Political, Magical And Intriguing || Review Of Poison Study By Maria V. Synder

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}