An Interesting Study

Before walking into the RT Convention's Book Fair this year, I had promised myself I would not buy any books. I know, I know. Instead, I would gather the names of the authors and the titles of the books that interested me and I would add them to my list of books to buy. Of course, this did not happen. I had so many books in my hands within a short period of time that I finally just could not pick up anymore.

I got to one table with beautiful books on it. The first title intrigued me - POISON STUDY. There were two others, MAGIC STUDY and FIRE STUDY. I spoke briefly with the author, a lovely lady named Maria V. Snyder. I explained that I would love to read her books but I just couldn't justify any more purchases that day. I grabbed one of her cards featuring the books on it, and she very kindly signed it for me.

I got home and immediately ordered the first book. Once it came in, I started reading it right away. I was 50 pages away from the end when I ordered the other two books.

All three books are fascinating. The mythology, while complicated, is also easy to understand. And as the titles suggest, the books each focus on a specific type of education the main character, Yelena Saltana, experiences.

Yelena is about to be executed for murder, when she is offered a choice: hang for her crime or become the food taster for the Commander of Ixia. Choosing to become the food taster, Yelena becomes the student of Valek, the Commander's chief of security. POISON STUDY is a fantastic story with action, world-building, romance, and of course, poison.

I don't want to give away what happens after that, but MAGIC STUDY and FIRE STUDY continue all the wonderful elements of the first book while exploring new plot devices. The characters continue to be interesting and yet real, the challenges are intriguing and the action never flags.

I am hoping there's a continuation of this series. Either way, I will be on the lookout for more from Ms. Snyder. And I have learned my lesson - I won't put a limit on what I can buy at next year's RT. Who knows what I might have missed?

Nicole