Angie’s Romance Reviews (and trades)

4
June
2007

Magic Study - Maria V. Snyder

Magic Study is the second in Snyders Fantasy series. As with the first in the series, Poison Study, I listed to the audiobook from audible.com. I am on a new fitness kick and enjoy listening to audio books while sweating and huffing on the elipical trainer. (I know not a pretty picture).

Back to the story. Having found her true family in the first story, Yelena Zaltana is headed home to control and learn more about her Magic. Meeting up with her clan and immediate family produces mixed results as she uncovers what happened to her as a child.

While in Sitia (her home land) she becomes involved in a rogue magicians plot to take over and discovers a portion of her magical talents and fears she may be a soulfinder. Being a soulfinder is not necesarrily a great talent to have because those with the that power have gone evil in the past.

While in Sitia, a delegation from Ixia (her previous home) arrives to further complicating the plot. Yelena’s lover Valek also arrives hidden with the delegation, even though he is the most hated man in the area.

I enjoyed and was drawn into this story, but not as much as the first. Valek’s involvement was tokenary at best, but we did get reacquainted with Ari and Jenco whom I love. There was a new cast of characters to add some depth to the story. However, Yelena is starting to approach the Mary Sue waters, lets hope she does not go there. In the previous book she was motived by despiration to keep herself alive. This story lacked that edge of despair which so added to the fantasy.

Grade: B

Cover: Beautiful (even though downloads lack a cover to view.).

Find Magic Study (Unabridged) at Audible.com