Review: Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Spy Glass (Glass #3)
by Maria V. Snyder 

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: September 2010 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 424 pages
Source: Own
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Opal Cowan had been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her friends and rid the world of blood magic. Though she survives, she is forever changed…

Opal Cowan has lost her powers. More than that, she is now immune to magic. Opal is an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference to the world and were her whole world…

Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if she’s lost them forever…

I love the Glass series. I mean... Opal Cowan may not be the perfect heroine. She can be stubborn, reckless (most of the time) and she drove me crazy with her decision in almost everything she did. But Maria V. Snyder's writing is very good. I just can't stop once I started the book, The book was exciting (especially since I got to see Valek again). And I need to know what will happen to Opal after she lost her magic and what happen with the blood magic.

Spy Glass definitely didn't disappoint me. The plot was exciting, thanks to Opal recklessness. I love how Opal has gotten stronger since the first time she appeared in the Study series. And I'm glad that a few familiar characters in the Study's series were making their appearance. 

I was quite shocked to see who Opal ended up with. I wouldn't say that I like her choice, but well... it wasn't so bad. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this series to fantasy fans.

Review: Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Sea Glass (Glass #2)
by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: July 1st, 2010, by Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 379 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog | Facebook

From one-trick wonder to wielder of terrifying powers.

Not bad for a student.

Glass magician Opal Cowan’s newfound ability to steal a magician’s powers has made her too powerful in the eyes of the council… Despite being under house arrest, Opal travels to the Moon Clan’s lands in search of Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because she is sure another man, now her prisoner, has switched souls with Ulrick.

In hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn’t sure whom to trust. She can’t forget Kade, the handsome Stormdancer who doesn’t want to let her get close. And now everyone is after Opal’s special powers for their own deadly gain…

I was really excited to read this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Storm Glass. But I wanted to read the Study Series first before I continue with the Glass Series. I can't wait to see what was going to happen to Opal with her new magic power. 

Wow! Maria V. Snyder never failed to amaze me with her writing. I was fascinated with the magic within her books. It was hard to put down the book once I picked it up, even though the beginning was a bit slow. But the story was great. Although, I wish to see a little bit more about the sea glass.

Sea Glass was definitely a great read. There were lots of suspense, action and romance as compared to the first book. It was exciting to see some of the characters from the Study Series in the book. And the ending! It was a bit shocking to see how the book ended, but I liked it. I can't wait to see what's going to happen to Opal next.

Review: Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Storm Glass (Glass #1)
by Maria V. Snyder 

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: 2009
Format: Paperback, 488 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog

UNSTRAINED. UNTESTED. UNLEASHED

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers - particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade - require Opal's unique talents to prevent it from happening again.

But when the mission goes wrong, Opal must tap into a new kind of power as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the deeper she delves into the mystery, the more distorted things appear.

With lives hanging in the balance Opal and Kade must learn to control unknown powers... powers that could lead disaster beyond anything they've ever seen.

This is one of the books that made me wonder, why haven’t I read this book sooner? The kind of book that I wouldn't mind re-reading it for the second or the third time. 

In Storm Glass, Opal and her mentor, Zitora were sent on a mission to investigate the truth behind the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs. Now, that was only the beginning of the story. Storm Glass is much more than that. The book may be a bit slow at the beginning. But once I got closer towards the end of the story, I was surprised at how everything was somehow connected to each other. There were a few twists here and there that makes the book much more interesting. 

I have to admit that I was reading Storm Glass without reading the Study Trilogy first. Which is why I was a bit lost whenever they mentioned Opal’s past and Yelena. But still, Storm Glass is an enjoyable read full with mystery, surprise, adventure, lots of magic, some action, and a bit of romance. Oh well, this book wasn’t focusing towards the romance part. But that’s good!

I love Opal. She is a flawed character. She had low self-confidence, and she had some issues on her own. But she’s also a kicked-ass heroine. She can be brave and strong. Now that Opal has learned what she can do with her power, I wonder what she will happen to her next? I can’t wait to read the next book. But I’m going to be patient and start reading the Study Trilogy first before I move on to the next book of the series.