Poison Study {book review} * * * *

Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

- Fantasy, Fiction -

reviewed by Tara SG

borrowed from library

Book Order

1. Poison Study * * * *
2. Magic Study
3. Fire Study

Links

Author’s Website : www.mariavsnyder.com/

Amazon : hardback / paperback / eBook

Add To Your GoodReads TBR list

This book in 6 words:

and I thought my life sucked

Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?

I came across this book via Dirty Sexy Books and instantly knew I had to read it. I tend to like stories set in a medieval time period mixed with fantasy in general and this did not disappoint. Yelena’s life is a nice reminder that I have little to complain about. My job sucks… but I’m not a poison tester for a Commander who had me imprisoned for killing a man who beat me for years. She’s tough, clever, and yet still weak enough to be real. I’m very excited to jump into the next book!

Brief Summary

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.

- via GoodReads.com

Plot/Pacing/Writing Style

*This is another review I waited too long to write. I’m sorry if there aren’t a lot of details.*

I thought the plot was original and engaging. I haven’t read much fantasy lately and it was wonderful to visit a world of magic that doesn’t revolve around vampires and werewolves.

The pacing is very well-done. I felt like it was a nice balance of action and character building. She did an excellent job of letting you know a little bit here and there, maintaining most of the mystery until the end. While I felt the author was a little too detailed when I started the book, it grew on me as I went on.

Characters

Yelena is a wonderful female lead. She is another strong, smart, sassy woman and yet she still has weaknesses making her real. Yelena has a dark, mysterious past that we want to know more about, but on the other hand you cringe when hearing the terrible things she’s been through. I was surprised at how much she inspired me. She really does make the best of her situation. Don’t get me wrong, she’s no Susy-Sunshine. She gets down and wonders what she’s fighting for… but she keeps fighting. She realizes that she has to work to make her life better. People are trying to kill you? Start taking self-defense classes from the best fighters who kick your ass. I need more of that attitude.

Valek is hard to figure out. You start out not sure if you’re going to like him or not, and you don’t really find out which side to be on until later in the book. He’s cool personality and sneaky skills make him the ultimate spy… and spies tend to look out for themselves.

There are also some amazing supporting characters that you will love (well for the most part…).

Recommendations

If you like fantasy please check out this series! I do think you need to be a fan of the genre to appreciate the story.

Going Deeper

This book does touch up on some big issues. The land of Ixia is under new rule. The Commander requires that people living in his country must wear uniforms and are given jobs. You must fill out papers to get married or travel. This sounds terrible! HOWEVER, there isn’t crime, or poverty, or lack of health care. Do I personally believe in this form of government? No, I think it would only work in a perfect world and not in reality, but I’ll leave more of this discussion for the second books review….

The book also touches on equal rights for women. In this new government where your job is assigned, women are given just as high of positions as men. Your job is based on your abilities and not just your sex. This also carries over into what we learn about other cultures in the next book.

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