Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Luna (2006), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 400 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. HTML:From New York Times Bestselling Author Maria V. Snyder Beyond Ixia, the roots of magic run deep...After the discovery of her magical abilities leads to an execution order, Yelena has no choice but to flee to Sitia, her long-lost birthplace. There, she has the chance to meet the family she never knew. But Sitia is unfamiliar, and she's treated with suspicion and even hatred by the people she thought she could trust�including her own brother. Then Yelena is given the chance to travel to Sitia's capital. In the Citadel, she'll have the chance to hone her magical abilities under the tutelage of master magicians. As she learns the laws of magic�Yelena also discovers those who will do anything to break them. And when a rogue magician who targets young female victims emerges, Yelena must put her life at risk to stop him. Will her newfound magic save Yelena�or will it be her downfall? The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V SnyderBook One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MsPolitix
This is the second book in a series based on Yelena Zaltana, a young woman coming to grips with her lost childhood and her newfound magic abilities. Where the first book, Poison Study, focused more on the characters and the politics of the two lands of Ixia and Sitia , Magic Study has tipped over
As context, I rated Poison Study 3.5 stars. Magic Study gets a definitive 3 stars from me. No more.
My reasons:
1. The setting. Ixia was a far more original setting than Sitia, which is 'ye olde sword and sorcery' territory, whilst the magic school smacks of a poor-man’s Harry Potter.
2. As a pace-driven, limited word count book, Poison Study walked a fine line between ‘telling’ and ‘showing’. Magic Study takes a quick look at the line and proceeds to leap over into ‘telling’, which often includes stating the obvious. Not only is this condescending for the reader, it also takes the fun out of complementing the text with your own imagination.
3. The dialogue can be extremely corny. Exhibit A: ‘Kill me? You can join the ‘I Want To Kill Yelena Guild’. I hear they have six members in good standing’.
4. Yelena has become audacious. She’s lost the attractive quality of the flawed heroine, because in Magic Study, she takes the world and its villains on by herself, heedless to help or advice of others. It’s like watching a sports team who has had years of dominance in their league – you know they’re going to win so the game becomes boring.
5. The sexual abuse theme. Fine, it worked for character building in the first book. But was it necessary to have more of it in the second? I’m not sure it actually added to the tension or the plot. For me, it just made the book resemble an episode of Law and Order SVU.
Despite all this, I still give it 3 stars. There are some interesting points here and there. I liked the idea of Yelena’s style of magic and her ability to communicate with animals. Her helping the beggar children was also a very positive detail for me. Overall, this book would still appeal to the target audience of young women, though these readers will probably enjoy it because it is Poison Study’s sequel, rather than for the book it is in its own right.
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into what I would call ‘Fantasy-LITE’ territory. As context, I rated Poison Study 3.5 stars. Magic Study gets a definitive 3 stars from me. No more.
My reasons:
1. The setting. Ixia was a far more original setting than Sitia, which is 'ye olde sword and sorcery' territory, whilst the magic school smacks of a poor-man’s Harry Potter.
2. As a pace-driven, limited word count book, Poison Study walked a fine line between ‘telling’ and ‘showing’. Magic Study takes a quick look at the line and proceeds to leap over into ‘telling’, which often includes stating the obvious. Not only is this condescending for the reader, it also takes the fun out of complementing the text with your own imagination.
3. The dialogue can be extremely corny. Exhibit A: ‘Kill me? You can join the ‘I Want To Kill Yelena Guild’. I hear they have six members in good standing’.
4. Yelena has become audacious. She’s lost the attractive quality of the flawed heroine, because in Magic Study, she takes the world and its villains on by herself, heedless to help or advice of others. It’s like watching a sports team who has had years of dominance in their league – you know they’re going to win so the game becomes boring.
5. The sexual abuse theme. Fine, it worked for character building in the first book. But was it necessary to have more of it in the second? I’m not sure it actually added to the tension or the plot. For me, it just made the book resemble an episode of Law and Order SVU.
Despite all this, I still give it 3 stars. There are some interesting points here and there. I liked the idea of Yelena’s style of magic and her ability to communicate with animals. Her helping the beggar children was also a very positive detail for me. Overall, this book would still appeal to the target audience of young women, though these readers will probably enjoy it because it is Poison Study’s sequel, rather than for the book it is in its own right.
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LibraryThing member soliloquies
Having left Ixia, Yelena must now learn about her family and Southern heritage in this second book of the 'Study' trilogy. The book continues where the first left off as Yelena has new adventures, makes new enemies and begins to develop her powers. The writing is good and makes for an easy read.
LibraryThing member lewispike
The continuing adventures of Yelena. This time she's come South to train as a magician, and meet her family and the like.
There is a wonderfully alive and different culture, and the mismatch between Yelena's expectations and background and what she finds in Sitia is beautifully handled.
Of course,
But then Yelena gets called in to try and help the victim of a rape who is in a coma. She finds evidence of a serial rapist and heads off to take care of it. This brings her into conflict with the Sitians, who tend to sit around and discuss things first whereas her Ixian background tends to turn her to direct action. This leads to a number of collisions with her mentor and the like, and high adventure.
There are sub-plots too - she meets the Ixian heir to the throne, her romance with Velak continues apace and so on.
A good romping read. A bit light, but that helps it romp along faster.
There is a wonderfully alive and different culture, and the mismatch between Yelena's expectations and background and what she finds in Sitia is beautifully handled.
Of course,
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this being Yelena, things don't go smoothly. First, although not bad for her, her magic abilities seem odd compared to most and that takes some adjustment. But then Yelena gets called in to try and help the victim of a rape who is in a coma. She finds evidence of a serial rapist and heads off to take care of it. This brings her into conflict with the Sitians, who tend to sit around and discuss things first whereas her Ixian background tends to turn her to direct action. This leads to a number of collisions with her mentor and the like, and high adventure.
There are sub-plots too - she meets the Ixian heir to the throne, her romance with Velak continues apace and so on.
A good romping read. A bit light, but that helps it romp along faster.
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LibraryThing member corglacier7
One thing that immediately impressed me in "Magic Study" was how vividly drawn Sitia was, a somewhat tribalistic nation rich with magic and with a definite mageocracy, and particularly in stark contrast to militaristic, egalitarian nature of Ixia from "Poison Study". In this new environment, a
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kidnapped child returning as a woman, Yelena Zaltana continues her development as a great character, overcoming the fear of her Sitian sorceror's powers and making new ties to her family and the land of her birth, while not discarding the people and skills from Ixia who helped shape her into who she is. The tone and story are completely different from "Poison Study" but are equally rich. Show Less
LibraryThing member book_worm127
I think that I enjoyed this book even more than I did the first one! I was drawn back into Snyders world completely. I love Yelena's character. She's so strong and can kick some major ass. She doesn't let anyone bs her either. In this book she is in the land of Sitia, her home land that she can't
I really liked the use of magic in this book. It was another threat that had to be watched for and another weapon that could be used at the same time. I like how Yelena's magic was different from everyone else's and how people reacted to her. Magic was effortlessly woven into the story, and didn't seem odd or out of place at all.
I thought that Snyder really improved her descriptive skills in this one. The complaint about not being able to see things clearly in the last one no longer applies. I could picture the jungle and the citadel vividly and that's why this one was better than the last. I could also picture the people better and the action didn't seem as forced. Yeah, I would say that this one was better than the first.
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remember. For the first 2/3rds of the book it's mostly Yelena and new characters, which was a bit confusing at times, but not too bad. I really enjoyed when the old characters were in the book, especially Valek *swoon*.I really liked the use of magic in this book. It was another threat that had to be watched for and another weapon that could be used at the same time. I like how Yelena's magic was different from everyone else's and how people reacted to her. Magic was effortlessly woven into the story, and didn't seem odd or out of place at all.
