Poison Study

Maria V. Synder, author of the Study series and various other books.

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance (kinda)
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: November 2008
Paperback: 409

Summary: About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace-- and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear....

Book Review:

Poison Study is compelling fantasy story which has a little romance overtone to it. In the beginning Yelena starts out scared and timid. Over time Yelena gains allies, and with that she grows physically and mentally stronger. The romance between Valek and Yelena was well written and a delight. It was fun and refreshing to read something that wasn't cheesy like most of the other books out there. I enjoyed reading how both Yelena and Valek were falling for each other without knowing it. At the beginning Valek views Yelena as a tool, and Yelena is scared of Valek. Since the book was from one perspective it left out how Valek was feeling about Yelena. This kept the reading from really knowing 100% that Valek and Yelena loved each other until the author wanted them to. When a master magician from the south comes and tries to kill Yelena, she finds out that she is a magician, and was kidnapped from the south along with a bunch of other kids. The only thing I wish that the author had done is explaining why magicians are banned from Ixia.  Ixia is supposed to be a socialist community defined by a militaristic rule. Why this was better than the previous monarchy is not well explained, and another disappointment was how quickly the book wrapped up while leaving so many issues outstanding. The romance culmination seemed quite hurried, though a little less rushed than other books that I have read. I would have liked to have seen a bit more slow unwrapping of some of the parts of the books. 

Rating: A-

Notable Quotes:

"Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some Good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo." 

"But you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”
“That sounds more like a poison than a person,” was all I could say. His confession had
both shocked and thrilled me.
“Exactly,” Valek replied. “You have poisoned me." 

"What have I earned from you, Valek? Loyalty? Respect? Trust?"
You have my attention. But give me what I want, and you can have everything." 

"In fact, he's never taken an interest in a woman before. I was beginning to to suspect he might prefer one of his male sneaks, but now..." She paused dramatically. "Now, we have the lovely, intelligent Yelena to get Valek's cold heart pumping."
"You really should get out of your sewing room more. You need fresh air and a dose of reality," I said knowing better than to believe a word Dilana said, but unable to control the silly little grin on my face.
Her sweet, melodious laughter followed me into the hallway.
"You know I'm right, " she called." 

"Poisoned, pursued and living with a psychopath. Not what I'd consider the good life. Death has its perks." 

Matched

Ally Condie, author of Matched and various other books.

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: November 2010
Hardcover: 366

Summary: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Book Review: 

I liked this book. It was interesting and very well written. The idea of a society that controls everything, that says wether or not your going to die and so on, is interesting to me. Matched captivating. Cassia was pretty good female leading character. She was smart and not one of those girls who go head over heels for some guy. She keeps her friends close and doesn't take out her frustration, of whats happening, on them. Xander is the sweet best friend. Ky is the mysterious guy who can teach Cassia about things she needs to know. I always enjoy a good love triangle and a twisting plot, and I believe that Ally Condie did a great job. I liked The Hunger Games and The Giver in which Matched is similar. They all have the controlling government, and so on. If you like either The Giver or The Hunger Games then I would recommend this book to you. Overall a solid book. 

Rating: B+

Notable Quotes:

"Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs." 

"Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that." 

"Is falling in love with someone's story the same thing as falling in love with the person himself?" 

"Ky can play this game. He can play all of their games, including the one in front of him that he just lost. He knows exactly how to play, and that's why he loses every time." 

"That’s how I know they are dreams. Because the simple and plain and everyday things are the ones that we can never have. (Cassia Reyes)" 

"Cassia.
I know which life is my real one now, no matter what happens. It’s the one with you. For some reason, knowing that even one person knows my story makes things different. Maybe it’s like the poem says. Maybe this is my way of not going gentle.
I love you. (Ky Markham)" 

"Even if he didn't live his story, enough of us have lives just like it. So it's true anyway." 

The Iron King+ Iron Daughter

Julie Kagawa, author of the Iron Fey series.

