Name: Poison Study
Rating: 4.075301204819277 (332 reviews)
ISBN: 9780373802579

Maria V. Snyder

After she is given a reprieve from her death sentence, Yelena faces mounting disasters as rebels plot to seize Ixia, her life is once again threatened, and the chief of security is attempting to poison her. Reprint.

Poison Study

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 Dusté 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—.

★★★★★
4.50 STARS 

I am so glad I picked this book up. I loved everything about this. The characters and their development throughout the story and even the direction where the story was headed. 

I admire how the author managed to make me love her characters so much. Given my absolute love for Yelena and Valek, the main characters, I surprisingly liked even the second characters and how they were made to support the MC. Though having a slow yet strong romance build up between Yelena and Valek and focusing more about the main matter at hand, that was actually what I wanted for them. And did I ever mention the character development? Oh, yes I have! I absolutely adored how they grow so much in the story. How contradicting Yelena and Valek's characters with each other yet they found a way to fit so well. I so loved loved loved that! 

I even praised the author for her wonderful writings. A very easy read without being too simple. So detailed and precise but not too much. I was easily bored with this kind of story but the author managed to grabbed my attention with her writing. One of the best writing styles I have ever come across with. I craved for more of this. Both the writings and the series itself.

EDIT: After my raw emotions subsided, I now realized that the last part of the book felt a bit rushed? I don't know. I just thought the pacing at the last part kind of doubled in some ways. Still loved this, though.

I am in love with ari and janco!!! this was a very good book and I’m surprised there’s not more hype! the writing felt a little old school or more on the YA side, like I used to read in middle school, but the plot was engaging and the characters were likable and I enjoyed it. I do feel like the romance was rushed, but it’s not really a romance book it’s definitely a political intrigue with a teeny side of romance. in a way it almost reminded me of the cruel prince but actually not plot-wise at all just in vibes. I have already checked the next one out from the library despite having 8 other holds!

fris🐝

Megan BV

I really enjoyed the plot, story, characters, and setting but there was just something about it that prevented me from ever being fully engaged with it. I never got truly absorbed in the story and was always conscious of the fact that I was Reading A Book, if that makes sense. It took me forever to finish. 

Sarah

dija

Not sure of how i feel about this one 

RTC i guess

Jacalyn Boggs

It is easy to see why this book won an award within the first few pages. The story crasps at you, quickly entangling you in its snare. Beware the poison, for it shall keep you up at night searching for the cure found on the last pages.

The author is delightful. Her tale woven with such craft. It is rare to find books of this calibur anymore. 

The sequel, Magic Study, shows amazing promise that I eagerly look forward to experiencing. 

If you want a book filled with just about anything a reader could want, that is well written and well thought out, that will worm its way into your soul... look no further.

Kelsey Joëlle

I loooooved this book. Really, binge read it in one sitting (did had to sleep). Riley from Riley Marie on Youtube mentioned it in one of her video's and I decided to pick it up. So, thank you, Riley, for giving me my new favourite book!

Emelie

This book was nothing special... 

In fantasy I feel like it's always a person with a rough past, who has or gets a "superpower", have a group of friends (3-5 people) and then save someone or something.. 

So yeah...

Ofelia

** spoiler alert **
           
Il maggior complimento che posso fare questo libro, e che immagino riassuma anche il mio punto di vista finale, è: ma è davvero un Harmony?

Non che io di Harmony ne abbia mai letti in realtà, ma basta guardare le copertine per capire cosa ci si troverà dentro (è anche vero che l'abito non fa il monaco, ma in questo caso non ne sono troppo sicura) mentre in "La farfalla di pietra" la storia d'amore è quasi marginale. A dirla tutta di per sè la storia d'amore non è una grande cosa, grazie al cielo non c'è nessun triangolo amoroso e i due non stanno attaccati come colla per tutte le oltre quattrocento pagine del libro ma è una storia scontata. Yelena è la lei della storia, Valek è il lui della storia, che mai succederà? Ovviamente si innamoreranno!
Yelena non mi dispiaceva troppo all'inizio, alla fine con il fatto dei poteri eccezionali di maga mi è scaduta e lo stesso è successo a Valek. Era interessante all'inizio, ma la scrittrice lo ha reso troppo Gary-stue dandogli troppi tratti e praticamente nessun difetto (anzi, nessun difetto ora che ci penso) e a me i personaggi così risultano antipatici a pelle, non posso farci niente. 

Parlando anche degli altri personaggi bisogna riconoscere che di personaggi di sfondo ce ne sono parecchi, e questo è solo un bene, ma non tutti mi sono piaciuti. Il Comandante non è mi piaciuto affatto ed è un peccato perchè aveva buonissime potenzialità. La sua visione dei maghi mi ricorda molto Uther di Merlin, se qualcuno mi segue, odia i maghi per qualcosa che con i maghi non c'entra assolutamente niente ma deve pur prendersela con qualcuno e quindi sceglie i maghi. Il modo in cui scopriamo che è una donna non ha alcun senso, sarebbe stato più interessante far sì che si tradisse in qualche modo con Yelena dato che lei è una donna e non ci sono stati mai assaggiatori donne quindi era plausibile che lei notasse qualcosa che ad un uomo poteva sfuggire. I migliori della storia, a parer mio, sono Ari e Janco ed è un peccato ci siano così poco durante tutta la storia.
I cattivi della storia, Brazell per primo, sono noiosi e la storia del fantasma che muove oggetti e parla con Yelena era assurda oltre a non portare niente alla storia. Così sembra che io ne voglia parlar male e invece no, a me il libro è piaciuto solo che non sono molto sicura di voler leggere il seguito visto che si lasceranno indietro tutti i personaggi interessanti per seguire solo Yelena immagino e la cosa mi piace poco.

This was such an effortless, page turning read, it’s a very solid 4 stars probably really 4.5

The plot, the character development, the political setting, the fantasy and magic was all so well done. This is a very accessible fantasy novel in my opinion as there isn’t a whole lot of info dumping and made up language.

The world building is quite simple because whilst magic is definitely present throughout its not necessarily at the forefront. This reads more like a historical political fiction with elements of magic.

I loved reading Yelena’s story and wondering who she could trust and how she was going to survive. Her character development was handled beautifully, from the present day relationships she was forming, to the revelations of her past. I’m so intrigued to see in the next book how her magic develops and if she finds her family.

I expected there to be more conflict with Valek, which has just become so usual of the love interests in the YA sphere, that I was pleasantly surprised to find that he was good the whole time! Where can I find a man that will carve a butterfly necklace for me? 🦋 I’m hoping he and Yelena are reunited ASAP in magic study.

Janco and Ari were great! I adored the friendship between them and Yelena and how protective they became of her. “Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever” 🥺

Natalie Noble

This was such an effortless, page turning read, it’s a very solid 4 stars probably really 4.5

The plot, the character development, the political setting, the fantasy and magic was all so well done. This is a very accessible fantasy novel in my opinion as there isn’t a whole lot of info dumping and made up language.

The world building is quite simple because whilst magic is definitely present throughout its not necessarily at the forefront. This reads more like a historical political fiction with elements of magic.

I loved reading Yelena’s story and wondering who she could trust and how she was going to survive. Her character development was handled beautifully, from the present day relationships she was forming, to the revelations of her past. I’m so intrigued to see in the next book how her magic develops and if she finds her family.

I expected there to be more conflict with Valek, which has just become so usual of the love interests in the YA sphere, that I was pleasantly surprised to find that he was good the whole time! Where can I find a man that will carve a butterfly necklace for me? 🦋 I’m hoping he and Yelena are reunited ASAP in magic study.

