Storm Glass (Glass, #1) in Study Buddies

Aug 28, 2008 A rated it it was amazing

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

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Apr 30, 2009 Misty rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, sci_fi-fantasy, signed, read-in-2009, excited-for, cover-appeal

I wasn't sure how I was going to like the Glass Series diverging from The Study set, and though I liked Opal in her short appearances in the Yelena books, I didn't know if her character or the glass-blowing could really carry a book. I didn't need to worry, though, cause Snyder is an engaging writer, and though she has some habits that bug me (a ton of sentence fragments, stretched-thin analogies that she sometimes beats you over the head with), she handled the change-over nicely. Characters fro ...more

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Oct 15, 2008 Lexie rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-multiple-editions, autographed, review-blog-pr, books-owned-read

Opal Cowan, introduced in Magic Study as a minor character who gained a larger role/significance in Fire Study, is the narrator for this next set of books (3--all with 'Glass' in the title, much like 'Study' was for Yelena). The book is set 4 years after the events of Fire Study and despite everything else Sitia and Ixia rest on a fine-edged peace agreement. The Commander is willing to work with the Sitian Council, but is still adamant about magic in Ixia (with the exception of Yelena, who is th Opal Cowan, introduced in Magic Study as a minor character who gained a larger role/significance in Fire Study, is the narrator for this next set of books (3--all with 'Glass' in the title, much like 'Study' was for Yelena). The book is set 4 years after the events of Fire Study and despite everything else Sitia and Ixia rest on a fine-edged peace agreement. The Commander is willing to work with the Sitian Council, but is still adamant about magic in Ixia (with the exception of Yelena, who is the Liasion between the two countries...and having saved the world from an evil evil group of evil-doers earned some nice perks) and is keeping a tight control of immigrating one way or the other.

Opal has been studying at the Keep (the Magical School of Sitia) for the last four years and they haven't been easy. Roundly dismissed as a 'One Trick Wonder' (her ability to infuse magic into the glass animals she makes, enabling magicians to talk across great distances) her cause is made worse by her friendship to the Soulfinder Yelena and general klutziness. She is friendless, shunned and bullied. Her one refuge is a glassmaker's shop with a gruff older glassmaker named Aydan. Having grown up in a family of glassmakers the workshop is a safe haven for her.

From the start of the novel you can tell Opal's story will have a different emphasis then Yelena's did. Whereas Yelena was struggling to survive and find herself, Opal is trying to find a way that she can be useful in a broader sense. Because of her family's continual association with Yelena Opal has been surrounded by people who have done Big Things. Mythic things almost. She feels inferior and insignificant, even though she's anything but.

Working with the Stormdancers and helping to solve the problem plaguing the glass orbs necessary to their profession and survival, Opal found some of that much needed confidence boost.

I liked Kade and Opal's dynamic. I was sad when it cam time for Opal to leave the Stormdancer's caves and return to the Keep. She has another suitor, or really two more depending on how you look at it, in Ulrick (a one time admirer of her sister Mara's) and in the creep Devlen. This is where the line gets a little hazy because to fully explain either one of their connections and relationship with Opal would to tread on a spoiler that hinges part of the plot together so I'll say no more. Snyder makes it obvious however that Kade is the one that suits Opal the best and that's all I'll say on the matter.

As in Yelena's story things are not as simple as they appear and people/events will surprise the reader. With Sea Glass not due out until September, there's plenty to think about however. ...more

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Mar 01, 2009 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Please note: I received an ARC of this one; it's actually due out in May.
If there's one thing you can rely on Maria V. Snyder for, it's a fast-paced and exciting read, and Storm Glass is no exception. Opal Cowan (who has previously appeared in, I think, two of the Yelena books?) is a glassmaker and a magician in training; she is used to thinking of herself as a one trick wonder, making magical glass figurines but otherwise unable to master the most basic of spells. However, when the glass orbs u ...more

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May 15, 2009 Katieb (MundieMoms) rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, 2009-100-book-challenge, signed

This is another great series by Maria Snyder. This story follows Opal (which has our same favorite characters from the P. Study series) as she learns to develop her talent. I liked that Opal is a very different character than Yelena. She lacks the self confidence and the self reliant that Yelena has. That took a little bit for me to get used, but it was still a great read and like I said, I liked she wasn't like Yelena.

I really liked that our favorite characters where back in the series and eve ...more

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Oct 13, 2008 Izlinda rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, teen-angst-growing-up, fantasy

I read this book at least a year after I read her previous books, so I vaguely remembered what role Opal had to play in that series. :-(

I know Opal's self-doubts make her a flawed character and it's refreshing after always-been-strong female characters or simpering-weak female characters, but after a while, her incessant ruminating started to bug me. I also don't know why, too, but the writing style jarred me a bit. I read Snyder's previous series all the way through, but this one took me a few ...more

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May 16, 2009 Leanne rated it really liked it

I loved Maria V. Snyder's Study series and this one was neat to read also. I liked how it took on a story from characters in the other books. I'll definitely read the others that are going to come out in this new Glass series. :) ...more

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Apr 28, 2009 Jacalyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: know-author, 2009

Maria does it again! Her new series keeps us in the same world as her Study series and once more we find ourselves thrown into mystery, magic, and the intrigue comes from all directions at once. I look forward to the rest of the series.

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Dec 08, 2008 Deanna rated it really liked it

If you liked poison studies you'll like this. The main character was different but still vary enjoyable. A lot of action through out and a romance to keep you on your toes. I wouldn't recommend it to younger teens due to the bedroom scenes (nothing bad comparable to breaking dawn). It was almost too similar to Poison Studies in the fact that it was a magician with undiscovered abilities, but still very enjoyable. I'm glad I don't have to wait long for the next one. ...more

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Sep 14, 2008 Kristen Harvey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-it, romance-y, paranormal-fantasy, youngadult, signed, first-reads

Well I don't want to spoil any endings, so I'll try to keep this overview overviewish. I loved this book. It took me a while to get into it, remembering Opal's character and then by the halfway point I was not wanting to put it down at all.. although I had to because I've been sick and really too delirious to read at times. In fact, now that I've finished I think I need a long nap. ...more

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Jan 12, 2009 Heather rated it really liked it

I was a little disappointed at the end of the book because you are left hanging. I realize that the book was probably too long and was split by the publishers because the next one comes out in September. For the most part, this book starts out springing right into action....and doesn't really stop. ...more

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