Reviewer: Holly Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #2
Also in this series: Poison Study, Fire Study, Night Study, Shadow Study
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: August 15th 2012
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 400
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Series Rating:
A lesson in loyalty—a master class in intrigue
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?
This was a re-read in preparation for the third and final book in this trilogy, Fire Study.
I absolutely adored the first book in this series, Poison Study. The world building was amazing, the characters wonderfully fleshed out and well written and the story fresh and intriguing. In her second novel, Maria V. Snyder carries all those things over and more.
The thing is, I didn’t enjoy this book as much the first time around as I did with each subsequent re-read. Yes, I liked it, but I didn’t think it was as good as the first until I re-read it several times. The more I read it, however, the more it appealed to me.
The book picks up right where the first one left off, with Yelena returning to Sitia for the first time in 14 years, to meet a family she doesn’t remember and learn about her magically abilities, ones she’d be murdered for possessing if she remained in Ixia.
I loved watching Yelena with her family and all the others in Sitia who also possessed magical abilities. Once again the best part of this book wasn’t the story, or the characters, though they were amazing. It was learning about magic. The magic that Yelena possesses, the magic others in Sitia possess, the way Yelena has to use and harness hers to help find girls who have gone missing, only to be found weeks later, brutally murdered. With the help of some new friends, her antagonistic brother, and some old friends, Yelena tries to help find the latest girl to come up missing, not to mention the person responsible.
Yelena’s brother was an interesting character, and seeing the struggle he and Yelena faced while trying to deal with each other was beautifully written. He drove me nuts for half the book, but I fully understood his reasons for acting the way he did and was able to forgive him at the end.
We also saw Valek again, which I loved. 😛
So even though I wasn’t in love with this book the first time I read it, I fall a little bit deeper in love with each re-read I do. Although it’s not as good as Poison Study, I’d still highly recommend it.
4.5 out of 5
The series is as follows:
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
You can buy it here or here in eBook format.
I didn’t care for this one as much as the first. I will have to go back and re-read it. I think the first one was so good that this one paled in comparison. Not too mention I think Yelena had way too much power all of the sudden. IDK will have to re-read
I really enjoyed both of these two books and I am waiting for Fire Study to come out here so I can read that one as well!
Hmm. I didn’t notice her having too much magic too fast, but it could be that the story flowed so well for me I just didn’t notice. I really think you should try to re-read it and see if your opinion changes. Mine certainly did.
Marg,
I always forget you’re in Aussie. LOL When does it come out?
I don’t know! It’s not out on any of the major bookstores websites yet.
I loved Poison Study, but somehow never got around to reading this. Might be a good time to, with the next coming out.
I still haven’t read this book. Maybe I should get on it. lol
I really loved this one…great review!