Magic Study

January 7, 2014 Book Review 0

Magic Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: Dec. 1, 2008
Pages: 448
Series: Study, book two
Source: purchased

About the Book: You know your life is bad when you miss your days as a poison taster…

With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she’d been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can’t help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways—and her newfound friends and relatives don’t think it’s for the better…

Despite the turmoil, she’s eager to start her magic training—especially as she’s been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia’s throne for a lost prince—and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.

If that wasn’t bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies… (goodreads)

My Thoughts: I really shouldn’t read any books for review after finishing a Maria V. Snyder book. It just isn’t fair to other books! Her fantasy books capture me so completely. I just never want to leave the worlds or characters she creates. 

I finally read Poison Study this summer and it was love. I was tempted to dive right in to Magic Study and Fire Study but I really wanted to savor the series. I knew if I read them all at once I’d miss Yelena, Valek, Ari, Janco and company too much! I exercised an extreme amount of self control to drag this series out! I finally let myself read book two, Magic Study, and I was not disappointed at all.   

I am so impressed with the way Maria V. Snyder tells a story. I was invested in the world and the political situation. There wasn’t an info dump to teach me about it… it was all woven flawlessly into the story. In Magic Study, I was particularly interested in learning about the different clans and their customs. Also, the Magician’s Keep! So cool to learn how Sitian magicians are formally trained! I totally want a book of the mythos of the different Sitian people groups!!   

And the characters! Of course I have a never-ending supply of love for Yelena and Valek. I think they are two of my very favorite fictional characters… individually and as a couple! But, I mean, Maria V. Snyder even made me care about the horses as characters! Topaz! Kiki! So great! 

Basically you just really need to read these books. They are some of the best fantasy that I’ve read (and I read a lot of fantasy!) I haven’t even bought Fire Study yet because I know I won’t be able to hold off reading it if it’s in my house! 

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