Book Review by Aarene Storms: Lips Touch Three Times

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor, illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo

Three stories of supernatural love, each of which pivots around a single kiss.

In the first story, a dead grandmother might be the only one who can save Kizzy from the seductive promises of the goblins. The second story features an old woman who makes a demonic deal to save the lives of children, and agrees to allow a newborn baby to take on a curse to bind the deal ... a curse that the child contains until she grows up and falls in love. The third story is a tale of mothers, children, and a fey and magical race called the Druj.

What took me so long to read this book? I suppose that somehow I thought it was "just another kissing book", maybe with a vampire in it. It is not just another kissing book. The tales are dark, enticing, and entrancing, with hints of longing and a hope (but not a promise) of salvation that will draw readers into each story, beautifully illustrated in shades of red and grey. As soon as I finished reading it, I knew three people with whom I wanted to share it.

Rating:

Highly recommended for ages 14 to adult; minimal cussing, some implied violence (including very muted and off-page sexual violence) and three profoundly significant kisses.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern 

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS