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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
SHOCKED THAT THIS WAS SO GOOD. This book is from the literal 2000s and its so freaking good. This is like a SJM book but without all the unnecessary bits. I’m such a fan of Yelena, she’s smart and loyal. Her relationship with Valek is my favorite part of the book. I also love how there is an emphasis on the plot. I like the fast friendships that Yelena makes. I also really love that the setting is in a military state. This is a pretty typical YA fantasy, but I love it.
Good stuff.
Good stuff.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This wasnt the best book I've ever read, but I did enjoy it. I liked the plot and the characters for the most part, but sometimes, the writing style annoyed me. There was a lot of telling and a lot of Yelena narrating to us exactly what things look like systematically. I did mark it as having "some spice," but that was just to be better safe than sorry. In all honesty, the language around that time was so flowery, I didnt even realize it was about sex until after the fact.
Op zoek naar een leuk boek om te lezen, kwam ik Studie van Gif tegen in de bib. Ik had het in een grijs verleden al een keer gelezen en was er toen razend enthousiast over. Aangezien nu alle drie de boeken aanwezig waren en ik vakantie had, dacht ik meteen: MEENEMEN! Van die beslissing heb ik helemaal geen spijt. Toen ik dit boek opnieuw las, kwam alles namelijk weer terug. Herinnerde ik me weer waarom ik het toen zo'n geweldig boek vond en snakte ik net als de vorige keer naar meer. Gelukkig heb ik nu wel alle drie de boeken in huis :D
Waarom is Studie van Gif dan zo geweldig? Allereerst komt het door onze heldin, Yelena (prachtige naam trouwens ^^). Op het punt om geexecuteerd te worden staat ze voor de volgende keuze: dood gaan, of iets langer in leven blijven als voorproever voor de commandant? Met de hoop op leven, op ontsnapping, kiest ze voor het laatste, niet wetende wat ze daarmee allemaal in gang zet...
Als lezer volg je haar, elke stap van haar reis. Van het leren om een voorproever te zijn tot het uitvoeren van levensgevaarlijke missies. Je ziet hoe Yelena ondanks alles wat er op haar pad wordt gegooid overeind blijft, zich niet laat kisten. Ze is een echte doorvechter, die haar hoofd koel houdt in de meest barre omstandigheden en het hart op de juist plaats heeft zitten. Oftewel, het type hoofdpersoon waar ik het liefste over lees.
Daarnaast heeft Maria V. Snyder een hele boeiende wereld geschapen. Waar een soort dictator de macht heeft gegrepen. Deze keer is dat zo slecht nog niet. De nieuwe commandant is bovendien niet wat het lijkt. Hij heeft een paar kanten aan zichzelf die je verbaasd zullen doen staan. Die je totaal niet verwacht. Ook is het intrigrerend om te lezen over de magie, zoals die in deze wereld werkzaam is. Het fijne wordt nog niet uitgelegd in dit deel, maar aangezien het volgende boek Studie van Magie heet, denk ik dat dan al mijn vragen beantwoord zullen worden :)
Als niet onbelangrijke laatste punt is de schrijftster er in geslaagd een pakkend verhaal te schrijven. Waar niets is wat het lijkt en dat verschillende wendingen neemt. Met vertederende romantiek, die deze keer eens niet op de voorgrond staat, maar die je wel tussen de regels door kunt vinden. Die langzaam maar zeker tot uiting komt, inclusief een heerlijk zwijmelmomentje!
Conclusie
Ook de tweede keer is Studie van Gif net zo boeiend als de eerste keer. Met een geweldige hoofdpersoon, een intrigrerende wereld en een boeiend verhaal. Wat kan er dan nog mis gaan?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Awaiting execution for murder, Yelena is given the choice of dying tomorrow or a life
After committing murder, Yelena is given the choice of death by execution or a life of constant risk as the Commander's food taster.
Yelena decides to choose the risky life, because at least she'll be alive, but she quickly finds there is little chance for escape as she must daily receive the antidote to a slow acting poison that the Commander's spy master (and her food tasting teacher) gave her as her first lesson. Without the antidote, she'll die painfully in a few days.
Now Yelena must deal with the ghost of the man she killed, battle foreign magicians, gain control of her illegal magic, not fall in love with the enemy, and stay alive to keep fighting the next day.
This was my first all nighter book of the new year. I'd been putting off Poison Study despite hearing wonderful things, intending to read it once all three books were out, because there's nothing I hate more than having to wait after a cliff hanger. And I was right to wait, as each book ends with Yelena starting her next adventure. Even now, the third book is out, but it seems difficult to find (I think they are rereleasing it in a new paperback edition, since the other two books just came out as such), and I had to order a copy on Amazon. Thus, to fill the few days until I get the third one (yes, I had to get it on 2 day, instead of waiting till free shipping got around to getting it to me), by writing this review.
Snyder does a wonderful job of blending characters and plot with world building and magic creation, so I can clearly picture the world and society, yet never felt like I was lectured to. So many magic heavy books need to spend pages explaining the world to the character, and while there were a few spots where Yelena had to learn what the reader and she didn't know, the spots flowed so smoothly between the story, I barely noticed.
If I had one complaint, it's that I felt like Snyder didn't really describe the characters. We heard some distinguishing traits, hair color or eye color, but not much to really tell me what they looked like. In fact, I thought that one of the main characters (Valek) was old when he first showed up, like in his 50s, cause all the descriptions she gave matched more the wise old man than young (30s) handsome love interest. And part of that could be that I don't always pick up subtle descriptions, but the character's narration voice just made it hard for me to be sure what things looked like, unless it was something she really spent a lot of time describing, because most of the time it was just a trait or two.
