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Review: Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

February 22, 2016February 23, 2016 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Study #4

shadow study -maria v. snyder 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.

4 Drink Me Potions

Oh, Yelena, I didn’t think it was possible, but I had forgotten just how much I adore your adventures.

Shadow Study was the novel that fans like me have been waiting for since the conclusion of Fire Study several years ago. With the crazy antics Yelena and her friends just seem to be drawn into, this novel is both reminiscent of her old adventures as well as introduces some new ones.

First off, it’s not totally necessary to have read the previous Study books or Glass books by Maria. However, with the huge amount of characters from both those series showing up in all sorts of roles in this book, it’s definitely a bigger treat for you to read if you knew who they were. It still makes sense even without that context as Snyder worked hard to make it understandable for first time readers, so no worries if you don’t wanna read all of that in one go.

Written with 3 POVs (I know, what a treat, right?), the story quickly develops from all different angles. Yelena is just a magnet for trouble, which starts literally from the first page. Her adventures in Sitia are constantly threaded with suspense as some unknown danger is out stalking her (once again cause honestly, when is she NOT in danger?).

Her and Valek, oh dear Valek, are separated (that’s not a surprise there, either, huh?), but it doesn’t feel so bad as with Magic Study or Fire Study because we get to see what he’s up to in his own POV. Back in Ixia, something iffy is going on up there with the Commander. There are just subtle hints but you can totally tell something bad is brewing up in this country. Meanwhile, we finally get more than a glimpse into Valek’s backstory. Oh my, how he became an assassin and how’d he met Ambrose. Oh, and how’d he fulfilled his duty as the King Killer. Fangirling here.

With all this intensity from both those POVs, good ol’ Janco gets his own POV as well. I suppose out of the power twins, Janco is the funnier friend and so he makes for great comic relief. Snyder’s characteristic sarcastic humour was at its highest with him, although the others also had their own moments.

Favourite cameos and secondary characters pop up throughout. My personal favourites were Yelena’s brother Leif (he surprisingly has a very similar humour going for him as Janco) and the Sandseed Story Weavers. Those who loved the Glass series (unfortunately, not me) would appreciate the appearance of major characters like Opal and Devlen.

So with a fulfilling adventure in both Sitia and Ixia (back in Valek’s memories), as-expected crazy action scenes, loveable characters and a sense of nostalgia, Shadow Study provided a great start to a new line of danger Yelena the Soulfinder has to face. It’s no wonder I can’t help but use Maria V. Snyder’s works as my gold standard for fantasy adventures. They suck you in until you never quite want to leave it, and for good reason too. I’d say this made for a wonderful installment in the series, especially after so many years.

Overall Recommendation:
Shadow Study is the book that all you diehard Study fans are wishing for. It lives up to this claim, as even I, a long time fan, can’t help but relive the wonders of being in the land of Ixia and Sitia. Yelena’s adventures are just as crazy and dangerous, but good thing her good friends are always around to have her back. The characters still leap to life and the world building is familiar and well-developed. For first time fans, it’s not completely necessary to read other books before it, but it definitely amplifies the experience by a lot. I definitely recommend you read this, especially if you loved the first three Study books. It’s worth the wait after all these years.

Review: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

February 18, 2016February 23, 2016 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Fire and Thorns #3

the bitter kingdom -rae carson The champion must not waver.
The champion must not fear.
The gate of darkness closes.

Elisa is a fugitive.

Her enemies have stolen the man she loves, and they await her at the gate of darkness. Her country is on the brink of civil war, with her own soldiers ordered to kill her on sight.

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Lucero-Elisa né Riqueza de Vega, bearer of the Godstone, will lead her three loyal companions deep into the enemy’s kingdom, a land of ice and snow and brutal magic, to rescue Hector and win back her throne. Her power grows with every step, and the shocking secrets she will uncover on this, her final journey, could change the course of history.

But that is not all. She has a larger destiny. She must become the champion the world has been waiting for.

Even of those who hate her most.

3.5 Drink Me Potions

The Bitter Kingdom marked the end of The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. It was another intriguing adventure, this time through the lands of the Invierno. With a few surprises and a conclusion to Elisa’s duty as the bearer of the Godstone that wasn’t necessarily predictable, this novel was fun while it lasted.

The story picks up right where its predecessor left off. Chasing after Hector into the unknown territory, Elisa and her band of unique friends ran into the kind of problems you’ve come to expect from Rae Carson’s writing. While he was kidnapped, our loveable Lord Commander Hector had his own short, oh so short, POV chapters. They detailed his journey with his kidnappers through his eyes that really gave this book a special taste as it was always just Elisa’s voice.

The world building continues in this book. I thought there was a lull in this aspect after the first book, what with the uniqueness of Elisa’s role in this world as a living Godstone bearer. However, now that they’re walking right into enemy territory for the first time, Carson continues to detail how these people live.

In short, these are the few things that I absolutely enjoyed in this book.

1) The wrap-up conclusion with the “act of service” we – or at least I – have been wondering about since the beginning that Elisa had to complete as a Godstone bearer.
It was such a central aspect throughout this trilogy, her being blessed with this unknown task willed by God, that answering it almost seemed like a letdown. BUT, in a sense, I liked how it was written at the same time. It wasn’t what I expected, or even remotely guessed, but like all bearers before her, this act may not directly benefit Elisa and her friends. With that sense of mystery to it, I’d say there was no better way of putting it out there.

2) The continual growth in Elisa.
She is nothing like she was when leaving her home kingdom of Orovalle. No longer timid, she was a strong heroine that would stop at nothing from protecting her loved ones and ensuring peace for the kingdom that she now ruled. But most importantly of all, she learned to love herself for who she was. She may never be as skinny or elegant as her sister, but she had traits no one else could even live up to. That kind of message in her continuous growth made her relateable and a great narrative voice to being reading all the way to this end.

3) Last, but definitely NOT least, Hector.
‘Cause, who can resist such a sweet and protective character like him? His love for her wasn’t because she was a queen now or that she successfully conquered their enemies once before. He loved her even before, and his love didn’t have to be returned for it to be there all the same. I had wished there were chapters with his POV, but what was there was still a pleasant surprise. Their sweet romance was absolutely my favourite thing to read.

These were definitely highlights, but of course, there were setbacks. For all the adventures, it still felt like it lacked something….epic. The big fight with all of Elisa’s enemies just seemed to happen too quickly. It barely took up many chapters. A lot of what goes on in those pages went into their treacherous travelling plans. I may just have high expectations when it comes to fantasy adventures, but overall, it didn’t have my heart pounding till the very last minute to find out what would happen to everyone I cared for. That is what separates the good from the great fantasy novels. And this just didn’t quite make the cut for greatness.

Overall Recommendation:
The Bitter Kingdom continued with the adventures of queen and sorcerer Elisa. As the last of the trilogy, it was able to tie up loose ends nicely, but epic it was not. The big and explosive action and adventure parts of the book didn’t take up much of it, whereas mundane things like travelling dangers seemed to have too much page space. With the occasional twist and surprise ending, Rae Carson’s finale was fun in the moment and true to her previous writings, albeit a bit lackluster and forgettable.

Review: The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

February 4, 2016February 15, 2016 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Fire and Thorns #2

the crown of embers -rae carson She does not know what awaits her at the enemy’s gate.

Elisa is a hero.

She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country’s ruler should be secure. But it isn’t.

Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.

To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trial of long-forgotten—and forbidden—clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom—despite everything—she is falling in love with.

If she’s lucky, she will return from this journey. But there will be a cost.

4 Drink Me Potions

Following a few months after the previous novel, The Crown of Embers was even more exciting. This sequel was just as steeped in the religious practices that Elisa and her people follow, but now it’s taken another mysterious turn. Realizing that her destiny wasn’t quite fulfilled by the actions of the previous book, there’s crazier things in store for her as the only bearer of a living Godstone.

Right from the beginning, danger continually creeps against her. Whether from the crazy blue fire-wielding Inviernos or rumblings of people contesting her rule of the kingdom, Elisa is far from safe. I admired her in the first book, but in this one? I plain adore the change in her. She has gone from someone who didn’t really believe in her worth to trusting that God was right in choosing her.

Whispers of a deep source of magic underneath the ground that powers her Godstone sets her off on a new adventure. Along with her comes a cast of interesting characters. Some of these are familiar faces from her previous adventures, although not as many of my favourite people return. Some are new ones that are just as cool with back stories and realistic personalities that Carson has creatively crafted. One such person is a traitor Invierno who doesn’t understand sarcasm and perpetually seems to be either displeased or downcast.
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