About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace--and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

Yelena, you see, has been chosen to be the Commander's new food taster. And the Commander has so very many enemies. As does Yelena...

Poison Study is the first in a trio of novels by Maria Snyder, telling the story of Yelena. Set in a fantasy kingdom which has recently been taken over in a puritanical military dictatorship which reminded me of Cromwell's England. Yelena's crime, the murder of one of the sons of the military officers, is not easily forgiven by the grieving father. In addition, that father has plans of his own for the future of Ixia. And what of the strange abilities that Yelena is slowly starting to manifest?

Poison Study is definitely a character driven book, focusing on the motivations, character, and growth of Yelena. As such, Snyder creates a complex, three dimensional protagonists with strengths, flaws, hopes and dreams that grows and changes throughout the novel. There are hints of some interesting world building going on here, too.

Its a solid, good novel, and I look forward to reading the remainder of the series. ( )

Yelena has been convicted of murdering General Brazell’s only son Reyad and she awaits her execution by hanging. With only hours left until her death Yelena is offered a stop to her execution, but only if she agrees to become the food taster for Commander Ambrose. Thinking that escape may be possible, she agrees.It would seem that being a food taster would be an improvement to Yelena’s former life locked in a dark, dreary, rat infested dungeon but there are different ways to be held captive. She might be living in the palace and eating wondrous meals, but she is once again held prisoner by Butterfly’s Dust. Shortly after her acceptance to be food taster she is feed the poison, now her only way to survive is to have a daily antidote otherwise she will die an agonizing death. It’s not as easy to escape as she thought.Unfortunately for Yelena, General Brazell still wants her dead. Now she always seems to be in death’s path. It is present everyday when she must test the Commander’s food for hidden poisons, and as well the thugs and killers hired by Brazell that seem to be lurking around every corner. When it seems it can’t get any worse Yelena discovers that a powerful magician is also trying to kill her and Yelena herself realizes that she also posses magic. Which in Ixia, where Yelena lives, anyone possessing magical qualities is sentenced to death!When a conspiracy against the Commander comes to light, Yelena must once again face the demons that have haunted her memories. All her life she has been trying to run away, but when the chance comes will she be able to take it?Yelena is one of those characters that you can’t help but instantly like. The moment she is given a choice to save her life she doesn’t look back, even though it seems like she’s only landed herself into another prison. She posses a strength that is unwavering! She is ruthless and very smart. She’s is everything a leading character should be.Of course the story itself is amazing, I was captivated by the first few pages, and I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading. Maria V. Snyder paints a vivid picture of her new world and yet, the world she created is completely convincing. I loved all the characters, especially Valek, which at first look would seem to be somewhat sinister but ended up surprising me. Poison Study isn’t only a spellbinding fantasy it is also a riveting love story! Snyder is very talented story-teller and I can’t wait to join Yelena once again in the sequel to Poison Study, entitled Magic Study. ( )

Very pleasantly surprised by this novel and was thrilled to discover there's a sequel.

This was a pretty good novel. It doesn't quite fit into a genre—not really fantasy, not really romance. There's some decent worldbuilding, nothing amazing, and the romance isn't too cliché. I would have liked a bit more depth, though. WHY do Yelena and Valek fall in love?? Just because they're there? It felt a little lazy on the part of the author. Oh, the two main characters have to fall in love, right? I went with it, and it's fine. Hopefully the other two books in the series provide a bit more oomph, though. ( )

Yelena is a young women about to be executed for murder. On the day of her execution she is given a chose. Die or become the Commander's food taster. Well, Yelena is no fool....

Poison Study is one of the books that I had on my shelf for a long time. I wish I would have picked it up soon, cause it's an amazing read. I loved it right away. Your sucked into Yelena's world from the very first page. By the last page your wishing it wouldn't end. If your into fantasy, this is the book for you. You'll defintley like it. It's got adventure, intrigue and even a little bit of romance.

Reviewed on November 28, 2007 ( )