I thought that Snyder really improved her descriptive skills in this one. The complaint about not being able to see things clearly in the last one no longer applies. I could picture the jungle and the citadel vividly and that's why this one was better than the last. I could also picture the people better and the action didn't seem as forced. Yeah, I would say that this one was better than the first.
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LibraryThing member alcarinqa
After being exceptionally impressed with Poison Study, I eagerly dove into Magic Study. I must say it is, if anything, better than its predecessor. Magic Study still has all the things I loved about Poison Study - great characters, riveting plot, lots of action and romance - and improved upon the
I thought that Valek and Yelena's separation would play out like similar situations in YA, but Snyder minimises any sappy pining and ensures that no stupid decisions are undertaken through a feeling of abandonment, and most importantly, that Yelena never even glances at another man. Their eventual reunion was much-anticipated for me, and I was gratified to find that Valek's regard for Yelena had not dimmed. However, his ready acceptance of Yelena's magical powers after dedicating his whole life to eradicating magicians continues to mystify me, and I hope this aspect will be examined in the next book.
The long-awaited reunion of Yelena with her family is one of the most interesting aspects of the novel because it examines how she deals with the familial burdens that are suddenly thrust upon her. The destructive hatred her brother harbours for her is offset well with the easy and open relationship Yelena cultivates with her father. I loved the gradual development of love and trust between Yelena and her family, but also liked that some members (like Nutty) easily accepted her.
Overall, Magic Study is a great follow-up to Poison Study, and a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I still don't agree with it being marketed as YA, and believe many fans of more traditional, adult fantasy will enjoy this series as well as young adult readers.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
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previous book because of the level of world building. Yelena's return to Sitia and her family opens up Snyder's world so that the politics of Ixia and Sitia can be compared. To be honest, I see the merits of both types of political system and didn't mind one bit that Yelena stood up for the old home.I thought that Valek and Yelena's separation would play out like similar situations in YA, but Snyder minimises any sappy pining and ensures that no stupid decisions are undertaken through a feeling of abandonment, and most importantly, that Yelena never even glances at another man. Their eventual reunion was much-anticipated for me, and I was gratified to find that Valek's regard for Yelena had not dimmed. However, his ready acceptance of Yelena's magical powers after dedicating his whole life to eradicating magicians continues to mystify me, and I hope this aspect will be examined in the next book.
The long-awaited reunion of Yelena with her family is one of the most interesting aspects of the novel because it examines how she deals with the familial burdens that are suddenly thrust upon her. The destructive hatred her brother harbours for her is offset well with the easy and open relationship Yelena cultivates with her father. I loved the gradual development of love and trust between Yelena and her family, but also liked that some members (like Nutty) easily accepted her.
Overall, Magic Study is a great follow-up to Poison Study, and a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I still don't agree with it being marketed as YA, and believe many fans of more traditional, adult fantasy will enjoy this series as well as young adult readers.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
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LibraryThing member imayb1
The sequel to "Poison Study", in this book the main character returns to her homeland and gets a very mixed welcome. She attempts to train her burgeoning magic abilities, but gets seriously side-tracked by politics and intrigues.
It's an entertaining, fast-paced fantasy adventure, but it doesn't
It's an entertaining, fast-paced fantasy adventure, but it doesn't
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have the same credibility of the first book. Major exceptions to the rules are constantly being made for the main character with little to recommend her in her new and unfamiliar environment. Still, it's a good tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member luciazanerdini
LOOOOVE IT! i bummed this book off of a friend, but im toatlly gonna buy it A.S.A.P.!!! it is a wonderfully fantabulos and awesomeness romance, one of the VERY VERY few romances i can read. this one will keep you up reading it all night!(or, in my case, until 4am and then again at 9am before i go
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to work. i was really tiard by the time i finished it...lol) Show Less
LibraryThing member teharhynn
This book was amazing! I couldn’t wait to read it because the last one was so good, and I’m glad to say that this one too, was great. I can’t wait until the next one comes out. It’s going to kill me to wait.
LibraryThing member Homechicken
This book was a great follow-up to Poison Study. Although still a bit girly in places, the story was good, paced well, and never got boring. My biggest gripe would have to be that Valek’s character has changed significantly from the first book. Instead of his serious work-minded persona, he seems
Anyway, the books were great, and I certainly won’t avoid reading the next one when it comes out. Certainly the Study books are much less annoying and girly than the Kim Harrison novels.
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to have changed to a happy-go-lucky adventurous light-hearted “boyfriend”. Also the part about being able to talk to horses, that is so what a girl would wish for…Anyway, the books were great, and I certainly won’t avoid reading the next one when it comes out. Certainly the Study books are much less annoying and girly than the Kim Harrison novels.
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LibraryThing member chatteringbee
Yelena finally got out. Out of Ixia. And out of her job as food taster. Although, now she's not so sure she wants to leave. She leaves Valek behind as she ventures out into Sitia. There she discovers the family that she was stolen from. But Yelena doesn't feel like it's home. Her brother, for
The story hurls the reader through the pages at a fast pace. The world building was excellent. Readers will wish for a third book. Something they won't have to wait too long for because the third book (Fire Study) is being published in March.
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reasons she doesn't know, hates her. Others think she's a spy. But only to make matters worse, Yelena discovers the heir to the Ixian throne-who everyone thought was dead- and discovers a chain of murders. Typically, Yelena is drawn in and finds herself caught in a chase for the murderer. The story hurls the reader through the pages at a fast pace. The world building was excellent. Readers will wish for a third book. Something they won't have to wait too long for because the third book (Fire Study) is being published in March.
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LibraryThing member FeegleFan
*SPOILER WARNING*
I guess that I'll point out the good things first.
1. It was suspenseful enough to keep me reading.
2. I rather liked two of the characters - Valek, a master assassin and the lover of the main character Yelena; and Cahil, a puppet heir to a long-conquered kingdom. They're not totally
And now, for the bad parts. This list may be a little longer than the previous one. Okay, a LOT longer.
1. The protagonist/narrator, Yelena, annoyed me greatly for several reasons: because she was a "caring soul," she didn't want to kill anyone, even the malicious sister of one of her old nemesis (I had trouble believing this, and the author offered no explanation at all for this odd behavior, but I was almost prepared to let it slide). The irritating part about this is that her lover - whom she adores intensely - has killed hundreds of innocents in the past without mercy. Also, at the end of the novel, he kills the sister of her former nemesis, whom SHE didn't want to kill. If Yelena had gotten mad about this, it would have provided an interesting conflict in the relationship. Unfortunately, the author decided to gloss over these little inconveniences. Yelena doesn't even snap a LITTLE at her lover for his malicious actions, despite the fact that all of HER actions have shown her to be an extremely caring and compassionate person. The two of them just continue loving each other happily, without any sort of conflict or unease. This annoys me to no end. It's unrealistic and sloppy.
2. ALL of the antagonists were black-wearing, sadistic, power-hungry, evil-to-the-bone villains. If there had been just ONE antagonist like that, I wouldn't have had much of a problem. But no. ALL of them were like that. That's one of the worst (and, unfortunately, most common) clichés in modern fantasy.
3. All of the "good guys" were totally angelic. Once again, a devastating cliché.
4. Several of the names were fluffy and unoriginal. "Hazelnut"? "Petal"? HONESTLY.
And thus ends my review/rant. I sincerely hope that the next installment in the series will be better and more original (that is, if I ever get bored enough to read it).
I guess that I'll point out the good things first.
1. It was suspenseful enough to keep me reading.
2. I rather liked two of the characters - Valek, a master assassin and the lover of the main character Yelena; and Cahil, a puppet heir to a long-conquered kingdom. They're not totally
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evil, but not totally good, either. I like those kind of characters.And now, for the bad parts. This list may be a little longer than the previous one. Okay, a LOT longer.
