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esorharas 's review for:
Poison Study
by Maria V. Snyder
I have now read this book three times. The first was in 2009, the second in 2010 and the third in 2012. It really is a fantastic book. Not only are the characters wonderful and engaging, but the plot moves along at a good pace, and the start! The start of the book shows Yelena in the prison where she has been for almost a year for murdering someone. It immediately gets you interested in Yelena as a character and intrigued to know more about her situation. And Maria then cleverly reveals the backstory in bits and pieces in the form of flashbacks.
Each time I read this book I marvel at how good it is. Yes, the writing is quite different. It's not too wordy like some fantasy novels. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's easy to read. I read it in a day on the third time. Less than a day. Just a few hours, really.
Valek makes a good love interest. Because of course you realise that this is what he is. But the characters realise slowly how much they mean to each other, how much they care, and it is only by the end that the two get to reveal this to each other.
Janco and Ari are wonderful, too. The characters are given some depth, even the supporting ones, though you don't really seem to get much of an insight into why the bad guys are doing what they are doing, other than for power.
There are faults, of course, but they are minimal and don't detract from the story. If you are worried about being disappointed by the sequels (and many people are disappointed, to judge from the poor reviews for Magic Study and Fire Study), then stick to this one and imagine your own ending. Personally, I think the follow-ups, while not as good, are good enough, and continue with the fast-paced narrative that Maria is now known for.
Each time I read this book I marvel at how good it is. Yes, the writing is quite different. It's not too wordy like some fantasy novels. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's easy to read. I read it in a day on the third time. Less than a day. Just a few hours, really.
Valek makes a good love interest. Because of course you realise that this is what he is. But the characters realise slowly how much they mean to each other, how much they care, and it is only by the end that the two get to reveal this to each other.
Janco and Ari are wonderful, too. The characters are given some depth, even the supporting ones, though you don't really seem to get much of an insight into why the bad guys are doing what they are doing, other than for power.
There are faults, of course, but they are minimal and don't detract from the story. If you are worried about being disappointed by the sequels (and many people are disappointed, to judge from the poor reviews for Magic Study and Fire Study), then stick to this one and imagine your own ending. Personally, I think the follow-ups, while not as good, are good enough, and continue with the fast-paced narrative that Maria is now known for.