Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I'm so shocked at how quickly I read this book, and at how fast paced it was. The story was easy to follow, and gave us three character POV's rather than just Yelena (and I loved it!). There were a few things that I didn't completely love, but overall this book did not disappoint. I loved being back with these characters and seeing them quite a few years after the ending of Fire Study. That being said I so wish I had read the Glass trilogy beforehand, as there were some spoilers in this book for the ending of the trilogy. I can't wait to see where the plot and the characters are going to go in the next book, especially after that ending. Highly, highly recommend this series.
Editing this review today, I needed some time to think.
To be fair I think this is my favourite book ever since Poison Study in this overarching series. Poison Study is still my top, but this is a close second.
I enjoyed the different perspectives we got in this book, especially Janco's. It was always a treat to read from his perspective, even though it was so much shorter than the rest. A glimpse into Valek's past was also welcome. It felt weird how she incorporated it into the story, every time having the character daydream and continue the story of his childhood. It wasn't all that great in terms of bringing in backstories. Nevertheless, it was nice to hear about Valek's past despite the weird writing of it.
As for Yelena, she continued doing the same thing I hate seeing her do. Running off to do her own thing even when she could use the help. Like girl,... At some point, Leif confronts her about it and she admits it's stupid of her to run away alone, THEN DOES IT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I just cannot understand where all the logic went. "Oh the people I love will get hurt" well no shit so will you and by running away you're putting them in more danger because they WILL look for you. Jesus.
The plot was alright. It was very enjoyable actually. I don't know much about pacing in fantasy books but it seemed fine to me, this is subject to change in the following years xD.
All in all, a pretty good book and a fun way to pass the time :D
To be fair I think this is my favourite book ever since Poison Study in this overarching series. Poison Study is still my top, but this is a close second.
I enjoyed the different perspectives we got in this book, especially Janco's. It was always a treat to read from his perspective, even though it was so much shorter than the rest. A glimpse into Valek's past was also welcome. It felt weird how she incorporated it into the story, every time having the character daydream and continue the story of his childhood. It wasn't all that great in terms of bringing in backstories. Nevertheless, it was nice to hear about Valek's past despite the weird writing of it.
As for Yelena, she continued doing the same thing I hate seeing her do. Running off to do her own thing even when she could use the help. Like girl,... At some point, Leif confronts her about it and she admits it's stupid of her to run away alone, THEN DOES IT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I just cannot understand where all the logic went. "Oh the people I love will get hurt" well no shit so will you and by running away you're putting them in more danger because they WILL look for you. Jesus.
The plot was alright. It was very enjoyable actually. I don't know much about pacing in fantasy books but it seemed fine to me, this is subject to change in the following years xD.
All in all, a pretty good book and a fun way to pass the time :D
Review originally posted on my blog here- https://kelmacsbooks.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/shadow-study-maria-v-snyder/
So I’m not going to lie, I was very hesitant to read this book and took a bit of a gamble since I really didn’t like Fire Study of Magic Study… But I bought it anyway because of the multiple points of view in the hope that I would get some background info on Valek and Janco and Ari would actually appear…. And I was pleasantly surprised!!
I read this book in about 5 days and enjoyed it immensely. I am a big fan of multiple POV’s in books as I feel it gives you so much more depth not only into the character but into the plot as well. And this time was no difference, having not only Yelena tell the story but Valek and Janco gave you three completely different characters insights and feelings to make the novel rich with info which is what I feel was lacking in the two former books.
I really loved the plot of getting rid of Yelena’s magic as it made her more self aware and a bit more interesting to read about and there is minimal whining from her which made me very happy for that was something that annoyed me immensely in the previous books.
I also got MORE VALEK!!! So much more Valek which is what I really thought was missing in both Fire and Magic Study. We got childhood backstory which was so extremely interesting and then made who he is at the present time so much clearer. And to get his POV meant we got his inner thoughts of Yelena and to just validate that even though he puts his job first; he gets second thoughts and wants to rush to Yelena because he loves her so much and god, that did something to my heart every time he was conflicted like that.
And welcome back to my comedic relief Ari and Janco!! I missed you and your banter so much! Also the addition of Onora, another badass female character made me very happy and I enjoyed her input into the plot immensely… Although the constant calling her Little Miss Assassin grated my nerves ALOT…
And although I totally called the ending of this, I really really enjoyed this novel and I am very happy I gave this series another chance since now I am extremely excited to read the next one (especially because of how this one ended).
So if you were like me and were pretty let down with Fire and/or Magic Study and don’t know whether they should pick this one up, I suggest you should! You get more Yelena and Valek and you get more baddass fighting scenes and so much more Janco and Ari!!
So I’m not going to lie, I was very hesitant to read this book and took a bit of a gamble since I really didn’t like Fire Study of Magic Study… But I bought it anyway because of the multiple points of view in the hope that I would get some background info on Valek and Janco and Ari would actually appear…. And I was pleasantly surprised!!
I read this book in about 5 days and enjoyed it immensely. I am a big fan of multiple POV’s in books as I feel it gives you so much more depth not only into the character but into the plot as well. And this time was no difference, having not only Yelena tell the story but Valek and Janco gave you three completely different characters insights and feelings to make the novel rich with info which is what I feel was lacking in the two former books.
