After weeks engrossing with vampire books, I started to seek out for something different. Actually, it didn't start like that. I was at Big W one day and saw 3 beautiful books on displayed. The first thing that captured my attention was the book cover. So I bought the whole collection. I guess I have a thing for book series. I don't like to buy a single book, maybe I find one book is not enough to sastify my adoration for it.
Seriously, I have never expected to be so indulged in this kind of genre, so magical, so much action, adventure and fantasy. Even after I finished reading all the 3 books, I still yearned for more. And lucky enough, Maria V. Snyder still write some short stories on these characters. So you have to visit her website http://www.mariavsnyder.com/ and sign up the monthly newsletter to get more from it.
Because I love her writing style so much I have to seek out her other books. At the moment I'm following the Glass Trilogy, a spin-off from the Study Trilogy. So if you have a sense of love for adventures, then Snyder books are what you should look for.
Some of the comments below are written awhile ago after I finished each book!
This is the first book of the Study Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder. I have not read such a captivating young adult book for a while. This book is truly amazing and intersting.
Locked in a coffin-like darkness, there is nothing to distract me from my memories of killing Reyad. He deserved to die—but according to the law, so do I. Here in Ixia, the punishment for murder is death. And now I wait for the hangman's noose.
But the same law that condemns me may also save me. Ixia's food taster—chosen to ensure that the Commander’s food is not poisoned—has died. And by law, the next prisoner who is scheduled to be executed—me—must be offered the position.
So now I must choose: a quick death… or slow poison…
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 dilemma deepens. Rebels plot to seize Ixia while she develops magical powers she cannot control. Her life is at stake again and choices must be made, but this time the outcomes are not so clear!
This is the second book of the Study Trilogy. I could not put down this book and when I looked at the time it's 5am in the morning. Within a night and a day, I have finished such a well written book.
Yelena is on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago. Although 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 magical training. 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 her new enemies.
At last I have finished the last book of the Study Trilogy. A great series to read and highly recommended.
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. Honour 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.
These books are widely available in most of the bookstore at RRP $18.95 to $20.95 (depends on which store) but you could also get cheaper deals at Big W where all books are 35% everyday. If you don't have time to go shopping then you can buy them online either at Amazon or the links below. However, Amazon only have free delivery to U.S residents I believe. But if you visit the Book Depository it's always free delivery worldwide.
Poison Study AUD $10.90
Magic Study AUD $10.90
Fire Study AUD $10.90
Please note the price will varies slightly due to the value of the Australian dollar. But in general, these are the best deals I found so far, they are cheaper and free delivery worldwide, which means you don't need to get out of the house to buy the books!!
Untrained. Untested. Unleashed. With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry. Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst. With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?