This fantasy trilogy was written by Maria V. Snyder. The first book, Poison Study, was published in 2005 and the final book, Fire Study, was published in 2008.
This trilogy follows Yelena, a twenty year old woman who was given a death sentence for killing the only son of one of Ixia’s seven Military Districts. However, on the day of her execution, she is given the choice to become the Commander’s food taster after the previous one died. If she accepts, she will avoid execution; she takes the job and is clearly aware that her new job would eventually result in her death. However,  it would buy her more time and possibly a chance to escape.
The first book is all about Yelena adjusting to her life as the new food taster, with fear constantly climbing up through her spine and dealing with the skeletons in her closet. We also meet the love interest, Valek, who is the Commander’s second-in-command and Ixia’s most notorious assassin and the one who assigned Yelena the job as the food taster. He seems like a really bad guy, right? Well, I can’t say much about him without making this entire Bookish Wednesday about him only, but Valek is a very complex character and not at all what he seems.
The next two books in the series, Magic Study and Fire Study, are books that are focused on Yelena’s growth and character development. A lot of things happen that make Poison Study seem like a completely different book. We are introduced to new characters, and the world is expanded and explored completely. We find out that there is more to the story than we thought and that her looming death for being the food taster is only a walk in the park. We get magic and its consequences; it’s all very interesting and Maria V. Snyder’s writing is one that is very simple, but it explains the world very easily and in a compelling way. The series is not that hard to get into at all, and I think that that is in part due to the writing style.
Plot-wise, I find it to be one that is easy to follow, and it remains intriguing throughout the rest of the books. It might be predictable for some, but not for others. It really depends on the person, but it is very enjoyable. Out of the three books, my favorite one remains the first one.
As far as the romance… It’s great. I have found a new OTP to add to my list. Yelena and Valek fall slowly and deeply in love despite the fact that Yelena could die at any moment. The worst part is the fact that you find yourself rooting for them with everything you have.
After the ending of Fire Study, Maria V. Snyder released three more books that are set six years after the events of the original trilogy. I’m currently reading the second book in that new trilogy, no spoilers.
Overall, the Poison Study series are definitely worth checking out because they’re an easy fantasy read to get into. They’ll make you cry, laugh, and wish you had cool magic powers.
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