This book was extremely fascinating! I was hooked from page one, and was so impressed by that fact alone. This book was an absolute page-turner, and left enough open ends to anticipate the next book in the series. Despite the fact it was narrated by a female, I really admired how the author kept cheesy romance to a minimum, which made me appreciate the relationships in the book all that much more. The poison-plot was so original that I couldn't help but be engrossed. Great book, I highly recommend it!

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Easy read with lots of detail without going overboard. Characters are well developed although not intensely so. All in all, a book that's fun, bright, easy going and engaging.

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This was an excellent book. I couldn't wait to finish it. I found it to be a fresh, well-plotted book. The main character, Yelena, could have been a living and breathing person. In fact, I enjoyed the characterizations of all of the players in this story. Maria Snyder did an excellent job plotting this book and developing her characters. This is my favorite read of 2007! I've read Magic Study, the second in the trilogy, and while it wasn't in my opinion as good as Poison Study, it was still highly enjoyable, and I look forward to the third book, Fire Study, coming out in the spring of 2008. Bravo to Maria Snyder!!!!

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Good book! Maybe not quite as good as the hype I kept hearing, but overall a very enjoyable read. The set-up is certainly original! Some things are very new and different, and others are obvious from the beginning, but overall it's a very good book -- and even more impressive when you consider that this is the author's debut novel! Recommended for fantasy fans -- I've seen this billed as romantic fantasy, but any romance is a minor part of the plot. This is mainly about Yelena. Oh, and I've also listened to the audio version and can say that it has a very good narrator.

(And the next book in the series is fantastic so it's more than worth jumping in! I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the third book now! The two books out so far are definitely Luna's shining stars!)



I'll include a the description since there isn't one listed anywhere above...
Book Description

Choose: A quick death...or slow poison.

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.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear.

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I was hooked from the book description alone ... which I found interesting because that usually doesn't happen to me, I am usually turned onto a book from a recommendation from someone else. Then I just COULD NOT put this book down. I read it in a day and a half and then went in search of the sequel, Magic Study. It was an original plot line, and I was shocked to find out this is classed as a teen novel. The chapters were left with you wanting more and having to read on (reminded me of how James Patterson leaves you hanging ... ) and the ending was perfect to continue on to the next book (and I was so glad that I didn't have to wait for it). This was a book that I will keep on my bookshelf and would make a great movie.

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Choose: A quick death... Or a slow poison...

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.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust--and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

My Rating: A+

I absolutely adored this book! The characters are all deep and amazing, the writing is beautiful and descriptive. I felt like a whole new world was opening up in front of my eyes. This is one of those books that you have to be careful because time flies while your lost in this wonderful story.

I did feel that there were certain aspects of the story that were at times too easy to figure out, but nothing that took away from the overall product.

I highly recommend it and can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

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A much better idea than a finished work. Some of the writing was anachronistic and amatuerish, but overall not too bad. My biggest qualms were the world, the characters, and especially the romance between Yelena and Valek.

I found the government of Ixia appalling. We are told that before the 'Commander' led a revolt against a corrupt monarchy that it was worse, and that he is supposedly a fair and uncorrupt, if merciless leader, but with his forcing the entire population of his country into military-style uniforms and assigning everyone a job to which they are suited, he strikes me as the kind of fanatical idealogue leader that always wind up being the most dangerous, and Valek is fanatically devoted to him, and a cold-blooded killer besides. And Yelena is just a little off somehow- too spirited for someone who supposedly suffered what she has, and her falling for Valek is more like Stockholm Syndrome than romantic.

I will read the sequel in hopes of this world improving, I think, but I don't know that I'll buy it.

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I've had this on my TBR for awhile, and needing a change of pace from my regular romances, I picked this one up. Keep in mind the whole story is from the heroine's perspective. --I'm not terribly fond of novels in first person, but I made my self stick with this one... And with the exception of 2 cutesy moments, I have to say I'm glad I did! It was a good fantasy story, with a deatil-rich world with plenty of engaging characters!!

