Review: Fire Study (Study #3) by Maria V. Snyder

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:

The apprenticeship is over
Now the real test has begun
When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder — able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.…
Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

MY TAKE:
While I didn't like this book as much as the first book in the series, I still liked it enough to give it a relatively high rating.

In Fire Study, Yelena is once again facing a dangerous enemy. However, it may not be the enemy she originally thinks, and in order to defeat all her foes, she must accept what she truly is.

I don't know if it's because I noticed it in the second book, but with this book, after a couple of captures, it began to irk me whenever someone would kidnap or attack Yelena because most of those ended with her unconscious. I know that this has much to do with the story and its progression but it did bother me just a tiny bit.

The book did trend towards the melodramatic in several moments, mostly during Yelena and Valek's scenes. I was in the mood for it, so it was great for me. It felt a bit more like an epic drama that way.

As for the rest of the story, it was as interesting as the other books. There were plot twist after plot twist, although I could have done without Captain Star. The whole Sandseed affair was quite brilliant and I liked how it all played out. I wasn't surprised to see who the biggest villain was. I'd say more, but it would spoil the surprise for those who are still thinking of reading it.

I just found out that there's another book in the series. After reading this book, I'm definitely interested in finding out what happens next for Valek and Yelena.

THE GOOD:

1. There are some really good plot twists.
2. Yelena's conversations with the horses are sweet and sometimes hilarious.
3. The magic in their world is fascinating.

THE BAD:

1. Yelena seems to keep getting herself knocked unconscious or kidnapped. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“Did you live here?" Leif asked. I nodded. "For two years"."Where did you stay?" "I had a room in Valek's suite." Leif shot me an incredulous look. "Boy, you worked fast.”  

READ IT IF:

1. You liked the first book in the series.
2. You like books with magical characters.
3. You like action-packed stories.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?