1. The protagonist/narrator, Yelena, annoyed me greatly for several reasons: because she was a "caring soul," she didn't want to kill anyone, even the malicious sister of one of her old nemesis (I had trouble believing this, and the author offered no explanation at all for this odd behavior, but I was almost prepared to let it slide). The irritating part about this is that her lover - whom she adores intensely - has killed hundreds of innocents in the past without mercy. Also, at the end of the novel, he kills the sister of her former nemesis, whom SHE didn't want to kill. If Yelena had gotten mad about this, it would have provided an interesting conflict in the relationship. Unfortunately, the author decided to gloss over these little inconveniences. Yelena doesn't even snap a LITTLE at her lover for his malicious actions, despite the fact that all of HER actions have shown her to be an extremely caring and compassionate person. The two of them just continue loving each other happily, without any sort of conflict or unease. This annoys me to no end. It's unrealistic and sloppy.
2. ALL of the antagonists were black-wearing, sadistic, power-hungry, evil-to-the-bone villains. If there had been just ONE antagonist like that, I wouldn't have had much of a problem. But no. ALL of them were like that. That's one of the worst (and, unfortunately, most common) clichés in modern fantasy.
3. All of the "good guys" were totally angelic. Once again, a devastating cliché.
4. Several of the names were fluffy and unoriginal. "Hazelnut"? "Petal"? HONESTLY.
And thus ends my review/rant. I sincerely hope that the next installment in the series will be better and more original (that is, if I ever get bored enough to read it).
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LibraryThing member TheLibraryhag
Second in the Study series. This time Yelena has traveled to her home to study magic. Much intrique ensues. I really enjoy these books. I felt that I got to know Yelena better in this book.
LibraryThing member gamermom2004
Sooooo good meshes very well with the first book. A great continuation of the series. I can't wait for Fire Study to arrive so I can see how it all ends.
LibraryThing member psychobabble4u
I was immediately absorbed in the story as I was with book 1 in the series. very entertaining.
LibraryThing member TadAD
The writing was still a bit flat in this book--I still don't feel the characters are very real. The concept and plot were a bit more derivative than the first book, so I enjoyed this less.
LibraryThing member KatieLovett
Magic Study enthralled me even more than Poison Study did, hooking and keeping my interest from page 1. It works well as a series book because it introduces new situations and characters while still keeping enough of the first books' elements to tie it all together. This time, Yelena travels to
The biggest complain I have with Magic STudy is that I got tired of hearing about every time Yelana and Valek hop in bed. Seriously, every time it happens, the author tells us so. It's not graphic--the actual sex is never described--but it seemed unnecessary. We know that Yelena and Valek are in an intimate relationship. Until or unless it's relevant to mention it, I don't need to know when they get together; I'll just assume that it's happening.
But despite this, Magic Study is entertaining. Not as original as Poison Study, but still satisfying.
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Sitia to escape the fate she managed to arrange for herself, and also to find out more about her future and her past. Ixia, though, is never far from her mind or heart, and now her loyalties are torn between the land she calls home and the country of her birth. And both of these places expect her to choose. Throw in death, deception, and a plan that could bring both countries to ruin, and you've got a spellbinding story.The biggest complain I have with Magic STudy is that I got tired of hearing about every time Yelana and Valek hop in bed. Seriously, every time it happens, the author tells us so. It's not graphic--the actual sex is never described--but it seemed unnecessary. We know that Yelena and Valek are in an intimate relationship. Until or unless it's relevant to mention it, I don't need to know when they get together; I'll just assume that it's happening.
But despite this, Magic Study is entertaining. Not as original as Poison Study, but still satisfying.
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LibraryThing member Alliebeth927
The story of Yelena takes unexpected paths in Magic Study, the follow up to the fabulous Poison Study. While I wasn't as enthralled by this book as the first, it was still enjoyable and imaginative.
