Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study is the first book in the Studyseries. 15 years prior to the story, the Commander overthrew the King and took over the land of Ixia. The commander ruled with an iron fist, as he killed all the land’s magicians and enforced a strict Code of Behavior on all the citizens. There were strict punishments for all crimes regardless of circumstance. This creates a world where a psychopath can receive the same punishment as someone who kills in self-defense. Fifteen years later, Yelena is rotting in prison for the murder of Reyad, the only son of a powerful general. Just before her execution, she is given a remarkable opportunity. She can either die a murderer, or she can become a food taster. She would train to check for and detect poisons in the Commander’s food. The path she chooses leads her on a dangerous path of rebellion, romance and betrayal.
Yelena is revealed to be an intelligent woman. While we don’t start off knowing what pushed her to murder, her character makes it obvious that she doesn’t kill for fun. She is haunted by both her childhood and the murder she committed. While it seems like Yelena is a strong character, she is quick to run away from fights. She eventually learns to stand up for herself. As the poison tester, very few people want to befriend her for the fear that they would miss her if she died. On top of that, she is technically a criminal. Despite this she manages to make steadfast friends who help her develop into a strong woman.
Poison Study was a great read. Much of this book centers on choosing between two bad options. Yelena was placed in many impossible situations. It is both interesting and suspenseful to see what she chooses to do and how her actions play out in the end. The plot is full of tension and suspense and it never slows down. The story’s romance blossoms slowly and beautifully, and it gives us something to look forward to in future installments. The fantasy world is easy to understand, yet full of intrigue and mystery. Poison Study provides a great foundation for the setting, but leaves plenty to be explored in future novels. Yelena was a likable character that felt real and could connect with her audience despite her drastically different world. I give this 407 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