Maria V. Snyder’s Magic Study is the second book in the Study series.
The story picks up not to long after the events of Poison Study. Yelena is traveling in Sitia with the powerful magician Irys. Despite reuniting with her family and becoming a student at Magician’s Keep, Yelena feels isolated. In Sitia, she is far from her friends and her old customs only bring her disapproval. Before Yelena can get the chance to sulk, she finds herself entangled in a prince’s plot to regain a throne in Ixia, rivalries with powerful magicians, and kidnappings.
Even in an all new country, Yelena still keeps her habit of getting into trouble. While it was well known that Yelena was intelligent, she enhanced her qualities of being caring, curious, and determined. Sadly, these qualities often put her at odds with her teacher. This book provides a time of emotional change and growth. She becomes more adept at magic as she continues to study. She learns about her family, heritage and customs while also attempting to heal the fourteen years of separation between them. As she becomes more comfortable in Sitia, she must confront what magic means for her future.
Magic Study was amazing. From the first page, the book captures you and keeps you trapped in its world until the very last page. The story is well paced slowing down for Yelena to develop, but never feeling boring. The constant feeling of danger in Poison Study was replaced by a need for more emotional growth. While this slows down the plot, this book seems to be more meaningful to Yelena’s character development. Maria V. Snyder expands upon the world of the Study series by beautifully and intricately describing Sitia. The book had a great balance between humor and action. While it favored action and conflict, humor was used to light up the moment and make the story even better. The addition of many new complex and side characters made the book entertaining and enjoyable, while the return of old friends makes the book heartwarming and fun. I give this 392 page book 5 stars.
Study Series
15 years prior to the story, the Commander overthrew the King of Ixia and put in place his own dictatorship. Any magic users (magicians) in Ixia fled to the southern country of Sitia to avoid being persecuted. The Commander enforces a strict Code of Behavior in Ixia that discourages crime at the price of rights and freedoms
Series Analysis
15 years prior to the story, the Commander overthrew the King of Ixia and put in place his own dictatorship. Any magic users (magicians) in Ixia fled to the southern country of Sitia to avoid being persecuted. The Commander enforces a strict Code of Behavior in Ixia that discourages crime at the price of rights and freedoms