Publication: September 27, 2005
Genre: High Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Pages: 427 pages
My love for the high fantasy genre knows no bounds, so I found this treasure series that piqued my interest immediately I read the synopsis.
According to the strict laws of Ixia, murder outside of war is considered a capital offense and punishable by death. This is nineteen-year-old Yelena's offence until she's suddenly released and brought to Valek's office, the chief of security to Commander Ambrose, leader of Ixia. He gives her two options — become a food taster to the leader of Ixia or be hanged. Yelena chooses the first option.
Every day, Valek gives her a dose of Butterfly's Dust, a deadly poison. Before the day is over, Yelena must return to get the antidote or die an agonising death. This is to keep her in check and faithful to her duties to the Commander of Ixia.
Yelena has no choice but to conform to the leadings of Valek. This position throws her in the fore front of the politics of Ixia as she develops unexpected magical abilities. Who are those seeking to assassinate the commander? Why is her fate tied to Valek and Commander Ambrose?
Review
This book is not your usual flowery and descriptive fantasy and that's what threw me when I started to read. Being the first book in the series, the storytelling is plot-driven and straightforward. The introduction of the main female character, Yelena, being freed from prison to work with the Commander of Ixia reminds me of Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. That's how the main female character there was released from a mining prison to work in the palace. This similarity piqued my interest and I became hooked.
This fantasy tale is intriguing and the plot is brilliant. The story unfolds from Yelena's perspective. We see and learn everything about Ixia through her eyes. She's a likeable character who makes me wonder why a person would choose to die a slow death by becoming a food taster to a leader with many enemies but it's understandable because she has no choice. She's brave and her strength is impressive. No wonder Valek commented,
"When I carved this statue, I was thinking about you. Delicate in appearance, but with a strength unnoticed at first glance."
I enjoy her connection with Valek, the chief of security. They are the two main characters. As you'll guess, they fall in love with each other. For those who love romance in high fantasy, Poison Study has a bit of it but no smut (sorry) and yet satisfying. You'll get caught up in the adventures from the start, so the few scenes implying romance won't matter much. I love books like this—brilliant and compelling.
The author's writing is lucid and that's what I love most about this book. Also, the worldbuilding is unique and simple to understand, like an everyday life in a world that is both fantasy, magical and realistic.
The character development is great. Yelena's growth from a prisoner to a powerful magician against all odds is outstanding and action-packed. Valek is a great and admirable character. From being a strict mentor at the beginning, he slowly reveals that there's more to him and it's deadly! You'll have to look deeper to decipher his character.
Though there's very little information about the main characters' looks (so I can't really picture them in my head), it doesn't distract from the plot, action and adventures.
Overall, this is an interesting fantasy book full of political intrigue and plots with impressive worldbuilding detailing just the right amount of action, magic and adventure. I give it four stars out of five.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Check out my previous reviews:
Intensely Gripping || Review Of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas
Addictive And Compelling || Review Of A Court of Mist And Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Action-Packed And Entertaining || Review Of A Court of Wings and Ruin By Sarah J. Maas
Thumbnail Image: Book cover is from my e-library and edited in Canva
Image credit: Darksouls1
Note: Quotes in this post are excerpts from the book
Ah! I think I will like this book. Yelena is appealing to me and I want to read how she transforms from a prisoner to one of the most important character in this book. That is impressive and I foretell a lot of dramatics between Yelena and valek 😂. I don't know but I just get the vibe. Interesting review. I just added this to TBR. Thank you for sharing and recommending.!PIZZA
!discovery 43
Hello, Feyre darling! 😛 A lot of intrigue and magic stuff in this one. Yelena is a brave character that you'll admire, just like Feyre! Hehe. She and Valek make a formidable duo.
I'm onto the second book in the series and hope to finish it soon. I hope you get to read this one. Thanks so much for your visit and support. !PIMP !LADY 💕
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The intro is most captivating. It drags one's interest to read indeed as it dragged mine to read this review which is lovely by the way🤩
Thanks so much! I hope you get to read this book. It's a fine one. 😊 !PIZZA
My pleasure. Added to my reads. Thank you ✨
ok... i had to stop reading this review - cuz i didn't want to hear any more and ruin the book for me! hahahahah I don't think a review has ever grabbed me so fast! LOLOL
i'm dying to read it now hahahah
Ah, I'm glad this review spurs your interest to read the book. You know me and fantasy stories! Hehe. It's a fascinating series and this is just the first book. You'll love it. Thanks so much for your visit and comment. 💖
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You know, you might have a hard job... But is it Yelena's job difficult?? lol
This sounds facinating, I'm definitely adding it to the list!
It's funny that you talk about character description, you know... I always just imagine what I want to anyhow. When I see books turned to movies, I'm always so thrown off 😂. I don't add enough physical descriptions in my own fiction because of this I think, and I constantly have to remind myself to do so. haha
Thanks for the awesome review!
Indeed Yelena's job is the most difficult and terrible job! Hehe. I always prefer getting characters' physical description so I can put the images together in my head when reading. It makes the exercise so much fun!
Thanks so much for your visit. !LADY 🙂
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