There were only a few real downsides...The first that the book's a bit tame description wise... Not as action oriented as I'm used to... (though there are some violent scenes! )Even the bad stuff is described in such a way that I didn't really feel connected to it....

And on the romance front (and this may be a bit of a spoiler), I think the build up of the love story was subtle, but I enjoyed it more than when the two main characters came together... I'm not sure Ms Snyder really knows how to write a romance as those scenes felt a bit rushed!


Other than those qualms, the overall story was a good one, and kept my attention the whole way through... and I can't wait to get to the next one!

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Okay, to be honest, I had very little expectations going into this book. It really didn't seem like something I would like....but boy was I wrong!! I had fallen into a reading slump as of late and commented to a friend that I wanted a book that was going to make me want to stay up all night reading it. She recommeded Poison Study and she was spot on! I did stay up most of the night reading it and finished it in a day and a half. Right from the beginning it grabbed my attention and I just had to see what was going to happen next. The character development is great and the story is well-written. I loved it so much I'm starting book two in the series tonight!

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Yelena is in prison for murder, scheduled for execution. On the day she is scheduled to hang, luck is on her side. The commander's food taster has just died and the law says that the next prisoner scheduled for execution must be offered the job of food taster. Yelena has a choice - accept the position and live under the constant threat of being poisoned, or hang as scheduled. Being around the commander as food taster puts Yelena in a position to know about Ixian politics and she is soon drawn into a plot to overthrow the commander. I really liked the heroine, Yelena. She never gives up and keeps her wits about her when she is in danger.

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I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read full of intrigue, humor, and some romance. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

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I don't even remember requesting Poison Study. It just showed up and I had no idea what it was even about. I'd put off reading it because I had other books I was just aching to read but finally gave this book a chance. Boy am I glad I did.

It always seems that the description can't really convey what the story is actually about. The back of this book (description) tells you the gist of the story but there is so much more in the way of friends and enemies that you just marvel at as you read this book.

Yelena lives in a world were any killing is murder. It doesn't matter if you were defending yourself or trying to save the lives of your family. If you kill, you will be killed (I think a harsh extreme to what some people believe pro-death penalty people believe). You come to learn the reasons behind the death of the man Yelena killed while getting to know Yelena as a character. She is fascinating and I think will grow much more, as there are 2 more books I'm currently searching out, as her story continues.

There are some wonderful supporting and leading characters. Valek is the head of security and while you get the impression he is hard and deadly, you start to suspect he has a fondness for Yelena. Then there is Rand the cook. Very nice man but does he have a secret? Then the solider twins (?) Ari and Jancho. I think I really love them as they kind of take Yelena under their wings and treat her like a little sister they want to protect.

The story was so great I could hardly put down the book and I can't wait until I get my hands on Magic Study and Fire Study.

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First in the series and very well done. A great fantasy world with interesting characters and a complex storyline. Yelena's character is a strong one, with lots of nuances to her personality. The book weaves a tale of magic, adventure, suspense and intrigue which you can't help but become totally enthralled with. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

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Enjoyable read; the characters are well drawn; however, a little more romance then I care for.

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I absolutely loved this book. An incredible creative concept- and the tasting details were so vivid- I definitely felt everything along with Yelena. One of my faves!

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Fairly light weight, but a well told story of a woman forced to be the food taster of her country's dictator. It's set against a fantasy backdrop of swordsmen and magic users.

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Set to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered the job of food taster for the Commander of Ixia. This is a dangerous job with a short life expectancy if she doesn't quickly identify the poison. But Yelena hopes she may eventually gain her freedom or find a way to escape from Ixia and into the neighboring Sitia. One person standing in the way of her freedom is Valek, her boss and the head of security at the palace. Valek keeps Yelena's life as a food taster unpredictable. When a conspiracy against the Commander comes to light, Valek asks for Yelena's help in keeping the Commander safe.

Well, this was certainly a unique story. The fantasy world the author built has a medieval feel to it, but in some ways it also feels very modern. Both Yelena and Valek are great characters I want to read more about. I didn't know this was the first book in a series until I got to the end of this story. I'll have to find out more about the next book. My rating: 4 Stars.

