Like the colorful pieces of sea glass washed up on shore, Opal has weathered rough waters and twisting currents. But instead of finding a tranquil ...
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Oct 18, 2010
Milly
rated it: 
What can I say, I was a little dismayed by Sea Glass. Perhaps because I expected more out of this second book. Perhaps because I thought Opal's character was going to be more interesting and her adventures more daring and intriguing. However, none of that came into fruition, at least in my opinion.
The book didn't really pick up for me until the last 100 pages. I felt that the first 200 pages dawdled and there were chapters that seem indulgent and unconsequential. I know Maria Snyder More...
The book didn't really pick up for me until the last 100 pages. I felt that the first 200 pages dawdled and there were chapters that seem indulgent and unconsequential. I know Maria Snyder More...
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Dec 23, 2011
Shelley
rated it:
*Rating* 3
*Genre* Fantasy/Science Fiction
*Review*
Glass Magician Opal Cowan is a danger to magicians in Sitia. She has the ability to steal a magicians power with her glass orbs. But, more important to her is the fact that Devlen and Ulrick have switched bodies via a blood magic transfer and she has to try to figure out a way to let someone in authority know what happened.
Opal's one saving grace to the Council is her unique ability to make glass messenger More...
*Genre* Fantasy/Science Fiction
*Review*
Glass Magician Opal Cowan is a danger to magicians in Sitia. She has the ability to steal a magicians power with her glass orbs. But, more important to her is the fact that Devlen and Ulrick have switched bodies via a blood magic transfer and she has to try to figure out a way to let someone in authority know what happened.
Opal's one saving grace to the Council is her unique ability to make glass messenger More...
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Jun 29, 2010
Dee
rated it: 
Brilliant! Was flipping through the pages at high speed.
Am always satisfied by Snyder's books. In this series the concept of Opal's magic makes for a fun read. I really wanted her to ping more magic into her orb! :) The dark can be pretty dark (particularly in the Study series), but the resolution is always completely satisfying. Aahh... I love it when an author is clever enough to finish a book well.
What I love the most about this book is the growth in Opal's character More...
Am always satisfied by Snyder's books. In this series the concept of Opal's magic makes for a fun read. I really wanted her to ping more magic into her orb! :) The dark can be pretty dark (particularly in the Study series), but the resolution is always completely satisfying. Aahh... I love it when an author is clever enough to finish a book well.
What I love the most about this book is the growth in Opal's character More...
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Apr 28, 2010
BunWat
rated it: 
On the basis of plot and world building, this is probably a four star. On the basis of the prose, its a one star. So I'm splitting the difference and giving it two. I really enjoyed some of her earlier novels but I think this might be the last one of hers I read for awhile.
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Feb 02, 2012
Carien
rated it:
This book seemed to suffer from middle book syndrome.
There are a couple of story hooks introduced that seem to go nowhere at this moment and that I can only assume will be picked up in book three.
Otherwise the story is both frustrating and intriguing. There's lots of stuff going on and I had to keep reading to find out how everything would fit together.
The love square from book one was reduced to a love triangle and while my favorite character was still Opal's main More...
There are a couple of story hooks introduced that seem to go nowhere at this moment and that I can only assume will be picked up in book three.
Otherwise the story is both frustrating and intriguing. There's lots of stuff going on and I had to keep reading to find out how everything would fit together.
The love square from book one was reduced to a love triangle and while my favorite character was still Opal's main More...
Oct 08, 2011
LitAddictedBrit
rated it:
Firstly, I definitely wouldn't say that to have to read the Study series before you read this but it does, I think, make the experience a lot more rounded and gives you much needed background on a lot of the characters, political intrigue, history and the magic. Although if you don't want to or don't have time, don't feel you have to - this series is fantastic in isolation too!
As before, I love the magic in this series - the whole world is coated with power from which some can draw. Th More...
As before, I love the magic in this series - the whole world is coated with power from which some can draw. Th More...
Aug 04, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
Sea Glass was actually my first introduction to Maria V. Snyder, whom I've heard so much about due to her popular Study series. I had the opportunity to pick this up, and as much as I don't like picking up a series in the middle, I thought I'd try it anyway -and it's amazing just how easy it was to get into despite the fact that I hadn't read the first book!
In Sea Glass, glass magician apprentice Opal is called back to the Citadel, the glass magician academy, after her latest adventure More...
In Sea Glass, glass magician apprentice Opal is called back to the Citadel, the glass magician academy, after her latest adventure More...
Feb 23, 2011
Heather
rated it:
the sea glass doesn't appear until quite close to the end, I’d say over two thirds of the way through. That threw me a bit. My suspicion is that it's actually a set up for the third novel (which comes out in September and I now have to wait for, boo) but if that's the case why call this one Sea Glass and not the third novel? Which is called Spy Glass? The titles probably could have worked reversed actually since there's a fair bit of spying in this novel. I guess something like Secret Glass woul
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Dec 05, 2010
Siobhan
rated it:
Opal Cowan is growing in power... this is a superb second book to the trilogy. I really like the style of this writer, her imagination relating to the evolution of the magic that the lead characters acquire and then learn to master is brilliant. She then applies this to huge consequences and events which both shape the plot of the book and provide the depth to the characters and sub plots.
Opal is a wonderful focus for this book, she has a fabulously rounded personality with many qualities More...
Opal is a wonderful focus for this book, she has a fabulously rounded personality with many qualities More...
Dec 01, 2010
Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids
rated it:
I thought this was a great pick up from Storm Glass. I thought the story line was good, and it was full of some great twist and turns, much like Storm Glass that kept me glued to the book and turn pages. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that Opal was just this character who lacked self confidence. I felt she found it at the end Storm Glass, but lost it again in Sea Glass. I read the books back to back, which made me feel like her character should have developed more out of the "I'm
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Oct 28, 2010
Chibineko
rated it:
I loved this book & actually started reading it immediately after the first book in the Glass saga- 'Storm Glass'. I enjoyed this book, but I have to admit that only one thing spoiled it somewhat... Opal's behavior.
This book picks up immediately (like seconds after) the ending of 'Storm Glass' & finds Opal attempting to prove that Ulrick & the dastardly Devlen have switched bodies. Unfortunately nobody believes her & multiple groups are trying to gain control over Opal's glass messen More...
This book picks up immediately (like seconds after) the ending of 'Storm Glass' & finds Opal attempting to prove that Ulrick & the dastardly Devlen have switched bodies. Unfortunately nobody believes her & multiple groups are trying to gain control over Opal's glass messen More...
Jun 23, 2010
Lydia
rated it:
Well, I'm glad I stuck the series out - because this book was better than the first.
The things I dislike about Opal were still present, but it felt like Maria took a good look at the character halfway through and decided to insert a bit of a backbone into her (maybe that was intended, but it sure made for annoying reading during Storm Glass).
I'm still a bit distracted by the love interests - three is too many and since they are stretched so thin there really isn't a " More...
The things I dislike about Opal were still present, but it felt like Maria took a good look at the character halfway through and decided to insert a bit of a backbone into her (maybe that was intended, but it sure made for annoying reading during Storm Glass).
I'm still a bit distracted by the love interests - three is too many and since they are stretched so thin there really isn't a " More...
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Jun 11, 2010
Debbie
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I give this book 3.5 stars
I really wish I had re-read Storm Glass before reading this one but I still really enjoyed. There were a few things I had forgotten but I quickly slipped back into Opal’s world. I found Opal much more irritating this time around. She was too head strong and whiny for my tastes but you did have to start feeling sorry for her as one bad thing after another seemed to happen to her. Things also heat up in the fight for Opal’s love. Kade is his usual strong, carin More...
I really wish I had re-read Storm Glass before reading this one but I still really enjoyed. There were a few things I had forgotten but I quickly slipped back into Opal’s world. I found Opal much more irritating this time around. She was too head strong and whiny for my tastes but you did have to start feeling sorry for her as one bad thing after another seemed to happen to her. Things also heat up in the fight for Opal’s love. Kade is his usual strong, carin More...
Mar 29, 2010
Miki
rated it:
Going into it, this book had a lot of things going for it, for me as a reader. It's set in the same world -- with some of the same characters -- as Snyder's earlier trilogy, Poison Study / Magic Study / Fire Study, which I absolutely *loved*. Those books pull me in again and again with how much I truly like the characters, with the sizzling tension, and the vivid settings. This next series is truthfully missing out on some of that, but I still really enjoyed the first book, Storm Glass. And al
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Mar 12, 2010
Doris
rated it:
Wow. With a major change in pace from the first Glass book, this second book in the series has our meek doormat change to a wildcat.
