Due to an order of execution, Yelena has fled her life in Ixia and returned to find the family she was stolen from as a young child.  Her magical training begins in Sitia but Yelena quickly finds trouble in a variety of ways.  Young budding magicians are being murdered and drained of their power.  Yelena will have to face all of her old ghosts to help stop the murders.  Meanwhile, the rivalry between Ixia and Sitia is intensifying and Yelena finds herself caught in the middle, particularly as the chief assassin for Ixia, Valek, is her lover.  What will the future hold for Yelena in MAGIC STUDY?

Maria V. Snyder’s sequel to the surprise hit, POISON STUDY, continues the phenomenal story of Yelena in MAGIC STUDY.  While it is not entirely necessary to read POISON STUDY first, this reviewer strongly recommends reading this series in order as the complexities of the political intrigues and motivations of the characters are far more apparent.  In particular, Yelena’s character development is much more understandable when seen in the context of both books as otherwise some of her actions may appear a bit unrealistic or foolhardy.

Maria V. Snyder has created strong, multidimensional characters.  Yelena’s determination to do the right thing regardless of the personal consequences is admirable and makes her love for Valek even more interesting as Valek is tends to be self-serving, except when it comes to Yelena.  The bond between the two is powerful but MAGIC STUDY is by no means a romance novel.  MAGIC STUDY is fantasy at its finest.  Maria V. Snyder has crafted a series that is to be slowly savored, as it is a sheer pleasure to read.

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted December 2006