The first book in Maria V. Snyder's Study Series, Poison Study is a fantastic read that you will not want to put down. :-D
Poison Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Stolen from her home at a young age, Yalena was taken to Ixia where she was thrown into experimen
ts - at first harmless tests of her magical ability. Magic is forbidden in Ixia, but in the home of General Brazell - he took in orphan children that had magical abilities. As Yalena became older, she realized that Brazell was not a fatherly figure, his tests turning into tortures until she was given up on. Brazell let his sadestic son - Reyad - have her and she killed him in self-defense.
Yalena has committed murder and the law calls for anyone found guilty - whether in self-defense, by accident, or on purpose - to be hung. Yet, Yalena finds herself in a position that she can't refuse. Instead of choosing the noose, she could elect to become the Commander's food taster - not knowing when she could be poisoned to death, but able to live longer. Yalena chooses life, but will she regret it?
I actually read this book a few years back and never continued on with the series although I had meant to. Even back then I fell in love with this book. Yalena is a strong young woman, mentally and later, with training, physically. She has gone through some horrible travesties - torture, rape, and other horrors.
The character of Valek - the spymaster and man in charge of the food taster - both intrigues and scares Yalena when they first meet. I love the complexity of his character and the way their interactions change over the course of their working together. There are more character, both good and evil, thrown into the story that move it along in such complete harmony that I couldn't put it down - even for a second time.
The fighting sequences and plot line guide the story along with great descriptions and twists. Maria is a fantastic writer and I can't believe I didn't continue on with the series when I had first read it. I'm glad that I have now seen the light.
5/5 Roses
Read chapter 1 of Poison Study over on Maria V. Snyder's website.
Leave a comment and add a #giveaway and get an extra point for the Maria V. Snyder Giveaway!
by Maria V. Snyder
Stolen from her home at a young age, Yalena was taken to Ixia where she was thrown into experimen
ts - at first harmless tests of her magical ability. Magic is forbidden in Ixia, but in the home of General Brazell - he took in orphan children that had magical abilities. As Yalena became older, she realized that Brazell was not a fatherly figure, his tests turning into tortures until she was given up on. Brazell let his sadestic son - Reyad - have her and she killed him in self-defense.Yalena has committed murder and the law calls for anyone found guilty - whether in self-defense, by accident, or on purpose - to be hung. Yet, Yalena finds herself in a position that she can't refuse. Instead of choosing the noose, she could elect to become the Commander's food taster - not knowing when she could be poisoned to death, but able to live longer. Yalena chooses life, but will she regret it?
I actually read this book a few years back and never continued on with the series although I had meant to. Even back then I fell in love with this book. Yalena is a strong young woman, mentally and later, with training, physically. She has gone through some horrible travesties - torture, rape, and other horrors.
The character of Valek - the spymaster and man in charge of the food taster - both intrigues and scares Yalena when they first meet. I love the complexity of his character and the way their interactions change over the course of their working together. There are more character, both good and evil, thrown into the story that move it along in such complete harmony that I couldn't put it down - even for a second time.
The fighting sequences and plot line guide the story along with great descriptions and twists. Maria is a fantastic writer and I can't believe I didn't continue on with the series when I had first read it. I'm glad that I have now seen the light.
5/5 Roses
Read chapter 1 of Poison Study over on Maria V. Snyder's website.
Leave a comment and add a #giveaway and get an extra point for the Maria V. Snyder Giveaway!
I LOVE Poison Study! It is my favorite installment of the trilogy! I really need to read Storm Glass though... Maria V. Snyder is an amazing author!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love, love, LOVED Poison Study. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it too. I am hoping that I will be able to read Snyder's Glass series sometime soon, myself.
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read this but it is now on my TBR list. In fact I think it is now at the top of my TBR list!!
ReplyDeletealiciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
This book sounds tragic and wonderful. How had I never even heard of it? I would love to read it!
ReplyDeletezedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com
This looks like a wonderful story. I love authors who can combine an exciting plot and action with excellent character development.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so good! Thanks for the preview link too - awesome! A book that can't be put down even during its second reading is for sure fabulous...
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that I picked up solely on the inspiration of bloggers and the very unique premise! I was not disappointed and am now a Snyder fanatic.
ReplyDeleteOh, I meant to add #giveaway as well - oops!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Poison Studfy but now I will. Your review made me want to go out and buy it right now.
ReplyDeleteclenna at aol dot com
Sounds very interesting. I haven't heard of this author.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my all time favorite books, Maria at her best!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the Study books, but I'm very intrigued by your review. I'll add #giveaway because you said to!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book. I will have to add it to my list. Thanx!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading the Study series; just started book 1 in the Glass series. I'm not sure I understood but I'm adding #giveaway for extra entry..i think, lol
ReplyDeleteiroquois.girl@yahoo.com
I don't know how I've not read this series yet! You're reviews are making me want to read it so bad! I love reviews where you can tell someone really enjoyed the story that was told, like this one :)
ReplyDelete#giveaway