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A review by _gabi_starry_paperback_
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yelena had been sentenced to death for murdering the son of a very powerful man. She's awaiting her execution in a cell when Valek - the head of intelligence for the Commander of Ixia and the famous assassin who took the life of the last King, gives her a choice: die for her crime or become the Commader's taster and risk her life checking the ruler's food for poison. Yelena, wanting to live, chooses the latter.
I absolutely adored this book. One of the best books I've read this year!
I haven't read a protagonist as good as Yelena in a while! This girl just stole the book for me. Yelena is an incredibly complex character, one whose layers are being peeled off as the story progresses. She goes from a total mystery (why is a 19/20-year-old charged for murder?) to one of the most heartbreaking characters I have ever read to a fierce young woman. She's incredibly intelligent and resourceful which makes her a force to be reckoned with but she never comes off as a "mary-sue" type of character. Her journey in this book is just stunning.
She's supported by a wide range of characters each better the last most notable Valek. He is just a treat, a total scene-stealer that you cannot resist. Their romance is just *chef's kisses*. A slow burn of all slow burn! But, boi is it worth it. This book made me literally giddy with excitement for them.
The worldbuilding was well done. So far the world didn't blew me away but I'm certainly intrigued by it. I wish there was more history and details in the book, but since this takes place mostly in one place I can forgive not developing the entire country and lore for now.
This is definitely a character-driven story so the plot isn't anything out of this world, but the mystery plotline that runs alongside Yelena's development kept me guessing and ultimately concluded in a very satisfying way. I enjoyed how this world and its politics are not so black-and-white and how that is reflected in the characters' behavior, their choices, and the plot. I also enjoyed how daring some of it was. There were themes implemented and choices made by the author that I don't see often in modern YA. It felt like a breath of fresh air in that way.
A final note I would like to make is that despite it being YA, this book doesn't pull its punches. There are a lot of hard-hitting scenes and themes that made me wonder whether this shouldn't be considered NA or even Adult. Ultimately, I still think this is YA, albeit for older teens, but I would recommend checking out trigger warnings if you're affected by themes of assault, violence against children, and rape.
I absolutely adored this book. One of the best books I've read this year!
I haven't read a protagonist as good as Yelena in a while! This girl just stole the book for me. Yelena is an incredibly complex character, one whose layers are being peeled off as the story progresses. She goes from a total mystery (why is a 19/20-year-old charged for murder?) to one of the most heartbreaking characters I have ever read to a fierce young woman. She's incredibly intelligent and resourceful which makes her a force to be reckoned with but she never comes off as a "mary-sue" type of character. Her journey in this book is just stunning.
She's supported by a wide range of characters each better the last most notable Valek. He is just a treat, a total scene-stealer that you cannot resist. Their romance is just *chef's kisses*. A slow burn of all slow burn! But, boi is it worth it. This book made me literally giddy with excitement for them.
The worldbuilding was well done. So far the world didn't blew me away but I'm certainly intrigued by it. I wish there was more history and details in the book, but since this takes place mostly in one place I can forgive not developing the entire country and lore for now.
This is definitely a character-driven story so the plot isn't anything out of this world, but the mystery plotline that runs alongside Yelena's development kept me guessing and ultimately concluded in a very satisfying way. I enjoyed how this world and its politics are not so black-and-white and how that is reflected in the characters' behavior, their choices, and the plot. I also enjoyed how daring some of it was. There were themes implemented and choices made by the author that I don't see often in modern YA. It felt like a breath of fresh air in that way.
A final note I would like to make is that despite it being YA, this book doesn't pull its punches. There are a lot of hard-hitting scenes and themes that made me wonder whether this shouldn't be considered NA or even Adult. Ultimately, I still think this is YA, albeit for older teens, but I would recommend checking out trigger warnings if you're affected by themes of assault, violence against children, and rape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault