I unfortunately forgot to download the e-book on my kindle before it was archived and/or lost interest in the book because it’s been on my tbr for way too long, so I wasn’t able to read and review it (on time). Since I Must give a star rating, I’ve given it 3 stars to stay neutral/in the middle. Sorry to the publisher for not having gotten around to actually read it.

The book blurb for The Touch makes it sound like this is just a story about a child named Gabriel. Interested readers should be aware that this isn't just about Gabriel, but other children are brought in as well. All their stories are related and revolve around this concept of the children being given a special gift by some higher power and to serve a higher purpose in their lives. While the author could have taken a heavily religious approach to telling their stories, they did not. I had a hard time remembering that it was children being portrayed in the stories. I found the concept (again, which I liked) behind the stories repetitive. It wasn't clear to me that it was necessary to have to include all the stories in such details to get to the same point. Interesting concept overall, but felt it could have been carried out a bit better.

The Touch chronicles the story of young Gabriel and his friend Joshua. Both live at an orphanage. They have some peculiarities, such as Gabriel having an "imaginary friend" and hearing a voice in his head speak to him since he was an infant, which is why no one has offered to adopt them. People always feel uncomfortable around Gabriel, though they can't explain it. He and his friend Joshua have submerge these voices, but as they start to embrace them, they find some supernatural abilities starting to emerge, and that they are to find others such as themselves.

The Touch follows Gabriel and Joshua, and other children like them in other parts of the world, who are being called to unite for a common purpose. It is unclear who these voices are, and what their goals may be, but as events unfold, a common thread begins to reveal itself. The voices seem to be helping the children, but why do they all feel so uncomfortable with the presence speaking to them?

I found the book to be an interesting take on the subject of supernatural beings, angels and demons, and such. The novel is in stark contrast to their Biblical portrayal, but it is a fiction after all, and an entertaining read nonetheless. I did find the complex dialogue and ruminations of the children far fetched and a bit much, which took away from the story in my opinion, but their is an admirable theme of children banding together and defeating their oppressors. What we don't know until the end, is if it is in the service of good or a Faustian deal.

Thank you so much to booksgosocial via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of the touch by Robert Flynn.

Gabriel is an orphan and considered autistic because he hears voices. He is not autistic...
The touch was thought provoking and a unique twist on Gabriel the angel.
You want to go into this book not knowing anything because we follow this seemingly useless child that turns out to be amazing.

I downloaded the book for review as it intrigued me seeing as I have always enjoyed reading supernatural stories. This has to be one of the very few books that I’ve not managed to get hooked into and have found myself unable to finish reading it.

The story seems very disjointed with too many complex sub-stories which hadn’t joined up cohesively after reading more than 50% of the book. I am very disappointed that I cannot bring myself to finish reading it and as such I am unable to provide a comprehensive review.