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I can't believe I almost sent this book out without reading it first! It was so much better than I anticipated, and I whipped through it like there was no tomorrow. I found myself sitting at work thinking about it, and what would happen next. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read more by this fantastic author!

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I really liked this book. Nothing too deap and a little predictalbe but a good read all the same. I really got into the characters and the writing was descriptive enough to keep them all appart. I usually don't read the same genre in a row but this book has caught my attention I will read the next two (Magic Study and Fire Study) right away. This book has a light touch of mystical adventure. Nothing too over the top.

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This was a really fun read for me. While it would definitely fit into the category of "paranormal romance," it reads more like historical fiction. I liked that the main character, Yelena, doesn't have all of the answers. She learns about the rules of magic along with the reader. Also, I felt the author did a nice job of creating a memorable alternative world. And, while there is romance in the story, it doesn't overwhelm the plot.
I have already added the next book in the series to my wish list!

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This was the August 2011 pick in my online reading group, The Reading Cove. Just wasn't my cuppa. I read the first 100 pages and skimmed through to the end so I'd be able to discuss, but the story just didn't hold my attention. The world building and plotting felt weak and not very convincing - I was never sold on Ixia and its inhabitants. But it may be a good one for young adults, which is the genre.

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Oh, my! I just loved this thrilling adventure! It reminded me of the types of fantasy books that I loved to read when I was young - and while that made ma bit melancholy at first (that I had missed the best age to read this for the first time), as the story progressed, becoming more and more interesting, I just enjoyed it more and more. I am so glad that I have the entire trilogy to read and I will certainly read anything else that she publishes! The main character was great and even if the book overall was a bit predictable, it was just such a fast, fun, joy to read. I can't wait to start reading the next one!

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Fascinating story, loved it! Looking forward to reading next book in series.

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a good fantasy book - intrigue, poison, magic, mystery...

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I became quite engrossed with the story. It had unusual twists and storyline. The ending was rushed, so the story gets a 4 and not a 5. Looking forward to book 2.

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Not quite what I expected but still VERY enjoyable and I'm hooked. I love Yelena, the strong woman with powers she can't yet control and Valek, her nemesis???? Maybe not! Her savior, who knows? I have read the next 2, Magic Study and Fire Study and waiting patiently (?} for the next in the series. Until then, I'm excited about Storm Glass which will be out April 28 with, hopefully, a lot of my favorite characters from Study series.

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This was slow to start for me, but got good toward the end.

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Through a stroke of luck, Yelena escapes execution in exchange for tasting the food of the Commander, ruler of Ixia. Though confined to a dank prison cell and doomed to a painful death, Yelena slowly blooms again, caught up in castle politics. But some people are too impatient to wait for poison to finish off Yelena. With the help of Valek, her steely-nerved, cool-eyed boss and the Commander's head of security, she soon discovers that she has a starring role to play in Ixia's futurea role that could lead to her being put to death as a budding magician even if she hits each cue perfectly.

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I really liked this book. I agree this book would make a pretty good movie. In fact I kept thinking that the entire time I was reading it.

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First of a fantasy series featuring Yelena, a young woman convicted of murdering the son of a nobleman. Yelena is given a reprieve--a choice--to be hanged, or to be trained as the Commander's (the country's leader) food taster. While admitting her guilt in the murder, Yelena wants to live and grasps at the chance. Trained in the art of poisoning and foot tasting by Yalek, the right-hand man of the Commander, Yelena is given a deadly poison called My Love which, if she survives, requires a daily dose of antidote to fend off a slow, painful, two-day death. She survives and goes on to complete her training and is introduced to a world of political intrigue, petty jealousies and soon learns that it's best not to trust anyone. Excellent first in series with an somewhat unique premise, a well-fleshed and interesting main character with diverse supporting cast; and another series I am looking forward to continuing on.

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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. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster.

