Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder Review

"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