The apprenticeship is over--now the real test has begun.
When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder--able to capture and release souls--spreads lik... read full description
reviews
Feb 12, 2011
Lyndsey
rated it: 
For me, the Study series has been on a descending scale of awesomeness.
A jaunty, double-spaced, fried zombie? Where?!
The first book, Poison Study, was awesome and gave you that happy-go-lucky feeling at the end and you want to yell "weeeeeee". The second book, Magic Study, was "eh". It felt somewhat disconnected from the original but still good. This third one, Fire Study, was just plain worn-out and over done, too much going on without much real More...
A jaunty, double-spaced, fried zombie? Where?!
The first book, Poison Study, was awesome and gave you that happy-go-lucky feeling at the end and you want to yell "weeeeeee". The second book, Magic Study, was "eh". It felt somewhat disconnected from the original but still good. This third one, Fire Study, was just plain worn-out and over done, too much going on without much real More...
25 comments
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Apr 04, 2008
Angie
rated it: 
I felt a bit blue last night as I finished Fire Study, the third and final volume in Maria V. Snyder's Study Trilogy. Though she is currently working on a new series following a side character from the Study books, this is the last one to center on the adventures of Yelena, the convicted murderer, turned poison taster, turned diplomatic liaison. I felt blue because I'd been expecting more and I ended up finishing it more out of a feeling of obligation than because I was truly engrossed.
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11 comments
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(27 people liked it)
Sep 07, 2011
± Colleen of the Crawling Chaos ±
rated it: 
3.5
Wow. So, this book was kind of difficult to get through. Up until about three-quarters of the way through, I was afraid I was going to end up hating it. Part of it was some of the negative reviews, but more of it was the fact that everyone was really being annoying.
There was some of this in the second book, too. People were holding unrealistic expectations of other people, people were demanding trust while being mistrustful, etc. And there's a lot more of that in More...
Wow. So, this book was kind of difficult to get through. Up until about three-quarters of the way through, I was afraid I was going to end up hating it. Part of it was some of the negative reviews, but more of it was the fact that everyone was really being annoying.
There was some of this in the second book, too. People were holding unrealistic expectations of other people, people were demanding trust while being mistrustful, etc. And there's a lot more of that in More...
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(5 people liked it)
Apr 09, 2008
Laura
rated it:
Unfortunately, this series has gone the way of many "chicks-who-kick-butt" stories go, where apparently no one is capable of doing anything (or thinking, or even desiring to think, for that matter) except for the unflappable, clever, sarcastic heroine. The voice has become modern/mainstream enough that it kills the other-world feel (this Pegasus is lacking true wings). There's some creativity to the world and magic system, so I still enjoyed the book, even if the characters have beco
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Aug 18, 2010
Kathryn
rated it: 
I have more than a few bone to pick with this book.
I still can't shake how disappointed I am!
All the worries about the last book having a bad review were merely a start. I have Just another book that made me feel this way... 'Breaking Dawn' grrrrrrr (anger of some sort)
To give myself a closure from one of my favorite seires, I reluctantly started reading the kindle version, for I couldn't wait for it to deliver. I was wrong, maybe I should've waited for much longer.
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I still can't shake how disappointed I am!
All the worries about the last book having a bad review were merely a start. I have Just another book that made me feel this way... 'Breaking Dawn' grrrrrrr (anger of some sort)
To give myself a closure from one of my favorite seires, I reluctantly started reading the kindle version, for I couldn't wait for it to deliver. I was wrong, maybe I should've waited for much longer.
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5 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Aug 15, 2011
Lisa O.
rated it:
What a pity. This is the only coherent thought in my mind after finishing the Study series. After an oustanding debut followed by a mediocre sequel, the final installment was NOT the proper ending to something that could have been memorable. Not because of the way it ended, because that was pretty satisfying. In fact, it got 2 stars from me instead of one just because Snyder eventually delivered what is so painfully expected throughout the whole - excessively long - book.
If I had to descr More...
If I had to descr More...
8 comments
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(19 people liked it)
Aug 17, 2008
dont read this if you dont want the book to be spoit .
i love all 3 books. i felt so sad when i read the last page.i liked the ending but i wanted something more from it.
the book starts of as she recives a message from moon man wanting to meet with her because he may have information on were the soulsteater is. shes travels to meet him. there is a new treat that the evil magicin are use it called the efie richel .she learns more and more about her More...
i love all 3 books. i felt so sad when i read the last page.i liked the ending but i wanted something more from it.
the book starts of as she recives a message from moon man wanting to meet with her because he may have information on were the soulsteater is. shes travels to meet him. there is a new treat that the evil magicin are use it called the efie richel .she learns more and more about her More...
3 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 26, 2008
Felicia
rated it:
Ugh. Well, I was obsessed with Poison Study, and Magic Study was pretty good, but this book really didn't satisfy. I found myself skimming it a lot, and I felt bad doing it.
For some reason the whole reason I liked the series in the first place dwindled throughout this concluding novel to where I forgot what charmed me in the first place. It wasn't horrible, just not the direction I wanted or expected it to go. I guess an author has to do what he/she thinks the series should d More...
For some reason the whole reason I liked the series in the first place dwindled throughout this concluding novel to where I forgot what charmed me in the first place. It wasn't horrible, just not the direction I wanted or expected it to go. I guess an author has to do what he/she thinks the series should d More...
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(16 people liked it)
Apr 24, 2009
Angela
rated it:
2 stars is still pretty generous for this book. Bleh. I was so disappointed. Reading these 3 books was a similar experience to the Eragon books ... LOVED the first one, thought the second one was good but not as good as the previous, and forced my way through the third one while skipping massive pages and not caring what I missed.
Comparing POISON STUDY to MAGIC STUDY and FIRE STUDY, I think what I didn't like the most was the 1st book was so different from the last 2. I loved the More...
Comparing POISON STUDY to MAGIC STUDY and FIRE STUDY, I think what I didn't like the most was the 1st book was so different from the last 2. I loved the More...
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(10 people liked it)
Aug 15, 2008
Rachel
rated it: 
I liked this book, though not quite as much as the other two. There is something about a woman needing a man that appeals to me and in this book, she is becoming much more independent and doesn't need Valek nearly as much. :( But I still enjoyed her adventures to save her world.
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 07, 2011
Brad
rated it:
Well, I don't really regret finishing the series. It was pretty good, and a mostly entertaining story. Some of my hopes as I finished the second book weren't met, but at least Valek's presence wasn't nearly so gag inducing. Lots of "love"s again--my solution? Give him a thick Cockney accent every time he said it. Problem solved.
The first book is probably the best in the series, and I don't know that the rest add enough that you've gotta read 'em. The first 1/3 of this More...
The first book is probably the best in the series, and I don't know that the rest add enough that you've gotta read 'em. The first 1/3 of this More...
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2011
Cherry
rated it:
Review:
Stunning conclusion to the Yelena Zaltana (or Study) trilogy. I like this author’s “voice”. It “feels” easy to read and the story flows smoothly. The only thing I find a bit annoying is the plot. The author has the tendency to make her characters act stupid in a blatant effort to add a bit more drama to the story. I blame that more to the weak plot rather than a character development flaw. And that is the only reason that this book got a less than 5, otherwise this book is a really More...
Stunning conclusion to the Yelena Zaltana (or Study) trilogy. I like this author’s “voice”. It “feels” easy to read and the story flows smoothly. The only thing I find a bit annoying is the plot. The author has the tendency to make her characters act stupid in a blatant effort to add a bit more drama to the story. I blame that more to the weak plot rather than a character development flaw. And that is the only reason that this book got a less than 5, otherwise this book is a really More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 09, 2010
FlibBityFLooB
rated it:
I'm afraid the third book in this trilogy disappointed me, mainly because it had a different tone or style from the other two. I loved the first two books so much I guess I had high expectations that just couldn't be met. Oh well. :)
I think part of me wanted some more drama between Valek and Yelena.
*****slighly spoilerish below*****
I always thought that Valek should have found the execution order in Yelena's backpack in book 2. That would have set the bal More...
I think part of me wanted some more drama between Valek and Yelena.
*****slighly spoilerish below*****
I always thought that Valek should have found the execution order in Yelena's backpack in book 2. That would have set the bal More...
5 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Mar 27, 2009
Alaine
rated it:
This is the third and final book in the Study series. I have to say I was a little bit disappointed as I thought this book would follow a similar format to the others. The first one was Poison Study and it was about Yelena's job as a food taster for the Commander of Ixia. In the second book Yelena goes to learn about her magical ability with the magicians in Sitia. I thought the third book would be about Yelena studying fire, but it really was a continuation of Magic Study and Yelena's journey t
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2 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 03, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
I had heard from the friend who let me borrow this series of books that the third wasn't as good as the first two, so I was expecting to be a little disappointed in this story. That, however, didn't happen.
I mean, true, the story did get a little bogged down in Yelena's stubborn streak and her complete inability to listen to those who should have been teaching her, as well as the strained relationships she had with the people who should have been most important to her, but despite al More...
I mean, true, the story did get a little bogged down in Yelena's stubborn streak and her complete inability to listen to those who should have been teaching her, as well as the strained relationships she had with the people who should have been most important to her, but despite al More...
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 13, 2008
Katy
rated it:
After enjoying the first two in this series, I'm finding the third hard to get through. The language is stilted and boring, I'm not interested in the characters, and various betrayals and deaths just don't spark any emotion in me. It's too bad, too, because her world and the mythology behind it - the history of Soulfinders and the connection of the magical world, the regular world, and afterlife - *should* be interesting. Reconciling the two realms - fascist, magic-hating Ixia and magic-soused,
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(3 people liked it)
Jan 30, 2012
Claire
rated it:
First, let me start out by saying that I loved Poison Study. It's one of my favorite books ever. It was dark, dangerous, mysterious, romantic, and just amazing. So what on Earth happened? Fire Study just wasn't very good. The plot was dull and progressed slowly and don't even get me started on Valek. (Did he forget Yelena's name or something? Because the entire book he just called her "My Love". Seriously Valek, what happened to your heart of steel?) Overall, this book was a sad, disap
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
rated it:
I was chomping at the bit to get the final installment of Snyder's Study trilogy. Fire Study not only wraps up the overall story, but it also takes us back to all the people we've met and places we've been in Poison Study and Magic Study. I don't want to say too much about the specific plot, because that would not only spoil this book, but the previous one as well, so I'll try to be general. While seeking to apprehend the enemies from Magic Study, Yelena discovers there's a new dark magic, a mag
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Mar 14, 2009
Miss Purl
rated it:
Quick review: The second book (Magic Study) is not as good as the first and third books, and the third book (Fire Study) is not as good as the first book. They are, however, entertaining books. I found the story very interesting. Honestly, I picked up the third book, intending to read the third chapter in the tub, and I oh god, I'm so ashamed ended up reading the entire book in the bathtub. I looked like I was considering a career path as a California Raisin when I got out. Four hours of my life
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Emily
rated it:
Why I picked it up: Last in a trilogy
The action picks up not long after Magic Study ends. Yelena wants to learn more about her magic, but is also scared of what she has learned about her particular magic so far. She continues to be headstrong, a little impulsive, and to have the loyalty of those we as readers have some to know and love.
I find myself liking this book more and more as I think back on it and the series as a whole. There are things from the first book that com More...
The action picks up not long after Magic Study ends. Yelena wants to learn more about her magic, but is also scared of what she has learned about her particular magic so far. She continues to be headstrong, a little impulsive, and to have the loyalty of those we as readers have some to know and love.
I find myself liking this book more and more as I think back on it and the series as a whole. There are things from the first book that com More...
Jan 28, 2012
Kribu
rated it:
I was a little worried that I might not enjoy this last instalment in the Study series, as I've come across quite a few people saying it's the worst of the three, but whether it's because I adjusted my expectations or because the expectations were already lower, I think I actually liked this a bit more than Magic Study.
The main problem I really had with Magic Study - one that I didn't consciously noticed until I'd finished it - was that Yelena was really on her way of becoming all-powe More...
The main problem I really had with Magic Study - one that I didn't consciously noticed until I'd finished it - was that Yelena was really on her way of becoming all-powe More...
Sep 26, 2011
Coreena
rated it:
This is the final book in the Study series. As much as I loved these books, this one was my least favorite. I still like Yelena and think that she is a great character, along with Valek, but this book just did not come together in the same way.
Snyder is still very good at creating excitement, this book starts off quite exciting and she has a knack for cliffhanger ending chapters. However, I found this book to be a bit repetitive with many of the details. I also found Snyder spent More...
Snyder is still very good at creating excitement, this book starts off quite exciting and she has a knack for cliffhanger ending chapters. However, I found this book to be a bit repetitive with many of the details. I also found Snyder spent More...
Sep 04, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
Maybe 2.5 stars. I read something on Ms. Snyder's website where she says that she wrote Poison Study slowly over a 5 year period, but Magic Study and Fire Study she wrote much quicker. She also says that she doesn't plot a series out, but figures it out as she goes along. Unfortunately, that explains a lot about the second and third books, because they just aren’t nearly as good as Poison Study . In Fire Study I felt like many of the same plot points from the previous book were used ag
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Aug 04, 2011
Haley
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 01, 2011
Mlle.
rated it:
From an author like Snyder, who showed us all in POISON STUDY that she has a true gift for subtle, ingenious plotting FIRE STUDY is a tragedy.
It careens at a breakneck pace from one crisis to the next, and nothing is developed fully. Endless summaries of earlier events drag FIRE STUDY down like concrete shoes. The plot is full of holes (Leif, for example, can detect lies...yet his ability is conveniently forgotten when it would be most useful).
Snyder makes a serious mistake More...
It careens at a breakneck pace from one crisis to the next, and nothing is developed fully. Endless summaries of earlier events drag FIRE STUDY down like concrete shoes. The plot is full of holes (Leif, for example, can detect lies...yet his ability is conveniently forgotten when it would be most useful).
Snyder makes a serious mistake More...
Jul 11, 2011
Shelby
rated it:
It's hard to review this book because I don't feel like I was really "there" while reading it. I had that feeling of disconnection you sometimes feel in books that don't really click with you. I can't exactly explain why, but I found that this book, for me, made me feel...ambivalent. Books shouldn't do that -- they should make you feel...some emotion. But I just couldn't care about what was happening for most of the story.
I'll clarify that there wasn't anything too wrong w More...
I'll clarify that there wasn't anything too wrong w More...
Jul 05, 2011
Cherry Vanilla Addikt
rated it:
OMG where do I start???
OK .......... (deep breath)
I loved Poisson Study ... you have no idea ... I read it on a day ... I just couldn't stop reading ... the plot was light and easy to read, characters well defined. I love the way the author developed the relationship between Yelena and Valek. I hate the "love at first sight" relationships, not believable (here is when I remember this is a fantasy book ... anyway...). Their relationship develops naturally and gro More...
OK .......... (deep breath)
I loved Poisson Study ... you have no idea ... I read it on a day ... I just couldn't stop reading ... the plot was light and easy to read, characters well defined. I love the way the author developed the relationship between Yelena and Valek. I hate the "love at first sight" relationships, not believable (here is when I remember this is a fantasy book ... anyway...). Their relationship develops naturally and gro More...
Mar 31, 2011
Sally906
rated it:
FIRE STUDY picks up where the previous book in the trilogy, Magic Study, left off. Yelena has been revealed to be a powerful magician. Everyone says she is a soul stealer - unfortunately no-one seems to be able to tell her what one is – other than they are feared because all previous ones have been really evil. Yelena doesn’t want to be evil – she just needs to know what she is, and how to control her powers.
Sitian and Ixian relation are still precarious and now another threat loo More...
Sitian and Ixian relation are still precarious and now another threat loo More...
Feb 02, 2011
Diane ~Firefly~
rated it:
The series was enjoyable, but it started off great and ended just good. There was a lot of repetition and I don't think I've ever seen one character get kidnapped so many times before. Yelena continues to learn about her power as she and Sitia face another threat. While I enjoyed the story overall, I still had lots of issues with it. I'm going to be a bit specific, so they will be under the spoiler tag.
<spoiler>
* The traitor was pretty obvious early on and I didn't under More...
<spoiler>
* The traitor was pretty obvious early on and I didn't under More...
Jan 23, 2011
Annie
rated it:
Oh, Maria V. Snyder, what happened? "Fire Study" was so disappointing, I finished it (skimming some parts) because the first book in this series was so intriguing, and while the second floundered, it had its moments. There was one point in the middle where I got caught up in the action this time, but it didn't last long.
Part of it is that way too much text is spent re-capping what happened in the other two novels. It is totally unnecessary, since it is a continuation of the o More...
Part of it is that way too much text is spent re-capping what happened in the other two novels. It is totally unnecessary, since it is a continuation of the o More...
