Living in the orphanage, introspective young Gabriel Nunez is deemed autistic by others but the truth is he’s in constant distress. He hears a voice, a powerful presence, that controls him and gives him power that he can use by touch. Even though he fears and doesn’t trust this presence, he finds it hard to resist and wonders at the things that it has showed him so far. His roommate, Joshua Fellows, knows his secret and becomes his confidant. However, Gabriel is not the only special child as there are others like him with powers that are capable of changing the world.

The Touch (A Supernatural Story, Part I) by Robert E. Flynn III has a unique story premise with a fascinating biblical supernatural element. The good versus evil conflict leans towards the one that exists in humanity, reflecting the terrible happenings in the world today and how justice is achieved through the protagonists' actions. I gravitated towards Alabama, Gabriel, and Joshua right away. I’m also fascinated with Maral's and Abdul’s part of the story, where their hard lives in their own country and their efforts to seek a better future are realistically depicted. Even though I was only drawn to several main characters, I found their roles to be well developed. On the other hand, the way the dialogue is delivered and the twist in the plot may surprise some readers. The Touch is no doubt an intriguing read.

The Touch: A Supernatural Story – Part I by Robert Flynn III is a beautifully written urban fantasy that will enthrall readers who enjoy characters with supernatural gifts. Gabriel has no recollection of his parents. Living in an orphanage in Austin, he exhibits signs of autism, but there is more to him that is hidden beneath the autism. He has never known love, but there is a presence in him that empowers him with unusual energy, one he can transmit through touch. While he doesn’t trust this presence, the voice that has spoken within him has been the only thing close to real love that he has ever known. He develops a connection with another orphan, Joshua Fellows, and their friendship helps Gabriel to grow his confidence, eventually accepting his gift. But where does it lead them?

While The Touch is a tale with supernatural happenings, it is skillfully written and filled with realism and humanity. Gabriel was, of course, my best character. One watches as he struggles with the presence that invades his life and feels compassion for him, but the young character eventually develops a connection with someone who seems to understand him. The narrative is emotionally rich and I enjoyed how the author developed the psychological aspects of the conflict. The characters are filled with humanity and the setting in an orphanage in Austin, Texas is well handled. The author uses this world to create characters that reflect the reality of orphans. There are other supporting and interesting characters like Clara and Big Jim that readers will want to know. Robert Flynn III keeps readers engaged from page to page with chapters filled with focused scenes and by ending each chapter with something intriguing that has the reader wanting more.

The Touch: A Supernatural Story — Part I by Robert Flynn III is a paranormal novel exploring what it means to be different. Gabriel is an orphan, with no memory of his parents. Now living in an orphanage in Austin, Texas, he experiences a strange, powerful presence that imbues him with great power, one that he can communicate through touch. But the experience is overwhelming, filling his heart with a deep sense of awe and excitement. While this presence can sometimes be a great companion in times of loneliness, it is also a cause for anxiety. Feigning autism doesn’t help much. When Gabriel develops a friendship with Joshua Fellows, a boy who hasn’t known much love in his life, they set out on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they harness this power and use it for the common good, to heal, or will it break them?

Robert Flynn III writes about very powerful themes, allowing readers to get to know the characters and gain powerful insights of what it feels like to be an orphan. The themes of loneliness and friendship are beautifully explored, and while there is a supernatural angle at the heart of the narrative, the author makes the characters believable. They are real in their anxiety, in their hidden pain, and in their quest for meaningful connections. The Touch: A Supernatural Story — Part I features beautiful prose and writing that is insightful and descriptive at the same time. Conflict is developed at multiple levels, but the psychological underpinnings of the novel, and the message that each of us are deeply loved in ways we don’t even understand, caught my attention. I enjoyed the transition that Gabriel makes from being a loner to finding friendship and to accepting a gift he barely understands.