Showing posts with label Shadow Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shadow Study. Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Author Spotlight & Giveaway - Maria V Snyder

Today's post is kind of a different one.  Its a combination author spotlight/Thursday Throwback/event  post along with the give away you will find at the bottom.

Last night I was lucky enough to attend a Bloggers Evening at HarlequinTeen Australia in Sydney.  There we got to meet the amazing Maria V Snyder.

I had met Ms Snyder before back in my very first year of blogging in 2011 but at that stage I had yet to read any of her books.  That was soon remedied however when I read and fell in love with the poison study series, the glass series, the inside out, outside in dystopian duology, and Healer series.  Basically all the books she has written so far :-P

So basically I was extremely excited to be meeting Ms Snyder last night.

When I arrived, people were already there and we were able to chat with Ms Snyder and enjoyed some snacks as we waited for everyone to arrive.


Ms Snyder then talked to us about her books and answered any questions we had.  As there were only 15-20 of us in total in was like having a big group chat as we got to hear about how Poison study came to be and how it was originally supposed to be a stand alone novel! We also learned how Ms Snyder's degree in meteorology came in handy when she was writing the glass series and that if you are going to swing a broadsword you need two hands!

Lastly we all had our books signed before receiving a goodie bag from HarlequinTeen Aus before we left.


It was great to meet and chat books with fellow Sydney bloggers and makes some new bookish friends.

Huge thank you to Theresa and Harlequin Teen Australia for making this happen and of course big Thank you to Maria V Snyder for taking the time to come and say hello :-)

Now for the Thursday Throw back portion of this post.  Here are some of my favourite Maria V Snyder novels and what I had to say about them:


Scent of Magic (Healer #2)




Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

Add to Goodreads


See My Review


Purchase:  Book Depository 

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V. Snyder




New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous,


Night Study (Soulfinder #2)) by Maria V Snyder

 


New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder transports readers back to the realms of Sitia and Ixia in an exciting new Study novel full of magic, danger and intrigue.

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana’s life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding 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. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he’s quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he’s been keeping secrets from Valek...secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander’s mysterious plans, they realise it's far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.


The Giveaway


Do you have a mismatched set  or a set you still need to complete?  Maybe you want to start one of Ms Snyder's series you haven't read yet or may your reading copy and been read to death and you need a new one.  This giveaway is for you!

Open to anyone who lives where the Book Depository delivers, I am giving one person the chance to win their choice of 1 x  Maria V Snyder novel up to the value of $30 AUD

You can see list of Maria V Snyder's books here

You need to be 13 or over to enter and please make sure you have parent/guardian permission to enter if you are under 18

Giveaway end 11.59 pm 21/4/16

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Review: Shadow Study (Soulfinder #1) by Maria V Snyder

Title: Shadow Study (Soulfinder #1)
Author: Maria V Snyder
Published: 1 March 2015
Source: Harlequin Teen Australia in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: *****

My Review:
Oh My Goodness this book was so good! Another awesome instalment in the Study series and Valek and Yelena's story.

From the moment I read the first page, I was pulled right back in Yelena's world and it was great to visit with all the characters again, and a number of the main players from both the Study series and the glass series are back in this book. That being said however, whilst it helps to already know the characters, this tale is its own story and I believe it is just as compelling even if you are visiting the Study world for the first time.

This novel is told from three points of view, Yelena, Valek and Janco, each weaving a different thread in and around each other and in its own direction as needed. Ms Snyder uses it very well to direct the different threads of the story and the balance between the three worked well for me and each thread had its own story and own mystery to be solved and I was just as hooked on all three.

I liked that we learn a lot more about Valek in this novel, we get to see some of his history and how he came to be where he is which gives us a much greater understanding of his character and why he does what he does. We also learn a bit more about certain characters from the previous novels which also helps to propel the story forward.

What Ms Snyder does really well however, is create a story, world and characters that you can't help but love, hate, and be completely immersed in. This is the first book in a new series set in the Study world and I for one, am thankful to Ms Snyder for allowing us to visit with these characters again and share in their newest adventure. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I give this novel 5 stars.

Sapphired Dragon xx



About The Book:



Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V. Snyder




New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous,

Saturday, 17 January 2015

Stacking The Shelves #22


Welcome to Stacking The Shelves! Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga Reviews and is a meme to share those books, both print and e-book, that have been added to your shelves in the last week/s.

This week was a small week in regards to receiving books but it what it may have lacked in quantity, it more than made up for in quality.  I was extremely excited this week to receive a print copy of  Shadow Study by maria V Snyder for review especially as I had spotlighted it on my waiting on Wednesday post last week. I also won a book through librarything to receive early and review as well as couple of other interesting looking titles to review :-)



Review (Ebooks - Kensington Books via netgalley)




Haunted (The Arnaud Legacy #1) by Lynn carthage



Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Irving has traded life in San Francisco for her stepfather’s ancestral mansion in rural England. It’s supposed to be the new start her family needs. But from the moment she crosses the threshold into the ancient estate, Phoebe senses something ominous. Then again, she's a little sensitive lately—not surprising when her parents are oblivious to her, her old life is six thousand miles away, and the only guy around is completely gorgeous but giving her mixed messages.

But at least Miles doesn’t laugh at Phoebe’s growing fears. And she can trust him…maybe. The locals whisper about the manor’s infamous original owner, Madame Arnaud, and tell grim stories of missing children and vengeful spirits. Phoebe is determined to protect her loved ones—especially her little sister, Tabby. But even amidst the manor’s dark shadows, the deepest mysteries may involve Phoebe herself…







Review (Print Books - Many Thanks to Harlequin Teen Australia)

Incredibly excited about this one.  I did a waiting on wednesday post about this book just a couple of weeks ago as I was so excited about it coming out so was over so you can guess how ecstatic I was to pick this up from the post office this morning :-)  Whilst it is the first book in Maria V Snyder's new series, it is actually a continuation from the Poison Study and Glass series'. I am going to start reading it as soon as I finish this post :-)



Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V. Snyder




New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous,





Won: (Angela Ford via Library Thing)




The Christmas Wreath (Forever Christmas #3) by Angela Ford



Annie Dixon’s love for nature and her hometown of Glenville has her driven to find a way to keep the tree farm from outsiders. When the bank grants sixty days before the tree farm is listed for public sale, Annie and her friends devise a plan to finance the buy.

The death of Annie’s childhood friend brings Detective Ryder Harris back to Glenville. A child in his eyes, he always called her ‘Sweet Annie’. Now he sees her differently. Annie never admitted she had a big crush for Ryder. Now that familiar flutter in her heart is back. Annie knows Ryder won’t settle in Glenville. And is Ryder really back for his sister’s funeral or is he connected to the town resort’s sudden disappearance of their manager?

For the first time in many years, Ryder is excited about the holidays. Will the magic of Christmas forever connect these two hearts?




So what did you add to your shelves this week?




Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #8: Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V Snyder


Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly featured hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight the not yet released books that I wish were in my hot little hands right now.

Oh My Goodness I want this book! I adored both the study and glass series and cannot wait to read more about Yelena and Valek, who are probably my favourite couple of out of all Maria V Snyder's books. The minute I saw it was due out I have been dying to read it and I am anxiously awaiting payday so I can pre-order this and get it in my hot little hands as soon as it comes out So far there seems to be a number of different covers for this book so I have chosen the cover that is my favourite for this post :-)





Shadow Study(Soulfinders #1) by Maria V Snyder

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.

As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.



 check out the good reads link
Publication Date: 24 February, 2015
Pre-Order:Book Depository | Amazon  | Galaxy Bookshop


What book are you 'waiting on' this week?