I really loved the plot of getting rid of Yelena’s magic as it made her more self aware and a bit more interesting to read about and there is minimal whining from her which made me very happy for that was something that annoyed me immensely in the previous books.
I also got MORE VALEK!!! So much more Valek which is what I really thought was missing in both Fire and Magic Study. We got childhood backstory which was so extremely interesting and then made who he is at the present time so much clearer. And to get his POV meant we got his inner thoughts of Yelena and to just validate that even though he puts his job first; he gets second thoughts and wants to rush to Yelena because he loves her so much and god, that did something to my heart every time he was conflicted like that.
And welcome back to my comedic relief Ari and Janco!! I missed you and your banter so much! Also the addition of Onora, another badass female character made me very happy and I enjoyed her input into the plot immensely… Although the constant calling her Little Miss Assassin grated my nerves ALOT…
And although I totally called the ending of this, I really really enjoyed this novel and I am very happy I gave this series another chance since now I am extremely excited to read the next one (especially because of how this one ended).
So if you were like me and were pretty let down with Fire and/or Magic Study and don’t know whether they should pick this one up, I suggest you should! You get more Yelena and Valek and you get more baddass fighting scenes and so much more Janco and Ari!!
Oh my god that ending!!!! I was so excited to finally get my hands on book four of this series after I thought I'd never get it! Reading it was like covering up with my favorite blanket, the characters still as familiar as when I read Poison Study. It was such a quick read, too. I wish I could just turn the last page and start the next part. This is definitely still my favorite series and I can't wait for the next installment!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I do just love the world of the Study series, and I think this was an interesting next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Shadow Study is the first book in the Soulfinders series, which brings us back to the world of Poison Study. But things are different now, as Yelena's powerful magic is lost and she needs to figure out how to fix it before her enemies find out she is vulnerable.
Shadow Study is a welcome return to the Ixia series, after spending three years away with the Healer trilogy. I've often complained that the Snyder's books have become cookie cutter in the last few years, and Shadow Study at least shows signs of trying new things. This can be seen from the fact that there are three storylines here, one told from Yelena's Perspective, one from Valek's and one from Janco's. Interestingly, there are really four stories here, when you count the fact that Valek's chapters often flash back to his times as an assassin, filling the reader in on his back story. These were some of my favorite moments in the whole book. I felt like Snyder did a pretty good job juggling the multiple storylines, even though Janco's was clearly the weakest of the three, with not a lot of character progression, although there's clearly seeds of a romance being sewn.
Shadow Study does feature the "heroine gets kidnapped or otherwise held against her will" sequence that have become a staple in Snyder's work, but given that there is no bizarre sexual energy between Yelena and her captor, I'll let it slide.
New fans should be warned, this book is anything but stand alone. IF you haven't read Yelena's first trilogy (which you should anyway), you will find yourself getting confused. Even I was, having read the books years ago. But still, I was thoroughly entertained for the ride and will becoming back for book two next year.
Shadow Study is a welcome return to the Ixia series, after spending three years away with the Healer trilogy. I've often complained that the Snyder's books have become cookie cutter in the last few years, and Shadow Study at least shows signs of trying new things. This can be seen from the fact that there are three storylines here, one told from Yelena's Perspective, one from Valek's and one from Janco's. Interestingly, there are really four stories here, when you count the fact that Valek's chapters often flash back to his times as an assassin, filling the reader in on his back story. These were some of my favorite moments in the whole book. I felt like Snyder did a pretty good job juggling the multiple storylines, even though Janco's was clearly the weakest of the three, with not a lot of character progression, although there's clearly seeds of a romance being sewn.
Shadow Study does feature the "heroine gets kidnapped or otherwise held against her will" sequence that have become a staple in Snyder's work, but given that there is no bizarre sexual energy between Yelena and her captor, I'll let it slide.
New fans should be warned, this book is anything but stand alone. IF you haven't read Yelena's first trilogy (which you should anyway), you will find yourself getting confused. Even I was, having read the books years ago. But still, I was thoroughly entertained for the ride and will becoming back for book two next year.
I may be neglecting my parental duties to finish this series... I’m an addict
Somehow compared to the original trilogy this was a bit of a let- down for me!
On the whole it was enjoyable, as we get to follow Valek and Yelena in continuing their adventures, and the writing remains charming and witty in an intriguing world. I also liked that this was more focussed on the action and less on the romance.
But what really put me off was the switches in Point of View. I usually don't mind when chapters are told from different characters' POVs, but the inconsistency between first person and third person didn't sit well with me.
On top of that, the narrative seemed rather choppy, and especially Valek's flashbacks really dragged on to me, and broke up the narrative too much.
On the whole it was enjoyable, as we get to follow Valek and Yelena in continuing their adventures, and the writing remains charming and witty in an intriguing world. I also liked that this was more focussed on the action and less on the romance.
But what really put me off was the switches in Point of View. I usually don't mind when chapters are told from different characters' POVs, but the inconsistency between first person and third person didn't sit well with me.
On top of that, the narrative seemed rather choppy, and especially Valek's flashbacks really dragged on to me, and broke up the narrative too much.