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Storm Glass (Glass #1)

by Maria V. Snyder (Goodreads Author)

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 10,417 ratings · 937 reviews

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers--particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade--require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal...more

ebook, 448 pages

Published May 1st 2009 by Mira Books

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May 07, 2009 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: home-library, fantasy, arc, autographed

An overnight read. I was so thrilled when I got my hands on this book. I read right through dinner, second dinner, and midnight snack. And was extremely annoyed when I needed to use the potty.

I love this world! Maria V. Snyder commands your attention. Poison Study fans are really going to like this one. Just like with the poisons, we learn about storms and glass with the same meticulous (and entertaining) attention to detail. Can't wait for the next!

22 likes · like · see review

May 22, 2012 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult, fantasy-lite

So I picked up this book because reading the author's name made me think of something I couldn't quite put my finger on.....

That's it!

Unfortunately, it was nowhere near as awesome as Wesley Sneijder.

Opal Cowen is a glassmaker and magician-in-training. Unlike most other magicians, she only has one talent, and that is to trap magic within glass. Storm Glass is her story. Though it might as well be Yelena's by the way she's mentioned incessantly all throughout the book.

Having never read any of Snyd...more

20 likes · like · see review

Sep 21, 2011 Janina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, on-my-shelf, series-lost-interest, given-away

Street Corner TBR pile reduction challenge #10 (Olivia)

For me, this doesn't hold the charm of Snyder's Poison Study and I am not very fond of Opal, the main character. I have read over a third of the book, and I'm still not sure what the main plot is supposed to be. As I don't really care for any of the chracters and I sense a dreaded love triangle coming up, I'll stop here.

5 likes · like · see review

Oct 05, 2009 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vaginal-fantasy, fantasy

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was nice to see a fantasy heroine not using her magical brawn all over the place, instead being a craftsman. The book had a slightly Young Adult feel to it, dunno if that was intended, a little "soft" so to speak? Not a bad thing, just tone-wise.
EDIT:
Was corrected, this IS a Young Adult book, so there ya go! I'm...smart. If you liked "Graceling" you'll really like this book, both enjoyable!

I LOVED Poison Study, it's one of my fave Vaginal-Fantasy books out there, s...more

13 likes · like · see review

Oct 14, 2011 Lindsay rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

**mini spoiler alert**This was an excellently written book! Although if I could have, I would have given it 3 1/2 stars instead of 4 for the following reasons:

1) The characters lacked a bit of life. Opal is the character we follow throughout the book, but I really don't feel like I got to know her. Throughout the whole story she was either having flashbacks of her kidnapping/imprisonment where she was raped by Devlen(?) or she was surprising herself with the magical things she could do. She was...more

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Dec 21, 2011 H rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, page-turner

I loved Storm Glass. I loved the world introduced to us, I loved the concept and idea of magic and glass in the book, I loved the characters and the twists and turns in the plot. Everything was perfectly weaved together to form this marvellous work of art. This world is unique, intriguing, and I really enjoyed learning everything that can be learned about the world that Opal lives in, as well as the magic that she is developing.

I haven't read the Study series prior to this, which probably explai...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 03, 2010 Kirsten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So I think that this world where the books are set in is not a fun place to live if you're involved with the Keep. Haha. It seems like life for these poor magicians will never settle down... not that I want it to. I personally love it, I was so happy to have a chance to get back into the world that Maria has created. I hope she does a spin off of this... er... spin off, I mean there is certainly enough material and characters for her go on forever.

I think the only downside to this was that the l...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Walter Underwood rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was looking forward to this because the Poison Study series was good, but what a disappointment. The main character worries, conveniently withholds useful information, and bounces around having things happen to her. Oh, and she is kidnapped, threatened with death, and tortured multiple times (each). I'm just not that into a love story where she knows he loves her because he gives in when she is tortured.

Opal doesn't really make decisions, she's mostly batted around by the Hand of the Author. E...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 28, 2011 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay, so I just spent about half an hour writing a review for this book and then, of course, lost it just when I was writing that last wrapping it up paragraph. So, instead of putting myself through all that again, I'll sum up.

Why did I give this two stars instead of just one? I don't know.

