Poison Study by Maria Snyder
Sep. 20th, 2006 10:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jmc_bksMaria Snyder’s Poison Study has been on my "Wanted" list for a while, except my library system doesn’t have a copy; I’m about #30 on the list at PBS; and I’m disinclined to buy a new to me author in hardback, even with good reviews. Last week it was released in mass market, so broke down and bought a copy of my very own. It was totally worth the cover price. I sucked up that bad boy like a chocolate milk shake :)
Yelena is a kickass heroine in the best sense of the word. An orphan taken in by one of the Generals in Ixia, she is languishing in prison at the opening of the book – she killed her benefactor’s son, and is waiting for her execution. Just before her execution, Valek, personal security chief and spymaster of Ixia, grants her a reprieve. The Commander’s food taster has died, and the Code of Behavior indicates that the next prisoner to be executed shall be offered the opportunity to be taster in lieu of immediate execution. Not being a fool, Yelena takes the position, hoping to find a means of escape later. And a whole new world opens up to her.
Although she is semi-protected by Valek, who doesn’t want to waste his poison-tasting training on a taster who dies earlier or other than in the line of duty, Yelena has several deadly enemies. The General who had been Yelena’s benefactor wants her death – not only because she killed his son but because of the secret she carries without even knowing it. He doesn’t care that she is now nominally under the protection of the Commander via Valek. A magician is trying to kill her, too, though she doesn’t know why. Add in all of the normal court/military intrigue that normal accompanies a medieval-set fantasy novel, and Yelena is one busy girl.
What did I like about the book? Well, the characters of Yelena and Valek, and all of the secondary characters. There is just enough detail without an infodump. Since the story is narrated by Yelena, the reader gets to know her well, although a few surprises are kept until fairly well into the story. All of the other characters are seen through the prism of her perspective, which of course leaves gaps and grey areas. Loved the world-building; after getting to the end, I went back and re-read parts – little things that I wondered about made a lot of sense once I knew how the book ended.
What didn’t I like? The ending, which kind of irritated me, although it was consistent with the Commander’s behavior through out the book. Plus, the ending felt a little rushed (and like series bait).
Poison Study is a Luna release. I think Luna’s guidelines require fantasy with a romance thread, rather than a straight romance, and PS fits that completely. The romance portion is extremely brief, which makes sense in the context of the story, especially if Yelena’s tale is going to be spread over books. Straight romance readers may be disappointed by PS, because while the ending isn’t terrible, it is absolutely not a standard HEA.
My grade: B, verging on B+. Now I’m impatient for Magic Study, so I can see what Yelena does next.
Choose:
A quick death . . .
Or slow poison . . .
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. As a food taster, she’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the place – and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
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 . . . .
Yelena is a kickass heroine in the best sense of the word. An orphan taken in by one of the Generals in Ixia, she is languishing in prison at the opening of the book – she killed her benefactor’s son, and is waiting for her execution. Just before her execution, Valek, personal security chief and spymaster of Ixia, grants her a reprieve. The Commander’s food taster has died, and the Code of Behavior indicates that the next prisoner to be executed shall be offered the opportunity to be taster in lieu of immediate execution. Not being a fool, Yelena takes the position, hoping to find a means of escape later. And a whole new world opens up to her.
Although she is semi-protected by Valek, who doesn’t want to waste his poison-tasting training on a taster who dies earlier or other than in the line of duty, Yelena has several deadly enemies. The General who had been Yelena’s benefactor wants her death – not only because she killed his son but because of the secret she carries without even knowing it. He doesn’t care that she is now nominally under the protection of the Commander via Valek. A magician is trying to kill her, too, though she doesn’t know why. Add in all of the normal court/military intrigue that normal accompanies a medieval-set fantasy novel, and Yelena is one busy girl.
What did I like about the book? Well, the characters of Yelena and Valek, and all of the secondary characters. There is just enough detail without an infodump. Since the story is narrated by Yelena, the reader gets to know her well, although a few surprises are kept until fairly well into the story. All of the other characters are seen through the prism of her perspective, which of course leaves gaps and grey areas. Loved the world-building; after getting to the end, I went back and re-read parts – little things that I wondered about made a lot of sense once I knew how the book ended.
What didn’t I like? The ending, which kind of irritated me, although it was consistent with the Commander’s behavior through out the book. Plus, the ending felt a little rushed (and like series bait).
Poison Study is a Luna release. I think Luna’s guidelines require fantasy with a romance thread, rather than a straight romance, and PS fits that completely. The romance portion is extremely brief, which makes sense in the context of the story, especially if Yelena’s tale is going to be spread over books. Straight romance readers may be disappointed by PS, because while the ending isn’t terrible, it is absolutely not a standard HEA.
My grade: B, verging on B+. Now I’m impatient for Magic Study, so I can see what Yelena does next.