There is romance. There is danger. There is a strong plot which comes to a reasonable conclusion (sometimes a little too convoluted to follow). There is an evil mastermind.
As our story opens, Opal is revisiting her plight, wondering why she isn't trusted or believed. She winds up arrested numerous times, usually on spurious charges, bu More...
There is romance. There is danger. There is a strong plot which comes to a reasonable conclusion (sometimes a little too convoluted to follow). There is an evil mastermind.
As our story opens, Opal is revisiting her plight, wondering why she isn't trusted or believed. She winds up arrested numerous times, usually on spurious charges, bu More...
Mar 07, 2010
Rachael
rated it:
Transformed from a timid girl who could make magical glass to a magician who can readily steal the power of other magicians, Opal Cowan is considered too powerful and possibly a threat to Sitia. Though ordered home by the Council, Opal is no longer content to follow them blindly and instead goes off on her own to search for Ulrick who she believes to be a victim of corrupting blood magic. But Opal’s plans hardly go as she hopes, and soon she finds herself embroiled in another deadly plot. Word o
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Oct 04, 2009
Lexie
rated it:
I'll start off first by saying--omg how much did I want this book? I might be a little biased, since I have adored the series since the very first, but I'm so glad I got a copy a little early. Next, for those of you who haven't yet gotten around to reading Storm Glass (for whatever reason, I don't judge) don't feel that you'll be lost jumping into this second book. The first 100 pages or so of Sea Glass has a pretty intensive overview of what happens in the first book through interactions and co
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Sep 14, 2009
Julie
rated it:
Opal Cowen has been summoned back to Sita's Magicians Keep by the high council. Never a good sign. After an unsuccessful trip to find her lost friend Ulrick who has switched souls with her long time enemy, Opal heeds the summons and returns only to be put under house arrest. Her new found power of siphoning the magic of others has the Keep on high alert and she must earn back their confidence.
At the same time, Opal is determined to prove that Ulrick is no longer himself, and becomes More...
At the same time, Opal is determined to prove that Ulrick is no longer himself, and becomes More...
Sep 01, 2009
Bookaholics
rated it:
Sea Glass by Maria Snyder
Fantasy- Sept 1st, 2009
5 stars
Sea Glass is another magical triumph by the amazing talented Maria Snyder. Her books have the ability to transport me into a world that seems both magical and familiar. Her finely crafted novels pull me into her story and I feel as if I am one of her characters! In Sea Glass, Maria Snyder begins the 2nd installment of her Glass series involving the student magician Opal. What I found so exciting about this story More...
Fantasy- Sept 1st, 2009
5 stars
Sea Glass is another magical triumph by the amazing talented Maria Snyder. Her books have the ability to transport me into a world that seems both magical and familiar. Her finely crafted novels pull me into her story and I feel as if I am one of her characters! In Sea Glass, Maria Snyder begins the 2nd installment of her Glass series involving the student magician Opal. What I found so exciting about this story More...
Feb 10, 2012
Katherine
rated it:
Sea Glass—Book Two of the Glass Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder
In book two of this immaculate trilogy we see our heroine having to fight through the tide turning against her in many ways, facing trust problems on both fronts; whom she can trust and who trusts her. If Storm Glass was the alchemizing of Opal from a student to an adult, than Sea Glass takes that adult and hardens her into an opponent. This book took us to many of the same haunts that frequented the first volume, the Stormdancer More...
In book two of this immaculate trilogy we see our heroine having to fight through the tide turning against her in many ways, facing trust problems on both fronts; whom she can trust and who trusts her. If Storm Glass was the alchemizing of Opal from a student to an adult, than Sea Glass takes that adult and hardens her into an opponent. This book took us to many of the same haunts that frequented the first volume, the Stormdancer More...
