Veena’s review of Night Study (Soulfinders, Book 5) by Maria V. Snyder
Fantasy Romance published by Mira 26 Jan 16
I accidentally stumbled on this series when I read Shadow Study. I was enchanted with the world building and most particularly Yelena. I promised myself that I would go back and read the three earlier books in the series which are referenced in these books, but, unfortunately, while that hasn’t happened yet, I feel fortunate to move forward with Valek and Yelena as they uncover a dastardly plot that threatens all they hold dear.
At the beginning of the previous book, Yelena lost her magic. While she’s been able to successfully hide the loss from friends and foes, learning to rely on her other skills and instincts to fill the gap, danger continues to surround her, despite all that Valek does to protect her. Determined to be by her side, regardless of the price that he might be called to pay, he journeys to her side and together they return to his command post.
Danger, however, continues to threaten Yelena. Characters that were thought dead and destroyed come back to life in this book, some of them even allied to the commander against all possible belief. They attempt to capture Yelena and use her in their dangerous games. While she’s able to elude them a few times over the long run, it’s impossible to stay one step ahead forever, especially when they use treachery to bring her down when she is temporarily separated from Valek.
Even as Valek and Yelena return to the commander’s garrison, they find that things have changed. Valek appears to no longer hold the power and trust he once held. Is it only because the commander senses Valek’s divided loyalties or are there other factors at play? Fortunately for Valek and Yelena, they have a strong cadre of trusted people who still hold them dear. Even as they heart bind themselves, duty calls and forces Valek to leave Yelena behind as he travels to the coast at the commander’s behest to help the coastal towns deal with pirates.
His approach and solution to the problem is interesting, and the outcome of his rescue is pretty interesting as well, especially since it causes him to walk in memory lane, restoring relationships long lost to him. In the meantime, Yelena is captured and held hostage. While she’s able to detect the plot, unfortunately one by one all her friends and allies run afoul of her enemies and become imprisoned by her. As she discovers the true heart of the plot, can she disarm the weapon that’s poised to bring war and destroy Sitia and Ixia in the process?
This book sets the stage for what I hope will be non-stop action in the next book, as things come to a head and Yelena and Valek gather all their resources and set out to foil the weapons that are aimed against both Sitia and Ixia.
Grade: B
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder transports readers back to the realms of Sitia and Ixia in an exciting new Study novel full of magic, danger and intrigue.Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana’s life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.
Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he’s quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he’s been keeping secrets from Valek…secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander’s mysterious plans, they realize it’s far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.
Other books in this series:
