Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V Snyder -- Restarting October 2nd 2023

[Brinley]

Up to chapter 19
(view spoiler)[ I really hate Margg, but I’m not sure what her game is. Clearly, she sells information, but to who? She shared that Yelena was going to be the fugitive, so either her snooping is only for her own gain, or she is performing on two fronts,

I really like the power twins, they were some of my favorites from my last read through (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Up to chapter 21
(view spoiler)[ Ok, so, I’m just gonna ignore that cliffhanger for a minute and talk about Valek. He’s angry because he caught feeeeelllss. Wonder if he’s done that before? He seems pretty closed off (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I liked this, but definitely not as much as the first time around. I feel like the romance between Valek and Yelena came around a bit fast, like it was kind of slow burn, but once they admitted their feelings, they were attached. Also felt like the writing was a bit clunky, and did a bit of telling.

I did still enjoy this though. Not sure how I feel about the next book not having as much of Valek, our beloved assassin, but hopefully it’s good. (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

You still planning to read this one Brittany?

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting October 2nd 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Krystal]

I love this series- I will join you guys if that's alright!

[christene_littlelibrary]

Me too

[Krystal]

32% (view spoiler)[ Loving everything so far. It's been a while since I last read this series. She's quite lucky, in a way, to be given this poison tester position and not automatically executed for her crime. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Sure! The more the merrier :) I'm really behind though, so I'll hopefully start soon

[akacya ❦]

chapter 30 (view spoiler)[absolutely living for that confession!!! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Krystal wrote: "32% [spoilers removed]"

she is very lucky

[Krystal]

60%(view spoiler)[ Oh Rand, no!! I can understand him poisoning her early on, but I would hope he would come clean to her! He seemed like a good guy and an actual friend. I'm so disappointed in him. It will be interesting to read more about her powers exactly because I don't remember what they are. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

74% (view spoiler)[ I like the progession of this book. Her having to decide when to steal away to the south is definitely a hard thing for her to have to decide. When they mentioned the kidnapping ring, more memories of the other books came to mind. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

akacya ❦ wrote: "chapter 30 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes, I'm glad they both admitted how they feel (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Finished (view spoiler)[ One of the reasons I really like this series is because it's unique. The addition of the Commander being transgender and adding that to this fantasy type book was really cool. I can't wait to see her reunited with her family. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Okay like I said, I finished this a while ago, but didn't have time to update!

Ch 5
(view spoiler)[Really promising start! She was in prison for killing someone and was about to be executed, and then this guy Valek offered her the position of tasting the commander’s food! Really cool. But she can’t have a lover or kids - I can already feel the trouble. Omg and he poisoned her already & she needs a daily dose of antidote. Loving this. I do feel like that’s bs though and she doesn’t really need the antidote but we’ll see.

The author's way of writing is quite dramatic so far, idk why, all her thoughts are just insanely dramatic/‘my life is terrible’. I can’t put it in words in the right way.

Valek will definitely be the love interest! Omg Valek gave her a deadly poison again - this dude is intense?? We’re definitely thrown into the story, I feel a bit confused. Rand seems great though, Margg and the Brazell guards don’t :( (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 14
(view spoiler)[Brazell sucks, but I just want to know what happened to her already. The humming scene with the guards was really weird, I’m guessing it’s some weird sort of magic or something? Valek is cool tho. And the ghost of Brazells son seems important too. Idk why I’m not feeling it, it feels like her descriptions are way too matter of fact, almost clinical, and I’m not really starting to feel anything for the characters because of that.

At least she passed Valeks test. I don’t trust Rand, mostly because Valek doesn’t tbh and he’s clearly her love interest. It’s really odd and unbelievable that Valek basically blindly trusts her already, immediately believing that there’s a leak? That’s just too convenient wtf. I really don’t trust Rand. The singing woman was intense, I wonder what kind of magics exist? The world is a bit vague so far. Well the random mention of a soulfinder clearly means that’s what she is 🙄 how YA. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22
(view spoiler)[I liked the chase, it was pretty cool! Do like Valek although he doesn’t have much depth. The sorcerer wants her to come with her! Or she’ll kill her ieeh and she’s indeed a magic user too.

Janco and Ari seem great, so at least one of them is definitely going to die. The commander is surprisingly nice so he’s definitely going to die lmao. Why am I so dark hahaha. I love that she’s now training, and I think I’ll like Maren, already shipping her with Ari. I can’t wait to figure out what Brazell is planning, I feel like he’s drugging the commander or at least influencing him through that food. Valek is smart, but should’ve pushed on it more. I can’t wait to figure out why magic has no effect on him tho. How does she not realize that these ‘beans’ are used in the thing that has the commander addicted omg💀don’t be so stupid argh. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 30
(view spoiler)[Damn Margg isn’t actually evil and working with Valek? I mean, it was obvious that he knew Yelena ‘betrayed’ him before she told him, but didn’t expect that. Aw Rand is indeed bad, but he just has a debt with that captain Star woman (wtf that name btw, not badass at all, just cringe). I really like Janco, can’t wait to find out what the symbols on her switchblade really mean. It feels like he knows what she is idk.

The commander is a woman??? Omg I’m shook what? Argh they’re so annoying, obviously it’s Brazell and OBVIOUSLY it’s through those weird criollo things that he’s influencing the commander. Huh maybe that Mogkan dude is a magician since he seemed to mindcontrol the commander? Odd. They should’ve just killed him arghhh I’m already over the drama that mogkan will bring.

What the fuck Rand died? That was so anticlimactic and way too quick wtf? I hate Mogkan and Brazell, but I’m glad Irys is helping. Can’t get a read on her though. Yelena is quite the Mary Sue tho, she can immediately do everything with her magic without trying. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
(view spoiler)[Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that the antidote was the thing that would make her sick lmao. Glad they escaped and Valek finally knows what happened to her and that she has magic, he didn’t even feel betrayed or anything, which surprised me honestly. Their sudden kiss (and I think sex??) was really quick, the pacing is off sometimes. It was also such a vague description that I’m not sure whether or not they even had sex???

I’m happy about this ending, it’s quite cute. I’m also really glad that the commander came back to himself yay. Yelena is reunited with the orphaned kids and will go back to the south, and Ari & Janco will visit. I’m sad to leave them behind. But wtf the Commander gives a death warrent for Yelenas life??? What a dick wtf. I hate that. And she’s also separated from Valek, I was finally starting to care a little. It felt very YA at times lol, but I’m interested to see where their story will go from here. I did like Valek, although the descriptions throughout the book felt quite impersonal and thus made it hard to truly care at times? Interested in seeing the south tho. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Krystal wrote: "60%[spoilers removed]"

I agree, (view spoiler)[I wanted him to be good :( And then his sudden death, what the fuck?? (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Krystal wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I absolutely loved the fact that the commander was transgender! Didn't see it coming at all, but loved the twist (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Danique wrote: "Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that the antidote was the thing that would make her sick lmao. Glad th..."

Definitely do!!

[Krystal]

Danique wrote: "Ch 14
Brazell sucks, but I just want to know what happened to her already. The humming scene with the guards was really weird, I’m guessing it’s some weird sort of magic or something? Valek is cool..."

(view spoiler)[ hahaha I love the nice=death (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that the antidote was the thing that would make her si..."

Yay great! When would work for the second book? I'd prefer November if possible :)

[Danique]

Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Ch 14
Brazell sucks, but I just want to know what happened to her already. The humming scene with the guards was really weird, I’m guessing it’s some weird sort of magic or somethin..."

Ooooop yeah it happens so often hahaha

[Krystal]

Danique wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that the antidote was the thing that w..."

Yes, November is good with me, anytime.

[Danique]

Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that the antidote was ..."

I could probably do the 3rd, would that work?

[Krystal]

Danique wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Danique wrote: "Let me know whether you guys want to BR the next book(s) too!

Finished
Man I knew Butterfly’s Dust wasnt real, but kinda love that t..."

Absolutely.