The novel starts with Yelena meeting her family for the first time since she was 6 years old. They
Yelena faces new adversaries and gains knowledge about her powers, finding that they are greater than she knew. There are several new supporting characters who, though interesting, don't have the depth and draw that those from Poison Study had. I found myself missing Janco, Ari, and especially Valek. They have a presence in Magic Study, but I wanted more of them.
Something small that absolutely drove me nuts was the way the horses spoke in Yelena's mind. I liked that they could communicate and I think it added and helped with the story line, but the 'horse speak' came across like baby talk in short, clipped sentences and incomplete thoughts. Like I said, a small thing.
Overall, I loved the book and have very high hopes for the next. She set up the third book wonderfully and I hope it lives up to the first two in the series!
The novel starts with Yelena meeting her family for the first time since she was 6 years old. They
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are a colorful bunch, and while some accept her and thrill at her return, others are suspicious that she is a spy from the north. This accusation follows her throughout the book (and likely into the next as well). Yelena faces new adversaries and gains knowledge about her powers, finding that they are greater than she knew. There are several new supporting characters who, though interesting, don't have the depth and draw that those from Poison Study had. I found myself missing Janco, Ari, and especially Valek. They have a presence in Magic Study, but I wanted more of them.
Something small that absolutely drove me nuts was the way the horses spoke in Yelena's mind. I liked that they could communicate and I think it added and helped with the story line, but the 'horse speak' came across like baby talk in short, clipped sentences and incomplete thoughts. Like I said, a small thing.
Overall, I loved the book and have very high hopes for the next. She set up the third book wonderfully and I hope it lives up to the first two in the series!
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LibraryThing member coffee.is.yum
This was an amazing read. Being a part two, everything is amazingly fresh. Yelena is discovering her powers and talents while all the time her life is being threatened. Every moment is exciting and dramatic. Yelena is a very strong character and does not listen to the many other characters included
Lief is introduced, Yelena's brother. This was a lively character who keeps you constantly guessing his motives. However, like everyone else, his actions all fit perfectly into a puzzle that is revealed in the end. All the characters are wonderfully fleshed out with exciting personalities that makes this never a boring read--no matter who Yelena is talking to.
The only problem I had with the book is Valek's incredibly weak role. In order to make Yelena strong when Valek came into the picture, was it necessary to make him so weak? I enjoyed Valek's character in Poison Study, and was a little disappointed at how powerless he has become. He basically stands on the sidelines letting Yelena do everything, only helping here and there. I hope he'll become a more prominent character in Fire Study.
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in the story. This causes a lot of trouble and rumors to spread about her, but she doesn't let it stop her independent nature.Lief is introduced, Yelena's brother. This was a lively character who keeps you constantly guessing his motives. However, like everyone else, his actions all fit perfectly into a puzzle that is revealed in the end. All the characters are wonderfully fleshed out with exciting personalities that makes this never a boring read--no matter who Yelena is talking to.
The only problem I had with the book is Valek's incredibly weak role. In order to make Yelena strong when Valek came into the picture, was it necessary to make him so weak? I enjoyed Valek's character in Poison Study, and was a little disappointed at how powerless he has become. He basically stands on the sidelines letting Yelena do everything, only helping here and there. I hope he'll become a more prominent character in Fire Study.
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LibraryThing member roseysweetpea
After finding out the truth about her past and presents Yelena goes home to a family she doesn't remember and to start learning more about her magical abilites. While there she encounters a brother that hates her and learns that even though allowed to practice magic, her special tallents are not
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fully enbraced by the Master Magicians. Yelena's survival instincts are once again used to save herself and others. Show Less
LibraryThing member Calvin_Would
I'm truly loving this series. Fresh universe, nicely complex characters, and a clear writing style. I bought it expecting an action/fantasy book and got a romance thrown in. Love it! Can't wait to bury myself in the 3rd book.
