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 . . .
I am trying to write this review a week after I finished the book...uh-oh! Let's see how we go!
First thing to state, is that I really, really enjoyed this book, really right from page one. Is that enough?? No?
Okay then. I can't remember where I first saw mention of this book, but I do know that I was attracted to it, from the cover, to the blurb from that first mention...and I wasn't disappointed.
From the the first moment when Yelena is given a "choice", a quick death by execution, or a potentially long and painful death by poisoning in her role as the food taster to the Commander of Ixia, the story that unwinds is revealed in layers. From Yelena's past, still haunting her today (in more ways than one!), to her relationships with others in the castle, to the revelations about the Commander and also with Valek, Chief of Security.
With adventure, a touch of romance, and a really clever storyline, this book is well worth a read. I am looking forward to getting hold of Magic Study, the next book in the trilogy that is already out now!
Rating 5/5
Hey, Marg - Is this a romance (with HEA or at least just H)? Or is it more of a mystery/suspense?
ReplyDeleteWow, a 5 out of 5. Must be a good book!
ReplyDeleteKat, it's more a fantasy with a touch of romance. I will write a bit more tonight when I get home!
ReplyDeleteYAY! Another Poison Study fan. I do adore this book. :)
ReplyDeletehm, I just finished it and now I want to read the sequel :( I could pretend that I have will-power, but chances are I will be on Amazon later tonight.
ReplyDeleteKat, I know the question was directed to Marg, but I will answer anyways as I just finished it, it is fresh in my head. Basically, it is about a kingdom where a war leader has taken over from the other king, and has changed the laws and such to suit his new rule. This means that he does not believe in magic, and it is banned. This could be easily a historical fiction novel, but there are fantastic elements thrown in, like magic. The main character is the poison tester for the king, and a very interesting young woman. Then, in all that, romance makes an appearance, but it is not... over-powering. To be honest, one of the reasons why I want to read the next book is to see what happens next in the romance department.... Anyways, Marg might be able to describe it better.
Nope, I think you covered all the bases!! Rosario has done a really in depth review at her site:
ReplyDeletehttp://rosario.blogspot.com/2006/10/poison-study-by-maria-v-snyder.html
Yay we agree! 5/5 except I STILL have to post my review. LMAO.
ReplyDeleteHaha...welll you could borrow mine, but it's crap...so you might not want to!! lOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed Poison Study! It's been on my list for quite a while - still haven't acquired a copy (and my library is pitiful - I've probably mentioned that) but I'll have to give in and find a copy, soon. Thanks for the review! Will look forward to whatever else you have to say, but you've already convinced me. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about this book lately, so I'm glad to hear you like it as well. I think the sequel came out pretty recently. Because apparently, no one can write fantasy in anything less than a trilogy!
ReplyDeleteI think that most books come in a series now don't they?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I saw this on the shelf at the library and thought long and hard about it. I finally left it, as I had like 10 other books, but I think I'll go seek it out again sometime. Sounds good!
ReplyDeleteIt really is very good!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. Will look it up next time I'm in the bookstore. Although...I might have to read the ending first! *lol* Is it similar to Patricia McKillip's better books?
ReplyDeleteSorry...never read McKillip so can't compare for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Marg, I am loving this book I have about 100 pages to go and only started it yesterday its brilliant and well worthy of the 5 stars you gave it :-))
ReplyDeleteIt's good isn't it!
ReplyDelete