It's like you've got entire really important scenes happening and then it's cut, and you don't really hear or see about the aftermath (especially the emotional and psychological one) since some time has passed (and I say 'some' but it happened that suddenly two months had gone by). There are some emotions displayed, it's not that it's totally absent (otherwise it wouldn't be readable), but it's almost as if it's told from a far away POV which is still acknoledging how such or such character must feel, but not really care about said characters and rather describes the emotions kind of flatly instead of making you actually feel for the characters.Īnother issue, from my point of view, is the time lapse. I think the major issue is the emotional attachment, and I think up to reading that book I hadn't realised how important infusing the book with emotions is important. The writing is really strange and threw me off multiple times. Well, where to begin? To be honest, I almost dnfed the hell out of this book after the first couple of chapters due to the writing style, but ended up being too caught into the plot to give it up.

Gradually the relationship between Valek and Yelena moves from teacher/student to something more intimate.While the the plot is a bit weak at times and it is difficult to form a complete picture of Ixia, this is still a satisfying read filled with suspense, intrigue, betrayal and friendship which will appeal to a wide range of readers. He teaches Yelena to recognise the taste and smell of various poisons, and is strong, imposing, protective and, of course, handsome. As Yelena makes friends, she also makes some powerful enemies who are determined to kill her whenever the opportunity arises.Thankfully, Valek, the Commander's chief assassin, is on her side.

Narrated by Yelena, the reader quickly comes to empathise with her and with the position she finds herself in. Yelena is an ideal heroine - brave, resourceful, intelligent, feisty and at times vulnerable. There is a wonderful blend of adventure, fantasy and romance in this book making it a page turner. She chooses the latter despite the daily risk of poison and so an exciting story begins.

Imprisoned for murder, nineteen-year-old Yelena is given a choice - face execution or become the food taster for the Commander of Ixia.

Poison study by maria v snyder