Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige: Blog Tour and Review

Series: Dorothy Must Die, Book Three

Publisher: HarperCollins

Format: Hardback

Published: 7^th April 2016

Number of Pages: 288

Book: For Review*

Genre: Fantasy, Action-Adventure, Fairy Tale Retelling, Romance, Paranormal, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing

No Alcohol, Drug References

Author's Site: Danielle Paige

Author's Twitter: @daniellempaige

Once upon a time, there was a girl from Kansas named Dorothy.

You might know her as the Girl Who Rode the Cyclone.  She ended up in Oz, where she became friends with the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.  But the temptation of magic was too much for her.  She let it change her.  Her friends became twisted versions of their former selves.

The magical land on Oz is now a dark and menacing place.

My name is Amy Gumm.  Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because I got swept away on one too.  I also landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling.

Assassin.

The only way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz – and Kansas – is to kill her.  And I’m the only one who can do it.

But I failed.  Others died for my mistakes.  Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened and Kansas and Oz are both in danger.  And if I don’t find a way to close it?

Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again.

                                                                   Review:

I've loved this series for so long that when I was offered a chance to read Yellow Brick War and take part in the blog tour, I jumped with joy!  I’m so excited to be taking part – and hope I can convince everyone to read this awesome series ASAP! 

'There was no rest for the Wicked, I thought ruefully.'

Amy Gumm had one mission after she got whisked from her trailer-park home in Kansas to Oz.  To kill Dorothy Gale, who has stolen Oz's magic and is turning the place dead and dark. 

Amy failed.

And now she and the four Witches of Oz are stuck.  In Kansas.  

You see, things are brewing – bad bad things.  Oz and Kansas are linked together with magic – and Dorothy wants to blow both of them off the map.

Can Amy help the Wicked Witches (including the boy she loves, Nox, who has lied to her and can never be hers) to stop Dorothy from destroying both places?  Preferably without letting Oz's magic turn her as twisted as Dorothy – without letting herself become the monster she's so afraid to be…? 

I have loved this series so so much – I was so upset this is the end!  I even put off reading Yellow Brick War for a few days because I so badly didn't want it all to be over!  But then I found out at least one more book is coming my way (I'm still not ready to let go of Oz!), cheered, and snatched Yellow Brick War right on up and got stuck in.  Before I even blinked, I was like one hundred pages in – and I did not want to stop!  I even took the book to the bathroom with me!  If only it was waterproof – but reading in the shower doesn't work quite as weak as reading in a bath, does it?

I feel I've gone off topic…

Moving on to Amy.  Amy, Amy, Amy...  She was kind of back and forth in this book; at the beginning there were times when she wasn't the badass, snarky, pink-haired awesome gal she was in Dorothy Must Die.  Oz really had changed her.  But by the end...oh, Amy!  I'd never loved her more – I can't wait to see where she goes next.

Nox!  Oh, how I adore you!  I already loved Nox but after Yellow Brick War...  My oh my, I have a new beloved book boyfriend.  The way he was here – torn between duty and love, trying so hard to keep Amy safe, being so sweet and Nox-y (he was moody at times, but that's just Nox)...  Loved him!

I really do love the other characters in this book – I loved seeing some familiar old faces from Kansas, loved the Wicked Witches and Lulu the monkey queen…

And then there are our Big Bads.  Dorothy is just the most fascinating character and I loved that we go to understand her more in this book.  Every scene she’s in is brilliant – she’s such a perfect villain; sickly sweet on the surface and rotten to the core, but with the kind of background that makes you almost empathise with her.  As for our other Big Bad, well…  He is terrifying.  I can’t wait to see what our villains do in the next book…

The plot was, a lot like The Wicked Will Rise, a little uneven.  There was a fair bit of build up at the start (which I like at the beginning of a series, not halfway through it) set in Kansas – and there were bits of this that I really loved.  But I just wanted back in with Dorothy, my favourite villain I love to hate!  Things did really kick off after yet another Big Bad showed up – and the plot was brilliant from there, although far too short for my liking!

Paige's writing was amazing - I just love all the brilliant fighting scenes, the sweet romantic moments, the humour and the suspense.  But, most of all, I love how she writes Oz.

This Oz is nothing like the original book's, but damn if I don't want to go anyway!  Even with Dorothy's maniacal rule, I'd love to go to Oz just to see the spots of beauty.  Paige's descriptive language is just spot on amazing and I want to see this world so much!  Maybe not stay, because I'd rather not become Dorothy – but I'd love to visit.  Preferably in a pre or post Dorothy Oz – I'd rather enjoy it sans tyrannical dictators, ta very much.

Ok, I've talked your ears off enough!  This is meant to be a review and not an essay!  My point is Yellow Brick War was awesome and exciting and as addictive as ever and I cannot wait to go back to Oz and oh-my-God how am I going to make it until Book Four comes out?  It doesn't even have a name yet, people!  

I might not make it, my friends.  I may go as crazy as an Other-Worlder in Oz.  Which is pretty damn crazy.

Seriously, though - if you haven't read this series, I just can't recommend it enough.  It is the ultimate escape with the most fantastic world building and one of the coolest classical twists ever written.  Which, for a fairy-tale-twist lover like myself, is sayin' something.  Yellow Brick War kept me hooked from the word go and has left me absolutely desperate for more.

I'm going to go dream of the nice Ozma-ruled, pre-Dorothy Oz.  Wake me up when Book Four is out and not a moment before.

Happy reading, everyone!  And stop by The Book Corner tomorrow for an extract from the awesome Yellow Brick Road!

Star Rating:

4¼ Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

                                             

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review

The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward

Series: Potion, Book One

Publisher: Simon&Schuester

Format: Paperback

Published: 2^nd July 2015

Number of Pages: 368

Book: Bought

Genre:  Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 11+

Contains: Violence, Swearing

Author's Site: Amy Alward

When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection.  Oops.  A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.

Enter Samantha Kemi – an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.  Sam’s family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but they’ve fallen on hard times, and winning the hunt would save their reputation.  But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company?  And just how close is she willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing enemy, in the meantime?

Just to add to the pressure, this quest is all over social media.  And the world news.

No big deal then.

                                                                   Review:

'Despite both of them knowing how bad things are with the business, neither will let me do anything other than be an apprentice to my grandad.

Because when you have the Kemi gift, you have to use it.'

In Samantha Kemi's world, you’re either ordinary or Talented – with or without magic.  The Kemis are not Talented, but they were once prosperous – as master alchemists and potion makers, they were respected by everyone, the chosen ones of the Royal family.

But now things have changed – synth potions are huge and natural alchemists are no longer needed.  

Until the Princess Evelyn mixes a natural love potion to give to her crush Zain Aster (the relative of the first synthetic potion maker and heir to the mega-wealthy ZoroAster Corp company) – and accidentally drinks the potion herself.  And then falls in love.  With herself.

With the magic of Nova unbalanced, a Wilde Hunt is called – all alchemists, both natural and synth, are called to find a cure.  A race that will lead them all over, searching for ingredients and battling to win – both the Royal's approval and a magical prize.

But for Sam, it's a way to prove that the Kemis' way of potion-making is best and to restore her family's name.

But with the gorgeous Zain also competing and the world watching their every move, can Sam pull it off?  Can she save the princess, her land and her family?

I began reading The Potion Diaries after finding out Amy Alward would be at YALC.  And was instantly enchanted.  I've already read the brilliant The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy - and whilst The Potion Diaries was seriously different it was equally amazing.  I've not read anything quite so much fun for ages – I was barely two pages in before I fell totally in love.   This is the kind of book I love to read!  Magical adventures mixed up with an alternate modern reality with loads of friendship and family and romantic love added in too.

Sam was awesome – clever, funny, brave, a bit quirky and totally devoted to her family.  And she was also just so real – I mean, her fear of being anonymous, of never doing anything that makes an impact, isn't that something all teenagers feel?  Sure, her problems are amplified by being non-magical in a magical world, of trying to live up to a family name long forgotten, but it was so real anyway.  I loved how badass and clever Sam was and I can't wait to see more of her in the second Potion Diaries book!

Zain was totally not what I was expecting when we were first introduced to him – actually, he tested my expectations a few times.  But I loved it when he was being all sweet and shy and kinda totally adorable – that thing with the coffee?  Heart-meltingly sweet!  But yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing more of Zain.

As for our supporting cast, Kirsty was so butt-kickingly amazing!  Being a Finder sounds awesome and I loved Kirsty's whip-sharp sense of humour.  Eve was obviously very clever, but what we saw of her...  Well, we saw her in love with her reflection.  So... But I look forward to seeing more of the non-magically-obsessively-in-love, not-so-crazy-and-out-of-control Evelyn.

And I loved Sam's crazy family – they were brilliant!  And really made the story for me: I loved the kookiness of them all, loved how much they loved each other.  Sam's little sister was so brave and adorable, her parents a little frazzled but so loving, her grandfather quiet and a little grumpy with so many secrets – I can't wait until he reveals more of them!  But I loved the angle the family thing lent to the story – and the friends too.  Anita and Arjun, Sam's friends, were brilliant – Anita was such a good friend, always there to help Sam, no matter what.  Loved it all.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of split POVs – and I loved reading from both Sam and Eve's perspectives; I especially enjoyed seeing Evelyn going from a confident princess with a crush to a magic-crazed, obsessive, dangerously in love super-witch.  Why?  Because it was fascinating.  And kind of terrifying.

And then the plot... it was so fast-paced and exciting!  A quest – a real quest! – but broadcast over social media!  It was just so cool!  And the way Sam was always moving, always thinking, always getting that next ingredient...  Loved it.  I also loved the way Sam and Zain's relationship developed – it felt really natural and sweet, even though the Kemis and Asters were basically sworn enemies at the time (long story - read The Potion Diaries and find out all about it).

This world – God, I wanna live here!  Action, adventure, magic, potions, social media...  It literally sounds like my dream world.  I mean, can you imagine going by mirror to see a unicorn and posting about it on Twitter?  That would literally be the coolest thing ever.  And all the alchemy, the various mythologies around the world, the Talenteds and ordinary people and then the awesome Kemi potion brewing skill...  I was blown away by the depth of this world – and also by how seamlessly I just kind of... fit in.  You know?  The mythology was so easy to pick up and it was so much fun to explore the world alongside Sam.  Oh, and also the Royal family!  Can you imagine if the Queen had magic?  How cool would that be!  

Am I the only one with this dream?  Perhaps...

So yes, I had a lot of fun reading The Potion Diaries.  It was such an awesome, exciting, easy and enjoyable read – I was so sad to leave the world after I put the book down!  I have to wait until July for book two people!  How am I meant to live without my magical social media hit?  I just don't know anymore!  

Seriously though, if you love urban fantasies that are more fun than they are angst-ridden, with a mythology that explores the whole world and also takes elements from all over our world, The Potion Diaries is definitely for you.  

Ok, I can't resist it anymore.  I'm gonna do the potion ingredients of The Potion Diaries.  How can I not, guy?  Here goes...

1 cup of coffee beans for the adrenaline of adventure

1 strand of hair from a unicorn's tail for magic

5 drops of your blood for the sense of family

2 rose petals for romance

1 slither of metal from a broken blade for a successful quest

The crushed powder of one dried, poisonous scorpion for danger

3 spoonfuls of chocolate for pure awesomeness

Allow to simmer, strain and then enjoy.

Ok, if you guys can think of something better tell me – I think this isn't my best work!  But there is a lot of adventures, magic, family, romance, quests and awesomeness in The Potion Diaries, so...  Yeah, I stand by my potion.  Until I or one of you lovely people think of something better.

An alchemist, I clearly am not…

Star Rating:
4¼ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Lynburn Legacy Series by Sarah Rees Brennan

Wells & Wong by Robin Stevens

The Curse Workers by Holly Black

Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer

Half Bad Series by Sally Green

Happy Reading

Megan

The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

Series: The Fire Sermon, Book One

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Format: ARC

Published: 26^th February 2015

Number of Pages: 432

Book: ARC*

Genre: Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, High Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Action-Adventure, YA, YA-Adult Crossover

Recommended Age: 14+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing and Alcohol References

Author's Twitter: Francesca Haig (@FrancescaHaig)

“When Zach and I were born our parents must have counted and recounted: limbs, fingers, toes.  The complete set.

They would be disbelieving – nobody dodged the split between Alpha and Omega.

Nobody.”

Born as twins.  Raised as enemies.

One strong Alpha twin and one mutated Omega; the only thing they share is the moment of their death.

The Omegas live in segregation, cast out by their families as soon as their mutation becomes clear.  Forced to live apart, they are ruthlessly oppressed by their Alpha counterparts.

The Alphas are the elite.  Once their weaker twin has been cast aside, they’re free to live in privilege and safety, their Omega twin far from their thoughts.

Cass and Zach are both perfect on the outside: no missing limbs, no visible Omega mutation.  But Cass has a secret: one that Zach will stop at nothing to expose.

The potential to change the world lies in both their hands.  One will have to defeat the other to see their vision of the future come to pass, but if they’re not careful both will die in the struggle for power.

                                                                   Review:

“The blast shattered time.  In an instant, it cleaved time irrevocably into Before and After.  Now, hundreds of year later, in the After, no survivors remained, no testimonies.  Only seers like me could glimpse it, momentarily, in the instant before waking, or ambushing us in the half-second of a blink: the flash, the horizon burning up like paper…”

After the world ended, the survivors began to have twins – all of them.  A boy and a girl.  One perfect, strong, healthy: an Alpha.  The other sick, deformed, weak, infertile: an Omega.  The Omegas are sent away – out of sight, out of mind, far away so they can't contaminate the Alphas.  But there's more: a link between the twins – they are tied together, their fates entwined.  If one is sick, so is the other.  If one dies, the other dies too.

Normally, it's easy to tell which twin is the Omega.  Not for Cass and Zach.  Both babies were perfect – but no one escapes.  Cass hid a secret for thirteen years – that she was a seer, an Omega with strange and powerful abilities.  She is discovered and sent away.  She begins to build a life for herself in the Omega settlement.

But then Zach gains political power and he sends someone to grab Cass.  To stay safe, he locks her away, isolates her, sends another seer to interrogate her.  Haunted by visions, she slowly begins to lose control...

Her twin is not the boy he used to be.  He isn't the person she played with, whispered with in the night.  

And so she decides to escape.  She needs to leave – before Zach hurts her more, before her visions come true.

Along with an amnesiac one-armed Omega, Cass goes on the run, desperately searching for the one place she will be safe: the rumoured Omega-rebellion-ruled island.  But with the way Alphas treat their Omegas shifting, getting worse with every passing moment, would they even be safe on the island...?

Wow.  Just... wow.  I really don't know where to start with The Fire Sermon.  It was so stunning.  It took the dystopian genre, turned it on its head and made it about a million times more amazing.  I was expecting great things from The Fire Sermon – impossibly great things, I thought.  But it lived up to every single one of my expectations – and totally overtook them.  I adored the writing, world-building, characters and plot lines.  I adored the addictiveness, the suspense, the excitement.  And I just can't believe I have to wait a whole freaking year until the second book comes out.  I don't know how I'll survive so long!

Cass was amazing – damaged, but so strong, naive, but smart too.  I adored her and just know she's going to continue growing to be a truly strong leading lady.  Maybe she needs to be a little less trusting, a little more worldly, but I kind of liked that about her: that even though she's a Seer, even though she sees horrible things so often, she's still hopeful, idealistic.  It was a nice change to all the cynical antagonists we see nowadays.  She's also totally real and relatable; she felt just like someone I'd meet in the real world today.

And I really loved Kip: he was adorable!  He was just the sweetest and loveliest and funniest and cutest thing!  He was good and kind, without being as naive as Cass – which is odd, since he was the amnesiac one with no memories of himself...  But I loved Kip and I loved the relationship between him and Cass – how naturally it grew, how adorable they were together.

Piper really grew on me as the book went on.  I began a little nervous of him, a little sceptical.  But he was so brave and good and honourable.  I really liked him by the end – especially with that little twist...

As for Zach...  God, I don't know what to do with Zach.  It was clear Cass still loved him – he was her brother, after all – but he was so horrid to Omegas.  I just... don't know what to do with him.  I mean, the relationship between Cass and him killed me.  My little brothers are twins, and they always have each other’s backs.  That's what being a twin should be – what being siblings should be.  To see the way Zach treated Cass... horrible.  To see the way all Alphas treated Omegas (and, at times, Omegas treated Alphas) was horrifying and devastating.  But the way Cass felt for Zach, the way she tried to look after him, even after everything he'd done... it was so beautiful.

There were scores of other small characters, some I adored, some I hated.  The one that terrified me the most was, of course, The Confessor: that woman was evil and terrifying!  I truly admired the character development in the story: they all felt real, even the small characters, even the ones who were so different from today.  Amazing.

The writing was so, so beautiful – haunting, descriptive, addictive, elegant, authentic.  Like how Cass described a battle: it held nothing back, no sweet sugar coatings.  It was bloody and honest, and the lyrical way it was written made it beautiful and dreadful and, strangely, real.   Cass felt real: her voice was authentic and beautiful and so absorbing.  Not many authors can put me instantly under a spell when writing fiction such as this (with huge amounts of world-building) but Francesca managed it effortlessly and left me wanting more.

As for the plot... I'll admit, there were definite slow-burner moments in the book, but the racking-up of suspense made up for that.  Also, in the first books of epic fiction like this, there has to be time for world-building!  But more on that in a minute.  Back to the plot: I really loved it.  It was unpredictable and gripping and amazing.  I was totally hooked and desperate to know how everything would end.  I had a few ideas of where it was all going: many turned out to be so very wrong, some were right and some were in the general(ish) vicinity.  I do like being surprised – generally speaking.  But this part at the end... a few parts really... just NO!  No, Francesca, how can you do this to me?  Not only have you done... that... but you've also left off in a place that will drive me crazy with unanswered questions 'til the second book comes out next year.  And so again I go NOOO!

But this world... wow wow wow.  It was so just breath-taking.  And, in an odd way, so real.  Sure, it's a dystopian world where one 'perfect' twin is just awful to the 'flawed' twin.  It's a world with secret islands, dreadful experiments, seers, rebellions and a sinister Council.  But the way all these people act is so human, so real and believable.  I couldn't – still can't – quite put my finger on what it was that made this world so three-dimensional, real and tangible to me, but it was there.  I saw Cass, Kip and the Keeping Rooms, Piper and the island, in my head as I read.  This world... it blew me away.  It was horrible and it was brilliant.  I can't wait to go back.

I also think The Fire Sermon has true crossover appeal: teens will love it, but adults will too.  It's not like Hunger Games or Divergent, which are definitely aimed at teenagers.  The Fire Sermon is both perfect for the typical YA audience, but is also sophisticated enough for adults to adore it too.  

As for the upcoming (hopefully!) film adaption, I'm very interested to see how they will do it.  It looks like it's got a great team and the breath-taking scenery will look stunning on the big screen.  I'm really hoping they do this great book justice!

I've said something similar before, in other reviews, but I simply must say it again for this book: The Fire Sermon had a magic to it, something different and unique and beautiful and utterly compelling.  I was drawn in from the very first sentence and not let go for all four-hundred-and-seventeen pages, not even for one moment.  I know The Fire Sermon won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I adored it – if you haven't gathered that by this point!

The Fire Sermon was unique and beautiful and chilling and addictive.  If you're looking for an eloquent dystopian novel with an epic-fantasy feel to it, I honestly can't recommend The Fire Sermon enough.  I will be dying until the next book and want to tell you all now: Francesca Haig is an author to watch!  If this is how amazing her debut novel is... I can't wait for her second!

Star Rating:
4¼  Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Chronicles of Ixia by Maria V. Snyder

The Sin-Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review

** Quotes used are from a proof copy and may have been changed in the finished book

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

Series: Study, Book Three

Publisher: Mira

Format: Paperback

Published: 16^th January 2009

Number of Pages: 448

Book: Bought

Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Mystery, Suspence, Action-Adventure, YA, YA-Adult Crossover

Recommended Age: 14+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol, Sexual and Sexual Assault References

Author's Blog: Maria V. Snyder

WARNING: COULD CONTAIN SPOILERS... AND FANGIRLING.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED…

The apprenticeship is over.

Now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder – able to capture and release souls – spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy.  Already Yelena’s unusual abilities and past have set her apart.  As the Council debates Yelena’s fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.

Honour sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward.  Her journey is fraught with allies and enemies.  Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself – and save the land she holds dear.

                                                                   Review:

Finally, I've finished my review!  And just in time for Shadow Study!  Enjoy...

"Fire is your downfall, little bat.  Can not call it.  Can not control it...."

It seems things were never intended to be easy for Yelena Liana Zaltana.  Having escaped her homeland to seek magical training in birthplace of Sitia, she soon found out that she is a Soulfinder, a rare kind of magician with the ability to control souls.

Sitia has had an unhappy history with Soulfinders: the last one raised an army of the dead and was burnt on the stake.  So when word gets around about what Yelena is, the reaction is not positive.

As the Council decide what to do with Yelena, she and her brother Leif go in search of the outcast magic clan Daviian and the wannabe King of Ixia, Cahil.  They soon discover that the Daviian Vermin are using an ancient and brutal form of blood magic – and have a very powerful magician amongst them: a Fire Warper.

But quickly the Vermin grow in strength and become infinitely more deadly.  So deadly, in fact, that they spark a plot to destroy Ixia, Yelena's former home.

With the Council turned against her, and with no way to help save Ixia, Yelena flees with her brother Leif to the one place they can be safe.  There, she will have to prove herself to both kingdoms and stop the Fire Warper and the Vermin clan – before they destroy them all...

I love the Yelena Zaltana series and I was so sad that Fire Study would be my final Yelena-centric novel...  And then along came Shadow Study and I was overjoyed!  Still, I can't help feeling a sense of loss after finishing Fire Study, as it is the end of a trilogy I adored.  And it finished so brilliantly, I think.  We saw Sitia and Ixia, saw friends from both books, were taken on a series of wild adventures that constantly had me on the edge of my seat.  I read Fire Study in a single sitting and loved every second – even though Yelena managed to get herself in a million scrapes!  That girl is a trouble magnet!  But, personally, I think that it is just... the perfect end to the original trilogy.  And after reading it, I am itching at the collar to read Shadow Study – NOW!

Yelena, I think, was perfect in this one.  She was looked to as a leader, but she worried about whether she was doing the right thing, like all young people.  She was strong and vulnerable, funny and scared and real.  She planned a lot more now – sure, she did her rush-in thing too, but she took charge more.  She made a few mistakes early on, but I really admired how she grew.

Valek: oh, how I adore Valek.  Every time he says 'love' I swoon a little.  He is just... perfect.  I love him so so much.  I also love how he's protective but not overbearing: he lets Yelena do her Yelena thing and doesn't try to stop her.  He's the best heart mate ever – I wish he was all mine.

I quite liked Leif, Yelena's brother, by the end of Magic Study.  By the end of Fire Study, I loved him.  He is so funny and sarcastic – and a real brother too.  And I loved how close Yelena and Leif became by the end of this one – it was so cute and so funny.  Their sibling-bantering was hilarious, and when they fell out it felt real, like something siblings do (God knows I've ticked my brothers off a few times, and vice versa).  

Onto the other characters.  Firstly, Janco and Ari, who are the best things since sliced bread in my opinion.  They rock: every time they're in a scene, they kill me.  Janco with his craziness and big-talk, Ari with his attempts to tone Janco down...  I love them.  Love them love them love them.  Then there was Moon Man, who was a bit mixed in this one, but by the end I loved him.  And it was great to see Opal again – and it made me even more excited to read the Glass series!

But the animals in this series are awesome.  Kiki, Yelena's horse, I love: she's hilarious.  And Yelena also got a little bat buddy (a LBB) in this one too – love him!

As always, Snyder's writing was flawless and beautiful.  I love her lyrical voice and the beautiful way she describes the lands and people.  You can really feel Yelena in the words – stubborn and scared, strong and uncertain.  It was perfect.  The plot, too, was perfect and just nonstop – like all of the Study plots!  But, out of all of them, this felt the most fast-paced and also the most... choppy.  I have no better word.  There was just so much going on so fast and it felt... I don't know.  Not as flawless as the previous two books.  Don't get me wrong – by most book standards, Fire Study is a work of pure magical art.  But by the standard I hold Snyder to (which is probably unfairly high thanks to her amazingness) it fell a little short.  

Nonetheless, I was hooked start to finish and was left thinking: 'Yeah.  That was awesome – and a worthy finale.'  Of course, I'm even more excited that it isn't the end, that the adventure isn't over, but it was still a good ending!  And I really was shocked by that last twist, and terrified by one before it!  

I've said numerous times that I adore this world – both the Ixian and Sitian sides.  I love how both were visited in Fire Study – along with a few other worlds!  The mythology Snyder used, on top of the existing magical Sitia and military Ixia, was so brilliant – she took the notion of heaven, hell and purgatory and made it so unique.  Loved it!

I've loved every single moment of this series (even all the rush-in moments that ended with capture) and am sad it's over....  But it isn't over anymore, is it!  Because we have a new Yelena trilogy!  Excuse me while I do a crazy happy dance.  

I'm back.  I absolutely adored Fire Study; it was exciting, thrilling, magical, addictive and totally epic.  I love all the characters, the world and the magicness of the series and can't wait to continue it with Shadow Study!  Yay!  I love you, Maria V. Snyder!

Star Rating:
4¼ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Happy Reading

Megan