Poison Study

Series: Study #1

Genres: Fantasy

Publisher: Mira

Released: October 2005

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com 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.

For Fans Of: Cast in Courtlight, Crown Duel, and Brightly Woven.

My Review: I can honestly say that Poison Study is one of the best books I have ever read. Not only because of the great story and the consistency of the plot line, but also because of the relationships, Ari and Janco, Yelena and Valek, and the way that the story unfolds.

Yelena is such a smart character, which is what I love about her. She uses her brain in every situation and she is so strong. I love that Snyder doesn’t focus on the horrors in Yelena’s past. She is constantly giving hope to Yelena’s future.

I also loved and constantly gushed about how Yelena and Valek’s relationship unfolds. It is so subtle and realistic. Valek is also an incredibly interesting character, not only in his treatment of Yelena but also in his relationship with the Commander Ambrose, as well as the treatment of his guards.

The supporting characters in Poison Study also shine, as well as the place of Ixia itself. Ixia is such a great, scientific, country that is easy to understand. (Watch for the scene with Yelena hiding in the trees) Poison Study was a book that I didn’t want to end, and I highly recommend it! 