Shadow Study

From Goodreads:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    I'm not a fan of the cover. I love the covers of the Study series and the Glass series. This cover doesn't portray the story very well, and it looks rudimentary.

-    I'm a HUGe fan of these books, but this book didn't seem up to par. 

-    The writing seemed elementary at times. There were a lot of short sentences, and several points and thoughts were repeated.

-    I liked learning about Valek's history a lot, but I felt like it should have been a separate book or done differently. The different stories would have made a nice novella.

-    Valek's flashbacks seemed a little out of place. He was super busy and barely had time to sleep, but he spent a lot of time reminiscing. 

-    The book is told from a few different perspectives, and I wish it had all been done from Yelena's perspective.

-    I loved reading about these characters that I love, and I liked going on another adventure with them.

-    There wasn't as much action as I hoped for. Most of the book is traveling and gathering information.

-    Not a lot happened throughout the book to move the plot forward. There was a lot of back and forth.

-    Despite all of my complaints, I did enjoy the book, and I'm excited for more books about Yelena and the gang.

Taste of Darkness

Goodreads Synopsis:    She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat: The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.

Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a good ending to the trilogy. Everything wraps up nice, and I'm not wondering about loose ends. 

-    I don't think Kerrick's POV was necessary when he and Avry are together. Again, it was weird how it changed from 1st person to 3rd person. 

-    I really liked Kerrick in the first book, but he got really needy in this book, and it was kind of annoying. I don't like it when tall, dark, and brooding turns into needy, jealous, and possessive.

-    I like that the whole gang was finally reunited. I really missed Belen.

-    The Skeleton King was a creepy and disturbing guy, and I love that in a villain. His form of torture just sent shivers up my spine. If Tohon was really smart, he would have hired The Skeleton King.

-    Prince Ryne bugged me. I know he had a big old plan, and he was trying to outsmart Tohon, but he was a jerk about it! I hate it when the main character is being used as bait, and they don't even know it! 

-    I really like how clever Avry is, and I like that she makes smart decisions despite her emotions. She knows how to hold her own against a bunch of men. I loved her strong personality.

Previous books in the Healer trilogy:

(covers are linked)

 

Scent of Magic

Goodreads Synopsis:    Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

My Thoughts:

-    I liked and hated the two stories and perspectives. I didn't like how it changed from first person to 3rd person. There was already a lot going on with Avry and the war, and I don't think more trouble was needed. However, in the end, I kinda liked the new race of people introduced.

-    The guy on the cover is weird. I don't know why he is there, and it looks way out of place.

-    I wish Avry and Kerrick had more time together. I feel bad for them, and I think they can do so much more together. They make an unstoppable team!

-    I didn't like how much time the book spent on Avry teaching other soldiers to walk through the forest. I felt like a lot of the stuff in the middle was filler and it slowed down the story.

-    All the twists and surprises were awesome! I didn't see a few things coming.

-    I love the characters! Snyder has an amazing talent for creating wonderful and lovable characters.

-    Quain and Loren remind me of Ari and Janco a little bit.

-    Great story, but OH the ending! I can't wait to read the next book. 

First book in the Healer trilogy:

(cover is linked)

Fire Study

From Goodreads:    The apprenticeship is over—now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

My Thoughts:

-    This is the last book in the trilogy!!  I'm sad and happy at the same time.  I want to read about Yelena and her companions forever, but I'm happy that I finally get some closure.  

-    The story starts a month after Magic Study ends.  I like when books begin really soon after the one before it.

-    Yelena needs a kick in the butt, and I'm SO glad she got one.  Why was she pushing everyone away?  Her reasoning was bull.  Especially with Valek, like he needs protection!  

-    I liked Fisk a lot.  I love that he turned one act of kindness into a thriving business.  I would love Snyder to write a series about him!  

-    I love Valek, I do, but I got a little tired of him and Yelena jumping each other's bones every time they saw each other.  Good grief!  

-    I love that we got to find out more about the commander!  He is one awesome character!  

-    I happy that Lief and Yelena get along now, and that Lief has become part of the gang.  He is a great asset, I like his character a lot, and it was nice to see the siblings come together.

-    I thought it was really great ending the series.  It tied up the loose ends.  When Yelena figured out what her powers were for and how to use it properly, a lot of things made sense, and it all really came together.  

Magic Study

Goodreads Bit:    You know your life is bad when you miss your days as a poison taster...


With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways—and her newfound friends and relatives don't think it's for the better...

Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training—especially as she's been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince—and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.

If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies...

My Thoughts:

-    I really enjoyed how the author reunited Yelena with her family.  I thought it was pretty realistic.  It would be hard and awkward.  I think a lot of siblings would react like Leif, but I know others wouldn't.  I think I would be very awkward about seeing a sibling after many years.    I hope I would try to make friends, but it is one of those things that you just don't know how you'll react until your in the situation.

-    I hate Cahil!!!  What a wannabe!!!  He is such a dork!  How dare he move in on Valek's woman!!  He is like a little boy.  He has some serious growing up to do.  

-    The romance was a little more mushy in this one.  Obviously Yelena misses Valek, and obviously, it would be hard to be apart.  I can't say I don't like it cause I would probably be the same way, but it wasn't as sigh worthy as the relationship in Poison Study.

-    The whole commander thing makes a lot more sense in this one.  We get to find out a little more, and it was like a light bulb went off in my head.

-    Sitia is a very different place than Ixia, and Yelena is more dedicated and gutsy than I am.  I would turn tale an run straight back to Ixia at the first chance I had.  I like the contrast in the two countries though, and I think Sitia is a great country for "magical people".  

-    I wish I could talk to horses.  I wonder what my name would be.

-    I love the banter between Ari and Janco.  I just can't get enough of them!!  They make me laugh.

-    This one was very thrilling.  There was a lot going on, and Yelena was tested at every turn.  I'm glad Valek, Ari, and Janco made appearances.  I liked Poison Study a teeny bit better, but this was still great!  Never a dull moment in Yelena's life!  

Poison Study

Goodreads Synopsis:    About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…

My Thoughts:

-    The story captured me from the very beginning, and it never slows down.  Each chapter is full of awesomeness!!  The plot is intense!!

-    A lot of chapters ended with a little cliffhanger, so I kept telling myself "just one more chapter," but then I couldn't stop.  I read this in 2 sittings.

-    There is some sexual abuse in this book.  Nothing extremely graphic, but it made me cringe a little inside.  This book is probably more for adults.

-    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the banter and bond with Ari and Janco!!!  They crack me up!  Yelena couldn't ask for better friends.  Their loyalty is priceless.  They remind me of how my older brothers protect me.

-    Valek...*sigh*...he is my literature heart throb.  The little flirtations between him and Yelena just make me swoon!!  I haven't swooned this bad over a guy from a book since Gilbert Blythe.

-    Every character is AMAZING!  I really liked how complex some of the people were, like Rand.  I also LOVED seeing Yelena grow so much from beginning to end.  I really connected and fell in love with a lot of the characters, and I just want to read more about them!!

-    Snyder's writing style is perfect.  Everything flows so well, and I can picture everything so clearly and easily.  She is one of my favorite authors.

-    This book gives me such a thrill.  The emotions I go through while reading are crazy!  I feel sad, happy, hopeful, gushy, angry, suspicious, excited, etc.  I love books that let me experience so many things!  

-    I just can't say enough about how great this book is.  It is one of those books where you can't stop turning pages to see what happens, but you are sorry it is over cause you never want it to end.  

Touch of Power

Goodreads Description:   Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

My Thoughts:

-    I just LOVE Maria V. Snyder books!!  *sigh*  This one did not disappoint.  Great story, wonderful characters, and everything in between!

-    I really like Avry.  She has a nice name, and a spunky, stubborn personality.  Her powers are like Rogue's and Wolverine's combined!  Cool!

-    I love the dialogue in all of Snyder's books.  The banter between characters is wonderful and hilarious.     Snyder has quite the sense of humor and wit.

-    The cover is nice, but I don't like the girl's face.  She kinda looks like Kristen Stewart, and that bugs me.  

-    Each chapter always made me want to read just one more!!  Of course, I couldn't stop.  I just devoured the whole book from start to finished.

-    I love the humor and friendship between the characters.  Belen, Quain, Loren, and Flea just add so much awesomeness!!  Every girl needs some brothers like these guys.  Belen is my hero!

-    I am not a sappy person, and I'm not into chick flicks or anything like that, but for some reason, Maria V. Snyder's books always make me swoon, sigh, and melt.  Amid the adventure and magic, she always adds in a bit of romance, and I just eat it up!!  I think it is because her men are always so swoon worthy.  

-    After finishing this book, I just feel happy and giddy.

-    The ending is GREAT!!  There are still things left to find out though, but I'm sure that will be taken care of in the future books.  The end wasn't a huge cliffhanger (THANK YOU VERY MUCH!), but I'm eager for #2 in this series.