Magic Study by Maria V. Synder

Published: 2006
Pages: 400

Book Blurb: Yelena is a survivor. Kidnapped as a child, held prisoner as a teen, then released to act as a poison taster, she is now a student of magic. But these magic skills place her in imminent danger, and with an execution order on her head, she has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of her birth. But nothing in Sitia is familiar. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her powers, a rogue magician emerges and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in a situation not of her making. And once again her magical abilities will either save her life or be her downfall.

With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways and her new-found friends and relatives don't think it's for the better.

Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training especially as she's been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.

If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies.Yelena is a survivor. Kidnapped as a child, held prisoner as a teen, then released to act as a poison taster, she is now a student of magic. But these magic skills place her in imminent danger, and with an execution order on her head, she has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of her birth.But nothing in Sitia is familiar. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her powers, a rogue magician emerges and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in a situation not of her making. And once again her magical abilities will either save her life or be her downfall.With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways and her new-found friends and relatives don't think it's for the better.

Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training especially as she's been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies.

Review: Magic, romance, adventure, empowered women, mystery, suspense...there is a little of everything I enjoy all wrapped up in one great book. This is the second book in a series of three. The first book, Poison Study, I liked but I think the author really picked up the pace in this book. It only took about 25 pages to get into this story and after that, I was totally hooked.

During this story Yelena's powers develop and she discovers her magical abilities. The suspense is cleverly woven right throughout the entire book and it doesn't let up, in fact, it is left hanging for the next book.

One of the greatest additions to Yelena’s story is Kiki, her horse. Yelena discovers that part of her magical ability is speaking to animals, and she makes better friends with horses in Sitia than most of the people. Kiki has a strange kind of wisdom, which comes through as both amusing and ultimately correct. Horses have a simple view of life, strong senses, and an excellent ability to judge character. When she can trust no one else, Yelena can trust Kiki, who will do just about anything for her Lavender Lady who brings her apples.

I highly recommend this second instalment of Yelena’s story and I can't wait to read the third!

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