Saturday, January 29, 2011

Ice Study by Maria V. Snyder



Ice Study
by Maria V. Snyder

I don't have a picture to show you of Ice Study because it's not a published hardcopy book.  But I can show you my favorite covers to the series (above).  Aren't they beeyouteefull?  So moody.   Anywho, Ice Study is an ongoing companion story to the Study series (also known as the Yelena Zaltana series), serialized by Maria V. Snyder in her newsletters.  It follows Yelena and Valek into  the bitterly cold northern country as they seek to rescue Yelena's brother, Leif, and track down the Ice Moon, a dangerous artifact that is wanted by the group who hold Yelena's brother hostage.

Because this is an ongoing story that has yet to be completed, it's hard to really review, but I can talk a little about it with you.  First, though, I have to say the Study series is one of my all-time favorites (along with nearly everyone in my bookclub -- in fact, I think it's probably unanimous), and if you haven't read it yet, I'd highly suggest you pick it up.

As for Ice Study, it's pretty much what you'd expect it to be if you've read the series.  It's not crucial to the story by any means, but it is nice if you can't get enough of Yelena (and Valek.  Ohhh, Valek.)  But if you haven't read the series, it's just going to be confusing and probably not all that impressive.  It's certainly supplementary, and not meant to be read on its own.

Though I think it does suffer from some of the things serializations like this often suffer from (like the sort of repetitiveness you get when something is serialized and the writer has to smooth out the beginnings and endings of each segment to make them stand along), I have to say that one thing Snyder is excellent for is sticking to her characters.  Within the first paragraph, you know you are back in Yelena's head, and you can rely on that.  Every time Valek slides out of the shadows or melts back into them, you can rely on him to act like and think like and be like Valek.  She knows them inside and out, and so reading Ice Study, even if it's nowhere near the "gotta have it" level of the rest of the series, is sort of like coming home.  It's not crucial to the story, but it expands Yelena's world and experiences just that little bit more, and that's nice.

And who's to say?  The story's not finished yet; it very well could turn into a "gotta have it" story...


Read it for free here.

29 comments:

  1. Cool. I've been meaning to pick up her books for a while now! Do you know if it's going to by published in hard copy after its completion?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have Poison Study on my shelf, with the old cover. Plus I have the first book in the Glass series. Clearly, I'm behind. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ksenia: AHHH! I have all of them, signed! Love her!

    Ashley: I don't believe so. She came to visit my bookclub a couple years ago, and she made it sound like she was done with the Yelena books. That Yelena may pop up on occasion, and she would finish this out, but that she needed to move on and focus on other things. But who knows; after time, maybe she'll want to revisit it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really hope she re-visits this! Or at least finishes it. I love these series and I can't get enough of Yelena and Yalek ,and I'm happy to see both of the characters together again. I understand why she wants to move on a bit but, I haven't and probably will never. (I think most of her fans would agree) . These stort stories are great but I would adore to have a hard copy of "Ice Study" on my shelf.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know this is one of the most meaningful information for me. And I'm animated reading your article. But should remark on some general things, the website style is perfect; the articles are great. Thanks for the ton of tangible and attainable help. drink tub

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gets the top quality website designing services by OGEN Infosystem at affordable price. We are also provides SEO and PPC Services to get more profit.
    Website Designing Company in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work cfa level 1 books pdf

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very descriptive post, I really like this blog very much. RP Paper Impex is a leading Paper Products Manufacturer and Kraft Shopping Bags, Food Grade Paper Bags Manufacturer with best quality in India, for more information visit our website.
    Paper Products Manufacturer in India

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very descriptive post, I really like this blog very much. RP Paper Impex is a leading Writing Paper Manufacturers and Tissue Paper Roll Suppliers in India with best quality in India, for more information visit our website.
    Writing Paper Manufacturers in India

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. cfa level 1 mock exam

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. cfa level 1 study material

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really enjoy this blog please update more information on your blog. Visit Sarswati Enterprises for Pilfer Proof Caps Making Machinery and Oiling Machine Manufacturers in Delhi.
    Oiling Machine Manufacturers in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a great and unique information, really glad to learn something new from you. Good job and keep it up.

    website development packages

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is important, though it's necessary to help you head over to it weblink: click over here

    ReplyDelete
  15. Excellent blog! I found it while surfing around on Google. Content of this page is unique as well as well researched. Appreciate it. convert pdf to jpg

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for your insight for your fantastic posting. I’m exhilarated I have taken the time to see this. It is not enough; I will visit your site every day. compress pdf online

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic points , I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. แทงบอล

    ReplyDelete
  18. Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style. psd letter

    ReplyDelete
  19. i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples. 바카라검증

    ReplyDelete
  20. Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style. 카지노사이트

    ReplyDelete
  21. i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples. GiliSoft Video Editor Crack

    ReplyDelete
  22. Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a great day! 카지노

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  24. Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style. putlockers downloader

    ReplyDelete
  25. Keep up the good work , I read few posts on this web site and I conceive that your blog is very interesting and has sets of fantastic information. nrp certification training course online

    ReplyDelete
  26. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. trappole per cimici

    ReplyDelete
  27. If more people that write articles involved themselves with writing great content like you, more readers would be interested in their writings. I have learned too many things from your article. 릴게임

    ReplyDelete
  28. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... 온라인릴게임

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting. 먹튀검증커뮤니티

    ReplyDelete

Tell me all your thoughts.
Let's be best friends.