New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now sheâs back with a new tale of intrigue.
Once, only her own life hung in the balanceâ¦
Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But sheâd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both landsâand protect her relationship with Valek.
Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valekâs job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secretâor her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really isâwhile searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.
Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerousâ¦
âDoing full justice to the plot of this original and entertaining epic fantasy is impossible. Suffice it to say that the action is nonstop. The many characters leap to life, particularly Yelena, whose first-person narrative is riveting.â âRT Book Reviews on Fire Study
Now available as ebooks!
Praise forNew York Timesbestselling author
MARIA V.
SNYDER
âMaria V. Snyder tantalises readers with another complex, masterful story set in a magical world so convincing that sheâll have you believing that itâs actually real.â
âYAReads.com on Storm Glass
âA compelling new fantasy seriesâ
âSFX magazine on Sea Glass
âWonderfully complex ⦠Opal finally comes into her own in Spy Glass.â âFantasy Book Review
âThis is one of those rare books that will keep readers dreaming long after theyâve read it.â
âPublishers Weekly starred review on Poison Study
âFilled with Snyderâs trademark sarcastic humour, fast-paced action and creepy villainy, Touch of Power is a spellbinding romantic adventure that will leave readers salivating for the next book in the series.â âUSA TODAY on Touch of Power
âMaria V. Snyder is one of my favourite authors, and sheâs done it again!â
âNew York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine on Inside Out
Also by New York Times bestselling authorMaria V. Snyder
fromMIRA INKâ¢
The Chronicles of Ixia
POISON STUDY
MAGIC STUDY FIRE STUDY
STORM GLASS
SEA GLASS SPY GLASS
The Insider Series
INSIDE OUT
OUTSIDE IN
fromMIRA BOOKS
Avry of Kazan series
TOUCH OF POWER
SCENT OF MAGIC TASTE OF DARKNESS
www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder
This book is dedicated to all my loyal readers who asked for more books about Yelena and Valek. This one is for you. Enjoy!
1
YELENA
Ugh, mud, Kiki said as she splashed through another puddle. The wet muck clung to her copper coat and dripped from her long tail. It packed into her hooves and coated the hair of her fetlocks with each step.
Through our mental connection I sensed her tired discomfort. Stop? I asked. Rest?
No. Images of fresh hay, a clean stall and being groomed formed in Kikiâs mind. Home, soon.
Surprised, I glanced around the forest. Melting piles of snow mixed with black clumps of dead leavesâsigns that the cold season was losing its grip. Rain tapped steadily on the bare branches. The light faded, turning the already gray woods leaden. For the past few hours, Iâd been huddling under my sopping-wet cloak, trying to keep warm. With my thoughts fixed on my rendezvous with Valek, Iâd failed to keep track of our location.
I scanned the area with my magic, projecting my awareness out to seek life. A few brave rabbits foraged in the soggy underbrush and a couple of deer stood frozen, listening to the squishy plodding of Kikiâs passage. No souls haunted these woods. No humans within miles.
That wasnât a surprise. This remote area in the northeastern Featherstone lands had been chosen for that very reason. After Owen Moon ambushed us about four years ago, Valek and I had decided to move to a less well-known location near the Ixian border.
I leaned forward in the saddle. We were getting close and my wet cloak no longer pressed so hard on my shoulders. At this pace, weâd reach our cozy cottage within the hour. Valekâs involvement with our friend Opalâs rescue from the Bloodrose Clan and the aftermath had kept him busy for months. Finally we would have a few precious days all to ourselves before he reported back to the Commander. He should already be there waiting for me. Visions of sharing a hot bath, snuggling by a roaring fire and relaxing on the couch once again distracted me.