Review: Shadow Study

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source: paperback copy courtesy of publisher

Spin-offs can be sooo… iffy. It can very easily disappoint fans especially if you love the original trilogy. I approached Shadow Study with a mixture of caution and utter excitement. Yes, a lot more excitement than caution because Maria V. Snyder is a Must-Read-Author for me. And to my complete delight, she did not disappoint; Shadow Study had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page to the very last.

In Shadow Study, there are a few perspectives (Yelena’s, Valek’s, & a little bit of Janco’s) and a number of new very interesting characters. What is most prominent in this book is Valek’s flashbacks of his past –mostly on how he became who he is and to be where he is. As a fan, I must say I found these to be very exciting! Although it’s a little strange that his background is being told as Valek’s spacing out and remembering them… are you allowed to space out if you’re an assassin?

With Yelena’s magic being blocked (pssst, I don’t think it’s the poisoned arrow! I think something at the end of the book has something to do with this), it lent the story higher tension as it renders her vulnerable. Each time something happens, my thought ran to, ‘oh no, she’s got no magic! This is bad…’ She’s proven herself to be very resourceful again and again. She’s definitely one of my favourite heroine of all time.

Shadow Study has an action-driven plot full of intrigues and with many twists that I will guarantee to keep your eyes glued onto the pages. An Un-put-down-able read and I think I may have to re-read the Study trilogy to staunch my impatience for book 2. If you haven’t read the Study and Glass trilogies yet, I suggest that you start there first as there are many familiar characters in this novel. If you loved these 2 trilogies, never fear, you’d love this new instalment of Yelena & Valek!

Thank you, Harlequin Books Australia for copy of paperback in exchange of honest review

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