Review: Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1)
by Maria V. Snyder 

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: September 2010 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 424 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog| Facebook

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.

As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

I was so excited to read this book. I mean, Yelena and Valek are back! How can I not get excited? I mean, I squealed when Valek made his appearance! At one point, I wanted to skip Spy Glass and begin with this book immediately. But I regret my decision almost instantly because I've been spoiled with what was going to happen in Spy Glass. So, I would strongly recommend anyone to read and finish the Study series as well as the Glass series before they began with this one.

In Shadow Study, Yelena found out that her magic was blocked after an attack. She went to search for the cure and learned that one of her enemies has escaped prison. It wasn't easy as whoever tried to harm her now targeted those who are important to her.

While Valek now faced a new assassin, Onora, who was after his job. And something strange has been going on with the Commander. He was assigned by the commander to find out about smuggles between Ixia and Sitia.

I was a bit confused to see that it was written in Yelena, Valek and Janco's point of view. I mean, I love them all, but it was a bit hard to keep track of what was happening. But it was interesting to see what was going on with Valek while he's not with Yelena. We get to see Valek's past and how he became an assassin. I love to see Valek and the Commander together.

Shadow Study was an amazing read. There are a bit of romance, politics, magic and a whole lot of exciting adventure. The plot was really good. I just can't wait for the next book and find out what will happen to the cast, especially with how the story ended. I can't say that I hadn't seen that coming, but it was still a surprise!

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
Connect: Website | Blog| Facebook

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: Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

Fire Study (Study #3)
by Maria V. Snyder 

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: May 2009, by Mira Books
Format: ebook, 284 pages
Source: Own
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When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder--able to capture and release souls--spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself--and save the land she holds dear.

Fire Study is the third book from Study series. In the previous book, Yelena found out that she is a Soulfinder, who was able to capture and release soul. Yelena must find a way to catch Ferde, a Soulstealer who had escaped in the previous book. As Yelena’s future is being decided by the council, she found out that a plot to take over Sitia, by a group of Warpers. But it won’t be easy for Yelena as the council and the First Magician, Roze, were against her. 

I love this book, although not as much as the first one. But I just can’t put down the book. I need to know what will happen to Yelena. I wanted to see more Valek, Ari and Janco. These characters were the reason why the series was much more entertaining. There were lots more action and excitement in this book, especially towards the end of it. Fire Study was very well written, with great plot and character development. I was sad to see that the series has ended. The series was fun and I don’t want to see it end. But then, I found out that there will be another three books coming out soon. I just can’t contain my excitement. I just can’t wait!

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Magic Study (Study #2)
by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: November, 2007 by Mira Books
Format: ebook, 284 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog | Facebook

So far, I've managed to survive. You would think after being kidnapped as a child, imprisoned in my teens and released to become a poison taster, I would have endured enough. But no. The discovery of my magical abilities--powers forbidden in Ixia--has resulted in an execution order. My only chance is to flee to Sitia, my long-lost birthplace.

But Sitia is unfamiliar. I'm treated like an enemy--even by my own brother. Plus I can't control my powers. I want to learn about my magic, but there isn't time. A rogue magician has emerged and I'm targeted as his next victim.

Will my magical abilities save me...or be my downfall?

I love the previous book,  bought Magic Study as soon as I finished Poison Study. I just can’t get enough of Yelena, Valek and their friends. I couldn’t say that Magic Study was as good as Poison Study, but I still like it. Very much.

In this book, Yelena returned to her birthplace, Sitia after she was banished from Ixia. Yelena learned more about magic and how to control them from Irys, the fourth magician. Returning to Sitia means that she will be meeting her family for the first time since she was kidnapped. Her reunion, however, was not as she had expected. Her brother didn’t exactly welcome her return. 

The pace of the story was a bit slower than the first book. But it still has a very good storyline. I wasn’t too excited to see Yelena separated with her friends in Ixia, but it was interesting to see Yelena in a new environment. I was excited to see how Yelena reunited with her family. Her family members (especially her cousins) are very interesting. Yelena made a few more friends in Sitia (and a few more enemies). The new characters (I love the moon man and Kiki) made the story much more exciting, but I am so happy to see Valek, the Commander, Ari and Janco reappearance. 

If you enjoyed the first book, Poison Study, you'll definitely want to read Magic Study.

Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study (Study #1)
by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: November, 2007 by Mira Books
Format: ebook, 284 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog | Facebook

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooma in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

I’ve previously read Storm Glass, and wanted to read the Study series before I continue with the next book. I instantly fell in love with the poison study, and I didn't want to put down. I loved it. This book was brilliant.

Yelena was to be executed for murder. She was offered to be a food tester for the Commander of Ixia or face her punishment. The chief of security, Valek fed her with a poison called, Butterfly Dust, so that Yelena cannot run. To survive, Yelena must take her daily antidote, or die from the poison.

I love Yelena. She’s a kick ass heroine. It was interesting to see how Yelena tried to stay alive in Ixia since there are a few people who wanted her dead. The other supporting characters made the story much more interesting. The chemistry between Yelena and the other characters was awesome. I fell in love with the characters and I just can’t get enough of them.

This book wasn’t what I was expecting. The plot was absolutely amazing. There was a bit of romance in the book that turned my fangirl switch on. I thoroughly enjoyed the book that I immediately purchased the next book of the series to find out what was going to happen to Yelena and the others. I highly recommend this book! 

Stuck In A Good Book Giveaway Hop (INT)

Stuck in a Good Book

Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer

and Stuck in Books

I'm joining Stuck in a Good Book giveaway hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Stuck in Books. Which means that this is the chance for you to win a book from me. Yay! 

I recently read Poison Study by  Maria V. Snyder and was instantly hooked! I love the book so much that I bought the next two books in a flash. It was that exciting. So... For this giveaway, I think it'll be fun to giveaway Poison Study by  Maria V. Snyder to ONE lucky winner from BookDepository.com

Okay. Here's how you can enter this giveaway:

• To enter this giveaway, enter your contact details in the form below.
• You are not required to follow me, but, it would be nice if you follow me via GFC/Goodreads/twitter/Bloglovin' too :)
• This is an International giveaway as long as BookDepository.com ship them to your country.
• One entry per person.
• Winner will be notified via email.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. 
• I'm not responsible for any lost package.
• Have fun and good luck! Be sure to check out the other giveaway stops on this blog hop:

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.