much more than just a story of a girl with powers. It highlighted an independent teen facing the world alone with danger and tribulations around every corner. It’s full of fast-paced action, a sweet-budding romance, and a deep underlining message that will get you to question your own beliefs. I’m really looking forward to seeing what R.A. has in store for Ada next.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing this book, I was left with a lot of questions. Not questions necessarily pertaining to the book (though of course there were a few), but mostly questions that the book manages to get you thinking about. Questions about humanity and morality, what is right and wrong, what is freedom and what does that mean?

These questions are what ultimately make this an enjoyable read. Ada is a 15 year old girl who's reached the end of the foster system. Without a stable family life to be raised in, Ada finds it difficult to trust anyone, and is a very easy teen to relate to, content to speak her mind and stand up for herself with the recklessness only teenagers can muster. She's tough and independent and wants nothing more than to find her mother.

When her aunt Jessie surfaces to take her in, she begins learning about the strange ability they share--the ability to heal. I liked Jessie and the guidance she brought but at times everything felt really rushed. Either they were visiting a hospital or trying to find a place to stay. I really would have liked to see them take a breather and just sit down with some tea or something and just talk. Granted, with evil scientists hunting them down to take advantage of their powers it was very hard to let their guards down.

Ada eventually takes the initiative to go to Paris and try to find her mother, and meets some very helpful people as a result. Her ability to heal comes out to a few people and she takes the time and care to demonstrate it to them. A nice part of the book was feeling the gratitude coming from those she healed, old and young. They were confused at first but ultimately saw what she had done for them as an amazing gift and did what they could to help Ada along her journey.

The ending I was expecting was definitely not what happened, but it clearly demonstrated how far Ada had come and all that she had learned and how she grew into herself, really. Like the back of the book says, "she realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping." And Ada has shown she is very good on both of those fronts.

What I also loved about this book were the illustrations. There was one picture per chapter, and they weren't in colour or overly detailed, but beautiful all the same and added another element to the story. Butterflies seemed to be a theme throughout, which I take to mean change, growth and freedom, perfectly fitting.

On a final note, while I did enjoy reading this book, there was one thing that did hinder my reading, and that was the editing. There were quite a few grammatical errors, and while they don't take away from the story, for a grammar freak like me it became a bit distracting.

Bottom Line

Ada is a great coming of age story that follows a young girl as she searches for her mother and grows as a person along the way. There are numerous questions raised about her ability and what it could mean for humanity at large and they only draw you in more as a reader, to question your own beliefs, and root for Ada in her journey.

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[DJL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog, Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes

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???

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ada's lived her entire life in the foster system, knowing she has a gift, but is convinced it's more of a curse than anything else. After pulling her last stunt and being caught, Ada is fifteen and past the age that people and her caseworker can simply overlook her childish rebellion. It's either time for her to stay in a home for kids that can't be placed in stable homes, or she goes to Aunt Jessie, her mother's best friend. The two share similar gifts, but Ada resents hers until her unique ability is brought to light and the extent of her power is revealed. Now her gift is a fight between life and death, and the life hanging in the balance is her own.

I have to say this is a first for me. Healers in YA fiction is a nice, refreshing twist on magic and the paranormal, and it was truly a pleasure to lose myself in a world so vastly different than those I've seen. R.A. McDonald has created a world within Ada - Legend of a Healer that's dark and grim, all the while perfectly merging a delicate balance of human nature, the struggle to find oneself and a trippy world where Ada's gift has more than just the power to heal. With intricate details and clever artwork peppering the pages, Ada - Legend of a Healer was a rich world that one can easily lose themselves within.

I didn't know what to expect from Ada, herself, when I started the book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite, or in spite of, her incredible gift, Ada is very much a normal teenager within Ada - Legend of a Healer. She's lived a difficult life outside of her gift, and her gift simply amplifies her struggle. Jessie was also a remarkable character. There were moments that I thought I knew her and loved her, and there were times I wanted to strangle her. Throughout it all though, it was apparent that she was doing the best she could, in her own way, to help Ada. The multiple settings, the search for Ada's mother, and the desperate desire to be someone Ada could come to terms with all made Ada - Legend of a Healer poignant and powerful. The only thing I would have specifically changed in the book was to have fleshed out the climax a bit more. I felt it was a bit rushed.

It's rare that I come across a book that so pleasantly surprises me, especially when the cover isn't my favourite (I'm a cover slut...it's no secret). I give Ada - Legend of a Healer a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to the YA audience, particularly those who enjoy paranormal stories.


I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

[Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Ada Legend of a Healer is a compelling, interesting, and well-paced story that follows a 15 year old girl and her struggle with a power she never realized she possessed. Ada is young and jaded and it shows. She doesn’t trust people easily, including Jessie, the closest thing to family she has ever had. Her back and forth feelings regarding Jessie are a bit annoying, but easy to understand. Once Ada begins to accept her ‘gift’ more, she really grows and her morals develop a great deal.

The story starts off a bit slow, but once it picks up, the pace moves swiftly and the story behind Ada’s mother’s disappearance really picks up. Ada’s insistence that the sick are sick and the hurt get hurt for a reason is a little sad, but I got it. She’s only one person and she doesn’t see how much of a difference she can make, and even if she should try to make a difference. Her life has been hard, without a family or a mother, but seeing her open up and let others in is worth it.

Ada’s time in Paris is a nice change, both in setting and in her character. For a while, she’s happy. The kindness of strangers lets her loosen up and be young. Madame Jardin is the sweetest lady and Ada’s new Parkour buddies swept me off my feet. It’s an adrenaline rush to go along with Ada and Daniel as they run through the streets of Paris. Ada’s experiences with healing become more and more intense, but I would have liked to see more consequence to action. It doesn’t take anything out of Ada to heal, unless she’s fighting to stay conscious because of an injury. Aside from that, the healing is handled with care and I descriptions even seem realistic.

Ada Legend of a Healer is an interesting take on a relatively common theme. The story is made that much more unique because of R.A. McDonald’s take on Ada’s gift and the dark illustrations scattered throughout. The story starts slow, but picks up quickly and leaves off with quite the cliffhanger. I sure hope a sequel is in the works because I’m ready to see where Ada’s story goes next.

Opening line: Usually an indoor plant will bend and twist to find the direction with the most sun, but not the plant in Ada’s room. ~ pg. 1

Favorite lines: “I know you know the difference between right and wrong. If someone slips and falls in front of you, would you help them up or just walk away?”
“Depends on the person,” Ada retorted. ~ pg. 50

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ada is a very troubled young girl with a gift even she doesn't realize she has until her mother's friend fills her in. Ada has always been able to see other people's illnesses and maladies but didn't know that her touch could heal them. I'm not sure how you could make it 15 years before realizing that your touch heals people, but as I got the impression that none of her homes are particularly loving I suppose that she wasn't touching many people.


I felt that McDonald got into the mind of a teenage girl fairly well. Especially a troubled teen. When Ada learns she can heal, her 'aunt' insists that they have an obligation to help people. In what I feel is fairly typical teenage behavior, Ada rebels against this idea. She's not about to do anything she doesn't want to do, be it out of obligation or force. It doesn't make her a bad person, in fact, most of the time she's willing to help out those around her without being asked but, being a teenager she just wants to feels as though she had a choice in the matter.


When Ada gets to Paris in an effort to find her long lost mother, she takes a small detour in her search to delve into the world of parkour after seeing a group of teenagers practicing this in an alley. At first I found it strange that after coming all this way and being so intent on finding her mother she would throw that aside to run around on building with a cute guy. The Ada I'd come to know up to that point wasn't the type to lose her focus over a guy so I found it strange. That is until she expressed a desire to learn so that she could always get away from the people who are hunting her in an effort to use her power for personal gain. Then it made a bit more sense.


All in all, despite not being my usual type of book, I found it to be an enjoyable YA story, accentuated by the artwork that is inserted randomly through the book. (It's been a minute since I read a book with pictures that wasn't geared towards my children.) In fact, as I read I kept thinking it was a book that my 13 year old niece and many other teens would likely enjoy.

[Britney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest, I really am not a fan of this cover. I know it's wrong to judge a book by it's cover but I was still hesitant in reading this because of it. I'm so happy I got past my own first judgments because I really enjoyed this book. Within the book were also other drawings that fit scenes, which was different and interesting, but I still think I'd prefer a different cover. The book definitely needs some editing (a tad irksome but that might be because I'm an anal English major) but even that didn't hinder my desire to keep reading.

Ada, as you learn from the book description, has the power to heal people but she sees it more as a curse because of the situations she keeps finding herself in. She is on the run from the government and cruel doctors and a future with no freedom. But she also meets people she learns to care about after living her life distancing herself from foster families and ever-changing schools. And she learns more about herself and what she wants from her own life in the fast-paced and exciting journey she takes off on.

I found Ada as a refreshingly strong female character. She was tough, resilient, and didn't need someone else to take care of her. And I loved that she could stick up for herself and was extremely loyal to those she loved and who loved her. She was the girl you'd want to become friends with, and not just because she could heal you from everything (from scraps and bruises to cancer).

I also loved how I was always interested in what was happening. There was excitement and conflict and you were left exclaiming at the book or biting your nails. I was never left wondering "What was the point of that?" or feeling bored. There were so many great scenes and I loved rooting for Ada and feeling as though the story was in McDonald's capable hands. I think with a different cover and some editing this book could definitely sell itself.

www.ieatwords.com

[Cynthia Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroic Healer's Engaging Story

There's a lot to love in this fast-paced novel about a young teenage girl whose healing abilities provide her with both tremendous opportunities and challenges, as she embarks on a quest to track down her mother. Ada's journey has a sense of urgency to it, as she breaks free from her aunt's care to take off from Canada to France, keeping a low profile so as to not attract attention of those who seek to harness Ada's healing powers greedily for their own. While much of Ada's antisocial behavior at first seems a bit unusual, her history of having been moved from foster home to foster home help explain why she has learned to look after herself in a world where others seldom truly look after her.

This book's interesting illustrations and simple vocabulary make it ideal for young readers who feel different than their peers. Ada is an empowering heroine who rises to meet any and all setbacks. Ada's avid interest and dedicated commitment to learning new skills set an excellent example of a young woman who is smart, strong, and compassionate. Many of Ada's deepest conflicts have to do with coming to terms with how she sees herself in relation to others in the world, as she frequently wonders about just how responsible she ought to be when blessed as she is with the power to heal anyone of any ailment.

I know a book is wonderful when I read it straight through, and have trouble putting it down, and Ada: Legend of a Healer is a page-turner! This book deeply touches my heart, as it addresses feelings that a young woman would have of wondering how best to fit into a world full of people who would seek to possess or control those who have gifts to heal. This story has such a strong ring of truth to it that I frequently found myself feeling that this is a true story about a girl I'd really love to meet.

Highly recommended for readers of all ages!