Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

Published: February 24th, 2015

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 384

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd 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, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous,

"Doing full justice to the plot of this original and entertaining epic fantasy is impossible. Suffice it to say that the action is nonstop. The many characters leap to life, particularly Yelena, whose first-person narrative is riveting."

Curlypow's thoughts:

If you enjoy your fantasy with a solid hit of believable romance, you can't go much wrong reading Maria V Snyder.  Shadow Study is the latest in her series of trilogies set in the world of Ixia and its surrounds. 'Shadow' is the 4th book in the Study series ('Poison Stud'y; 'Magic Study' and 'Fire Study') but the first in the new 'Soulfinder' trilogy.

Ms Snyder has developed a very believable world  that she has reiterated in various forms in each of her trilogies, and it just keeps becoming more complex and involved.  The more you read, the easier it is to develop a mental map of where you are within the world and how the politics affect its people.

Yelena and Valek are not the traditional romantic pair, but it is impossible not to take them completely to heart and to become invested in their lives.  They are very definitely a couple, but they are not in each others pockets at all.  Both are very independent and yet willing to admit that they need to be in each others lives.  Although predominantly written in alternating Yelena and Valek pov's, for a little bit of a change there are the occasional chapters from Janco's pov, which helps shake things up a bit - Janco is almost comic relief and you can't help but enjoy the banter between him and Ari.

'Shadow Study' uses a lot of flashbacks to introduce the reader to Valek's past and is very skilfully done.  The narrative never feels interrupted by these interludes and for fan's of Snyder's work, it just helps to cement Valek's place in our hearts.  There is lots of action as usual and this time around, a wonderful, if rather surprising, ending.  Fans will be champing at the bit for the next in the trilogy - 'Night Study', followed by 'Dawn Study'.  If you haven't read anything by Snyder before, I guarantee that you will be looking for her previous works to devour in the meantime. This is a world that is just waiting to be discovered - I'd love to be able to go back and read them again for the first time.

The original Study books have been issued with both YA and adult covers but the story is great whichever you happen to prefer.

Spy glass by Maria Snyder

Published: August 2010

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 424

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the 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 st olen some of her blood—and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if they're lost forever…

Spy Glass is the third and final book in Ms Snyders' second trilogy.  I have been a great fan of hers since I red her first trilogy (Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study) and for me, this second trilogy did not disappoint.    The review for the first book Storm Glass is here, and for Sea Glass is here.

What more can I tell you about the series?  I'm glad I'm not Opal!  That poor girl, she just can't seem to catch a break.  Every time I think things are going to settle down a bit for her, something else happens.  I do enjoy the fact that she seems to learn from her experiences, though.  She builds on her knowledge and is learning to accept what happens to her.  She has some difficult decisions to make and for the most part I agreed with them.  Opal is one of those people who inspire loyalty, without knowing that she's doing it.  Some of her friends are amazing - Ari, Janko, Nic and Eve are hilarious, yet capable and provide a bit of lighter humour.  Valek is a scary character, but not in an evil way.  (Check him out in the first trilogy). And Opal's mother - wow, don't disappoint her, or you'll really get the silent treatment.

There's lot's of mystery and adventure with a lovely helping of confusing, but ultimately satisfying, romance and lots of magic, or lack of it.  I think you might just have to read the book to understand that last comment!  Seriously, this is a wonderful series for fantasy fans, with a little bit of everything for everyone and a whole lot of wonderful storytelling.

Sea glass by Maria V Snyder

Published: September 2009
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 379
Copy: Library
Summary: Goodreads

Student glass magician Opal Cowan's newfound ability to steal a magician's powers makes her too powerful. Ordered to house arrest by the Council, Opal dares defy them, traveling 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....

This is the second installment in Ms Snyders trilogy and it was just as much fun as the first 'Storm Glass'.  I remember reading when these came out that some people were disappointed, and felt they weren't as good as the first trilogy, but I don't agree.  I love them.

Opal is still trying to come to terms with the limits of her magic and accept the fact that she is dangerous to most other magicians.  She could run and hide, but she decides to face the council and accept whatever limitations they place on her.  Well of course she tries, but do you remember the adage about the road to hell being paved with good intentions?

I enjoyed the way that the reader knows Opal is telling the truth, but no-one else believes her.  You can understand why no-one does, but at the same time, you're rooting for Opal and hoping that things work out for her.  The whole soul-switching aspect is a little creepy, but there is a very cool explanation for how it works towards the end of the book - ingenious really.  Devlen/Ulrick is back, and just as silver-tongued as before, and Kade puts in an appearance, but Opal is much less trusting this time around.  The twists and turns of  the story kept me guessing and the ending took me pretty much by surprise, so I'm really interested to see what happens in Spy Glass.  Which is sitting on my shelf just waiting for me.

If you are a traditional fantasy fan, I cannot recommend this series enough. Lots of magic, mystery and mayhem, epic journeys on horeseback and no modern conveniences - great stuff!

PS don't forget our 2 giveaways - blogversary and Canada Day Blog Hop.

Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder

Published: April 2009
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 488
Copy: Library
Summary: Goodreads

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's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.


I very much enjoyed reading Ms Snyders' previous trilogy Poison Study/Magic Study/Fire Study, so I have no idea why it has taken me so long to start this one.  I've read some mixed reviews about Stormglass, but I have to firmly take the positive side - I loved it.  I think part of its appeal to me is that it is straight fantasy - with no urban prefix and no supernatural/paranormal twists.  The magic is just that - magic, and the setting is vaguely historical/feudal - maybe I should try and find out just exactly what the setting is based on, that would be interesting to find out.

I read somewhere recently that a love triangle isn't really a love triangle unless all three participants are aware of the 'love', so in that respect, Stormglass doen't really fit the triangle theme,  but it is fun none-the-less.  Opal, Kade and Ulrick (doesn't that name just conjure up pictures of Heath Ledger in 'A Knights Tale'?) have varying degrees of different magic and each one comes with a lot of personal baggage attached.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching each of them cope with the mysteries and struggles throughout the book.

There are one or two rather interesting surprises within the story, and a neat twist towards the end, which all helped to keep me reading at a steady pace and I finished this rather lengthy book in two days - but that's what vacation is for, isn't it?

On a tangent here - can anyone remember that at the beginning of the year someone/someblog posted a challenge about reading one book per month over 350 pages?  I can't find it now, but I'm beginning to wish I had accepted that challenge.  I swear Christinabean and I have read 8 books that qualify in the last month alone! End of tangent.

There is a wonderful mystery, adventuring, magic, nasty bad guys and some interesting butt kicking.  Lots of fun!  There are also several mentions of events that took place in the previous trilogy.  It's not necessary to have read it before you read this one, but you may want to go back and find out what happened when you've finished this one - I think I may go back and re-read them in fact.  All in all a fun read and I look forward to picking up the second volume, Sea Glass, on Monday when I go back to work :(