Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Poison Study
Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: MIRA Books
Release Date: 2005
Pages: 416
Rating: 5 stars
Choose: A quick death and hell or slow poison and hell.
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.
When I started reading Poison Study, I had no clue what I would think. I knew it was a premise that could be amazing or could lack majorly – Poison Study just blew my mind away! I have nothing I did not like about it. Poison Study is a fantasy reader’s dream book – it has amazing characters, an enticing plot, a perfect romance, and a vidid world.
The plot has so many twists and turns, you have no idea where it’s leading you. Every element of a great story is present. Maria V. Snyder’s writing weaves memories into the writing, without disturbing the story.
Yelana has worked her way up into my favorite protagonists. She is strong, intelligent, and talented. Even in her weakest moments, she stays strong and keeps her head high. While I loved Yelana, my favorite character of the book would have to be Valek. Oh Valek – he starts out so cold, but soon starts to warm up.
Poison Study is a book for those looking for a fresh idea in an world filled with stunning characters, conspiracy, and unforgettable romance.
I'm so happy you loved this book! When I discovered the series at the beginning of this year it was one of the best I had ever read. Maria V. Snyder is an enchanting author who certainly can paint a beautiful story!
I've heard nothing but AMAAAAAAZING things abuot this series. Not big on fantasyish stuff but I think I need to read them anyway. (:
I just reviewed the second book over at my blog. Hurry up and get Magic Study! I love this series and I've heard good things about her Glass series too.
-Staysi
http://lostininkreviews.blogspot.com/
LOVE this book! Glad you liked it.
I adore Poison Study. I like Yelena, but I am totally in love with Valek! He is my current literary crush, and no one has come close to replacing him yet. (This has something to do with my assassin obsession, I am sure). So glad you liked this awesome book.
I'm trying to get my bookclub to read this. I'm going to show them your review!
Pleased to hear that you enjoyed this book, as I love this series! Yelena is such an interesting character, and I really enjoyed how she evolves book by book. Looking forward to hearing what you think about the rest of the series. Enjoy!
I too just finished the book and LOVED it. Definitely a new favorite.
~Lindsay
JABA
I've had Magic Study for awhile now but I haven't picked it up yet. I've heard that this series is really good though so maybe I'll have to see abut that soon…
This just sounds like tons of fun. I really need to grab this series.
I just recently finished this book, too, and really enjoyed it. I heard the sequels aren't as good, but I'm looking forward to reading them, anyway :-) So glad I found your blog through readathon- what a treat it is!