Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: YA Fantasy (Dystopian)
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
One Word Review: Intense
Author Website: www.mariavsnyder.com

First Line: “My world changed in a heartbeat.”

GoodReads Synopsis: Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside.

Kathy’s Review: Wow. I really enjoyed this book, as much as or more so than the first one. I really looked forward to Outside In and was excited when I received a copy to review. I really loved Trella, she is a great heroine and was fun to read. The story sucks you in and even though I had a million other things to do, I kept reading and would squeeze in reading time whenever I could. I’m definitely on Team Riley, he is a great leading man and thought he and Trella had great chemistry together. I really enjoyed the story and was kept on the edge of my seat. I don’t know if there will be another book, but I sure hope so!!!

I had to drop a star because of a couple “love” scenes between Trella and Riley. They weren’t too descriptive, but went a little too far for my taste. I guess to me it made their relationship seem more like “lust” then “love”, but at the same time I did feel like they loved each other and I was rooting for them the whole time. Anyway, take those out and this would have been a very clean read.

Bookworm Rating: 4

Reading Order:
Book One: Inside Out
Book Two: Outside In
Book Three:

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Publication Date: April 2010

One Word Review: Entertaining

Author Website: www.mariavsnyder.com

First Line: “A vibration rippled through my body.”

GoodReads Synopsis: I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Kathy’s Review: I have been wanting to read this one for a while, I was a little nervous that it would be too similar to the Hunger Games trilogy, mainly because the main character is a teenage girl who helps lead a revolution, that is about all the two have in common. I have read a few great reviews of the book and was excited to dive in. I definitely had a hard time putting it down and stayed up way too late reading, I keep forgetting that I have a newborn that would be waking up a couple hours later. Anyway, the book sucks you in and each chapter ends with a pretty good cliffhanger and you can’t help thinking “just one more chapter.” I really liked our main character Trella, I liked that she was tough and that she also took the time to look inward and acknowledge mistakes she had made. Even though tons of things are going on, she never acts like a victim. She takes control and I liked that instead of just doing her part, she really takes charge to see things through. There is even a bit of a love story, which always makes me happy. The book did remind me of a few others I’ve read, but it’s still packed with surprises and totally unique. My only complaint was I had a hard time picturing everything and figuring out their time systems (maybe its just my pregnancy brain), I probably ended up imagining something totally different than the author had in mind, but owell. We’re left with a good setup for the next book, with enough closure to feel satisfied with finishing this one. A great read and one that I would like to read again.

Bookworm Rating: 4.5

Reading Order:
Book One: Inside Out
Book Two: Outside In
Book Three:

Similar Reads:
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Adult Fiction (Older YA)

Author Website: www.mariavsnyder.com

One Word Review: Okay

First Line: “We’re here,” Irys said.

Synopsis: “Kidnapped as a child, held prisoner as a teen, then released to act as a poison taster, Yelena is now a student of magic. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her powers, a rogue magician emerges—; and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in a situation not of her making. And once again her magical abilities will either save her life…or be her downfall. Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince—and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians. Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies.” -GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: I didn’t go into this one with high expectations. I had read reviews that this book wasn’t as good as the first so I guess that may have tainted it a little for me. I thought the book was okay, but it was missing some of the excitement and originality that the first book had. I still like Yelena, although at times she seems almost too rough for me. I missed Valek throughout the first half of the book and was disappointed when he finally made his appearance. It was almost like he was only there for a “booty call” and nothing more (not to mention that I hated how he overused the term ‘love’ as a nickname for Yelena). Anyway, I did enjoy the overall story of Yelena finding her family, learning her history and mastering her magical abilities.

Like the first book the story does have quite a bit of disturbing elements, namely the villain of our story who happens to be a raping serial killer. I think these elements make it more of an adult book, not to mention all the “relations” with Valek and Yelena. I’m glad this is only a trilogy and will probably finish off the last book, Fire Study, just because I like to see things through to their end, and I admit I’m a bit curious what Yelena will get herself into next.

Reading Order:
Book One: Poison Study
Book Two: Magic Study
Book Three: Fire Study

Other Reviews:
Angieville
The Story Siren

Poison Study by Maria Snyder

Genre: Fantasy

Author Site: www.mariavsnyder.com

First Line: “Locked in darkness that surrounded me like a coffin, I had nothing to distract me from my memories.”

One Word Review: Good

Book Synopsis: “About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear.” -GoodReads

My Review:
I actually really enjoyed the story. Yelena has had a very hard life, especially the last three years. Two of which she was terribly abused and the last year was spent in a grimy dungeon. When she is given the opportunity to be the Commanders food taster instead of being hanged she jumps at the chance. I liked Yelena’s character, I’m not sure if her behavior was that realistic considering what she’s been through (trusting, friendly, etc), but it’s easy to overlook that and really root for her character. I like that she is smart, quick thinking, athletic, and loyal. This brings me to Valek, the head of security, assassin, and love interest for our lovely Yelena. I have mixed feelings about Valek; I like the idea of him but he kind of fell a little flat for me. I guess I didn’t really feel a whole lot of chemistry between the two. There was enough there to satisfy me, but I wasn’t as attached as I was to Bran (Son of the Shadows), or similar characters. I do like him though; he’s tough, smart, and compassionate. I really liked friends Janco and Ani, and thought they added a lot to the story.

There are some disturbing things in Yelena’s past, I don’t think its too much of a spoiler to say that she had been raped. I think that’s why I was not really looking forward to this book. Snyder really didn’t go into detail, thankfully, it was more implied than described. I was grateful for that. Her past did add a dark or sad element to the story, but it does help to build Yelean’s character. Overall, I thought it was a good book, I wasn’t really surprised with how things played out but it was still fun going on the journey. I will definitely be reading the next two books.

Reading Order:
Book One: Poison Study
Book Two: Magic Study
Book Three: Fire Study

Other Reviews:
Angieville
Book Minx

Book Muncher
Melissas Bookshelf
Story Siren

If you have reviewed this book and would like me to include a link, please leave a comment below, thanks!