Shadow Study

By: Maria V. Snyder

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling 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.…

©2015 Maria V. Snyder (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Love this series!!

This is one of my favorite series! I have listened to this series several times. Narrator is always good too!

Good but disappointing

What made the experience of listening to Shadow Study the most enjoyable?

The narration and story were good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Valek, but really all the characters are well written.

Which character – as performed by Gabra Zackman – was your favorite?

Valek

Any additional comments?

Minor spoilers - I will try to keep the spoilers to a minimum. I knew what the problem was with the missing magic from the beginning. And I waited and waited and waited for the reveal. I just wanted the reaction to the news only to be disappointed as the "semi-revealed" comes at the very end. And I didn't get the reaction that I was looking for. And now I have to wait a whole year before I get satisfaction. Only some authors don't start the book where it ends. My luck, I won't get the information about the reaction that I'm looking for. So I'm kind of pissed right now.

I didn't expect the ending

I didn't expect the ending, but in retrospect it makes sense.
It wasn't a huge surprise, but it also didn't feel forced.
And it was interesting continuing the format of Yelena, Jenko, and Valic each having their points of view shown. Much of the time I enjoyed it, it added more to the story, especially since I think If it were all Yelena, it would've been even shorter. But it was also annoying as I wanted the next chapter to finish the mini cliffhanger, not shoot me over to the next country. But I felt that way about each person's chapter so, I guess it was better to have them all in one place instead of multiple books.
Closing thoughts:
This was good, though not quite as compelling as the first three books. But it left me with enough of a desire to keep going. I have to see how it all plays out.
Also, ugh, the commander. I'd always had mixed feelings about him, but I was leaning more toward like than dislike until this book. Never liked the council.

Good - but a little disappointed.

I liked the story and it was a good continuation, but all in all, nothing really happened or was resolved in the story. It was more like a prequel to the next book. It started several different story lines, but none of them were really resolved. You knew what the problem was with her powers from the beginning so it really was not a surprise when they announced it in the last line of the book, but that ending was very very anticlimactic. So many details were left out.
Would I read it and spend a credit, YES! But I would wait to read it until just before the next book came out. Waiting another year for so many answers is more than just irritating. Some answers would be okay, but the only answer I got was the answer I already knew.... so, um, yeah - I am disappointed.

Yelena & Valek are Back Again😸

I love all of the various "Study" books by Maria V Snyder. This book starts off being the picture perfect love,story, then calamity, and finishing with utter shock. I love the fact that the narration has stayed consistent with all of these books, also.

Just wonderful.

Just love these books--each sequel gets better and better. These are hands down my favorite series.

😍Valek😍

I can't wait to read the next one. Valek is a badass and that is why my big dog is named after him 😍

Shadow Study Review

It has been years since I read the Poison Study trilogy. I remember that I really enjoyed the 1st book and then 2nd and 3rd were ok but they lost my interest a bit in the end. Then recently I saw a book on Netgalley and it was called Night Study and so I requested it thinking it was the next book in the series - turns out I missed one, Shadow Study. So I got this book on Audible.

If you have not read the Study series in a while, I would suggest a re-read before this book. I was pretty lost for the first few chapters. The book follows Yelena, Valek and Janco and we get chapters from all these points of view. In the beginning of the book we get some romantic time with Yelena and Valek. Yelena is then attacked and Valek goes back to work to find out who might be behind it. We then follow Yelena as her situation becomes more dire. When we follow Janco, it is while he is on duty.

These books have a lot of politics in them, that is why I recommend reading the other ones again - it was hard for me to remember which city was which and the backstories surrounding what happened to Yelena and Valek before this point. What I liked though was that we get a good amount of Valek's backstory in this book and I love how in love with Yelena he is.

The plot was an interesting one, like a mystery, trying to find out who attacked Yelena and why she is having more issues - I won't say much more though because I don't want to spoil it for new readers.

I am very ready to jump right into the next book though because there was an amazing ending and I can't wait to read on in the series. If you liked the Study series, this continuation offer more but also in more of an adult feel

OH MY GOODNESS

This was definitely different from the first study books but was great all the same and how could you end it like this. ohhhh !!!!! to have to wait for the next one.

Wait what?!?!

Good job Maria V Snyder! That’s how you end a book to make me read the next installment!!!! ❤️🤣 I cant wait! Gabra Zackman is magnificent!