#43 Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
In this review, there are spoiler for the end of Storm Glass, so I'm putting it under a cut.
Opal Cowan is a one trick wonder no more. Her glass magic is now powerful enough to drain an opponent of all of their magic. This ability terrifies the council, who see Opal as a potentiality dangerous weapon. Opal chaffs under their distrust. She is even more disgusted when no one, not even her family and friends, believes her about her encounter with Devlen, who has stolen her friend Ulrick's body through blood magic. Opal is determined to save Ulrick, and gain control back over her life, but this seems impossible when even some of her closest friends refuse to take her seriously.
Sea Glass is the second book in the Glass trilogy, and the fifth book to take place in this universe. I can't help but admire Snyder's ability to write a flat out enjoyable story. Her books are so easy to read without being overly simplistic, and you just fly through the pages. I know that some people are less fond of Opal's books then they are of the Study series, but I find that I enjoy both trilogies in their own way. We see Opal go through a lot of changes in Sea Glass. Between the first and the second book in the trilogy, Opal has been betrayed, lied to, and manipulated by quite a few people. This has resulted in Opal becoming a less trusting, less soft character, and it's really interesting to watch this development. On one hand, it turns her into a much stronger character, but it also makes her much more bitter and jaded. I feel like the only time we get to see Opal happy during this book is when she is with Kade, and the more romantic chapters with him give her a much needed break. The romance appears to be less of a focus than in Storm Glass, but the chapters that are there are quite enjoyable.
The story itself suffers a little from being somewhat unfocused, but Snyder's books have always been more character than plot driven, so it didn't dampen my enjoyment that much. I was really happy to see characters return from previous books, including Yelena and Janco from the Study books. I was particularly happy to see Janco get so many solo moments. I was also a little surprised at the development we saw from some of the characters from Storm Glass, especially Ulrick. The final development of Opal's powers was also quite surprising. I'm really curious to see how Snyder is going to deal with these developments in the final book in the trilogy, Spy Glass, which will be coming out this September (not 2011 as the last page of the book proclaims). Although a lot is resolved in Sea Glass, there are just enough questions left unanswered to make me curious about what's going to happen next. I'm looking forward to the resolution of this series.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 379 pages
Source: paperbackswap
Challenge: This book is not part of any challenges
Similar Books: For fantasy books involving craftsmanship, try Tamora Pierce's Circe books (which involve The Circle of Magic Quartet, The Circle Opens Quartet, and The Will of the Empress). For other fantasy books with interesting female leads, try Doppelganger ( my review) and Warrior and Witch ( my review) (also known as Witch and Warrior) by Marie Brennan.
Other books I've read by this author: Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study, Storm Glass ( my review). Also the short story Sword Point from The Eternal Kiss ( my review)
xposted to bookish , temporaryworlds , and goodreads
Opal Cowan is a one trick wonder no more. Her glass magic is now powerful enough to drain an opponent of all of their magic. This ability terrifies the council, who see Opal as a potentiality dangerous weapon. Opal chaffs under their distrust. She is even more disgusted when no one, not even her family and friends, believes her about her encounter with Devlen, who has stolen her friend Ulrick's body through blood magic. Opal is determined to save Ulrick, and gain control back over her life, but this seems impossible when even some of her closest friends refuse to take her seriously.
Sea Glass is the second book in the Glass trilogy, and the fifth book to take place in this universe. I can't help but admire Snyder's ability to write a flat out enjoyable story. Her books are so easy to read without being overly simplistic, and you just fly through the pages. I know that some people are less fond of Opal's books then they are of the Study series, but I find that I enjoy both trilogies in their own way. We see Opal go through a lot of changes in Sea Glass. Between the first and the second book in the trilogy, Opal has been betrayed, lied to, and manipulated by quite a few people. This has resulted in Opal becoming a less trusting, less soft character, and it's really interesting to watch this development. On one hand, it turns her into a much stronger character, but it also makes her much more bitter and jaded. I feel like the only time we get to see Opal happy during this book is when she is with Kade, and the more romantic chapters with him give her a much needed break. The romance appears to be less of a focus than in Storm Glass, but the chapters that are there are quite enjoyable.
The story itself suffers a little from being somewhat unfocused, but Snyder's books have always been more character than plot driven, so it didn't dampen my enjoyment that much. I was really happy to see characters return from previous books, including Yelena and Janco from the Study books. I was particularly happy to see Janco get so many solo moments. I was also a little surprised at the development we saw from some of the characters from Storm Glass, especially Ulrick. The final development of Opal's powers was also quite surprising. I'm really curious to see how Snyder is going to deal with these developments in the final book in the trilogy, Spy Glass, which will be coming out this September (not 2011 as the last page of the book proclaims). Although a lot is resolved in Sea Glass, there are just enough questions left unanswered to make me curious about what's going to happen next. I'm looking forward to the resolution of this series.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 379 pages
Source: paperbackswap
Challenge: This book is not part of any challenges
Similar Books: For fantasy books involving craftsmanship, try Tamora Pierce's Circe books (which involve The Circle of Magic Quartet, The Circle Opens Quartet, and The Will of the Empress). For other fantasy books with interesting female leads, try Doppelganger ( my review) and Warrior and Witch ( my review) (also known as Witch and Warrior) by Marie Brennan.
Other books I've read by this author: Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study, Storm Glass ( my review). Also the short story Sword Point from The Eternal Kiss ( my review)
xposted to bookish , temporaryworlds , and goodreads