Enthralling fantasy, that should leave a good taste in your mouth.
The first instalment of a trilogy about Yelena Zaltana, a troubled nineteen-year-old girl, whose life is continuously placed within harms way. Beginning the book in a jail having killed the son of her former master, Yelena is due to be hung for her crimes. However, in the land of Commander Ambrose, her life may be saved if she agrees to become his food taster, a role only reserved for that of prisoners due to be executed. Thinking pragmatically, Yelena agrees, and is taken under the wing of one of the Commander’s generals, a legendary assassin named Valek.
Valek was essential to the Commander’s rise to power, orchestrating many assassinations of the former King’s men, and hunting the elusive magicians that roamed the lands. In Ambrose’s new nation Ixia, anyone with magical ability is to be killed.
As she and Valek perform a tug-of-war relationship, Yelena adjusts to her new role brilliantly. Being the food taster for the most important man in the country has its dangers though, and Yelena knows that her time on earth is only secure until the next assassination attempt. She therefore plans her escape from Ixia, hoping to go south where Ambrose has chased any of those disloyal to his cause, including any remaining magicians.
Quite an easy read, Snyder’s book is fraught with peril and disaster that will keep a reader hooked if you are a fan of dialogue and fast action. A far distance away from heavy fantasy that will bury you in mysterious syntax, Poison Study is a short and sweet story, in particular aimed at younger readers, or those wishing for a book between books.
The character development is typical of books for younger people, with very predictable consequences, and the division between enemies and friends becoming starkly evident from the onset. However, Snyder does create some interesting characters, without having to cast a whole host of other people to keep the story entertaining. There are only a few key players within the book, and this makes for a far more interesting read.
One to delve into if you like easy fantasy, and chapter climaxes.
