The "Study" Series by Maria V. Snyder
My first book review in ages...and it's going to be on a series. The "Study" series is written by Maria V. Snyder and I came across it at the bookstore before I went on vacation (and finally bought them last week and finished reading yesterday). The series is completed, and there are three books in it: Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study.
This was one of the most delightful series I've had the pleasure to read. The main character, Yelena, is presented with a choice: be executed for the murder she had committed or serve as the Commander's food tester.
Although being the food tester could mean a sudden, unexpected, and possibly painful death, Yelena takes up the offer and is moved from the dungeon and into service.
Poison Study
The first book focuses mainly on her time at the Commander's castle, learning about poisons from Valek, the Commander's top assassin, adviser, and leader of their spy network. In the meantime, she also comes to realize there is something different about her - namely that she is privy to magic. Magic, however, is banned in Ixia (the land she is in) since the Commander's takeover. She has to keep this part of her secret while continuing her training and, at one point, even is targeted to be killed by magicians from the bordering country of Sitia (which embraces magic) for being unpredictable and dangerous due to her lack of training in magic.
There is also something strange going on within Ixia and Yelena is, of course, right in the middle of it. The father of the man she killed is out for revenge, but he begins to back off a little and the Commander starts acting strange.
My thoughts? Like I said earlier, I really enjoyed the entire series. I will say that I would have liked more interaction between Yelena and her love interest. But then again, that would have made things a lot more predictable, so I can't blame the author for giving us mere glimpses of their time together.
Magic Study
The second book begins with Yelena in Sitia, and she is reunited with her family - namely her parents and brother. Unfortunately, her brother is ticked off at her for disappearing when she was little, so he makes things a lot harder for her.
Not to mention, she's expected at the Magician's Keep to begin her proper training as a magician so she doesn't ruin the power blanket by pulling too much power (since she's a novice and all). At the same time, girls end up missing around the country and it is discovered that there is a magician doing blood magic to increase his power source.
Yelena, once again, is in the middle of the situation, and her new-found powers - which are different from that of the others - make her a target for the dark magician.
My thoughts? Damn it, where's her boyfriend??? (Haha...yeah, I crave the romantic aspect of it. Clearly my priorities are awry.) The author puts a nice and unique twist on magic; most of the powers mentioned are different from other books I've read, so that was great. I fell in love with Yelena's horse - Kiki - because she's very stubborn and cryptic in her thoughts. (In case you're wondering, Yelena can connect to Kiki's mind and exchanges thoughts. Very amusing stuff, that.)
Fire Study
Ah, the final book! I was happy and sad to see the series finish. Sad because...it was finished. Happy because the author did not drag the series out and make it a bore.
Yelena is coming to terms with the fact that she's a Soulfinder - a type of magician that people regard warily because they have the power to bring dead people back to life - and a past enemy is past on the prowl (as of the previous book).
However, a surprise is in store for everyone when they realize just who is out wrecking havoc on the country...and their reason why.
My thoughts? I totally did not see the ending coming. And by ending, I mean the villain's identity. And because I didn't predict the ending - which is maybe because I have no skills in deduction - I absolutely love this series.
But seriously, I WANT MORE ROMANCE! *sigh*
Conclusion: If you're a fan of Queen of Glass (by S.J.Maas on FictionPress) you'll most likely enjoy this series as much as I did! It's a great series, with a lot of fun characters and unique twists...the humour was great (with great timing)...the writing was impeccable...what more can I say (or ask for)?
Read the books and let me know what you think! ;)
~ Rebekah ~
This was one of the most delightful series I've had the pleasure to read. The main character, Yelena, is presented with a choice: be executed for the murder she had committed or serve as the Commander's food tester.
Although being the food tester could mean a sudden, unexpected, and possibly painful death, Yelena takes up the offer and is moved from the dungeon and into service.
Poison Study
The first book focuses mainly on her time at the Commander's castle, learning about poisons from Valek, the Commander's top assassin, adviser, and leader of their spy network. In the meantime, she also comes to realize there is something different about her - namely that she is privy to magic. Magic, however, is banned in Ixia (the land she is in) since the Commander's takeover. She has to keep this part of her secret while continuing her training and, at one point, even is targeted to be killed by magicians from the bordering country of Sitia (which embraces magic) for being unpredictable and dangerous due to her lack of training in magic.
There is also something strange going on within Ixia and Yelena is, of course, right in the middle of it. The father of the man she killed is out for revenge, but he begins to back off a little and the Commander starts acting strange.
My thoughts? Like I said earlier, I really enjoyed the entire series. I will say that I would have liked more interaction between Yelena and her love interest. But then again, that would have made things a lot more predictable, so I can't blame the author for giving us mere glimpses of their time together.
Magic Study
The second book begins with Yelena in Sitia, and she is reunited with her family - namely her parents and brother. Unfortunately, her brother is ticked off at her for disappearing when she was little, so he makes things a lot harder for her.
Not to mention, she's expected at the Magician's Keep to begin her proper training as a magician so she doesn't ruin the power blanket by pulling too much power (since she's a novice and all). At the same time, girls end up missing around the country and it is discovered that there is a magician doing blood magic to increase his power source.
Yelena, once again, is in the middle of the situation, and her new-found powers - which are different from that of the others - make her a target for the dark magician.
My thoughts? Damn it, where's her boyfriend??? (Haha...yeah, I crave the romantic aspect of it. Clearly my priorities are awry.) The author puts a nice and unique twist on magic; most of the powers mentioned are different from other books I've read, so that was great. I fell in love with Yelena's horse - Kiki - because she's very stubborn and cryptic in her thoughts. (In case you're wondering, Yelena can connect to Kiki's mind and exchanges thoughts. Very amusing stuff, that.)
Fire Study
Ah, the final book! I was happy and sad to see the series finish. Sad because...it was finished. Happy because the author did not drag the series out and make it a bore.
Yelena is coming to terms with the fact that she's a Soulfinder - a type of magician that people regard warily because they have the power to bring dead people back to life - and a past enemy is past on the prowl (as of the previous book).
However, a surprise is in store for everyone when they realize just who is out wrecking havoc on the country...and their reason why.
My thoughts? I totally did not see the ending coming. And by ending, I mean the villain's identity. And because I didn't predict the ending - which is maybe because I have no skills in deduction - I absolutely love this series.
But seriously, I WANT MORE ROMANCE! *sigh*
Conclusion: If you're a fan of Queen of Glass (by S.J.Maas on FictionPress) you'll most likely enjoy this series as much as I did! It's a great series, with a lot of fun characters and unique twists...the humour was great (with great timing)...the writing was impeccable...what more can I say (or ask for)?
Read the books and let me know what you think! ;)
~ Rebekah ~