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I enjoyed this book. It was certainly written on a different premise. It had a lot of action. As the main character faced challenge after challenged, I wondered how she would get out of yet another situation. Well plotted and well written. I borrowed the book from my public library. I have requested the next book in the series, Magic Study.

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I loved this book! It is the beginning of a series of trilogies by Maria V. Snyder that has such a unique take on magic. As the series progresses, I have come to love her descriptions of this world and its people.

The first book, however, centers on the military-ship of Ixia and the Commander's new food taster, Yelena. It was very easy to relate to Yelena, because though she had been through such pain and torture (literally) she was always planning and devising ways to stay alive. I admire her constant vigilance.

This book is great introduction into this world and just the tip of the iceberg of the obstacles Yelena will eventually face. Five stars :)

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This book was a little hard for me to get into at first but once it picked up I couldn't put it down. It was a great read and I can't wait to read the next two books.

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If you like a book with strong female characters, a fully realized fantasy world, and a little political intrigue, then I highly recommend this book! I loved it so much I will definitely read it again! Bonus: First book in a series of three (Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Study)

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When a book is perfect from beginning to end, sometimes the ability to express how I feel about it is beyond my abilities. POISON STUDY is every reader's dream book, with an intricate plot, lush fantasy world, plucky heroine, and unforgettable romance.

Yelena is ranked among my all-time favorite protagonists, right up there with Katniss of The Hunger Games. She is resourceful, intelligent, and unafraid of action. Even in her weakest, most vulnerable moments, she is strong, and in a good mood she brightens up the story with her humor. POISON STUDY contains only the best elements of an unputdownable fantasy read. The romance is poignant, yet does not suffocate the rest of the story. All elements of POISON STUDY complement one another perfectly, unforgettably.

If you're one of the 12098563224 people in the world who read and loved The Hunger Games, then POISON STUDY is the book for you. This story of Yelena's mental and physical struggles to overcome her obstacles, perfectly balanced with the greater political intrigue, makes POISON STUDY literally one of the best books ever written. You'd be loathe to miss your chance to jump into Yelena's world.

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Somehow I managed to both love and hate this book. I loved the story and I loved the characters, but there was absolutely no depth to this. Had this 400-page double-spaced novel been an 800-page single-spaced novel it would have been awesome! It felt a bit like an outline that still needed to be fleshed out. This is the story of Yelena, a young woman who is terribly abused as a teenager until she finally strikes back and kills one of her abusers. She is thrown into the dungeon and sentenced to hang, but on her way to the gallows she is given the alternative of being the Commander's food taster. When she chooses this option she is given a lethal dose of poison from which she can only survive if she receives a daily dose of the antidote. All of this is only the set up for the rest of the adventures in the book--it's a fabulously intricate and inventive plot. But is it like to live in the castle where Yelena lives? What is the world like outside the castle? You'll never know from reading this novel. How do the characters feel when all of this adventure is going on? Sure, you'll be told, but you'll never feel any of that yourself. There's some romance thrown in near the end of the book and it almost feels like a slap in the face it's so unexpected. Excuse me? Where did that come from? But for some reason, despite these rather large shortcomings, I still loved this book. This was the author's first novel and one can only hope that experience will make her writing fuller. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

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I had met this author at a convention 3 years ago. She was very sweet. I decided to get her book and read it. At first it was depressing. It ended up being a great read. I cant wait to get the next one.

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Sentenced to hang, Yelena is given the option to hang or be the Commanders food taster. What a choice. I don't really know why I picked this book up as the premise just doesn't grab your attention at all and this is not something I would normally read. I have to think that it was recommended on GRs.

I only made it through 200 pages of this book before I gave up. I found it incredibly boring. I couldn't find anything to draw me into the story. The supporting characters are all spiteful, mean and vindictive except the cook who is friendly but secretive. The hero (if he is the hero) is an asshole and there is nothing likable about the heroine. As a series beginner, it's a terrible start. I certainly won't be reading any further.

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This is a lot of fun. It has an interesting premise and couple of good twists. You see the romance coming, but that's okay.

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