Recent Reads: Shadow Study by Maria Snyder

Shadow Study by Maria Snyder
Series: Soulfinders #1, Poison Study #4
Publisher: MIRA
Publication Date: December 2014  

 

Format:  Audiobook
Source: Bought from Audible

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.
As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

A CHRONICLES OF IXIA NOVEL

Review: 
It has been years since I read the Poison Study trilogy. I remember that I really enjoyed the 1st book and then 2nd and 3rd were ok but they lost my interest a bit in the end. Then recently I saw a book on Netgalley and it was called Night Study and so I requested it thinking it was the next book in the series - turns out I missed one, Shadow Study. So I got this book on Audible. 

If you have not read the Study series in a while, I would suggest a re-read before this book. I was pretty lost for the first few chapters. The book follows Yelena, Valek and Janco and we get chapters from all these points of view. In the beginning of the book we get some romantic time with Yelena and Valek. Yelena is then attacked and Valek goes back to work to find out who might be behind it. We then follow Yelena as her situation becomes more dire. When we follow Janco, it is while he is on duty.

These books have a lot of politics in them, that is why I recommend reading the other ones again - it was hard for me to remember which city was which and the backstories surrounding what happened to Yelena and Valek before this point. What I liked though was that we get a good amount of Valek's backstory in this book and I love how in love with Yelena he is. 

The plot was an interesting one, like a mystery, trying to find out who attacked Yelena and why she is having more issues - I won't say much more though because I don't want to spoil it for new readers. 

I am very ready to jump right into the next book though because there was an amazing ending and I can't wait to read on in the series. If you liked the Study series, this continuation offer more but also in more of an adult feel.