Well. It's better than Storm Glass because Opal actually acts like a grownup for the larger part of this book. And the last 1/3 of the book was quite suspenseful - kept me reading to find out how it would work out.

The first part of the book, however... not so interesting. I actually looked at one point to see what page I was on because *nothing* had happened yet and I wondered when the story was going to begin. This was page 104 (of a 379 page book). Yes, 104 pages of Opal riding around the countryside, doing nothing.

Part of me thinks this might be in order to provide the backstory to those who haven't read the first book in the series, and/or who haven't read the Poison Study series. However, since I had read all of these, I found it redundant and uninteresting.

The romance (such as it is, there really isn't much of it in this book) was mature (not teenaged). And when Opal suddenly "matures" late in the story I actually liked her, finally - although I suspect the author's point was to make her less likeable when this occurred?

Anyway, if you liked Storm Glass, this one is as good, perhaps better. The story is wrapped up satisfactorily in the end but I don't think this novel would be as good if you hadn't read the first in the series. ( )

I love these books. There is all the action and excitement, but, I have a problem with Opal.
***Spoiler Alert!!!***

She has no confidence in her own abilities and allows everyone to walk all over her. But, when she decides to gain control and take over her life the fireworks start. I love Opal with a backbone, you go girl!! Now lets discuss Opal's other little problem. Who is it that Opal really wants? Does Opal want to be involved with Kade the safe secure choice or De...more I love these books. There is all the action and excitement, but, I have a problem with Opal.
***Spoiler Alert!!!***

She has no confidence in her own abilities and allows everyone to walk all over her. But, when she decides to gain control and take over her life the fireworks start. I love Opal with a backbone, you go girl!! Now lets discuss Opal's other little problem. Who is it that Opal really wants? Does Opal want to be involved with Kade the safe secure choice or Devlin, a man she has good reason to hate. But as we all know there is this thin line between love and hate. And Kade as sweet and dependable he is there is something I do not lie or trust about him. Odd for me, I normally root for the nice guy, there is something there I just don't know what it is.

*Spoiler over*

All in all I enjoyed it and the only regret I have is that it will be 2011 before the next book comes out and my questions and thoughts get addressed. ( )

Summary: Student glass magician Opal Cowen's new found ability to steal a magician's powers makes her too powerful. Ordered to house arrest by the Council, Opal dares defy them, traveling to the Moon Clan's lands in search of Ulrich, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because another man-now her prisoner-claims Ulrich's desire for blood magic has eclipsed his passion for her. In hostile territory, without proof or alies, Opal isn't sure whom to trust. She can't forget Kade, the handsome Stormdancer who doesn't want to let her get close. And now everyone is after Opal's special powers for their own deadly gain.

All I kept thinking about as I read this book was Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series...it kept flashing into my head. I know Opal isn't the prodigal magician come home, but their stories resonated together for me. Maybe it was all the traveling around or that, like Richard, Opal discovers who she really is and stands up for herself and whats right. I had to push myself through the beginning, Opal doesn't have the same spark that Yelena did with me but, once I got in a little ways I started to feel the pull of an expertly crafted plot line. I love the twists and turns Snyder throws into her work, you think that you are going one way and then, BAM, there is a brick wall and you are in total shock. It was amazingly done and fits perfectly with the rest of her work. I am glad Opal discovered her back bone, sad about her glass magic but, I know we will see more of her, I can't wait until the next book comes out.

For more information or for purchasing visit Maria V. Snyder's webpage.

Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2... ( )

Basic Reason for Beginning: I really liked Storm Glass and I pounced on this pretty much. (And then university rolled around and coursework reading took priority, so it's taken me a bit to pick this up again.)
Basic Reason for Finishing: I like the characters and the world.
Texture: Er...

Full review here.

Book Rereadability: I'll be honest with you, if this wasn't part of a series I don't think it'd be up for a reread. It has everything to do with the style. The story and characters are as wonderful as the first time around. You'll read.
Author Rereadability: Despite the issues I have with this book, I do still want to finish the series and read the Study trilogy.
Recommendation: If you loved Snyder's previous books in this world, you want this. Seriously. If this book sounds even vaguely interesting to you, you'll want to run off to check out either Poison Study or Storm Glass. You can read this series without any knowledge of the Study series, but if you want to start at the very beginning... ( )

Sea Glass - by Maria V Snyder

Sea Glass is the second offering in this trilogy about Glass Magician, Opal Cowan, who was introduced to us in Storm Glass. The third Glass novel should be on the shelves autumn of 2010. Opal Cowan is a Glass Magician is able to infuse her glass baubles with enough magic so that if you have any magic you can us these baubles as magical…errrrr…cell phones, I guess you could call them. At the end of Storm Glass we learn that Opal has found a new and horrific talent; she is able to siphon magic away from another magician and claim it for her own. Opal is deemed by the Council of magicians, (the same exact plot devise as in Ms Snyder’s first trilogy!!!) to be a danger to herself and others. Thus she must be kept a prisoner for her own good. Throw in some evil Blood Magic users who have found the ability to switch souls in people and there you have it!

This Fantasy novel is filled with wonderful tidbits of glass making trivia, some mystery and a very, busy and somewhat confusing plot. If you haven’t read at least the first in this trilogy you will most likely put this down after the first few chapters. For that matter I read the first book and still had a bit of trouble following along. You may even want to read Ms Snyder’s first trilogy just to be on the safe side and to know who is who and get a better grasp on this writer’s type of storytelling.

What this book does seem filled with (as does the first book in the trilogy) are excessive scenes of Opal up on her horse, running to try and do a job, being tortured, being betrayed, being held hostage, running for her life, fighting and losing, assassination attempts, back on her horse running hither and yon, having her blood stolen, some more torture and betrayal and very little else. This is a very bleak book in my opinion. There is a romance thrown in for good measure too. Opal can’t trust anyone and as I said is betrayed by just about everyone she knows and that level of tension throughout the book made for a very uncomfortable read for me.

Opal comes off as the proverbial TSTL heroine. (To Stupid to Live) Although stupid is perhaps to strong of a word, perhaps naive might be better but it‘s still not what I‘m looking for.. This book reads more like an old time bodice ripper where the heroine constantly puts herself into danger and into the evil villains clutches, than a fantasy novel with a strong female lead. ( )