Book Review: Shadow Study

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Source: Netgalley review copy

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,

When I saw this available on Netgalley to review, I was pretty excited. I love it when I can get favorite author's books early. I enjoyed this one, but was a little disappointed in it. I felt like it moved a bit too slowly until the end when everything happened way too quickly.

I didn't understand how the story was going to get all wrapped up when there wasn't very much book left. Well, it didn't really get all wrapped up. Obviously there's more to the series, but this book left a lot of things up in the air, and what it did resolve it did so in a matter of pages.

I liked the characters, but the more I read books set in this world, I find Janco less endearing and more annoying. Still, I did enjoy reading this, and will definitely continue on with the series.

Review: Touch of Power by Maria Snyder

Publication Date: December 20, 2011
by Harlequin
Genre: Fantasy (possibly YA)
Source: netgalley

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life.

I really like Maria Snyder's writing. Something about her stories keeps me turning pages and I have a hard time putting the books down. There were some similarities between this book and Poison Study, but I thought it was unique enough that I wasn't bothered.

I think the writing could have been a little tighter, but since this was an ARC, the final copy could be a bit better. There were also times when I thought the story was getting predictable, but then something would happen, and my guesses about how everything would end changed.

Maria Snyder's books all feel like YA to me, although I'm not sure that they are. They definitely read like it in style, but they don't follow the typical YA pattern, and the characters are usually older.

All in all, this is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that I would recommend, especially to fans of the author. I'm looking forward to the next in the series already. 
Grade: B+ 

Review: The Study Series

Poison Study

 

I liked this one a lot. The writing is pretty simple and straightforward, nothing really new here.  I would say it's pretty standard fantasy genre.  I read this for a reading group, and most everybody liked it.  We were all unclear on whether this was adult or YA fantasy, though. 

Grade: A-

Magic Study (Study, Book 2)

I kept hearing that the series isn't as good after Poison Study, but I thought Magic Study was better. I guess my idea of good differs from a lot of other readers, cause I loved this one.  I really enjoy the characters, and the romance (what little there is) is well done. 

Grade: A 

Fire Study (Study, Book 3)

I didn't like this as well as the rest of the series, but it was still a good book. One thing that soured it for me a little was all the recapping, throughout the whole book. I guess that might be a good thing if I had read the previous books a long time ago, but since I had just finished them, it got to be a little annoying. I don't need every little detail repeated about every person and thing; I already know. 

Grade: B

Overall I really enjoyed this series, and would definitely recommend it to fantasy readers, especially fans of YA fantasy.  Even though I'm still unclear whether this is categorized as YA, I definitely think it would appeal to fans of the genre.  

I liked that all three books were completely different stories, and it wasn't just one long story split into three books.  They were all very unique.   

Review: Inside Out

Book Details

Title: Inside Out (Harlequin Teen)
Author: Maria Snyder
Genre: YA Dystopia
Page Count: 320
Publishing Info: Harlequin, April 1, 2010

My Review
Why I read it: Dystopia challenge, had 2nd book on my e-reader for review
The Plot: Trella is a scrub--she's one of thousands of people who live and work on the lower levels of what the reader can only assume is a giant building.  The people who live in the upper levels seem to have it all.  But one day Trella is introduced to a prophet who says he has evidence for "Outside".  Even though Trella doesn't believe him, she sets out to help him find his evidence, if only to prove to her best friend that Outside doesn't exist.  That's when it gets interesting.  Without meaning to, Trella starts a rebellion.
The Characters: I liked Trella.  There were times when it was a bit frustrating as a reader because someone would have information about Trella, things she didn't even know herself, but she never wanted to hear them.  That bit of annoyance aside, Trella was a really strong, smart girl, which is always nice to see in young adult books.  The characterization was done very well in Inside Out, and you can't help but care for these characters.
The Setting: Absolutely fabulous setting.  So much of it is mysterious.  We don't really know where these characters are.  We only know they are in some type of structure that has levels.  We have no idea what it's like outside of the structure, and even though most of the characters don't even believe there is an outside, we, as readers take our suppositions into the story with us, and assume that Earth is outside--but we don't know what state the Earth is in.  It adds some psychological suspense to the story.
Who Should Read This? Fans of dystopia should really like this one. 
Final Thoughts: I tried another book by Maria Snyder one time (Storm Glass, I think it was) and didn't really care for the writing, so I gave up on it.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to give this author another try because the writing was excellent and I really enjoyed this book.  I stayed up really late to finish it, and as a mother of young kids that's something I rarely do.  It was so good that I went on to read the second one immediately.
Grade: A
Cover Thoughts: The cover is okay, although I think it could have been a little more interesting.  It does seem to be fairly eye-catching.