Read in depth review at Bookwyrm Chrysalis :: Poison Study
After committing murder, Yelena is given the choice of death by execution or a life of constant risk as the Commander's food taster.
Yelena decides to choose the risky life, because at least she'll be alive, but she quickly finds there is little chance for escape as she must daily receive the antidote to a slow acting poison that the Commander's spy master (and her food tasting teacher) gave her as her first lesson. Without the antidote, she'll die painfully in a few days.
Now Yelena must deal with the ghost of the man she killed, battle foreign magicians, gain control of her illegal magic, not fall in love with the enemy, and stay alive to keep fighting the next day.
This was my first all nighter book of the new year. I'd been putting off Poison Study despite hearing wonderful things, intending to read it once all three books were out, because there's nothing I hate more than having to wait after a cliff hanger. And I was right to wait, as each book ends with Yelena starting her next adventure. Even now, the third book is out, but it seems difficult to find (I think they are rereleasing it in a new paperback edition, since the other two books just came out as such), and I had to order a copy on Amazon. Thus, to fill the few days until I get the third one (yes, I had to get it on 2 day, instead of waiting till free shipping got around to getting it to me), by writing this review.
Snyder does a wonderful job of blending characters and plot with world building and magic creation, so I can clearly picture the world and society, yet never felt like I was lectured to. So many magic heavy books need to spend pages explaining the world to the character, and while there were a few spots where Yelena had to learn what the reader and she didn't know, the spots flowed so smoothly between the story, I barely noticed.
If I had one complaint, it's that I felt like Snyder didn't really describe the characters. We heard some distinguishing traits, hair color or eye color, but not much to really tell me what they looked like. In fact, I thought that one of the main characters (Valek) was old when he first showed up, like in his 50s, cause all the descriptions she gave matched more the wise old man than young (30s) handsome love interest. And part of that could be that I don't always pick up subtle descriptions, but the character's narration voice just made it hard for me to be sure what things looked like, unless it was something she really spent a lot of time describing, because most of the time it was just a trait or two.
Read in depth review at Bookwyrm Chrysalis :: Poison Study
I really loved this book. I went in not expecting much and it got me out of the overwhelming book slump i was in. I loved the attention given to the different poisons , the fact that even though there is a love story it didn't consume and made Yelena who she was. It wasn't insta love and i can appreciate that. Already starting book 2 , i can't wait :)
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The actual rating is 3.5 stars.
"Poison Study" delivers an engaging fantasy tale with a mix of political intrigue, poison, and a dash of romance. While the novel boasts a compelling narrative and a strong protagonist, certain aspects prevent it from achieving a higher rating.
The story follows Yelena, a young woman facing a death sentence for murder who is offered an alternative: become the Commander's food taster. The premise immediately captivates, and Snyder successfully builds tension as Yelena navigates a perilous world. The exploration of political maneuvering and the intricacies of power dynamics adds depth to the plot, creating a story that keeps readers invested in the protagonist's journey.
One of the standout features is Yelena herself, a well-crafted character with a compelling arc. Her resilience, resourcefulness, and internal struggles make her a protagonist worth rooting for. The evolution of her character throughout the novel adds emotional weight to the story, and readers will find themselves drawn to her journey of survival and self-discovery.
However, the novel stumbles when it comes to secondary character development. Many of the supporting cast lack the same level of depth and complexity as Yelena, making them feel like mere plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. This oversight diminishes the overall impact of the story, as a more robust supporting cast could have added layers to the narrative.
The romantic elements woven into the plot, while present, may not satisfy readers seeking a more nuanced portrayal of relationships. The romantic dynamics can feel predictable, and the development lacks the depth needed to make the connections between characters truly resonate. The romance, though a subplot, could have been better integrated into the overall narrative.
Snyder's writing style, while generally serviceable, may leave some readers wanting more. The prose lacks the richness and descriptive flair that could elevate the storytelling to a higher level. While the straightforward style keeps the pacing brisk, it occasionally sacrifices the opportunity for more immersive world-building and atmospheric storytelling.
"Poison Study" delivers an engaging fantasy tale with a mix of political intrigue, poison, and a dash of romance. While the novel boasts a compelling narrative and a strong protagonist, certain aspects prevent it from achieving a higher rating.
The story follows Yelena, a young woman facing a death sentence for murder who is offered an alternative: become the Commander's food taster. The premise immediately captivates, and Snyder successfully builds tension as Yelena navigates a perilous world. The exploration of political maneuvering and the intricacies of power dynamics adds depth to the plot, creating a story that keeps readers invested in the protagonist's journey.
One of the standout features is Yelena herself, a well-crafted character with a compelling arc. Her resilience, resourcefulness, and internal struggles make her a protagonist worth rooting for. The evolution of her character throughout the novel adds emotional weight to the story, and readers will find themselves drawn to her journey of survival and self-discovery.
However, the novel stumbles when it comes to secondary character development. Many of the supporting cast lack the same level of depth and complexity as Yelena, making them feel like mere plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. This oversight diminishes the overall impact of the story, as a more robust supporting cast could have added layers to the narrative.
The romantic elements woven into the plot, while present, may not satisfy readers seeking a more nuanced portrayal of relationships. The romantic dynamics can feel predictable, and the development lacks the depth needed to make the connections between characters truly resonate. The romance, though a subplot, could have been better integrated into the overall narrative.
Snyder's writing style, while generally serviceable, may leave some readers wanting more. The prose lacks the richness and descriptive flair that could elevate the storytelling to a higher level. While the straightforward style keeps the pacing brisk, it occasionally sacrifices the opportunity for more immersive world-building and atmospheric storytelling.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated