Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder - Restarting December 17th 2019

[Tessa]

Description: Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous.

Me and Brooke will be reading this. Feel free to join us :) .

[Tessa]

So, I've started this.

Chapter 1-12
(view spoiler)[It seems that it would have been a good idea to read Glass study before reading this as there are quite a number of new characters from there that the author failed to introduce here. Also, the story is set after the events of Glass study.

I'm somehow kinda bored with the same line in plot and the long road till we get to the bad guy where nothing happens. *sigh*

The reason why it took me 12 chapters to write here is because not much happened so far. Except for Yelena losing her magic which will probably be the main focus when it comes to her chapters.

Also, Valek sounds like Yelena and so does Jenko. Why are we having Jenko as a main character again?
(hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Ok so im in a huge reading slump and im going to try my hardest to read this on time

[Tessa]

Don't worry Brooke, I'll still discuss this with you even if I'll finish before. Right now I'm trying to finish this fast because I don't really like it :( .

Chapters 13-20
(view spoiler)[OMG, what is going on? I don't really understand anything... why didn't they just kill Yelena? Why did they just erase part of her memories? What's the point?
So far I think Jenko's chapters are the best.
Yelena was boring in the Fire study book, but Valek is even more boring than her. I failed to care about his past as well :( .

Right now... I just don't care.... (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapters 21-27
(view spoiler)[
At this point I'm pretty sure Maren is the one who attacked Yelena in the first chapter. Now, why would she turn to the dark side, that I want to know. Except for that, this is still a pretty boring read. :(

"experience in outsmarting the criminal element"
Where so far had she ever did that? <.< In this book I mean. The first book was so awesome, but with each new book Yelena is more stupid than she was in the previous one.

And finally, Valek's memories of when he killed the king are over. Thank god for that. <.<
(hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 28-34
(view spoiler)[
Seriously, what's with that ending? Also, why kill her with magic? Why not just slit her throat? <.<

This book was so badly written. Nothing was solved, the commander is bad, which kinda sucks and she's pregnant... oh the drama <.<.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting November 3rd 2015. Happy Reading ☺

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[Abi]

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Reading today. :)

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[Abi]

Starting now. :)

[Abi]

2% - (view spoiler)[Ouch. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

25% - Bored.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Oh dear, not another boring one!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Ah, at least Valek is in it ☺

[Sarah Elizabeth]

up to 10% (view spoiler)[ Yelena losing her powers just reminds me of Opal. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "Ah, at least Valek is in it ☺"

Yep!

[Abi]

Sarah wrote: "up to 10% [spoilers removed]"

It reminded me of her too.

[Abi]

My internet went off for a bit, but i've read up to 52%. It's pretty slow.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

16% (view spoiler)[ She smells like death? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ that girl is a bit violent. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Abbie wrote: "My internet went off for a bit, but i've read up to 52%. It's pretty slow."

It is pretty slow. I've lost interest now.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

the end (view spoiler)[ so she still hasn't gotten her magic back, and she thinks she's pregnant. hmm. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Can I get this reset for the 30th? Please & Thanks!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting August 30th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I love that we get 3 perspectives. I’m concerned about Yelena, how is she going to get her magic back? I want her to be able to talk to Kiki! I missed that the most when I was reading Opal’s series. I love being back in Yelena’s head, but I miss Opal now too. Being in Valek’s head is awesome and he really needs to message Yelena about this Ben Moon thing. Also, Janco is hilarious, I can see why Snyder has so much fun writing from his perspective. Let’s see what Leif means Yelena smells like death! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ Oh man now I have to wait like two more chapters before I’ll find out what Devlen knows! Ugh that’s the worst thing with alternating povs. The fighting scene with Janco, Ari, Onora and Gerik was great, I love fights. I don’t really trust Onora though, there’s something off about her. I think Yelena should’ve told Valek about losing her magic. That’s important!! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ Oh my god, I can’t believe Yelena was captured and now Ben knows she doesn’t have magic! At least Reema hadn’t been taken. Rika has evil powers of illusion. Valek’s past is so crazy and adventurous! And dangerous. Hedda sounds crazy. I also want to know who this Boss is that Ben is working for. I’m glad Irys sent a message to Valek, someone needed to. Hopefully someone will go after Yelena in the plains now and wash the illusion or whatever from her that her family will die if she sees them. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Owen is alive. I had forgotten. Ugh what the hell Commander, seriously what are you doing??? You're supposed to be one of the good guys! I don't want him to be one of the bad guys, but he's trying to harm Yelena and in my mind that's making him a bad guy. OMG YELENA MIGHT BE PREGNANT HOLY CRAP MAN WAT!!!!!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

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Date changed. Restarting December 17th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[— Massiel]

Chapter 9 - (view spoiler)[I don't know why everyone wants to make Quinn the bad guy when truly he was captive and still a teenager so everyone abuses him and also Yelena didn't have any appearance in his life so I don't get it. No idea who wants to make her magic goes but again, who doesn't hate Yelena and Valek?

Reading Valek's POV and Janco's is just too much. I love all of them already, and Onoma is Valek but younger, just too awesome. I think Valek will retire soon, maybe not in this book but in the next one(?). And neither there will be marriage or a daughter/son coming will all the little hints Maria is leaving. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Chapter 16 - (view spoiler)[Valek's past is so entertaining to be honest, so that was how he grew up. Janco's POV are so funny and amazing can't wait to see how he develops everything and how Omona works with he and Ari.

Yelena's POV are a little off but want to know more. Is so good to see Opal and Devlen and her daughter, aw. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Chapter 24 - (view spoiler)[Valek's past seems so intrepid, he only was what? Seventeen years old? I love they way he learned to take care of himself and how he meet The Commander was so amazing. I'm glad to know how he became and how much he has change seems he and Yelena met and are a couple.

It looks like he will retire soon and Onora would too his place, I'm glad. He is so done with everything and just want to be with Yelena. I think Yelena is pregnant, I don't... everything seems off and more Ben's crew and his Boss, who is it? Ugh. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Finished - (view spoiler)[I won't believe The Commander is the bad guy until he die, seeing him in Valek's past just show how much he hates magic so I doubted he really is working with Owen.

Yelena is pregnant! Aw! Valek will protect her so much she would kill him or try to.

Valek asking her to marry her was so Valek's and so freaking cute to be honest, I died.

I liked seeing all the characters and how much they have grow; Opal, Devlen, Reema, Janco, Ari and this new character Onora seems still odd I hope to like her better soon.

It looks like Valek is going to retire, not surprise is about damn time he do it. Yelena pissed me off so much because all the others books she has this great development but in this one she didn't change at all and want to do everything herself and so much self pity, ugh.

This Burns character... Um... No freaking idea. But Yelena truly has a lot of enemies. (hide spoiler)]

I still liked this book and can't wait to read the next one.

[Krystal]

10% Those two just can’t catch a break.

[Krystal]

13% (view spoiler)[ Good lord, the "moon potion" lasts an entire year! That's progressive of them! lol (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

I do have to say I feel a huge disconnect to this book. Almost like I missed an entire book between the last one and this one, even though I know I didn't. (view spoiler)[ Leif's wife? I remember him and Mara liking each other and I'm assuming they got married but the way the book words things makes me confused as to what I think I know and what I don't. Another example is the super messengers with the diamonds in the middle? I don't remember them at all. (hide spoiler)]

Edit to this: I must have missed where it says this is (view spoiler)[6 years later.. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Krystal: All those things you are telling shows up in Opal's books, that's why you are a little confused (view spoiler)[These books: (hide spoiler)]

Soulfinders is mix between Study #1-3 and Glass #1-3 books, that's why you are little unclear about the whole plot and also if you read the little stories you will understand better everything because Owen's character and Ben's shows up in story Ice Study #5.5 or #3.6 (Ice Study), they are whole main plot in Soulfinders's trilogy.

[Krystal]

Circe wrote: "Krystal: All those things you are telling shows up in Opal's books, that's why you are a little confused [spoilers removed]

Soulfinders is mix between Study #1-3 and Glass #1-3 books, that's why y..."

Oh wow, well that definitely explains it! I’m going to see if my library has these books so I can read them at the same time.

[— Massiel]

Krystal: Hope you enjoy them! I liked so much the first and second book but was a little upset with the third but they are good and fast reading too.

[Krystal]

Circe wrote: "Krystal: Hope you enjoy them! I liked so much the first and second book but was a little upset with the third but they are good and fast reading too."

Ugh, they didn’t have the short stories in the library or Kindle Unlimited. The other three I should be able to find though, hopefully! I hate feeling confused, lol. Sometimes I hate it when authors have so many books in a series that becomes a new series and in between series, lol.

[— Massiel]

Totally get you! They should put a warning or something because someone might get confused or doesn't understand the whole plot. I have all the books and little stories but in ePub format.

[Krystal]

I found them on her website, yay! Cool, lol, I’m going to get those short stories done tonight and will still read shadow study while reading the three other ones.

[— Massiel]

Enjoy! I'm almost finishing Night Study but I can comment with you while you read it too.

[Krystal]

Circe wrote: "Enjoy! I'm almost finishing Night Study but I can comment with you while you read it too."

😁

[Krystal]

30%(view spoiler)[ Onoro is terribly annoying. Her traits really grind my gears. (hide spoiler)]

So far I'm loving the first Glass book as well!

[Krystal]

And thank goodness for it! (view spoiler)[Opal has a whole husband and adopted child... (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Krystal wrote: "And thank goodness for it! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Two adoptes children, they are so freaking cute! (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Krystal wrote: "30%[spoilers removed]

So far I'm loving the first Glass book as well!"

Thanks good to hear! Enjoy <3 I have the last one to read.

[Krystal]

I have finished the three Glass. I love Opal and actually like her more than Yelena! The last line of the last book (view spoiler)[ Welcome to our herd> brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful.

Now I can get back to this one without the constant confusion. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

I'm so glad you liked them! My fav book was the second. Opal pissed me off a lot in the last book but I kinda like her when she developed a little at the end.

[Krystal]

I can see that. She definitely
Made some big mistakes.