Night Study - Book Review

Night Study - Book Review

Maria. V. Snyder

YA Fantasy

Soul Finders Book #2

UK Publisher: MIRA INK

Synopsis:

Ever Since being kidnapped from the Illinois Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana’s life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her soul finding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia are safe for her anymore…

Review:

I totally adored this book! Although I think being a big fan of Maria V. Snyder’s original Ixia series makes me a little biased. Especially as returning to the same world, with the same amazing characters felt just like catching up with old friends … albeit the kind who live rather thrilling/dangerous lives. And since the first Soul Finder book left us with such a cliffhanger, is it any wonder I was thirsting for more? And I am happy to report, this second book did not in anyway disappoint. 

Night Study picks straight up from where Shadow Study left off. As always, Yelena and Valek are in danger, but now, Yelena suspects she is pregnant. But with the commander acting strange in the North, and magicians mysteriously disappearing in the South, neither Ixia or Sitia are safe. Especially as the two countries prepare for war with each other. 

Also with Yelena’s powers gone, taking with it her ability to detect lies, she must learn once again to trust in herself to make the right choices. But with her loyalties between the two nations divided, and with the life of her and Valek’s unborn child at stake, this time, she cannot afford to make the wrong choice…

Words can’t do justice to how much I loved this book. Much like the first book of this new trilogy, Night Study follows the same pattern and reveals a more in-depth look at Valeks past. Only now, the past is catching up with his present - and it’s amazing! To be honest, I can’t say if some of the plot lines regarding Valek were predictable, because it might have just been my wishful thinking, but either way, they all led in the direction I wanted to see Valek go, so no complaints from me. It’s wonderful how much his character has developed and now he’s facing new challenges, and I can’t wait to see how much more he can grow.

Yelena is still the bad-ass heroine she’s always been. Although without her magic, she is closer to the girl she was in poison study, as in she is feeling her way and learning how to rely on just her normal five senses again. However despite being ‘ordinary’ again she is still the quick-thinking, resourceful character we know and love. 

Most of the original characters are also in the book too in some capacity or another - but what is nice about them all is that they are older, wiser and stronger for their experiences - yet at the core, they are still themselves. With this soul finder series set five years after the Ixia series finished, I truly think the author Maria. V Snyder has done a fantastic job of ageing her characters while keeping true to their personalities.

In terms of storytelling, the book is told from three POVs. Yelena, Valek and Leif’s, yet Yelena still holds the starring role. The plot itself moves at a fast pace, with serval storylines in play at all times,  and always plenty of action. It was a hard book to put down and the final instalment of this trilogy cannot come soon enough.

However as with the last book, I think if you haven't read the spin off glass series, featuring Opal’s story, there are a few references to the past that you might not get, and perhaps you might not make immediate connections to the bad guys and their agenda. However these instances are few and far between and ultimately would not spoil the story.

All in all, A truly delicious, soul searing read that fans of the series will devour whole. 4 stars!