Reviews

I usually wouldn’t bother with a different POV retelling but I read poison study almost a year ago and still hadn’t gotten around to Magic Study. So I used this as a way to refresh my memory of the events of Poison Study. I tell you what, this was worth it. I already adored Valek but wow he’s even more dreamy in this.

Admittedly I don’t think I would have enjoyed this if I had just read poison study and went straight into this because duh it’s a retelling it’s going to be somewhat repetitive. But I think Yelena and Valek spend enough time apart that there’s stories to be told in the in between moments. And that’s what The Study of Poisons gives us.

We learn more about Valek’s relationship with the Commander, his duties as chief of security, his thought process during all the times he seemed suspicious through Yelena’s POV (he was really just a big softy)

I think it would be interesting once all ‘The study of…’ books are released to have two people read the series one reading Yelena’s POV and another reading Valek’s and compare experiences.

I probably won’t read the other ‘The study of…’ books until they’re all completed and then I can use it as reread of the series that isn’t quite a reread. What a gift to experience this series twice and have it feel new like that ‘I wish I could read this for the first time again’ feeling.

hoping4more's review against another edition

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5.0

Although I was involved in bringing this book to the rest of the world (in my own small way) my review is based on the story alone.

I have loved this series since I first read it 10 years ago, and was thrilled to read Poison Study from Valek’s perspective. From the advanced copy to the polished audiobook, I enjoyed every minute spent reading this book, and I know fans of the series will feel the same.

horrorgirlsophie's review against another edition

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5.0

This series feels like home to me, and this book just made me want to reread the entire series all over again

becadreads's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

It's SO good to go back into this world from Valek's point of view and watch him fall hard for Yelena. I didn't realize the book was self published and you can tell but my love for the world and nostalgia kept me reading it. You have to remember it's a companion novel to Poison Study so you miss a lot of details and world building in this one. My 4.5 stars come from a place of heavy bias since I love Maria Snyder.

But if you love the Chronicles of Ixia, this is such a treat.

siglerbooknook's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Did this book REALLY deserve 5 stars? Based purely on this book alone and writing style, maybe not? But add in the anticipation that it wholeheartedly delivered on, the adorable cute scenes throughout, and the chance to peek inside my favorite love interest's head and how could I give it less?

I strongly suggest reading Poison Study first. The two books are very tightly woven and A Study of Poisons is clearly the companion. The pacing and details are much clearer in the original book from Yelena's point of view. That said, if you finish Poison Study and are craving more of our favorite Ixians, this book delivers everything you could ask for.

The story was adorable, it answered every curiosity I'd had after finishing Poison Study, and filled in some blanks I hadn't even realized bothered me the first time through this adventure.

A Study of Poisons does a fantastic job of rounding out some loveable side characters and introduces us to new ones. It left me wanting to reread Poison Study (again for the 3rd time in 2 years) and excited for the remaining Study books I haven't yet gotten my hands on.

I can't wait to reread this book and catch all the well-thought-out details you're likely to miss on a first read. I definitely made connections this time around that I didn't before, which always adds extra delight.

Content Warnings

alexperc_92's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

thunguyen's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars out of the sheer enjoyment I personally had from reading another Valek's story.

It is not recommended to read this book before reading Poisons Study, or even before Soulfinders trilogy. There's a lot of suspension points in Poisons Study revealed at the very beginning of Study of Poisons, because Valek was the key to these secrets, so it will spoil Poisons Study if you haven't read it yet. On the other hand, Study of Poisons feels like a weird story to read as it's missing a lot of stuff, because they happened to Yelena only and they were told in Poisons Study. I don't remember everything as told in Poisons Study so at times, it' a bit hard to understand where things were in Study of Poisons.

Still, it's good fun to see things from Valek's POV, knowing that there's a lot he didn't know about Yelena and her activities, but he was falling in love with her like never before. Understanding that he himself is super loyal to who and what he treasures explains a lot about his freak meltdowns as happened to Yelena in Poisons Study.

I really enjoyed the fact that Valek's side of the story was told more like a romance than Yelena's side, how it brew from an attraction to love, hence the confession scene in the prison was perfect timing and didn't feel like it came out of nowhere.

Valek is the pinnacle of "Bad guy got the girl" trope, except, he's not bad, he's badass.

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