One thing I have to say about this novel, you can’t start it thinking you’re going to get another Poison Study. Maria Snyder shows some descriptive versatility with Magic Study. In her first novel, we are introduced to the stark and unbending land of Ixia. Now we find ourselves in a vastly different world. The differences between Ixia and Sitia are like night and day. Magic is not only tolerated, but it’s everywhere. Yelena encounters beggars for the first time, she sees warmer weather and she’s met with a wide range of emotions when she arrives home. The obvious difference between what she’s known and what she is now expected to be apart of makes for a very different read. Because of this, I can see how some people might get a little turned off when the go from one book to the other. However, I truly enjoyed this novel. Even though the environment was different, it had all the same elements as the first novel and it still kept me reading. Yelena continues to find herself in trouble, people continue to underestimate her, and through it all, she keeps her wits about her and she doesn’t let anyone influence her opinions.
Read Order:
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
Power Study
Assassin Study
Ice Study (serial being published in Snyder’s newsletter and will appear on her website later)
Also reviewed by:
Reading Adventures
Bitten by Books
