Spy Glass review

Spy Glass (Opal Cowan 3)

-       Maria V Snyder

Publisher: UK – MIRA Books

*Warning Description will contain Spoilers if you haven’t read the previous two books*

An undercover mission leads to danger, adventure and an impossible choice. After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood - and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know it could be they are lost forever.

This is the final of the Opal Cowan books and I’m sorry it’s over. I feel like there could easily be another book covering the consequences of this story. Opal has changed so much from the rather timid, unsure student magician we first met in Storm Glass. She has learnt a variety of skills, physical, emotional, magical and intellectual and this book covers some truly personal revelations as well answering most of the loose threads from the previous novels.

Opal’s character development has been the joy of this series as she makes mistakes and learns from them, decides who to trust and colours in various shades of grey in her world that they don’t warn children about. In this book Opal takes control of her own destiny at last and makes decisions throughout that will affect others as well as conscientiously develops skills that will help her in her missions. While still told through the first person, you can get a clear view of how Opal’s relationships with people change especially with Kade and Devlan, her two love interests and her mother. Her decision regarding her love interest in the end was the right one for her, but I still feel for the other one.

The big finale was exciting as Opal has to face her decisions and friends in a show down for her life and future. The bad guys here were truly despicable and while previously I never cared much for Opal opponents, I never despised them before. This time I really wanted them to fail and needed to see them punished.

This is a great series with plenty of action, mystery, politics and magic throughout and I really hope Maria V Snyder decides to write further novels based in Sitia. Please try some of her books if you’re interested in magical romance and different worlds.

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and Karen Miller. 8 out of 10   

Sea Glass Review

Sea Glass (Opal Cowan 2)

-       Maria V Snyder

Publisher: UK – MIRA Books

Student glass magician Opal Cowan's newfound ability to steal a magician's powers makes her too powerful. Ordered to house arrest, Opal dares defy her imprisonment, travelling to the Moon Clan's lands in search of Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because she is sure another man - now her prisoner - has switched souls with Ulrick. In hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn't sure whom to trust. She can't forget Kade, the handsome Stormdancer who doesn't want to let her get close. And now everyone is after Opal's special powers for their own deadly gain.

So after her adventures in Storm Glass, Opal has discovered new secrets and new abilities but has become even more isolated from her fellow magicians and friends. This is re-enforced when other people don’t believe that there are still blood magicians loose in Sitia. Opal spends much of this book fighting for what she believes is right against all her friends and colleagues and learns to depend much more on herself. She still manages to make new friends and travel across the country in the course of the story. Opal is willing to sacrifice herself again to safe other people and is frequently between doing what she knows is right and what everyone else thinks is right. As a result Opal does question herself a lot throughout the story and there is a great glimpse into her mind and how she comes to trust herself more and perhaps rely less on other people to solve her problems.

Once again there is plenty of adventure and appearances from old friends. I loved that Janco is given more time and Kade is such a lovely guy, but the development of Develan is a real treasure. Like Opal I’m never sure if she can trust him or not, but I want to be able to trust him. The greatest joy of the Glass series though is the writing – it’s is beautifully done in a well developed world. It never feels like this is a story but following a real person and their life. This makes for involving reading but also one of my minor drawbacks with the series – there is little sense of urgency for much of the book. The story seems to get distracted at times from the overall arc as little issues are raised and not fully developed – yet. The joys of reading a trilogy is figuring out how something like the Bloodrose clan will come into the story later – if they do!

One final point I want to add - the cover art for the UK is gorgeous! I love all three covers and the colour scheme for each one just seems to fit with the story so far.

This is a great fantasy series – especially is you like a little romance with your magical adventures! I’ve already started the third book, Spy Glass and can’t wait to see how Opal develops further.

Recommended for fans of Kelly Armstrong and Patricia Briggs. 8 out of 10.

Storm Glass Review

Storm Glass (Opal Cowan 1)

-       Maria V Snyder

Publisher: UK – Mira Books

Untrained. Untested. Unleashed. With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry. Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst. With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?

I loved Maria’s Study trilogy when I read it last year and have been waiting (impatiently) for the last book of this trilogy to be released so I could read all three books without waiting! Opal was featured in the Study series and events from that trilogy do cast a shadow over this story. Events and people are referenced without a detailed explanation which was perfect for me as I’d previously read those books and just needed a brief reminder. I’m not sure how much sense it would make if you haven’t read the study series – but that’s no great hardship as that trilogy is a fabulous read!

This story is about Opal growing into her powers and creating her own place within Sitia as her magic is different from anything seen before. There are some great new characters introduced including two very different suitors - both with their own issues as well - as some guest appearances from previous characters. However, Opal made the book for me. I adore her and the way she continued to struggle to overcome her past and learn from it. She doesn’t always make the right choices but she does learn from them. Opal grows up as the book progresses and becomes her own person.

There’s plenty of action as she faces various adventures all relating to the plot against the Stormdancer clan and an import of diamonds into Sitia. My one niggle is the rather abrupt ending. I know it’s a trilogy and I’ve got two more books to enjoy but even with some points wrapped up and other left open it seemed a quick ending to me. Still love Maria’s writing style and can’t wait to start Sea Glass, book 2 of Opal Cowan!

Recommended for fans of Karen Miller and Mercy Thompson. 8 out of 10.