Fire Study (Study #3)

I hate to say this, but I was a bit disappointed with this final installment of the Study series. While the previous book was fun, exciting, and action packed, this one was action packed but in an almost boring way. It seems like the characters were just going in circles for the first 300 pages. Yelena and Co would travel, get ambushed, fight, move on to next location, get ambushed, fight some more, go to another location, and so on. Sure we learn more about Sitian history and the powers of the different clans, but I felt like we got nowhere with the story.

The plot also got extremely convoluted and I had trouble keeping up. There were too many characters with their own plans and agendas, and they were connected in various ways that were hard to keep track of. In fact, with all of the location jumping, I would forget about what was happening in previous locations until Yelena and Co went back there. Yelena was constantly making promises to help everyone everywhere, which just added to the too many separate plots list. I eventually gave up trying to keep everything straight, and just kept reading without absorbing much.

I did like how fire played a different role than what I was expecting. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it involves yet another one of Yelena’s unique abilities, which I wish had been explored more. This series could have benefited from an extra book or two rather than being a trilogy. We would have gotten to see Yelena grow into her powers, and Fire Study wouldn’t have felt like too much information in too few pages (even at 441 pages!).

The ending was fitting though. I liked watching Yelena go from being unsure and afraid of her powers to embracing them and becoming a kick-ass magician! I also loved the reveal of the origin of the Commander’s secret; very interesting! Overall, this one wasn’t as good as the previous two books, but it was a pretty good ending to the series.

Wow.

I love this trilogy. Just thought I'd start with that.

This was an absolutely stunning conclusion to the trilogy, the end of Yelena Zaltana's adventures to discover who she is and learn about her powers as a Soulfinder.

After facing many, many, many x1000 challenges throughout the first two books, Yelena thinks she finally has most of her problems sorted out. Of course, it wouldn't be a Yelena book if we just cruised through. She has many more challenges to face, and she'll need all the help she can get to conquer them.

I like the voice of Yelena. It's easy to read and flows really well.

Yelena was more independent in this book, like she didn't need Valek as much as in the other two. In fact, their relationship meets a few bumps in this book, but I won't say more than that.

The title doesn't really clue us in on the book. Like, for example, Poison Study was about her studying poisons, Magic Study was about her studying magic, but Fire Study was NOT about her studying fire. Just an observation.

There is heaps of action and suspense in this book (duh, this is Yelena we are talking about) and it was very exciting. It sucked me in totally, and I found myself very hurt when she turned away from those who were trying to help her, and wanted to strangle her at some points, and was like OH MY GOD at lots of points.

I will put it out there, I think that, in descending awesomness, it would go something like this: 1. Poison Study (this was my favourite), 2. Magic Study and 3. Fire Study. Obviously, as you can probably tell from my rating, this book would not come anywhere near the word "all right", it was just not as awesome as the other two. I am going on a bit now. Sorry.

Fire Study is an amazing book, but Poison Study is still my favourite in the series.

great ending but i wish this series doesn't end

Reader reviewed by Lexie

As the last book of the 'Study' series, its the last book from Yelena's
perspective and the setting stage for the heroine of the next series.
Practically everyone from the first or second book makes an appearance
in some form (though the story is primarily set in Sitia) and whoever
doesn't (not that I can think of many) is mentioned at least.

A
lot of questions are answered--the true nature of Yelena's 'Soulfinder'
abilities, the true evil genius, and the fact that really Ixia nor
Sitia can rely solely upon themselves any longer. Yelena, being unique
in the fact that she is widely accepted in both countries by the
leaders, began this change and works (for at least most of this book)
to make it a reality. Oh and less I forget Valek's immunity to magic
and the Commander's own curious case is also explained.

I won't
lie, I spent a lot of the book ready to smack Yelena halfway to Ixia
and back again. She made mistakes in the other two books of course, but
this book it just seemed like she was ready to jump into every single
mistake she could. And then get mad at everyone else. She isn't alone
in her bumbling however, Moon Man decides to take a detour down
troublesome annoyance lane as well, which was less then pleasing. To be
fair they were both urged onwards by outside forces bent on corrupting
them, but I guess I was disappointed how easy that could have been.

The
final resolution is satisfying in that it wraps up many of the
mysteries that plagued Yelena's story specifically, but left a lot of
doors open to be explored in the next series of books (the 'Glass'
series, which should give you an indication of who's the main char). I
particularly liked the explanation of Valek's 'immunity to magic'. I
was down for slightly harsher punitive measures against Cahil however,
but I guess he tried to be better so I guess he deserves leniency.

I'm going to review the two short stories 'Assassin Study' (from Valek's POV in between Poison Study and Magic Study) and 'Power Study' (with Ari and Janco in between Magic Study and Fire Study).

((reprinted with author's permission))

Reader reviewed by Jessica

In the final book in the "Study" series, more problems are produced in the main character's way and she struggles to move past them, while trying to maintain her romance with her forever love, Valek. As new plans develop with the Commander and the future of their society, she finds herself digging through everything she knows as she struggles to prevent large scale changes from happening.

Upsetting in the fact that this is the final book in this trilogy, though wonderfully written and heartbreakingly real, "Fire Study" brings the series to an end filled with shocking twists and frightening turns as the characters finally come to terms with everything that has happened in the past books. With emotions that rip off of the page and into the reader's heart, it is impossible not to fall in love, one last time, with the characters who make up the series. Again, this novel is for readers of all types and ages who enjoy a good story filled to the brim with shocking plot lines and unique characters.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder


Fire Study is the highly anticipated third book in the Study series. We rejoin Yelena at the Citadel, where she is still engrossed in the capture of the villainous Ferde from Magic Study. Yelena receives a message from her Story Weaver, Moon Man, that Ferde and Cahil have been spotted, and they maybe close to Yelenas family.


It turns out the Cahil and Ferde are the least of their worries, there is a new threat the Daviian Vermin. They are much stronger and sinister than Ferde and his soul stealing. The Vermin perform a gruesome blood ritual to increase their power. Much to Yelenas surprise these Vermin have gained control of the Citadel with help from someone on the inside and a war is brewing in the midst. Now wanted in her new found home, Yelena and Leif must flee to Ixia.


Yelena unsure of who she can trust, begins to walk a fine line that is woven into a bigger web of deceit and lies. Afraid of her magic and what may happen to the people she loves, Yelena must make a choice that will change her forever.


This story is smoking hot! Snyder is the epitome of Story Weavers! This book is fast paced with surprises around every corner! Just when you think you have the story figured out, Snyder throws you into another loop. I think I might have liked this book the most out of the three books!