The author fails to connect the reader to the protagonist right off the bat. She (the protag/author) tells us about the mean girl who torments the protag instead of showing us, thus negating potential sympathy...more

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Aug 30, 2010 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the Study books

Shelves: read-in-2010, fantasy-young-adult

What I really loved about this book was the main character, Opal. She is not like most heroines that I've read about who always know exactly who they are and never falter. She is very human; plagued by doubts and never sure who she can trust, and never actually trusting herself. Unlike a lot of fictional characters, she is not a super-human. Opal has her times of weakness and tries her best not to be a coward, even though she thinks she is. Despite all of these things, she still remains strong e...more

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Mar 28, 2010 Anne Osterlund rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Opal has a gift for glass, magic, and disasters. After years of training with the best magicians in Sitia, her reputation seems hinged in failure. So when she and the magician, Zitora, are sent to the sea in order to help the Stormdancers who capture storms in glass, Opal is unprepared. To face the blue-eyed magician who threatens them all, the torturous memories of her past, the storms that come crashing over the waves and threaten all of Sitia, and Kade—the young storm dancer who is the most p...more

6 likes · like · see review

Aug 22, 2009 Alethea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who need an Anti-Bella

Yay! I got my ARC today! (1/11/09)

I wasn't sure I was going to like Opal as a stand-alone character (and yes, Yelena fans, there are some pretty cool cameos from folks you know and love) but I think the combo of her and Zitora, as well as the other new characters introduced in this first-of-a-trilogy novel make for an exciting read. They've got spunk!

Sitia fans, you get to roam around a little more in this one. We've been to Booruby and the Citadel, but this time you get to make it all the way...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 15, 2009 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cant wait for this. Here is the synposis from Maria's website.

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it’s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal’s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Mel Campbell rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: writen-an-actual-review

3.5
I did like this book. It only took me a day to get through, which usually means i enjoyed it enough to not put it down.
The writing was good, and snyder is really good at keeping me interested BUT (view spoiler)...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Alaisse Amehana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Da http://labellaeilcavaliere.blogspot.i...

E dopo la trilogia de La farfalla di pietra, eccomi di nuovo a parlare della Snyder, che si conferma una delle mie autrici di fantasy preferite.
Questa volta abbandoniamo Yelena e Valek, protagonisti della prima trilogia (sigh, Valek non lasciarmi! ), e seguiamo invece le avventure di Opale Cowan, comparsa già alla fine della precedente trilogia. Nonostante i personaggi di Opale e Yelena siano completamente diversi, a partire dai loro poteri, entrambe ha...more Da http://labellaeilcavaliere.blogspot.i...

E dopo la trilogia de La farfalla di pietra, eccomi di nuovo a parlare della Snyder, che si conferma una delle mie autrici di fantasy preferite.
Questa volta abbandoniamo Yelena e Valek, protagonisti della prima trilogia (sigh, Valek non lasciarmi! ), e seguiamo invece le avventure di Opale Cowan, comparsa già alla fine della precedente trilogia. Nonostante i personaggi di Opale e Yelena siano completamente diversi, a partire dai loro poteri, entrambe hanno saputo coinvolgermi nella storia. Yelena infatti è una Cacciatrice di anime e dopo i vari sconvolgimenti che hanno visto Sitia e Ixia sull’orlo di una guerra è diventata un ufficiale di collegamento tra i due regni per preservare la pace. Opale invece è un mago del vetro, anche se nemmeno lei sa bene cosa questo comporti, e grazie a lei i potenti Distorsori che minacciavano Sitia sono stati sconfitti e intrappolati in prigioni di vetro create da lei stessa; ma a parte soffiare la magia dentro gli animaletti di vetro che produce sembra incapace di fare vera magia.
Sono passati circa quattro anni dalla fine della guerra coi Distorsori e Opale si trova al Mastio dei Maghi dove segue le sue lezioni e nel tempo libero aiuta a produrre oggetti in vetro in una fornace. Purtroppo il suo potere è rimasto un Trucco Unico, come viene crudelmente etichettata da altri studenti, a partire da Pazia, promettente studentessa e futuro Maestro. Tuttavia è a Opale che si rivolgono quando i globi dei Danzatempesta cominciano misteriosamente a infrangersi. Il clan dei Danzatempesta ha infatti il compito di risucchiare l’energia delle tempeste in globi di vetro per salvare la costa dai tifoni e allo stesso tempo sfruttarne l’energia nelle loro fabbriche. Durante il viaggio però, Opale e Zitora, il Maestro che l’accompagna, vengono attaccate ed è solo l’inizio di una serie di attentati che in parte mi hanno ricordato quelli a Yelena nella prima trilogia. Anche qui sembra che i cattivi debbano mettersi in fila per poter rapire/uccidere/sfruttare la povera Opale, che però se la cava egregiamente scoprendo alla fine di possedere un nuovo potere piuttosto interessante, e che non manca di mettere in allarma il Consiglio di Sitia. A tutto questo aggiungiamo Kade, un affascinante Danzatore che ha perso la sorella a causa di un globo infranto, e Ulrick, giovane vetraio con poteri magici e vecchio amico d’infanzia, e avrete un’idea di cosa andiamo incontro in questo libro. Ma non basta. Arriva un terzo personaggio a complicare le cose: Devlen, che pratica la Magia di Sangue, la stessa dei pericolosi Distorsori, e che rapisce Opale perché la conduca dove si trova la gabbia di vetro in cui è rinchiuso il suo Maestro e di cui solo lei conosce l’ubicazione.
Intrighi e colpi di scena non mancano, proprio come nella prima trilogia. Se devo trovare una pecca, è l’assenza di Valek. Yelena ricompare di sfuggita nel racconto e mi aspettavo che saltasse fuori anche lui da un momento all’altro, invece nada, nisba, nulladinulla. E anche se i prodi presenti mi hanno in parte consolata, un salutino dell’impareggiabile Valek ci sarebbe stato bene.
La ricomparsa di altre vecchie conoscenze come Ari e Janco mi hanno fatto tornare per un attimo alla Farfalla di pietra, e ho avuto la conferma del talento della Snyder che ha saputo scrivere un seguito coinvolgente senza dimenticarsi dei personaggi già creati.
Alaisse(less)

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Oct 05, 2012 Kate rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn't like this book. The biggest reason I didn't like it was that the main character, a girl named Opal, is continuously cast in the role of a victim. She's kidnapped (or there is an attempted kidnapping) at least three times that I can think of. It just get's worse and more disturbing from there. The most disturbing bit was when she learns that (view spoiler)...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Anggia Retno rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay maybe it is 3.5 stars

After finishing Study series this book is quite a disappointment for several reasons.

First the heroine is quite disappointing, maybe after reading about Yelena in study series I think Opal lack the quality that make me love the character. She's not really strong or talented but it's not the problem her attitude that always whining and brooding make me bored.

Actually in the first half of the book she's not really annoying, but after she met that ulfric boy god it's beco...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crazy-intense-suspense, i-extremely-recommend-to-anyone, fan-girly-romances, i-think-i-died-when-this-ended, kick-ass-adventurous, love-love-love, please-never-ever-end-i-love-you

I couldn't stop reading these books! It took some time to yet used to the choppy sentences, but otherwise it was great!

I love the characters, the sarcasm and humor- which me laugh out loud a few times- and the suspense that makes you put the book down just gawk at what just happened and makes you think about long after putting the book down!

Even though Opal gets kidnapped excessive amounts of times throughout the series, she is relatable and still keeps you guessing and adding new puzzles and...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kickass-heroine, books-i-own, assasins, odd-spernatural-types, witches-wizards

Okay, so I went and read this before the series that preceeds this... Smart. Though it can be done, and I quite enjoyed the novel, and then went and got the first series. ut enough about that.

Opal is a girl rying to confront her inner demons. She has to deal with no longer having the support of her near twin sister Tula, and to deal with the memories and guilt that came with her imprisonment and release from the Daviians care (if you can call it care). I didn't mind her character, especially as...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been reading Snyder's other series - which is loosely connected to this one - so I decided to give this a try, and I really enjoyed this first book.

Opal is a glassmaker and magician in training, but her magic seems limited and she has no friends, so she has very little confidence in her own abilities.

Unfortunately, someone is sabotaging the storm-catching orbs used by the Stormdancer Clan. The Council Magicians believe Opal may be able to figure out the problem and send her on a mission. Wi...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This may be a dangerous comment to make, but it seems like Maria V. Snyder is incapable of writing a book that I don't absolutely love! It's almost scary, but every book I've read from her--all three of the Study series and now this first of the Glass series--has received a 5-star rating from me. Once again, Storm Glass was a book that I did not want to put down, and was fortunate that I only had to once while reading it.

Set in the same incredible fantasy world that Snyder created in the Study s...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Huong rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The author acknowledges in a preface that her publisher pushed for another Study book to "keep up the momentum." But instead of Study#4, Ms. Snyder wanted a new title because of the new protagonist, Opal. So hence the Glass trilogy! But in all honesty, this book might as well have been Study #4. It felt like every other page was spent recapping Yelena's story from the Study trilogy.

I was hoping to dive into the world of Sitia/Ixia but from a new & refreshing angle. In fact, that's what made...more The author acknowledges in a preface that her publisher pushed for another Study book to "keep up the momentum." But instead of Study#4, Ms. Snyder wanted a new title because of the new protagonist, Opal. So hence the Glass trilogy! But in all honesty, this book might as well have been Study #4. It felt like every other page was spent recapping Yelena's story from the Study trilogy.

I was hoping to dive into the world of Sitia/Ixia but from a new & refreshing angle. In fact, that's what made me want to read the Glass trilogy. Despite the dismal turnout of the Study books, I really still loved the concept so much that I wanted to see if the author could recapture what I really enjoyed from Poison Study. But instead of taking a different spin on the characters and setting, it is completely flat and boring because it's ALL ABOUT YELENA AGAIN. It was really irritating to continually read Yelena this, Yelena that...Opal's story was completely lost because everything that had happened in Study#1,2,3 had to be continually re-capped for the readers. Yeesh.

Unfortunately, Opal is another borderline TSTL heroine. After multiple kidnap attempts, she still reacts and thinks like a wannabe Yelena, except with a lot of annoying insecurities. Cmon girlfriend, really? And despite being apprehended each time, Opal still thinks she can maybeeee defend herself. Why even write about Opal? She apparently is just another stretched out Yelena character.

(view spoiler)(less)

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Jan 15, 2012 Aik Chien 인첸 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Storm Glass circles around Opal Cowan, a glass maker who did not realize her potential for magic at the beginning of the novel. If you can recall, Opal is a minor character in the Study series, the one who lost her sister to a murderous blood magician who tortures and kills his victims before injecting their blood in his skin to increase his own power. She might not be as clever and multifaceted as Yelena, but she has her own talents, which is making glass animals that enables magicians to commu...more Storm Glass circles around Opal Cowan, a glass maker who did not realize her potential for magic at the beginning of the novel. If you can recall, Opal is a minor character in the Study series, the one who lost her sister to a murderous blood magician who tortures and kills his victims before injecting their blood in his skin to increase his own power. She might not be as clever and multifaceted as Yelena, but she has her own talents, which is making glass animals that enables magicians to communicate with each other with the spark of magic trapped within.

In Storm Glass, Opal and her mentor Master Magician Zitora were sent on a mission to investigate the truth behind the failing glass orbs created by the Stormdancer clan as these things, unable to contain the power of the storm, have been bursting and killing a few Stormdancers. She finds herself getting interested with one of the Stormdancers - Kade, but her very presence seems unbearable to him.

The starting is a little too slow according to my standards, but it is still tolerable as facts are thrown in time to time to reveal pieces of puzzle that will finally make up the whole story. The romance between Opal and Kade is not really clear and obvious. It is true that there is some attraction between those two, but Kade always shuts himself off to the world since the death of her sister. Ulrick, the son of a famous glass maker, on the other hand, is a protective bear - he clearly has some interest in Opal, but her mind is solely on Kade.

Storm Glass has all the usual elements present in Maria V. Snyder's books - suspense, intrigue, romance, betrayal, and the ingenious plot twists. Following the adventures of Opal Cowan, this book is a good start to the Glass series. Even though our heroine here is not as clever or multifaceted as our beloved Yelena from the Study series, I still admire her courage and strength. Opal has low self-esteem, she is a little slow (meaning not so clever) and she is indecisive in matters of love. (Not that we can blame her, given Kade's trademark I'm-not-interested-in-you-but actually-I-do actions. Sometimes even I feel like slapping some sense into him.) Opal is definitely a flawed person, but that is what makes her special.(less)

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Jan 04, 2012 Shweta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fantasy

When you read a new book by your favorite author expectations are bound to be sky high. Along with it, there is a weird feeling whether you will love it as much as the earlier books. I was a bit scared as to how I would like this book and when I started reading Storm Glass, 2 pages and my doubts vanished. Poof! I was back in the familiar territory of Sitia though with a host of new characters.

The Stormdancer clan is in trouble with their glass orbs shattering and killing the magicians ,who are...more When you read a new book by your favorite author expectations are bound to be sky high. Along with it, there is a weird feeling whether you will love it as much as the earlier books. I was a bit scared as to how I would like this book and when I started reading Storm Glass, 2 pages and my doubts vanished. Poof! I was back in the familiar territory of Sitia though with a host of new characters.

The Stormdancer clan is in trouble with their glass orbs shattering and killing the magicians ,who are responsible for harnessing the winds and keeping the storms under control.With the number of storm dancers dwindling Magicians Keep sends Opal on the mission to make new orbs for them and also to try and find the reason behind the shattering orbs. This is where Opal begins to realize she may be having something more than 'Just Glass Making 'ability.That she might be something more than an one trick wonder her classmates at the Keep have been calling her all this time.

Opal wasn't an instantly likable character to me because she was so underconfident. Her capabilities which made her one of the most useful ally in Fire Study were the cause for her miseries. Her self doubt and inability to stand up for herself when taunted and ridiculed made me want to shake her up and tell her 'You are good Opal , believe in your self', but then I guessed ,she is meant to be that way. Her character has been written with lot of fore thought because as the story moves ahead we see her realizing how vital she is, not just to the Magician's Keep but to the well being of her world as well. Not an easy transition, but each time she discovers something new about herself, she learns to respect herself. Even though the progress on confidence front is very less , she is coming to terms.There are still traces of lingering doubts in her mine when the novel closes ,of her new found abilities but for the time being she has learnt to deal with it.

Kade and Ulrick bring out a different side of Opal's personality.It's all about loving someone because your heart tells you that he is right for you or settling for someone who makes you feel protected hanging around you like a moth. Or may be an irritating fly! At times I wanted to pull Ulrick right out of the page and thrown him off. Ok, that was just me being too nasty! You must have realized by now that I am Team Kade ! Then there is Devlen ,who is creepy and scary but when Maria gives a character so much of space you realize that he is more than just what you are able to see on the exterior. I am waiting for lot of new revelations about him. (I do know some ,cos I have read Sea Glass too but I'm not gonna talk )

The plot moved slow initially but it picked up a pace pretty fast.The writing was wonderful , the names as usual were unique and the twisting and untwisting of sub plots kept me engrossed in this book.

Have I said enough to convince you to read this ? If you loved Study books you will love this one too. Don't expect Yelena because Opal is different but she will make you like her.

For those of you ,who haven't read any of Study Series book , you needn't worry Maria makes sure this book can work as a part of a standalone series though set in the same world of Sitia. But I would like to ask, if you haven't read Study Series yet ,what are you waiting for ? The apocalypse ? The zombie invasion? Go read these books!(less)

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Jan 01, 2012 Haley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action-romance, magicy-stuff

*Spoiler Alert* If your interested in reading this novel, read my review after. Not really complentary.

I was rather dissapointed with this novel for some reason. Maybe it was, sometimes, when a new section started, she would state a word, and then compound on that word...which is totally fiiiine...if you don't do it to much. Or maybe it was the fact that our Opal just doesn't seem to be up to par for me. She acts weak, and OTHERS have to point out to her that she is strong way to much...and may...more *Spoiler Alert* If your interested in reading this novel, read my review after. Not really complentary.

I was rather dissapointed with this novel for some reason. Maybe it was, sometimes, when a new section started, she would state a word, and then compound on that word...which is totally fiiiine...if you don't do it to much. Or maybe it was the fact that our Opal just doesn't seem to be up to par for me. She acts weak, and OTHERS have to point out to her that she is strong way to much...and maybe it was becuase I was just lost becuase I had no idea WHO IN THE WORLD Opal was when I started this book because I had only read the first in the Magic Study Books. I feel as though I will have to read the rest now.

Never the less, I did enjoy the novel. It was good, Kade constinatly played into my head, and I found myself enjoying the quick sarcasm within the dialoge. The story stars off, and I was just LOST becuase I had not read that other story, with Opal getting charged to go off on a mission to the Stormdancers abode to help them make some glass orbs.

She being the modestly briliant girl that she is...figures it out...and then a whole intrigue starts behind this. My head is whirling with it. Opal is thrown into Prision, stolen from prision, escapes from capture from person who frees her from prision and it seems like this book repeats the patern. Opal is free, helping, learning, then BOOM she is captured being tortured, used and GIVING IN. She always gives in, and I hate that though I understand that Miss Snyder is focasing on this characters weakness.

The story, ah, the ending...eh, well. Opal ends up sleeping with a Magician that is impersonating Ulrick, another Friend. And Kade is captured and when Opal hears of it she goes to help him, but Ulrick/EvilMagicion stop her and start torturing her to help him find his mentor. Uh, I just, HATED THE ENDING. They suffer forever it seems.

Ok...Ok...I've been bashing my frustrations out on this book. BUt its a really complecated plot, nd lots of mystery behind it. I LIKED it. It hurt my brian but I LIKED It. If you really like Miss Snyder you wont be dissapointed.

(less)

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Oct 08, 2011 Anne Freya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel

Di dunia Opal, sihir adalah sesuatu yg lazim & sangat berguna dlm kehidupan sehari-hari serta dpt meningkatkan status seseorang. Namun tdk semua org bisa memiliki kekuatan sihir yg mengalir dlm darah mereka, dan walaupun Opal sendiri memiliki kekuatan sihir, yg bisa dilakukannya hanyalah meniupkan sedikit sihir dalam patung kaca ciptaannya, utk kemudian digunakan sebagai alat komunikasi jarak jauh yg hanya bisa digunakan para penyihir.

Hanya itu, dan dia tdk puas dgn kemampuannya yg terbatas...more Di dunia Opal, sihir adalah sesuatu yg lazim & sangat berguna dlm kehidupan sehari-hari serta dpt meningkatkan status seseorang. Namun tdk semua org bisa memiliki kekuatan sihir yg mengalir dlm darah mereka, dan walaupun Opal sendiri memiliki kekuatan sihir, yg bisa dilakukannya hanyalah meniupkan sedikit sihir dalam patung kaca ciptaannya, utk kemudian digunakan sebagai alat komunikasi jarak jauh yg hanya bisa digunakan para penyihir.

Hanya itu, dan dia tdk puas dgn kemampuannya yg terbatas serta rendah diri dan merasa terkucil krn dijauhi teman-teman sekolahnya yg menurutnya iri atau benci padanya krn ia telah berteman dgn salah satu wanita Master penyihir yg kuat dan menolong penyihir itu dalam salah satu misi menumpas kelompok penyihir jahat.
Ia benci dijuluki One-Trick Wonder dan ingin punya kekuatan sihir utk melindungi dirinya sendiri jika ia berada dalam situasi yg tdk menyenangkan, hal yg sangat diinginkannya terutama stlh trauma atas siksaan psikis dan fisik yg dialaminya bertahun-tahun yg lalu.

Well, cukup menyebalkan juga krn alih-alih mencoba bersyukur dgn kemampuannya yg cuma sedikit itu atau berusaha berteman jika ia memang begitu mendambakan pertemanan, Opal memilih menjadi penggerutu yg suka mengasihani dirinya selama setengah isi buku ini.
Tapi syukurlah ia bisa menyadarinya pada akhirnya dan bertambah dewasa menjelang akhir buku.
Ironisnya di saat kekuatan barunya mulai bermunculan satu persatu dan membawanya masuk ke dalam masalah yg tak hanya memperpanjang daftar nama musuh tapi juga berisiko membuatnya menjadi ancaman atau senjata yg menakutkan bagi pihak yg baik maupun yg jahat, ia justru mulai menyadari betapa hidupnya akan lebih damai dan aman jika ia tdk memiliki kekuatan sihir.

Well, manusia memang tidak akan pernah puas dgn apa yg dimilikinya, haha. Yg paling mengejutkan dan tdk terduga dari buku ini adalah apa yg dilakukan Devlen pada Ulrick utk menipu Opal, wow, mulai dari situlah plot cerita makin bertambah seru saja. Overall, buku yg satu ini patut dikoleksi, ide ceritanya juga orisinal dan tipe-tipe kekuatan sihirnya juga menarik, misalnya kekuatan sihir Opal (baik yg lama maupun yg baru), Stormdancer yg menangkap badai, Master penyihir yg bisa berkomunikasi dgn binatang dan roh, membaca pikiran, menciptakan ilusi dlm benak seseorang, membuat barrier/pelindung, dll.

Satu hal yg sangat kusesali dalam buku ini adalah byknya typo. Dari nama, sampai sebutan kakak/adik, membuat kita bingung, sesungguhnya si Kaya itu kakak atau adiknya Kade sih?(less)

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Oct 08, 2011 LitAddictedBrit rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, read-2010

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. Those that c...more 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. Those that can, are magicians. Opal Cowan is unique in that she can only draw power to glass - creating 'glass messengers' that magicians use to communicate with each other (think glass magic meets mobile phone technology...). Her abilities make her both revered among older magicians and an outcast among her peers. She struggles with being a one trick wonder and trying to find her place in the magical community.

Admittedly, at times, Opal can be a tad on the whiny side and it is a bit off-putting earlier on in the first novel but, I promise, she does get better. I love that she reacts to her experiences like a 'real person' - her relationships seem more realistic than those often found in fantasy novels aimed at younger readers as they are more complex. I've read criticism of the love triangle but I think it works and helps bring Opal to life more. The development of Opal throughout the books is fabulous and I find that the stories shift to reflect that.

Lastly, the dialogue in particular is perfect in this novel, if heavy on the sarcasm. There are moments when I've actually chuckled to myself and that kind of light relief is necessary when you have torture and murder lurking around! The stories get dark but are so involving that I was absolutely hooked.

Overall: This is sharper and snappier than the Study series and is greatly entertaining. There are some of what the film/TV industry call 'adult themes', as before, which make the series more gritty and exciting than the more commonplace fantasy offerings - I've yet to finish the series but I love the way its shaping up! (less)

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Aug 04, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the follow-up series to Maria V. Snyder's popular and fun Study series, Snyder returns to the Study universe with Storm Glass. This time, the series follows Opal, a young glass magician and friend to Yelena, the star of the Study series. Young Opal is the daughter of a glass maker who studies magic at the local magician university called The Citadel. Opal is believed to be a "One Trick" who can only do small bits of magic centered around glass. When Opal is commanded by the magician counsel t...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Nairabell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star, fantasy, read-in-2011, signed-books

Despite her own innate glass-based magical abilities, Opal Cowen has always felt unsure and out of place at Sitia's magic academy. When the Stormdancer clan needs help, only Opal possesses the necessary skills to help them and in doing so she taps into greater powers that she ever imagined she could possess. But the Stormdancer clan's problem isn't as simple as it first appeared, and soon Opal finds herself in danger.

I read Maria V. Snyder's Study trilogy (Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Stu ...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Ithlilian rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Storm Glass would best be described a series of unfortunate events. Opal, like many of the characters in Snyder's series, has to deal with all kinds of trouble. She can only do one type of magic, her classmates don't like her, and a few people are out to kidnap and torture her. She's not sure of herself at all, and always refuses to see that she is strong and special. The romance in this book isn't as interesting it was in the other books, but it was present. My main complaint with this book is...more

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About Maria V. Snyder

Maria V. Snyder earned an MA in Popular Fiction Writing from Seton Hill University. Her freelance articles appear in magazines and newspapers, and she enjoys teaching fiction writing classes at the local college.

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Quotes from Storm Glass

“Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don’t notice it, but, out of the blue, it’ll flare to life.” — 178 people liked it

“There is a reason for everything. You might not be able to figure it out, and time might have made us all forget it, but the reason is there all the same.” — 111 people liked it

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Storm Glass (Glass #1)

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