Fantasy books are filled with exciting stories about warriors, mages, kings, queens and more. Less frequent, however, are stories that feature healers as heroes or heroines.
Are you curious to know what great novels shine the spotlight on these unique protagonists? If so, here’s a list for you!
Here are 5 wonderful fantasy books about healers:
- Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
- The Emissary by Kristal Shaff
- The Shifter by Janice Hardy
- The Whisper of Leaves by K. S. Nikaikis
- Foundation by Mercedes Lackey
I’ve included book descriptions, readers’ ratings and summaries of positive and negative comments for each one of the books in this list below.
But if you’d prefer a quick summary, here’s a comparison chart.
Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
Description
Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honoured for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince, the leader of a campaign against her people.
As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.14
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
First on our list of fantasy books about healers is Touch of Power. This novel delighted fans predominantly through its rich world-building and compelling protagonist, Avry.
These readers mentioned how vividly drawn the book’s scenes were, each completely transporting them into its pages. In addition, they described the world itself as layered and multifaceted, yet all of this came across in just the right amount of detail.
As for Avry, fans described her as a character they couldn’t help but like. She struck them as brave, kind and selfless, a protagonist who would take risks to help others yet also stand up for herself and her convictions.
Negative Comments
What did critics say? In general, these readers named Avry as well as the romance between her and Kerrick as their reasons for disliking Touch of Power.
The two are related to one another: early on, Kerrick slaps Avry because she refuses to heal someone important to him. These readers not only thought that a romance between the two of them was inappropriate, but didn’t find their relationship’s transition from abusive to loving convincing. As such, they perceived it as abusive and lost respect for Avry for engaging in it.
The Emissary by Kristal Shaff
Description
Six rare powers govern the land of Adamah. Possessing one demands entrance to the king’s army. To refuse means a traitorous death.
For hundreds of years, dark clouds covered the skies of Adamah, and an ageless king ruled. Those who emerged with one of six extraordinary Shay powers were forced into the king’s army, an unmatched force with inhuman Strength, Speed, Accuracy, Perception, Empathy, and Healing. With the army behind him, the king—a man who wields all six abilities—was invincible and unquestioned in his rule.
To most, serving the king was an honor. But for others, it was a fate worse than death. When seventeen-year-old Nolan Trividar witnesses the transformation of his brother from kind to cruel after entering the king’s army, he vows never to follow the same path.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Second on our list of fantasy books about headers is The Emissary. This story captured readers’ imaginations through its breakneck pace and its well-defined characters.
Fans praised the book for plot, which hurdled from adventure to adventure. Along the way, it had plenty of twists and turns while also developing the characters and their relationships with one another.
In particular, readers mentioned that each character had a distinct personality that gave readers something unique to enjoy. Seeing the characters interact with one another was both convincing and engaging.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t enjoy The Emissary, what did they say about it?
For the most part, readers focused on the middle of the book. They mentioned that while the beginning of the story started off electrifying, the novel slowed down afterward and made it difficult for them to still feel engaged.
The Shifter by Janice Hardy
Description
A dangerous secret. A deadly skill.
Nya is an orphan struggling for survival in a city crippled by war. She is also a Taker — with her touch, she can heal injuries, pulling pain from another person into her own body.
But unlike her sister, Tali, and the other Takers who become Healers, Nya’s skill is flawed: she can’t push that pain into pynvium, the enchanted metal used to store it.
All she can do is shift it into another person, a dangerous skill that she must keep hidden. If discovered, she could be used as a human weapon.
But one day Nya pushes her luck too far and exposes her secret to a pain merchant eager to use her shifting ability for his own sinister purposes. She refuses — until Tali and other League Healers start disappearing mysteriously. Now Nya must decide: How far will she go to get Tali back alive?
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.83
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Next on our list of fantasy books about healers is The Shifter. Aside from its unique concept, this novel dazzled fans with its fast pace, likable protagonist and exploration of moral quandaries.
Several mentioned the plot kept them guessing, taking twists and turns that kept readers riveted. Moreover, they enjoyed that Nya was a blend of both tough and compassionate, a character that immediately had them caring about her and her struggles.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t enjoy The Shifter, what did they say? Overall, critics tended to say that either the plot or the characters felt simplistic.