Janco and Ari were great! I adored the friendship between them and Yelena and how protective they became of her. “Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever” 🥺

Annwyn Jensen

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder's Study novels are unforgettable, emotional, powerful and compelling. Don't miss how it all began... Choose: a quick death...or slow poison... About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll live to eat the best meals in the palace--and risk death from those trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. But after Yelena becomes a food taster, the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, feeds her Butterfly's Dust--and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death. Her options shrink as disasters mount. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops powers she can't control. And her next choice might be fatal.... "One of those rare books that will keep readers dreaming long after they've read it." --Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Livia

3.75 rounded up to 4

Whew, what a way to start the year! I read the first half of the book on the tail-end of 2019 and finished it today. I admit, the first half is so very slow and a bit confusing, which is why it took me longer to get through it. The next half of the book improves and the plot became so much more interesting and exciting.

The one thing that's bothering me is the age gap between Yelena and Valek. Yelena was around 19 in this book based on her backstory, but then Yelena mentions that Valek is 7 years younger than the Commander, which, based on Yelena's observation, is 40. That also means Valek is 33. Which means their age gap is 14 years. All I'm going to say about it is, 
  WHAT THE HECK
. Seriously. I can tolerate it if he's 25 or 26, but 33? Yelena, dear, I do like your dynamic with him, but he's way too old for you.

I really like how the end of this book clearly sets up what the next book is going to be about. I can't wait to read about Yelena's journey as she learns about her family and her magic.

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.

Sonja H

Der Anfang des Buches ist wirklich spannend und mitreißend, doch je weiter man liest, umso zäher wird die Geschichte. Die Autorin hätte ein paar Ereignisse weglassen können, ohne der Erzählung zu schaden, aber vermutlich wäre dann keine Trilogie aus der Idee geworden.
Aber alles in allem eine unterhaltsame Story ohne besonderen Tiefgang.

Allison Garrett

Poison Study is a book I read many years ago and loved for Yelena’s resourcefulness and grit when she becomes the Commander’s food taster. A convicted criminal, she trains under the elusive Varik and starts to trust and work with him to foil plots against the Commander. 
	Pros: 
•	Yelena- Like I said, Yelena faces a lot of difficult choices and while she still grieves what happens to her, she works to get stronger and train herself to survive. 
•	Found family- Between a few soldiers, Varik, and other friends in the castle, Yelena makes her own family in Ixia. 
•	Worldbuilding- I think Snyder did a great job of introducing the magic system and the history of the kingdom without it getting overwhelming. 
Cons: 
•	Magic- I wish there had been a little more magic in this book. She is just now coming into it and I’m sure there will be a lot more in the next book, titled Magic Study. 
•	Varik’s affection- I liked Yelena and Varik together, but I think their relationship could’ve been built a little more steadily throughout. 

I’m keeping my initial rating of 4/5 stars for Poison Study. It’s rare that I enjoy a book I read years ago just as much the second time around.

Marissa Luzio 

This was a PHENOMENALbook! I mean.. wow. I was speechless at how much I LOVED this book! I read this book in about a day (which is pretty good). Just like the summary says, Yelena is in jail for a murder that she openly admits too and doesn't deny. That one line, throughout the whole book, reoccured many times and when it did, it would just remind me that Yelena is SUCH a strong character. I admire her so much to this day! Makes you want to be like her.. except the killing a man part haha. In the book, you find out that Yelena had PLENTY of reasons to kill this man, and I don't blame her one bit. What you find out is gruesome and that man deserved to die. This story, having such a dark story line also has romance as well. The romance was just.. just.. fantabulous. And I don't use that word very often.. but it was!!!! Valek.. mm I wish every women had a Valek in their life! You learn that Valek isn't innocent as well, and at first you might think he's just ruthless but noooooo oh no! He has every reason (just like Yelena) to do what he does. I admire Valek too because of his loyalty to someone he cares about.. For example, the Commander (his boss). You might be thinking: of course he'd be loyal to his boss! it's his boss! But really, his loyalty runs deeper then just boss-worker loyalty should go. And you will find that out in the book. So, please do read this one. I think everyone should at least read this, even if it isn't your genre type or you might think you won't like it, but everyone should experience this book.

Poison Study

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