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Magic Study Audiobook
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(4.00) - 25,035 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Magic Study is the second book in the Study series by Maria V. Snyder, the first one being Poison Study, in which Yelena, who is kidnapped from her home in Sitia, finds her way to Ixia and is experimented upon by people who believe her to have magical powers. She ends up saving the Commander's life, but, since magic is illegal in Ixia, she is sentenced to death. In Magic Study, Yelena returns to her home in Sitia and meets the parents and brother she can barely remember. She is forced to leave behind the boy she loves, Valek, a necessary sacrifice if she is to gain any semblance of control over her magical abilities.
Although Yelena's parents welcome her with open arms, her brother, Leif, is suspicious of her and thinks that she's a spy. Leif and Yelena set off for the Academy where he is to be an advisor and she will get trained in magical arts, but, on the way, they are ambushed by a man named Cahil who claims to be the true heir to the throne of Ixia. Cahil thinks that Yelena is a spy and locks her up; she escapes but strikes a deal with him because they are traveling to the same place.
Yelena also gets caught up in catching a serial killer who inadvertently left one of his victims alive—a traumatized young girl that Yelena tries to help. She ends up traveling to find this serial killer and is helped by Valek who disguises himself and comes to Sitia to find her. In the process, she discovers she might be a Soulfinder, a kind of magician whose abilities are on the dark side, enabling her to suck in people's souls.
This is an interesting world that Snyder has built and the character of Yelena comes across as strong, if conflicted. The plot of the book revolves around Yelena trying to resolve her conflicting emotions and learning who she really is. It's a book about self-acceptance and bravery on the part of a young girl who is largely misunderstood.
Maria V. Snyder was born in Philadelphia, PA and found herself really interested in tornadoes as a young girl. She got a Bachelor's in Science from Penn State and worked as an environmental meteorologist for six years before she started writing books. She discovered that she enjoyed writing so much that she switched careers altogether and got a Master's in Fiction Writing from Seton Hill University where she now teaches. She loves to research all her books thoroughly and has learned how to blow glass, ride horses and pick a lock so that she can write about these experiences authentically. Her first book, Poison Study, received the Compton Book Award for Best First Novel. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
"Had to stay up way too late to finish this one. The series is getting better and better - just starting the last (Fire Study) today. I have so much actual work to do that It may have to wait but I'm impatient to see Yelena solve the problem and save the day. Leif is a wonderful new character."
— Nell (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Beyond Ixia, the roots of magic run deep…
After the discovery of her magical abilities leads to an execution order, Yelena has no choice but to flee to Sitia, her long-lost birthplace. There, she has the chance to meet the family she never knew. But Sitia is unfamiliar, and she’s treated with suspicion and even hatred by the people she thought she could trust — including her own brother.
Then Yelena is given the chance to travel to Sitia’s capital. In the Citadel, she’ll have the chance to hone her magical abilities under the tutelage of master magicians. As she learns the laws of magic — Yelena also discovers those who will do anything to break them. And when a rogue magician who targets young female victims emerges, Yelena must put her life at risk to stop him.
Will her newfound magic save Yelena — or will it be her downfall?
The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V Snyder
Book One: Poison Study
Book Two: Magic Study
Book Three: Fire Study
Book Four: Storm Glass
Book Five: Sea Glass
Book Six: Spy Glass
Book Seven: Shadow Study
Book Eight: Night Study
Book Nine: Dawn Study
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Magic Study Listener Reviews
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" I LOVED this book!! I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Fire Study! "
— Erica, 2/11/2014 -
" This series was absolutely AMAZING! I worked through all three books in about two weeks. "
— Dennis, 2/9/2014 -
" This book was good, but not as good as the first. There was pretty much non stop action and emotion through the whole book. Yelena has to deal with meeting her family, learning her magic, and discovering she might not have the same magic as everyone else. I did enjoy her new friends in Dax, little Fisk but was overjoyed to see Ari and Janco again. They are my favorites. Cahil however was a bit of a washy character for me. I couldn't really pin him down or his emotions, a bit unpredictable and mysterious. I did enjoy how Yelena looked at both countries and found the good and bad with their policies. In Ixia you did not have much freedom to do what you want, but the basic necessities were provided to everyone. While Sitia you had freedom but beggars were abound. The non stop action and emotion was good but you had to follow it because there is not just one problem going on but several. All with interacting characters and solutions. "
— Stacie, 2/4/2014 -
