#Review : Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Magic Study

by Maria V. Snyder

Fantasy / Romance

Synopsis:

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...

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Yelena’s story continues as she heads south to find her family and escape the Commander’s order for her execution. Introduce her to a troubled brother, a surviving member of the old king’s family, and a couple of people off their rockers & you’re in for one hell of a ride.

Yummies: The characters I loved from the first book, Magic Study, rock this book as well – and we meet a couple more just as enjoyable.

Valdek is by far my favorite & new book boyfriend. He's every woman's dream. Yelena helps to show another side of his black existence, yet there are still so many unanswered questions surrounding this cold-hearted killer.  I was thrilled when he finally made an appearance in this 2^nd book. Literally. My heart leapt & I grinned.

I found the world building to have a more organic feel, so this was a nice yummy the first lacked. Yeah!

The believability of the magic factor is refreshing as well. It makes sense & raised no questions for me. I love that our heroine is flattened with exhaustion from overuse - that she isn’t the typical MC with unlimited, unquestionable power.

I love too how we find out what she is, but don’t fully understand it. Definitely going to get book 3!

Yuckies: Unlike the first book which begins with a bang, capturing the reader up in that universal desire to survive, this started slow for me. While I was excited to find out who Yelena is - who & where she comes from - had I not read the first book the day before I would have been a smidge bored. Perhaps even put the book down for awhile.

That being said, within a handful of chapters I was sucked in & finished the book in 1 sitting. I’ll pay for it this morning, but it was worth it!

Recommend: Oh hell yes. And I’m dying for book 3, but unfortunately life comes first today. Perhaps tomorrow.  J

My 5* review of Poison Study (Book #1) can be found HERE.