2017RC: Magic Study

After finishing Poison Study for my Reading Challenge, I was able to get my hands on a copy of Magic Study pretty quickly, and will admit that I finished it in one day. As the second in Maria V. Snyder’s series, this certainly makes a nice transition from where we ended up at the end of the first, to where I’m assuming Snyder takes the story in the third. This post is a short one, because in this second book there are a lot more world-related details, a lot more excitement, and for me, a little less reflection.

The Zaltana homestead is where Irys has brought Yelena. Zaltana is Yelena’s clan name, and after numerous introductions and wonders, Irys leaves Yelena surrounded by strangers with the plan to meet at the Citadel, where Yelena will receive training and aid with her magical potential.

Included in these introductions, are those with her parents and brother, who was in the jungle when Yelena was kidnapped as a child. Leif feels strong resentment towards Yelena, which isn’t sorted out until the end of the book. I did like this strained relationship and mental/emotional battle, especially since it puts Yelena both in danger and within safety throughout the story.

Most of Magic Study, of course, is about the development of Yelena’s magical abilities and her constant challenges of the Four Magicians’ guidelines and laws. There is far more adventure in this second installment of the series, and much more world building. This has to do more with the magicians – who have many clans – all living in Sitia. Because Sitia is ruled over by a council and not one leader, there were many more moving parts to deal with than in Poison Study. World building is always my favorite part of fantasy series, so I’ll admit that I enjoyed Magic Study a little more than Poison Study because of this. Oh, and if you read my last post and are wondering, Valek does appear in this book (to my delight).

Although I have a pretty good idea where Fire Study, the third book, is headed, I still can’t wait to read it. Obligation is not the deciding factor, so that’s a good sign, right? I have to pick up a copy of the book at another branch of my library, to which it’s being delivered from another library, so I’m expecting to have to wait a few more days before I can start reading it. That’s okay, it’s not like I don’t have a ton of things to read in the meantime!

Have you wrapped up any summer reading challenges, and/or are you plowing ahead with yearly challenges? Tell me what you’re reading below or in an email, and as always, thank you for stopping by!