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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Two Shadowy Fantasies

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

I read Magic Study several years ago, but I didn't continue the series (and Magic Study wasn't even the first in the series).  As a result, I had a little trouble getting into Shadow Study because I'd forgotten so much about the main characters and had not read the intervening books.

On the other hand, I persevered and found myself pretty involved in this fantasy.  Will I go back and read the first in the series (Poison Study) and the others I've missed?  I don't know, but I enjoyed Yelena and Valek and their adventures enough to want to read the next book featuring these characters.  After catching up with Yelena and Valek, I found myself wanting a little more.  

Read in January

NetGalley/Harlequin/Mira 

Fantasy.  Feb. 24, 2015.  Print length:  416 pages.




Of Shadow and Stone by Michelle Muto

Paranormal or thriller?  I'm not sure, but it didn't live up to expectations.  Kate Mercer, an actress, finds herself dream-walking in an ancient castle.  It turns out that she is to be the new sentinel in a world of gargoyles, vampires, and werewolves.  A less than thrilling adventure that was strangely slow given the presence of so many supernatural creatures.  

Read in Dec.; blog review scheduled for Jan., 2015

NetGalley/Amazon Publishing

Supernatural/Paranormal Fantasy.  Feb. 24, 2015.  Print length:  292 pages.

10 comments:

  1. I read the first two, I think, in the Study series. I really enjoyed them and meant to read on, but for whatever reason I haven't picked up any of Snyder's other stuff yet.

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    1. :) Me, too. My intentions to follow a series don't always happen. At first, I wasn't too involved because I'd missed so much, but after a while, it didn't matter, and I liked the characters again and was engrossed in the plot. I don't know if I'll go back and pick up the earlier books I missed, but I will certainly look for the next one.

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  2. Reading a series is sometimes tricky for me. It can be hard to decide whether a book is compelling enough for me to want to continue the series.

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    1. Sometimes I immediately want more and pursue a series, but sometimes I have too many books in the TBR pile and forget. Since I often begin in the middle of a series, it depends on how engrossing the book is on whether or not I pick up earlier books. I agree, it is tricky, especially as there are so many books I want to read.

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  3. I had no idea that she was continuing the Study series... It's been years since I read that trilogy and I have never liked anything else I tried by her. Probably why she is returning to it...

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    1. I think this must have been her most well-received series. I imagine there are a lot of happy readers that Snyder has returned to these characters. :)

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  4. I was just looking over my wish list on Amazon and noticed I have Poison Study in there. I haven't read any books in the series yet. Shadow Study does sound good though.

    I like the sound of Of Shadow and Stone and so am disappointed it wasn't better for you.

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    1. I should probably go back and read Poison Study at some point. It would help to have read all of the books in order, and I imagine the library has copies! I will read the follow-up to Shadow Study, though, whether I go back and catch up with the series or not. :)

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  5. I have almost picked up Maria V. Snyder's series in the , any of them really, but I always hesitate. I did read Inside/Out (I think that is the title) by her and didn't enjoy it much at all, but that is another genre she was writing in. I may have to pick up the first in this series if I see it used or in the library.

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    1. :) The only things I've read by her are Magic Study and this new release. Both were entertaining.

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