Series: The Iron Fey
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

The Iron King Summary: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

The Iron Daughter Summary: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

The Iron King Book Review: 

This was an outstanding book. I loved every page of it, and I can't wait for the next books in the series. I really enjoyed the fact that even though most fae books share some similarities, Julie Kagawa made it all her own. She created her very own magical world that is impossible to describe. There was no way that the reader knew what would happen next. I loved the unpredictability - of it. Meghan was an amazing character, I loved her. At first though she was a little childish though I really liked how she grew to become strong, independent, selfless, and stubborn. Unlike most books that I have read, I liked all of the characters.  This book is all the things I like. A little romance, action, humor, and intrigue. Then there is how excellently written it is. I will look forward to the rest of the books in the series. I would recommend this to everybody.

Rating: A++

The Iron Daughter Book Review: 

Captivating. That is the one word that comes to mind when I think of the Iron Daughter. The pacing of this book was a good break from other books. I loved being there with Meghan in NeverNever in constant danger. Being there, in the journey, right there in the middle of the fighting, and running for my life just like Meghan. I couldn't put this book down. I just had to finish it. The only disappointment came when it ended. I am just about it die in anticipation of the Iron Queen coming out. I found that Meghan really did most of her growing in this book. I liked how Meghan really had to take on more responsibility, and I am proud of how well she took it on. You really get to have more insight pf who Meghan really is. The romance in this book was, I don't know, heartbreaking. I am a team Puck member. He has been there since the beginning. He is sexy, witty, and can be sorta sweet. While Ash has the handsome and forbidden thing going for him I have to say that I wish that Meghan would end up with Puck. One of the things that really got me is Iron Horse. Even though in the first book he was one of the antagonists, he was sorta lovable in The Iron Queen. I wish there could be more of Iron Horse in these books. Overall just as good as  the first book. Possibly better. 

Rating: A++

Notable Quotes:

"Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?
-Puck" 

"I licked my lips and whispered, 'Is this where you say you'll kill me?'
One corner of his lips curled. 'If you like,' he murmured, a flicker of amusement finally crossing his face. 'Though it's gotten far too interesting for that." 

"No, no. We can kill each other later." 

"Bravo," said Grimalkin, peering down from Cold Tom's chest. "The Winter prince and Oberon's jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending." 

"Me? Die? Didn't they tell you, princess? I'm Robin Goodfellow." 

"Ash blinked. "Are you raiding the cellars now, Goodfellow?"
"Me? Stealing?" Puck flashed a devious grin and popped another fruit into his mouth. "In the house of my ancient enemy? What gave you that idea?" He plucked another fruit and tossed it to me with a wink." 

"His breath hitched, and he regarded me hungrily. “You’re playing with fire, you know that?”
“That’s weird, considering you’re an ice prin—” I didn’t get any further, as Ash leaned in and kissed me." 

"I have to be on top of my game if I'm going to kill things for you, right?"

"Try Not to bleed so much on the thorns," he said as I jabbed myself in the palm and hissed in pain. "Right Now, anyone could follow us, and you are leaving a very easy trail."
Right, 'cause I'm bleeding all over the place for shits and giggles." A Bramble caught my hair, and I yanked it free with a painful tearing sound.
-Grimalkin and Meghan" 

"Puck whispered, smiling to soften his words. “I wouldn’t defy Oberon for just anyone. But, for you…” He leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. “I’d come back from the dead for you." 

"Part of me wanted to walk up to him and hug him from behind, and part of me wanted to hurl a snowball at his perfect face to get some kind of reaction." 

"You made me feel alive again," 

"Ash looked at me. I saw pain in his eyes, and a little regret, but they shone with such emotion I felt breathless. 'I already have." 

"I think ... I should go home soon. Mom and Luke are probably going nuts. What about you?"
He shrugged, a casual lift of one shoulder. "You tell me. When I left Nevernever, I didn't have any plans other than being with you. If you want me around, just say the word."