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
The only complaint I'd have about this book is that there are several points where there is a "recap" of stuff from the first book in the series. Since I read the books back-to-back, this was a bit annoying, but would be useful if one hadn't read them so close together.
The story is engaging and
Perfect!
I'm starting Fire Study next and have myself on the pre-order list for Snyder's next series...
The story is engaging and
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unpredictable. You care about the characters and want things to work out for them. It is a fantasy series with a female protagonist written with adults in mind and yet there is no obscenity or graphic sex.Perfect!
I'm starting Fire Study next and have myself on the pre-order list for Snyder's next series...
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
[WARNING: SPOILERS if you haven’t yet read Book 1, Poison Study!] 20-year-old budding magician Yelena has been banished to the southern country of Sitia. With her magician mentor, Irys, Yelena attempts to reconnect with the family whom she was stolen from 14 years ago, as well as to work on
The journey to self-discovery and self-control rarely runs smoothly, however, and not at all for Yelena. Against her desires, she gets entangled in national politics, tries to avoids the hostility of those around her—including her brother, Leif—and gets involved in the hunt to bring down a rogue magician who’s been stealing and killing young women. Yelena just wants time to relax and dream of (or be with) Valek, but the life of a young magician in Sitia just cannot stand still.
MAGIC STUDY is a worthy, though incomparable, successor to Maria Snyder’s smashing success, POISON STUDY. In this second book, Snyder continues to effortlessly tell a good story while creating memorable and three-dimensional characters.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance, and new ones are introduced, to varying degrees of success. Yelena’s clan, the Yaltanas, are a rather odd tree-dwelling group, and her parents do not have enough time in the book to be fully fleshed out as characters. Similarly, Yelena’s tense relationship with her brother, Leif, is inconsistent: puzzling in the first half, nearly nonexistent in the second, and too cleanly wrapped up. Fortunately, the people she meets at the Magician’s Keep hold their own against the reappearance of old favorites like Ari, Janco, and, of course, Valek.
While character development may be a little sloppier and more inconsistent in MAGIC STUDY, that is because so much effort is devoted to setting up a complex magical world. We are shown the subtle interactive dynamics between various groups of Southerners, and their motivations for acting the way they do. Each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, which just begs you to read one more chapter, just one more, in a viciously delicious cycle, until you’ve finished the entire book in a blink of an eye. There is never a lack of action and intrigue for hardcore fantasy lovers.
While not as strong as the first book, MAGIC STUDY is still an impressive novel in its own rights. Maria Snyder is a master storyteller, and fans of the first book should not be too disappointed. I know that I am still eagerly looking forward to reading the third book in this spellbinding series.
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controlling her magical abilities.The journey to self-discovery and self-control rarely runs smoothly, however, and not at all for Yelena. Against her desires, she gets entangled in national politics, tries to avoids the hostility of those around her—including her brother, Leif—and gets involved in the hunt to bring down a rogue magician who’s been stealing and killing young women. Yelena just wants time to relax and dream of (or be with) Valek, but the life of a young magician in Sitia just cannot stand still.
MAGIC STUDY is a worthy, though incomparable, successor to Maria Snyder’s smashing success, POISON STUDY. In this second book, Snyder continues to effortlessly tell a good story while creating memorable and three-dimensional characters.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance, and new ones are introduced, to varying degrees of success. Yelena’s clan, the Yaltanas, are a rather odd tree-dwelling group, and her parents do not have enough time in the book to be fully fleshed out as characters. Similarly, Yelena’s tense relationship with her brother, Leif, is inconsistent: puzzling in the first half, nearly nonexistent in the second, and too cleanly wrapped up. Fortunately, the people she meets at the Magician’s Keep hold their own against the reappearance of old favorites like Ari, Janco, and, of course, Valek.
