Thursday, May 14, 2015

Review: Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Published: 2006 
                                                            
Genres: Fantasy
                                                      
Format: Paperback





What is Magic Study about?

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....
 

Thoughts:

Magic Study was a fast paced, intense book with many twists and turns and cliffhangers.  Okay, so time for a story:  I buddy read this series with a friend.  We read five chapters and then check in and wait for the other person.  Every single time I had to stop, there was a cliffhanger.  It was horrible.  When I got to meet and talk with Maria v. Snyder, I asked her about it.  And she admitted that she likes to end each chapter on a bit of a cliffhanger.  So, basically, once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down. 

Going into Magic Study, I was wary.  This is the second book in a series, and in Magic Study, Yelena finds herself in Sitia, away from all of my other favorite characters in this series.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about that.  But, as always, I loved it.  Even the absence of some of my favorites did not detract from Magic Study and I loved it just as much.  The fact that this book basically surrounds Yelena in Sitia, all with new characters and a new setting and is still just as amazing is a testament to Maria V. Snyder’s wonderful writing. 
It was really fun, actually, to get to explore another part of the Poison Study world.  Before, we only really got to see the main palace in Ixia.  Now, we get to see Yelena as she goes back to her birthplace of Sitia.  We get to see so many different parts of this world, especially when she visits the Zaltanas and the Sandseeds. 

In Magic Study, we are introduced to new characters, such as Cahill and Leif.  I don’t even know where to start with those two.  Leif is a very complex character.  I don’t really even know what to say about him that’s not spoilery, except for “woah”.  Cahill…I always had a bad feeling about him.  But, I don’t really see him as a threat because he’s not exactly the brightest.   *shakes head* Oh, Cahill.
I also really loved seeing the relationship between Yelena and Irys.  Seeing it go from Irys trying to kill Yelena in the first book, to Irys being Yelena’s mentor is really cool.  Getting to see Yelena learn from and meet other magicians was great.  In this book, we’re also introduced to Opal, who has her own spin off series.  She seems really cool, and I’m sure her series will be great. 

Yelena, as always, never failed to impress me in Magic Study.  She deals with so much crap in this book, but she always fights through it and tries to do what’s right.  It just proves her strength and capabilities.  She is learning how to manage her newfound powers, dealing with family issues, and trying to hunt down an evil magician/kidnapper/rapist.   Not to mentions evil siblings coming back for revenge.  Yelena never gets a break, does she?   But, Yelena deals with all of this pretty much on her own and (as expected) kick everyone’s butts.  Even towards the end, when we see Valek and Ari and Janco (which is great), Yelena still continues on her independence and rarely needs their help. 

Rating:




Final Thoughts:

Overall, Magic Study was everything I was expecting from the sequel.  We got to see the same amazing characters, but with some new ones thrown in.  As expected, there was wonderful character development.  Maria V. Snyder never fails to keep me on my toes with her great plot and plot twists.   This series is only getting better, and I can’t wait to continue on with the next book.  

Olivia

Have you read Magic Study?  What were your thoughts?  If you haven't read the Poison Study series yet, definitely check it out!

2 comments:

  1. I've heard so many wonderful things about this series Olivia, but for some reason I've been scared to start it. However, your review has given me the motivation to pick it up ASAP. It sounds like such an amazing story! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

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    Replies
    1. It definitely deserves the praise! YAY :)
      Poison Study is amazing and I can't wait to see what you think of it!!
      Thanks <3

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