Book Review: Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder
Publisher: Mira
Publication date: September 2010
ISBN: 9780778328476
Source: Library

Warning: some spoilers for Storm Glass and Sea Glass!
Opal is still reeling from giving up her magic.  She tries to tell herself that she's ok without it, but her life will never be the same.  As she attempts to deal with this loss, she finds herself running away from family and loved ones as she seeks some purpose in her life.  When she gets drawn into a scheme to control a small community, she must do everything she can to fight against evil magic again.  Will she ever know what she should do with her life before she loses it?

Things I Liked:
The story was exciting and took lots of twists and turns throughout that sometimes caught me by surprise.  I love the fantasy world Snyder has created so completely here and the way characters from different places interact.  I really love her supporting characters that bring some humor and light to the story.  A fun and fast-paced fantasy that brings this series to a satisfying conclusion.

Things I Didn't Like:
I admit to not liking Opal again.  She bothers me in this book, as in Storm Glass.  I found her indecisive behavior and desire to rush into danger without thought tiresome and selfish at times.  I especially did not like her romantic choices, though I have to give Snyder props for not going the conventional route.  Opal has experienced a lot of weird romantic feelings in this series, and I thought this was the weirdest.  I also think there was once again too much story going on and too many plot lines trying to tie together.  The books could be so much shorter if some extraneous trips and incidents were removed.  Not as good as I was expecting, but still pretty entertaining.

Read-alikes:
Start with Storm Glass and Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
Also read the Study series by Snyder

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
that I can remember

mrg-factor: XX
there are a few not-too-descriptive incidents

v-factor: ->->
some action, not graphic

Overall rating: ***

I'm beginning to wonder if I have problems in general with last books in a series! Maybe it's just the idea of the series ending that makes me sad. Are you that way?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Sea Glasscontinues the story of Opal, who has discovered new and powerful uses for her glass magic. Though she has been commanded by the council to return immediately, she delays that return, seeking out Ulrick, hoping he will want to have his soul returned to its body. When she does return to the Magician's Keep, she is kept under house arrest and the council is doing its best to control her, but even her friends seem to have turned against her when she tries to explain about Ulrick. Will she convince them in time, or will she become a victim of her own magical power?

Things I Liked:
Oh, Snyder, you have done it again! Despite my somewhat annoyance with Opal's first story (Storm Glass), I really enjoyed this book. The story is fast-paced and Opal is a lot more confident this time around, which is something that annoyed me in the first book. I absolutely love the supporting characters, Janco in particular, not to mention Leif. I really enjoyed them more than Opal, I'm afraid. But, I liked the plot, with its intrigue and the complex problems that arose. And, of course, the writing.

"Time dripped. Each second hung as if it were on the end of an icicle, fattening until t grew too big to hold on. Then splat - another second gone." p.53

A taste of my Janco love:

"Sandseed horses are very intelligent, and he's one beautiful, bright boy."
"And he allowed you to saddle him!" I said in an excited whisper. "How?"
He shrugged. "I introduced myself, and told him what was going on. Guess meeting the greatest swordsman in Ixia awed him into submission."
"A swordsman who can't handle a horsewhip. He probably felt sorry for you." p. 66

Things I Didn't Like:
Some sections seemed totally unrelated, though they are probably being used to set up future books. Still, I found them disrupting to the plot of this book. It also seemed like there were too many stories going on at once.

Read-alikes:
Start with the Study trilogy by Snyder and then the first about Opal, Storm Glass
They remind me of Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a handful

mrg-factor: XX
some implied situations, nothing explicit

v-factor: ->->
fighting, blood, etc

Overall rating: ****

Who is your favorite character from Snyder's series?

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I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Storm Glasscontinues the story of Opal, who we met in Fire Study. Opal is feeling discouraged by her one trick magical ability - creating glass animals with magic inside - when the master magicians send her on a mission to help the stormdancer clan. When things don't go exactly as they planned, Opal must fight for her life and in the process learns that her magic is much more than just one trick.

Things I Liked:
I loved the characters, especially Opal, who is so realistically drawn as a woman who doubts what she can do. I particularly like the romance woven througout - and how that is resolved by her own choice and not an outside factor. The story is very unique and I particularly love the world Snyder has created. The action, when it hits, is always very exciting. I also still love Snyder's quiet kind of humor, as in this quote:

"I really couldn't say anything about a scouting bat. I claimed glass and spiders spoke to me, and diamonds gave me visions." p.328

Things I Didn't Like:
I must admit I was a tiny bit disappointed. I think I expected too much from the book. The story seemed a little repetative in places - Opal getting into trouble. Again. I also became a little annoyed by her lack of confidence in herself. I think perhaps it might have been a little too long as well, some of the action in the story almost felt contrived. I still liked the book, but it didn't quite live up to what I expected.

Read-alikes:
Start with the Study Trilogy by Snyder first - some things won't make sense otherwise.
Also reminded me of Robin McKinley's stuff - The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: X
some innuendo

v-factor: ->->
fighting and blood

Overall rating: ****

What books have you read that don't live up to your expectations, but are still very good?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage