Maria V. Snyder
Mira
ISBN: 0778318753 (ISBN-13: 978-0778318750)
Publishing January 26th, 2016
This is a continuation of Snyder’s Study series, which morphed into the Soulfinder series. This is #2 for Soulfinder.
We rejoin Yelena after she’s mysteriously ‘lost’ her powers in the previous book, and it becomes more obvious that the going theory of why they’re gone is likely correct. This turns her vulnerable status that something much more vulnerable.
An old nemesis reappears. The reason for his presence is more dire than anyone thought, and The Commander is more tied up in things than Yelena and Valek suspected. The Commander suspects Valek’s divided loyalties, and has been keeping all manner of secrets from him. Some of these secrets could mean war for Ixia and Sitia.
As much as Valek wants to protect Yelena, they end up separated by distance for much of the book, both finding out more about the crisis both Ixia and Sitia are embroiled in.
We begin to learn more about Valek’s life before The Commander, and see more from the point of view of some secondary characters. This installment rounds out personalities even further, and sets the scene for a large conspiracy that could prove quite interesting for this cast of characters. The pacing is steady and provides just the cliffhanger to keep you anticipating the next installment. I’ve grown fond of these characters, and you will too. I’d recommend starting at the beginning with Poison Study, or a lot of character nuances and interactions may be lost on you.
JL Jamieson is a strange book nerd who writes technical documents by day, and book news, reviews, and other assorted opinions for you by night. She is working on her own fiction, and spends time making jewelry to sell at local conventions, as well as stalking the social media accounts of all your favorite writers.