For instance, in terms of the plot, they mentioned that the storyline came across to them as the characters moving from one crisis to another. After a while, they thought the book was one-note.
The Whisper of Leaves by K. S. Nikaikis
Description
Book One in this enthralling fantasy series tells the story of Kira, Tremen healer and leader, as she struggles with the aftermath of deadly attacks on her people by their neighbors the Shargh.
In seasons long past, twin gold-eyed princes sundered a kingdom. Rejecting his twin brother’s warrior ways, Kasheron established a community deep in the southern forests.
Forgotten by the outside world and protected by the forests of Allogrenia, Kasheron’s Tremen community has flourished, with his legacy of peace and healing still upheld generations on.
But now the forest has been breached by hostile intruders. Death and bloodshed follow, testing the skills even of Kira — the greatest of all Tremen healers, and a leader to her people. As the attacks upon the Tremen become more violent, Kira is faced with a terrible dilemma — should she stay and risk the annihilation of her community, or set out on a perilous journey north to seek aid from their long-lost warrior kin?
With its beautifully drawn world, fast-paced plot, and wonderful characters, this adventure heralds the arrival of a dazzling new talent on the fantasy landscape.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of fantasy books about healers is The Whisper of Leaves. This novel swept readers into its world primarily through its fascinating concepts and snappy pacing.
Fans mentioned how intriguing the story was, saying that the village setting was not only rare in the fantasy genre, but that it came to life through the book’s evocative descriptions.
Combined with action, adventure and more, The Whisper of Leaves was a potent blend of welcome story elements, all told in the fast pace. Fans eagerly turned the pages, wanting to know what would happen next.
Negative Comments
What did critics say? For the most part, if readers didn’t enjoy The Whisper of Leaves, they said the book confused them because it used fantasy names for several objects that exist in real life. Because they thought this happened too often, these readers were frustrated.
Foundation by Mercedes Lackey
Description
Mags had been working at the Pieters’s mine, slaving in the dark, cold seams, looking for sparklies, for as long as he could remember. The children who worked the mine were orphans, kids who had been abandoned, who had lost their parents, or were generally unwanted. But Mags was different.
Mags was “Bad Blood,” because his parents were bandits who had been killed in a raid by the Royal Guard. “Bad Blood” because he’d been found in a cradle in the bandits’s camp. Blood so bad that no one had wanted to take him in except Cole Pieters.
When he was big enough to see over the sides of the sluices he had gone to work at the mine. Mags knew nothing of the world beyond the mine, and was unaware of how unusual his paltry existence was. Then some strangers on huge white horses forced their way past the Pieters family and carried him away to Haven to become a Herald Trainee.
Suddenly the whole world opened up for him. He was warm and well fed for the first time in his life, and he had Dallen, his Companion, who seemed more miraculous than an angel. But the world of the Collegium was not all heavenly.
There was political upheaval in Valdemar’s capital, for the court had been infiltrated by foreign “diplomats,” who seemed to be more interested in seeding discontent than in actual diplomacy…and Mags seemed to be the only one who’d noticed.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 4.01
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Last on our list of fantasy books about healers is Foundation by Mercedes Lackey. This story enchanted fans, stirring their emotions through its immersive world and endearing protagonist, Mags.
In terms of healing, readers described one of the main supporting characters as having strong healing-based skills.
Overall, fans praised the novel for its characters’ depth, saying that the characters seemed so real that readers felt transported alongside them. Others said that Mags’ perspective made them appreciate the simple things in life, especially as he discovers them for the first time.
In general, fans described Foundation as perfect for those looking for a warm, feel-good book to read.
Negative Comments
What did Foundation‘s critics say?
These readers pointed to either its plot or its ending. They frequently said that the book focused too heavily on character development and this caused its plot to meander. By the time they reached the end, critics thought it seemed rushed.
5 Wonderful Fantasy Books About Healers You Must Read
How Do These Fantasy Novels Compare?
5 Wonderful Fantasy Books About Healers You Must Read
- Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
- The Emissary by Kristal Shaff
- The Shifter by Janice Hardy
- The Whisper of Leaves by K. S. Nikaikis
- Foundation by Mercedes Lackey
Related: 12 Fantasy Books With Interesting Magic Systems to Read
