"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.
A CHRONICLES OF IXIA NOVEL
‘A compelling new fantasy series’ – Rhianna Pratchett, SFX on Poison Study"
"Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.
I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution."
Maria V. Snyder is really good, or at least the last time I can remember. Poison Study was amazing despite the guy being much older than Yelena. Anyway, Inside Out is just as good as Poison Study. But Poison Study is slightly a bit better. (Assassins will always be awesome. Same rule applies to James Bond).
The beginning of Inside Out stumbled a bit. I was a bit confused for like the first few chapters. Snyder's try at a futuristic society with a ton of issues is somewhat different than the try at medieval times. She's smooth with Poison Study, but a little crooked in Inside Out. Still, it's entertaining to read. There are a few words you have to watch out for. Sometimes, Snyder doesn't even explain the terminology. It's almost as if she expects you to automatically know what it is. (Thanks to other books, I certainly do know what it is). Pop Cops means Population Control, by the way. That's the biggest, most frequently used word. The dialect isn't much different from our time, so it's not too difficult to understand. I shall mention that age is not by years, but instead by weeks. What a nightmare.
Trella is the main character and narrator or Inside Out. She's a scrub, basically a person not worth knowing, if you are in the upper class (rich). Trying to survive and live, she ignores everyone and hangs out with her, she, and herself. You got it, alone. Of course, no man is an island. She has some friends. (Okay, only one). Cog, a boy she's friendly with, is pretty much friends with everyone. He's the most influential guy in the lower class.
Of course, he isn't the love interest. He's the brother of Trella (I mean, mentally). She will probably never see him as something more. No, no, no. The love interest of Inside Out is Riley, who is thankfully near her age. He's an Upper, so it does make things slightly interesting.
There is one villain who is for sure the villain. The second villain isn't as apparent. Along with the third. Trella herself is the third villain (you are your worst enemy). The second villain, well, that's a mystery to be read. Her name is Kaina. Or something like that. I hate these names. Bunch of weird spellings, letter usage, etc. Anyway, she plays a much bigger role than most readers might think. A much bigger role.
By the time I finish the book, all I can think about is this: I can't wait to read the next book! (Not at my library, unfortunately).
Rating: Four out of Five
"The apprenticeship is over—now the real test has begun.
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 isn't as good as Poison Study, but it is still pretty good for the third book. Fortunately, Fire Study isn't the last. There's a few other books, maybe three sequels? Anyway, there's a few more books plan for this series. It isn't over yet.
But for now, let's focus on Fire Study. No, Yelena does not study fire and succeed. Instead, she seeks a different way to master over fire. Yelena is still awesome, but I hope there will be more use of poisons. She doesn't seem to be mastering over the powers of poison or practicing the powers of poisons very frequently. After all, practice does make perfection. Yelena may be close to perfection, but she's not there yet.
The plot of Fire Study is insane. First, there's tons of fighting (yay!) and a lot of backstabbing. Of course, there's more moves created by Valek (who is apparently at least thirty five, or in other words, at least fifteen years older than Yelena). Valek is still insane and unusually, as usual. And yes, he still kills people. He is the spymaster and the poison-know-it-all. Then there's the fun action created by Ari and Janco and a lot of lunatics who are very powerhungry. And that's not all. There's also the Commander fighting (verbally) with the Council of Magic. More old enemies are back and new villains are revealed.
Wow! That was a lot. Don't forget the fact that Yelena had to practice her magic skills. Magic versus physical fighting seems to be one of Yelena's problems. Actually, it's one of her smallest problems. For more of her problems, please go back to the previous paragraph. Notice all her problems. It's even worse than high school drama.
Nice character growth from Yelena. She's definitely a little softer, but willing to do what's necessary when a problem arises. I can't wait to see Yelena in another book, like the sequel. Ahh! I just can't wait to see her on fire!
I have to admire one thing from Maria V. Snyder (the author of this book). She can really put seemingly meaningless plots together to make a whole picture. For example, Opal seems to be a very minor character with a huge role in the conclusion. Without her, the book would have a huge plot hole. Or how about the villainess, Roze? Without her, there will be no conflicts. Or the wannable king? Without him, there will be no complications/death.
My needs: Another sequel. I'm nearly done with the Ice Study book.
Rating: Five out of Five
"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...."
Magic Study is awesome, not as good as Poison Study, but still good. I was hoping for some more Valek scenes, but oh well... He looks good even from afar. What a shame he's a character in this book, just like so many other appealing boys (want a list? I'll give you one; Duval, Peeta, Percy Jackson...)
Magic Study is more focus on magic than poison. Not because Velak is gone (well, I guess that might be part of the reason), but because Yelena is another area. Instead of being with her heartmate and the Commander, she's with her family. That's right. She's returned to her blood family, who are strangers to her.
It's really sweet. (There's nothing sweet in Poison Study except for Velak and the cakes. Those were yummy). It's great to see some characters relax their guards. Of course, Valek is suspicious of everyone since he's the assassin, but he seems more relax. Yelena doesn't kill as many people in Magic Study.
But there's even crazier and complicated villains. New villains, evil villains, evil people. There's tons of types of villains. Hmm...I wouldn't call some of them villains, I would call them anti-hero. You have to admit it sounds a lot better than villain. Villain will suggest someone who deserves to die or someone who deserves to be imprisoned. Anti-hero, well, they can grow to like the hero. In this case, the hero is Yelena and Valek.
Who's crazier? Yelena or Valek. The answer's obvious. It's Valek. He's the craziest person in the world. Even though he rarely appears, he still has that devilish touch. When feel like some plot is going to come up, expect Valek to be at the center of it. That man is the craziest puppet master. And how old is he? It creeps me out because I can't figure out his age. He could be in his forties and be looking good for all we know.
Yelena, revealed to be twenty, is pure awesome. With magic under her sleeve, Yelena can really do anything. I think she's one step closer to exterminating her ghost. But not yet, of course. Just one step closer.
I'm hungry for the sequel. Imagine my surprise when I find out that the fourth book isn't even out yet. Thank goodness, there's a third book that's out. I can use that as my eye candy as I wait for the fourth book to be release.
Rating: Five out of Five
"Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms 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..."
Poison Study...is about poison. Not real poisons, of course. Just fictional poisons the author made up. But either way, real or not, poisons are pretty awesome. Poison Study totally reminds me of a personal favorite, Grave Mercy. Both books are rather similar. Both girls are strong and resistance. Both girls had horrible pasts. Both girls are skilled in fighting and have a strong knowledge of poisons.
Either way, Poison Study has my point in its favor. Fighting, poison, love, and death. What more do I need? It's my perfect book combo. Mystery books like these always keep me up on my toes. I love the way it makes me beg for more. (I want to read the next book; it's so good).
Meet Yelena, with no notable last names like most characters in this book. I guess most characters really like one word names. Anyway, Yelena is awesome, fighting, and poisonous chick with powers of her own. (Oh, I love how duty tears all). Yelena, despite her awesomeness, is little more cuckoo (not as much as Katniss Everdeen) than Ismae from Grave Mercy. It's easy to understand why since she has a terrifying past. Anyway, let me just say that Yelena is one awesome girl who is a formidable force. Watch out for that girl.
Even worse (in a good way) is Velak. He's the crazy assassin (okay, not that crazy, but crazy enough like most characters). Similar to Duvel (from Grave Mercy; I really love that book because it kept be entertained while I was in Canada), Valek is one of the most frustrating characters ever. Turn on that Katy Perry song. Yes, that one with the hot and cold guy. "You're hot then you're cold. It's yes and then no." I may have gotten the lyrics wrong, but at least you'll get an idea. I hope.
The plot thickens. Poison Study has more agendas than paper. Most plots and schemes are in people's heads rather than on paper where people can read them. Hmm...the major players in this book (I mean, the powerful players) are Velak, the general, and the Commander. Oh, I can't forget about the magicians along with our girl, Yelena. She's a powerful piece in her own way. A very powerful piece.
Aww! The ending is so cute. I'm not going to explain it other than this: Duty will tear them apart. Hmm...I think you'll most likely understand these words.
Rating: Four out of Five