" *3.5* The flow of this book was much better than the first BUT this book was frustrating to read. There were too many new characters and not enough character development so I didn't care about most of the new characters. The anticipation kept building that she would have an epic fighting scene with the serial killer but that whole scene was just lackluster. Yelena can kill the most random people and yet she has a problem killing the real bad guys? ok. I like that she is developing great powers and actually using them. I'm interested to see how much stronger she gets and if she can actually use it to defend herself properly. Overall, the book kept me entertained. "
— Jenny, 1/25/2014 -
" I loved this book, I read it in a day. I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good fantasy, romance. "
— Marika, 1/23/2014 -
" After reading Poison Study, I couldn't wait to read Magic Study! The plot thickens and Yalena learns more about herself and the magic she can control/produce. This book didn't let me down and I enjoyed it! Yalena continues to be one tough girl and I now want to learn how to use a bow :) "
— K.C., 1/9/2014 -
" beautiful!!! even better than the first! "
— Naureen, 12/19/2013 -
" This one wasn't as good as the first in the series. It didn't hold my attention like the first one did. "
— Tiffany, 12/6/2013 -
" Not as primarily engaging as the first book though becomes much more entising half way through and from then on I could not put it down. "
— Sharon, 11/9/2013 -
" I also re- read this book on Saturday and Sunday, as I love this story too....I like how she really make you hate her enemy's and cheer for the good gys, her books are very hard to put down once you pick them up because you get so evolved in the story! "
— Sara, 10/31/2013 -
" nakakita din ng copy:) for me the story is good. i enjoyed reading it :) "
— Roma, 9/25/2013 -
" It's a shame it wasn't as good as the first book. However I'm still in love with Ari and Janco, they're such babes "
— Sasha, 8/22/2013 -
" couldn't finish, got bored "
— Emily, 7/12/2013 -
" It wasn't as enjoyable as the previous book to be honest. I enjoyed reading it until the middle of it and then it got slow paced for me and I got disconnected from the characters. I liked it but like I said it wasn't as good as the first book which was fantastic. "
— U, 1/24/2013 -
" I loved this book. I had to continue reading to find out what was next for Yelena. "
— Jeanne, 9/18/2012 -
" Enjoyed this book. Though not as good as the first "
— Brianna, 9/2/2012 -
" I had extremely high hopes for this after reading Poison Study but was slightly let down. Although, I'm glad I finished it right before uni begins. Hope I can start Fire Study soon! "
— Salman, 6/20/2012 -
" The only thing that bothered me about this book is that the cover illustration doesn't match the illustration on the first book; neither looks like the main character, but they could at least be consistent! "
— Kendra, 3/22/2012 -
" Picked this one up, because I just loved the cover. Yes! Guilty of cover love. I really liked this...then I realized it was a Book 2. Doh. But I was a bit thrown off that I picked this up from a YA section in the bookstore. It didn't feel very YA to me. More college-age fantasy. "
— Priya, 8/31/2011 -
" I loved Poison Study so I was worried that this book would be a disappointment but I was surprised how well the author keeps the story going! Another page turner! This is one of those rare series I know I'll be able to read and reread. "
— Joni, 7/15/2011 -
" Good read, not as good as the first one. The love interest was a bit weak in this one. There was not enough internal conflict. Nice adventure story. "
— Clare, 7/10/2011 -
" 3.5 stars. Not as good as the first, but I'm still looking forward to book 3. "
— Sarah, 6/17/2011 -
" Not quite as good as "Poison Study" but another book I could not put down. Slightly disturbing and kind of gory at times, but overall really good. "
— Cherene, 5/20/2011 -
" Loved it, great 2nd book, can't wait for the 3rd. I just love all the characters and their interactions. "
— Mommyreview.com, 5/16/2011 -
" This series was absolutely AMAZING! I worked through all three books in about two weeks. "
— Dennis, 5/14/2011 -
" Not as good as Poison Study - only because Poison Study rocked! Yelena reminds me of early Mercedes Lackey heroines - tough, smart and unconventional. <br/><br/>The family reunion stuff was awkward. "
— Clare, 5/12/2011 -
" Really good. I think I liked Poisen study just a tad more, but definitly a good one. "
— Delvonie, 5/3/2011 -
" I absolutely loved this series!! One of the best series EVER!!!! "
— Lani, 5/3/2011 -
" I loved its just as good as the first "
— Tam, 5/2/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this book- moved right along from the first story. "
— Michelle, 5/1/2011 -
" I couldnt put this book down. I did think it was a little graphic at times and I'm glad this is not in the Young adult genra. With that said I LOVE, LOVED this book! Cant wait to read the last one! "
— Tara, 4/28/2011 -
" This was a good book--the plot was sometimes a little confusing (and the first book was better in terms of amazing plot), but this was a good continuation! "
— Katie, 4/27/2011
About Maria V. Snyder
Maria V. Snyder is the New York Times bestselling author of the Study series, the Glass series, the Healer series, Inside Out, and Outside In. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she earned a bachelor of science in meteorology from Penn State and a master of arts in fiction writing from Seton Hill University. Unable to part ways with Seton Hill, Maria is currently a teacher and mentor for the MFA program.
About Kristin Atherton
Kristin Atherton is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.