Author: Maria V. Snyder
Release Date: March 1st, 2007
Publisher: Luna
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Borrowed
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars
Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison…
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…
I literally got goosebumps reading this book. It wasn't like most young adult fantasy books that I read where you can guess the story line, and this great adventure, and all these interesting creatures. This was different, original, and fresh. I liked that a lot.
The story of Yelena had me confused for a while, because I wasn't sure what was going on but soon it became clear just where everyone was going with this.
After being convicted of murder of General Brazell's only son, Reyad, she is facing execution, and given the option to become the food taster of the Commander's food, it almost seems like things would be looking up for her. Except, General Brazell still wants her dead and now she has magical powers that she can't control. And worse yet, magic is forbidden in Ixia, where she lives.
I fell in love with Yelena, I feel in love with Valek, the man who keeps Yelena around with the threat of the poison, Butterfly Dust. I even fell in love with the Commander, towards the end of course. The entire story is a twisted mixture of conspiracy, lies, secrets, and a very complicated love story in the mix.
This was the first Maria V. Snyder book I read and I devoured the book. It was beautifully written and brings the world to life. You can almost feel what Yelena felt in the past, when she was tortured and raped and being used for her magic. And when Maria goes as far as bring back that haunted life of Yelena, you just feel yourself shiver.
This is the first book in the MAGIC STUDY series, which just captivates you into wanting to read more about Yelena.
A must, must read for all fantasy lovers out there.
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