Magic Study

Given one year to master her abilities, Yelena travels to Ixia to reunite with her family and begin training. However, learning to be part of a loving family will be just as hard as wielding her magic. Especially when your own brother is convinced you're a Sitian spy. Plagued by her brother’s misguided actions, Yelena will also have to contend with an Ixian Prince determined to reclaim the Sitian throne. Surrounded on all sides by those she cannot trust, Yelena will have her hands full as she navigates political tensions and the inner workings of magic.

Readers will be fascinated as they travel Ixia with Yelena. Compared to the militaristic lifestyles of those in Sitia, everything in Ixia is bright and full of excitement. Experiencing the various cultures and lifestyles through Yelena’s eyes was wonderful. Being able to listen to her thoughts and see how she views everything differently adds to the overall world-building. Yelena also brings fresh eyes to situations and a difference of opinion that helps propel the story forward and influences characters to further develop.

Similar to book one, Magic Study also touches on recovering from trauma. Stolen from her home, Yelena and her family have much to process. Having endured years of abuse, Yelena will need to learn how to let her guard down and trust her family. It doesn't help that her brother Leif carries immense guilt for her kidnapping. Plagued by Yelena’s loss, Leif has allowed the guilt to fester over the years. His character is filled with anger and resentment, causing many confrontations with Yelena. But the two siblings will be forced to walk paths together and their complicated relationship will be sure to keep readers entertained.

But while Yelena’s family relationships are thought provoking and emotionally intense, Magic Study falls short once again with relationships involving attraction. One character, in particular, was built up to be harsh and mistrusting of Yelena. Convinced she was a spy, he had little regard for her well-being. Yet as the story progressed, he reached a sudden turning point where his mistrust flipped into attraction. While this could have been believable with enough time and interaction between the characters, it felt sudden and jarring.

Despite how some of the relationships didn't quite fit into the storyline, the plot itself is filled with action and will be sure to keep readers engaged. While there is much for Yelena to learn, several storylines will run parallel to this, forcing Yelena to unlock her magic in ways no one thought possible. There is a great mix of mystery and magical intrigue that are sure to keep fans of high fantasy entertained.

After learning all about poisons and then realizing that she has magical abilities, Yelena now has an execution order in Ixia against her. So, she runs off with Irys to Sitia to finally find the truth about her childhood and her family. Even though her parents are ecstatic, it's her brother Leif whose hatred she can't understand. Just like Yelena is accustomed to, she is kidnapped again by Prince Cahil to determine if she is a northern spy. When her loyalty is discerned, she become Irys's apprentice and finally gets a chance to learn more about her abilities. Ixia is trying to establish trade with Sitia, Cahil is planning his occupation of Ixia and there is a new monster magician hell bent on imbibing souls to become the all powerful ruler of the two lands. And Yelena is a Soulfinder – only one in the last hundred and fifty years and trying to figure out what it means. Will she be able to entangle all these webs? How will she remain in Sitia while remaining loyal to her friends and heartmate from Ixia?

This book was again just as fun as Poison Study. Watching Yelena kick ass with both her physical skills and magical abilities is superbly entertaining to read about. She seems quite aloof in the beginning, trying to get her bearings in Sitia but as always, she is extremely confident and compassionate even in the most trying times and manages to make friends with the most unlikely people. However great the story was going, I squealed with delight when the Ixian delegation arrived bringing all my favorite characters along. This book would not have been the same without the brotherly banter of Ari and Janco or the silent love of Valek. I really enjoyed watching Yelena make important decisions and getting close to finding her place between the two lands. Although, I would like it better if she stopped getting kidnapped so much.

Special mention has to go to Yelena's super awesome horse Kiki. Their conversations are pure fun and the names Kiki gives everyone are hilarious.