Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3) by Maria V. Snyder
30 January 2017
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Dawn Study, Maria V Snyder, Soulfinders #3
Dawn Study is the conclusion of Maria V Snyder’s excellent series that started a number of years ago with Poison Study and brought to us the characters of Yelena and Valek. I think it’s very fitting that this final series once again brought to the fore those two characters that we all came to love so much from the Study books. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series you might want to look away about now as this review will undoubtedly contain spoilers. You have been warned!
So, we pick up virtually where the last book left off. Yelena is pregnant and the baby seems to be drawing her magic in some unknown way, making her a magic free zone and also leaving her incredibly vulnerable to any number of people who have come to hold a grudge over the years not to mention an assortment of assassins. Yelena Is from Sitia and has (or at least had) very powerful magical abilities. Valek, on the other hand is from Ixia. Ixia lives in fear of those with magic and think all magic users should be eradicated. The Commander of Ixia has very strong views on the subject and his feared assassin Valek has worked for him many years helping to keep magic at bay and in the process forming strong bonds and even a friendship of sorts with the Commander. Unfortunately, however, in a strange twist of fate, and just as Yelena found herself powerless, Valek seems to have come into his own magical ability. An ability that was buried so deep within that the possibility of him ‘burning’ out by not knowing his own strength was very real. Yelena and Valek now find themselves on the Commander’s most wanted list. On top of that it seems that the two countries are poised on the brink of war. In a strange twist the Commander himself seems to be being controlled by one of the very magicians he fears so much and a large portion of Sitians seem to be under the influence of a drug that renders them little more than puppets. Valek and Yelena, and the unusual friends and family that they have gathered around themselves over the years, need to uncover the full extent of the plot before the war and bloodshed begins.
I enjoyed Dawn Study, I think it brings the series to a very satisfactory conclusion, that’s not to say that I didn’t have some issues but overall I think Ms Snyder has created a very entertaining series with an ending that brings many of our favourite characters together and ties up so many threads along the way.
In terms of the plot, well, there is plenty going on and I thought the story was very fast paced. There are various levels of deception and betrayal and a number of scares as one after the other of the characters are caught and held and potentially tortured for information whilst rescue attempts are planed and executed.
The characters. Well, if you’ve enjoyed this series you’ll be pleased to know that many of your favourite characters will be not only putting in an appearance but also will be critical to the plot. I’m not going to name them all but it feels like just about everybody has a role to play in preventing war and bloodshed.
What I particularly enjoyed about this final instalment is that the author has let the characters grow. Valek and Yelena are a perfect example of this in that with a baby on the horizon their relationship has moved on. They have more responsibility and a lot more at stake now. That’s not to say that they’ve become predictable or boring in any way just that their relationship has matured in a way that you would expect and although Valek has the urge to stifle Yelena and wrap her up in cotton wool and put her on the top shelf out of the way of harm he also recognises that he can’t do so. Similarly, a number of the characters feel like they’ve moved on in terms of knowing what they want and where they want to be.
In terms of criticisms. Well, it’s a catch 22 sort of situation. In trying to bring so many characters back onto the stage it does leave the book feeling a little bit cluttered. On top of that it doesn’t feel as though you spend any real quality time with any of the characters but I don’t think this is a surprise with so many being thrown into the mix. And, there is a definite feel of repetition in terms of captures and escapes which kind of left me feeling like the characters were never in any real danger.
But, in spite of a few reservations I think that this is a great ending to the series and, yes, a pleasingly happy and satisfying one that I’m not afraid to say was just what I hoped for.
I’ve followed this series now for about 9 or 10 years and whilst it’s a bit sad to be coming to the end I can see that there are a number of openings here which could leave Ms Snyder with possibilities to revisit in the future and I, for one, would always be happy to revisit this world.
I received a copy though Netgalley courtesy of the publisher for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Weekly wrap up 29/1/17
29 January 2017
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Blood upon the Sand, In Calabria, The Black Wolves, The Grey Bastards, Weekly wrap up
January is coming to an end – I hope you’ve all had a great month. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown.
Reading wise I finished one of the books I highlighted last week and started the other. I finished the readalong of Chimes at Midnight which I loved. Reviews to come: Deadlight Jack, Chimes at Midnight, Dawn Study and The Black Wolves of Boston.
Last week’s reads:
- The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French, which is my SPFBO book – I’m currently reading this one and so far so good.
- The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer – urban fantasy and evil Wickers – I completed the Black Wolves and my review will follow shortly.
Next week I’m hoping to complete:
- Blood Upon the Sand by Bradley Beaulieu – I CANNOT wait to read this. Twelve Kings was so, so, good.
- In Calabria by Peter S Beagle – because, great writing and unicorns.
And, finally, my cover compare this week:
What are you currently reading?
Chimes at Midnight (October Daye #7) by Seanan McGuire, readalong final week
Today is the final week of a four week readalong of Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire. How I’m loving this series and it feels as though each book just keeps adding more depth to the world created by McGuire. Be aware that spoilers will be lurking below so be careful!
This week I will be providing the questions so lets get a boogie on:
So, Armandine – obviously the Luidaeg has gone mysteriously quiet whilst searching for her sister. How do you think that scenario is playing out? Has the Luidaeg found Armandine in her tower?
I really keep hoping that Armindine will turn up at some point and help Toby when she most desperately needs it but so far that doesn’t seem to be the case. I did wonder if the Luidaeg was going in search of Armandine to beg for her help but I’m not sure about that – it feels like maybe a confrontation will be taking place between the two. I’m very puzzled over Armandine.
When this all first started I thought Armandine was maybe slightly crazy at best and a neglectful mother at worst. It seems that I was wrong. Clearly something dreadful has happened in her past – any speculation as to why she would behave as she has?
Well, unfortunately, I didn’t take notes this time around and I’m sure I read something in here about Armandine and some sort of a relationship – damn, why didn’t I bookmark that! Anyway, I wonder whether she was in love and either something went wrong or the person died? To be honest, I really don’t know. I’m guessing that she’s been used in some sort of awful way and that’s why she’s so determined that Toby doesn’t follow her path.
May – omg – I was so scared with the scene at the Knowe – literally, I cannot believe that she came through it. What exactly is May now. I know what she came from, I know what she then was, but I have no idea what she now is. Is she invincible? (I mean, I hope so because I love her)
I cannot believe that scene! I really thought that May couldn’t survive that attack and I was so sad thinking that she would no longer be part of the stories. And, yeah, I’m sort of puzzled about what exactly May is now. She’s was previously a Haunt and then a Fetch – but she isn’t either any longer. What is she and is she indestructible?
Toby – her blood magic. Well, I think we’ve seen maybe a touch of why Armandine was trying to protect her. How far and how powerful do you predict Toby will really become?
Well, to be honest, this blood magic really does make Toby just about as powerful as any fae around – providing of course she can chomp on a bit of blood. We saw here that she could teleport after tasting someone’s blood so really her abilities would be endless wouldn’t they? Or am I just over simplifying. Probably. Although if I am right – it makes it a bit clearer just why Armandine was trying to push Toby towards being human.
So many alliances were made even stronger here which is great – and we also learned of Quentin’s origins and in fact met his parents – what for Quentin now. Can a prince continue as a squire?
I love the sea realm and seriously hope for more in that respect. In terms of Quentin – I’d like to believe that he could go back to being Toby’s squire but part of me wonders if Toby would be able to treat him as naturally as she did before she knew he was a prince. I can’t help wondering if he couldn’t stick around and help Arden learn the ropes a little. After all, he seems to know the court formalities.
I forgot to ask anything about the Queen and the ending – where she managed to slope off – obviously we’re going to see her some more, no doubt causing a massive nuisance of herself. I must say that siren song was some pretty strong stuff! Quick thinking on Toby’s part though with the tree sap ear plugs. I was pleased that Toby got to bring the Queen down a peg or two although that attack from Tybalt – wow! It was really touching how sheepish he was after (but you would be really wouldn’t you) – even though it wasn’t his fault.
Anyway, that brings this book and readalong to a conclusion. I love this series and can’t wait to dive into No.8.
