Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...
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...
From Goodreads:
Yelena, the heroine of Maria V. Snyder's stunning debut novel Poison Study, is on her way to her ancestral homeland of Sitia to be reunited with her family and to learn more about her magical powers. An order of execution hangs over her head should she ever return to Ixia. But her true love, Valek, quickly learns that an assassin has taken it upon himself to make sure Yelena doesn't reach her destination.
As Ixia's chief of security, and a highly skilled assassin himself, can Valek track down the killer in time to save Yelena's life?
From Goodreads:
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...
From Goodreads:
The apprenticeship is over—now the real test has begun.
When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....
Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.
From Goodreads:
Ari and Janco deal with a Sandseed Story Weaver and a cocky young soldier while Valek is off helping Yelena.
From Goodreads:
This is a short story about Yelena and Valek as they race to keep the powerful Ice Moon from a rogue magician.
My first review of Poison Study, Assassin Study, Magic Study, Fire Study, Power Study, Ice Study
My second review of Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study
My Review:
Oh, it was so great to visit this world and these characters again! Poison Study is what got me started and hooked on Maria V. Snyder's writing, and it will always be a favourite. I can't believe it took me almost 7 years to read it again. But then again, a lot of the story felt new, though I remembered some of what happened!
Watching Yelena go on this journey again, from having spent a year in prison, to Soulfinder. Finding friends and loved ones, learning about her past, about her magic. Her relationship with Valek, I just love it. Chef's kiss! She grows, and while she falters a bit in Fire Study, well, the Fire Warper is a pretty significant foe!
There is a conversation about politics, because the Commander of Ixia is strong and has strict rules, while the Council of Sita is more humane, but takes longer to make decisions. Both have their pluses and minuses, and Yelena has to navigate them both!
All 3 of the short stories were so great to read. They let us be in Valek, Ari, and Janco's heads, and I really enjoy that, they're so great to read about, and it was interesting to know what they were thinking! Plus Ice Study is the start of the story that continues in Shadow Study! Eek!
This series is just so fantastic, and I can't wait to reread more!
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Poison Study #1, 1.5, 2, 3, 3.5, 3.6
First Read: July 22nd, 2011, July 30th, 2011, July 29th, 2011, August 9th, 2011, August 12th, 2011, August 12th, 2011
Second Read: May 21st, 22nd, 22nd, 22nd, 22nd, 22nd, 2013
Read: April 16th, 16th, 17th, 17th, 17th, 17th, 2020
Source: Own, Online
Reason Why: Rereading! And they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2020 Books!
Publisher: Mira
Published: June 1st 2004, 2008, December 29th 2006, March 1st 2008, 2008, 2009
Poison Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Assassin Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Magic Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Fire Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Power Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Ice Study:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
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