Jan 06, 2012
Shweta's Book Journal
rated it:
I would be wrong in judging Opal for who she becomes in this book. I know her history, so I understand what she is going through and how it's is all linked to the traumatics events in her past. Did that stop me from judging her ? No! I was frustrated with her. I wanted her to speak up , do some thing right , follow what her elders were trying to tell her. At one point I was so frustrated that I wanted to throw the book at the wall in front of me .Extreme reaction, I know ,but when you are invest
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Mar 19, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
I liked the cover art and the concept based on the little description, and it has some good elements, but I really, really suffered getting through this book. I listened to the audiobook version of this and it is awful. Let me repeat that: AWFUL. The narrator took any life out of this book that might have been in it. I've read some reviews on audible.com that suggest the text is better than the audiobook, and I agree that the reader here was way, way off on the voice for this protagonist. The se
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Mar 12, 2011
Alicia
rated it:
An intense, enjoyable continuation of the series, if perhaps a tiny bit repetitive. I'm starting to feel just slightly burned out on this series for the same reason that I know a lot of readers got tired of the Poison Study series, which is that there certainly seems to be a never-ending flow of kidnappings, beatings, assaults, torture and attacks for Yelena and Opal, our poor featured Sitian women. It does get to be a bit over-done and repetitive, and after a while you start to wonder if ther
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Jan 08, 2011
Megan
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My least favorite of all the books I have read by this author (Study series, and now the entire Glass series). The anxiety this book brought up for me made it difficult to even finish, and there are some thematic elements I am struggling to "be okay" with. There are instances of horrific abuse, torture, misuse of power, helplessness and hopelessness all woven with regular appearance within this book. It's like a barrage that doesn't let up for long enough to allow the characters to adj
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Aug 21, 2009
Tiffany
rated it:
There were a couple of things that make me nervous after reading this book and one of them being that I have to wait until the Fall of 2011 before book 3 will come out.
I am actually going to quote part of the book
"....of being a piece of sea glass. High tides, low tides, storms, sand and mistakes all contributed to the polishing process. Though difficult to endure at the time, the demanding elements helped smooth the surface, transforming one into a better perso More...
I am actually going to quote part of the book
"....of being a piece of sea glass. High tides, low tides, storms, sand and mistakes all contributed to the polishing process. Though difficult to endure at the time, the demanding elements helped smooth the surface, transforming one into a better perso More...
Mar 15, 2011
Nairabell
rated it:
Opal Cowan's newfound power to steal the magic of another makes her too powerful, and too dangerous, in the eyes of the Council. Forced to return to the keep, Opal plots her escape to find the man who can prove her sanity. But although she knows Ulrick switched bodies with Devlen, everyone believes Opal has been taken in by an elaborate lie. With no proof and few allies, Opal must learn to trust herself especially as everyone now wants a piece of her powers for their own gain.
This i More...
This i More...
Dec 24, 2010
Loren
rated it:
Snyder laughed at convention, pacing was her plaything. And for the most part it worked.
I was content to wade through the more saccharin parts of this book, assured that Opal's tedious training regiment and squabbles with The Council would ultimately result in a violent eruption; shaping the character and solidifying our affection for our heroine. And after a slow two-hundred-page build we are treated to the glory of her defiance - and wasn't it great? Finally standing up for herself a More...
I was content to wade through the more saccharin parts of this book, assured that Opal's tedious training regiment and squabbles with The Council would ultimately result in a violent eruption; shaping the character and solidifying our affection for our heroine. And after a slow two-hundred-page build we are treated to the glory of her defiance - and wasn't it great? Finally standing up for herself a More...
May 07, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
Opal Cowan is a one trick wonder no more. Her glass magic is now powerful enough to drain an opponent of all of their magic. This ability terrifies the council, who see Opal as a potentiality dangerous weapon. Opal chaffs under their distrust. She is even more disgusted when no one, not even her family and friends, believes her about her encounter with Devlen, who has stolen her friend Ulrick's body through blood magic. Opal is determined to save Ulrick, and gain control back over her life, but
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Nov 21, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
In the second Glass book, Opal is under house arrest when the council of Sitia discovers her new abilities. No one will believe her that blood magic is being used again and old enemies are turning up claiming to be friends. Life is definitely getting topsy turvy and the trusting girl of Storm Glass has grown up a lot.
There are some story threads that are never picked up in Sea Glass after Snyder introduces them. I suspect we'll see more on those in the the third book. I really liked More...
There are some story threads that are never picked up in Sea Glass after Snyder introduces them. I suspect we'll see more on those in the the third book. I really liked More...
Oct 09, 2009
Jadin
rated it:
I definitely give this story four and half stars! I think this is Ms. Snyder's best book since Poison Study. I will agree with my friend Misty who thought the first 75 pages were difficult and I agree with her reasoning ... I just didn't remember enough of Storm Glass to get connected with Sea Glass right away. I will admit that I am one of the people who complain when I pick up a series book and the first third of it is setting up the scene from previous books (Are you listening Laurell?) but w
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