‘“A book is as dangerous as any journey you might take. The person who closes the back cover may not be the same one that opened the front one. ‘
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book, compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future week’s themes are listed below. This week’s theme:
Book “A room without books is like a body without a soul”
I struggled with this one a little although I’m sure I’ll think of a load of books the day after! I’ve gone with the Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – this is a great series that I can’t recommend enough!
And my winner,:
I love this cover. It’s simple and classic. I probably would have preferred this cover with the colouring of the green cover but there you go.
Which is your favourite?
Future themes:
03/02/2017 – Hotel “Welcome to the Hotel California! Such a lovely place. Such a lovely face. Plenty of space at the Hotel California”
10/02/2017 – Diamonds “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”
17/02/2017 – Car “Drivin’ along in my automobile”
24/02/2017 Alien – “Aliens – if they exist-are little green men with big eyes and spindly arms…or giant insects or something like a lumpy little creature”
03/03/2017 – Playing cards “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well”
10/03/2017 – School “I never let my schooling interfere with my education”
17/03/2017 – Bird “Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs are too sweet and wild”
24/03/2017 – Street lamp “He stood under the street lamp, sleet settling in his hair, hands fisted at his side”
31/03/2017 – Casino “Whisky, gambling and Ferraris are better than housework “
07/04/2017 – Circus “You can get the monkey off your back, but the circus never leaves town!
14/04/2017 – Easter “The rabbit of Easter. He bring of the chocolate”
21/04/2017 – Bridge “I demolish my bridges behind me…then there is no choice but to push forward”
28/04/2017 – Beach/Seaside”Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!”
05/05/2017 – Lion “If you place your head in a lion’s mouth, then you cannot complain one day if he happens to bite it off”
12/05/2017 – Phone “Don’t use the phone. People are never ready to answer it”
19/05/2017 – Plane “When everything seem to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it ….”
26/05/2017 – Mice “Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, ‘it might have been’…”
02/06/2017 – Moon “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”
09/06/2017 – Mummy “It shuffles through the dry, dusty darkness”
16/06/2017 – Guitar “You couldn’t not like someone who liked the guitar”
23/06/2017 – Cat “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this”
30/06/2017 – Hat “It is always cruel to laugh at people, of course, although sometimes if they are wearing an ugly hat it is hard to control yourself “
07/07/2017 – Gold “All that is gold does not glitter”
14/07/2017 – Boats “The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea, in a beautiful pea green boat…”
21/07/2017 – Planet “Any planet is ‘Earth’ to those who live on it”
Friday Firsts: The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer
27 January 2017
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Friday Firsts, tenacious reader, The Black Wolves of Boston, Wen Spencer
Friday Firsts is a new meme that runs every Friday over on Tenacious Reader. The idea is to feature the first few sentences/paragraph of your current book and try and outline your first impressions as a result. This is a quick and easy way to share a snippet of information about your current read and to perhaps tempt others. Stop on by and link up with Tenacious Reader. This week I’m reading The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer.
Joshua really thought it would be easier to catch a rabbit; he was a werewolf, after all. The stupid things, though could turn on a dime and kept zigging when his body kept zagging.
And then there were the trees.
He hit, yet another oak tree, this one only about four inches wide, but enough to knock him down and nearly knock him out when he hit it. Acorns rained down on him. It felt like the oak tree was laughing at him.
“Stupid tree.” He kicked it while still lying flat on his back.
There was a loud crack and it toppled slowly away from him.
Joshua groaned and slapped his hands over his eyes. He was doing this at night so no one would see him or know what he’d done. People might not notice if half the trees in the Back Bay Fens Park had face impressions but they weren’t going to miss a downed tree.
My First Impressions
Well, I think those first few sentences clearly give the impression that Joshua is a new wolf and isn’t coping well at coming to grips with everything. I think it also manages to inject some levity into the book and give the impression that though this could be serious in parts it will also be tempered with humour. I’m really enjoying this so far to be honest. There’s plenty going on and the urban fantasy elements are really good.
What you reading this Friday??
Books and travelling with Lynn 