While character development may be a little sloppier and more inconsistent in MAGIC STUDY, that is because so much effort is devoted to setting up a complex magical world. We are shown the subtle interactive dynamics between various groups of Southerners, and their motivations for acting the way they do. Each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, which just begs you to read one more chapter, just one more, in a viciously delicious cycle, until you’ve finished the entire book in a blink of an eye. There is never a lack of action and intrigue for hardcore fantasy lovers.
While not as strong as the first book, MAGIC STUDY is still an impressive novel in its own rights. Maria Snyder is a master storyteller, and fans of the first book should not be too disappointed. I know that I am still eagerly looking forward to reading the third book in this spellbinding series.
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LibraryThing member KathyWoodall
Yelena is deaded for the Citadel with Irys, where she is to learn how to control and how to work her magic powers, when they stop at Yelena home. She belongs to a tribe of people called Zaltanans. They make their home high above the jungle floor in the trees. Yelena is nervous about meeting them
Her parents are happy to see her but her brother Leif is not. He believes she is a spy for the north. He also says she smells like death. There is an instant dislike between the two of them.
A couple days after arriving home Yelena must live with her brother to go to the Citadel. Not long after they head out they are ambushed. The captors think she is also a spy for the north. Yelena is able to escape and convince them that once she gets to the Citadel she can prove she is no spy.
Things don't go easy for Yelena once she arrives at the Citadel. The other students are jealous of her and very few trust her.
When a young girl arrives who is barely alive, Yelena is asked to help. She must reach in to the tortured mind of a young girl who was left for dead by a psycho killer. After kidnapping and torturing his victims, this killer then kills them and steals their soul. They soon figure out the its Yelenas soul he wants and by getting it becomes unstoppable.
Excellent second novel in this series. The next book in the series is due out sometime in 2007. The author keeps you hooked from the first page to the last page. The plot is fast moving and it barely gives you time to breath before moving on to the next thrill. If you enjoyed the first book you won't want to miss this one.
Rating 4.5/5
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since she hasn't seen them since she was 6 years old. She also has no memory of her childhood.Her parents are happy to see her but her brother Leif is not. He believes she is a spy for the north. He also says she smells like death. There is an instant dislike between the two of them.
A couple days after arriving home Yelena must live with her brother to go to the Citadel. Not long after they head out they are ambushed. The captors think she is also a spy for the north. Yelena is able to escape and convince them that once she gets to the Citadel she can prove she is no spy.
Things don't go easy for Yelena once she arrives at the Citadel. The other students are jealous of her and very few trust her.
When a young girl arrives who is barely alive, Yelena is asked to help. She must reach in to the tortured mind of a young girl who was left for dead by a psycho killer. After kidnapping and torturing his victims, this killer then kills them and steals their soul. They soon figure out the its Yelenas soul he wants and by getting it becomes unstoppable.
Excellent second novel in this series. The next book in the series is due out sometime in 2007. The author keeps you hooked from the first page to the last page. The plot is fast moving and it barely gives you time to breath before moving on to the next thrill. If you enjoyed the first book you won't want to miss this one.
Rating 4.5/5
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LibraryThing member bookwormteri
I need to rant for a moment....
How in the hell does Twilight get a ton of press and these books are virtually unheard of? I guess that is the beauty of marketing.
This is an excellent series! In Magic Study, Yelena travels south to meet her family and to train in her magic. She is much more powerful
Don't let the YA tag turn you away from this book. If you haven't read this series, and are a fan of fantasy, go pick up Poison Study and let it suck you in.
How in the hell does Twilight get a ton of press and these books are virtually unheard of? I guess that is the beauty of marketing.
This is an excellent series! In Magic Study, Yelena travels south to meet her family and to train in her magic. She is much more powerful
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than anybody realizes and so causes many problems, but she solves them as well....Don't let the YA tag turn you away from this book. If you haven't read this series, and are a fan of fantasy, go pick up Poison Study and let it suck you in.
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Original publication date
2006-09-26
Physical description
400 p.; 9.3 inches
ISBN
0373802498 / 9780373802494