Most Popular Books by Maria V. Snyder

Choose: a quick death… or slow poison… Locked deep in the palace dungeon for killing her abuser, Yelena knows she’ll never be free again. The laws in Ixia are strict, and murderers must be executed, no matter the reason. But just as she’s resigned herself to her fate, she’s offered an extraordinary reprieve. As the food taster, Yelena will eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace — and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. To make matters worse, the chief of security 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 in order to survive, she must unravel the secrets behind the past she’s been running from. Previously published. The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V Snyder Book One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study

With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she''d been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can''t help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways—and her newfound friends and relatives don''t think it''s for the better…. Despite the turmoil, she''s eager to start her magic training—especially as she''s been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. 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. If that wasn''t bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies….

Pilih satu: Mati dengan cara cepat atau mati perlahan-lahan.... Yelena sudah melakukan pembunuhan, dan karenanya akan dieksekusi. Namun dia mendapatkan tawaran yang menggiurkan dari Valek, tangan kanan sang Komandan: menjadi pencicip makanan Komandan. Yelena akan menyantap makanan ternikmat, tidur di istana..., dan tetap berisiko mati saat melakukan itu semua. Yelena, tentu saja memilih untuk terus hidup dengan menjadi pencicip makanan. Tapi Valek dengan sengaja memberikan racun di makanan Yelena. Itu adalah strategi Valek agar Yelena tidak berbuat jahat kepada Komandan. Yelena masih bisa terus hidup, asalkan setiap pagi dia menemui Valek untuk mendapat penawarnya. Malapetaka terus merundung Yelena. Begitu banyak yang ingin menghabisinya, tapi Yelena sering terhindar dari kematian karena ternyata dirinya pun mewarisi sihir, yang tak pernah dia ketahui. Sesuai Kode Tingkah Laku, penyihir yang ditemukan di Ixia akan dihabisi, berbeda dengan Sitia, tempat para penyihir bebas berkeliaran. Belum ada yang mengetahui tentang sihir Yelena, tapi dia punya satu kendala: dia belum dapat mengendalikan sihirnya. Akankah identitas Yelena terkuak? Apakah dia akan, sekali lagi, dihukum mati?

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she’s back with a new tale of intrigue. Once, only her own life hung in the balance… Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she’d 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 lands—and protect her relationship with Valek. Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek’s 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 secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers. Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder transports readers back to the realms of Sitia and Ixia in an exciting new Study novel full of magic, danger and intrigue. Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana''s life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear. Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he''s quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he''s been keeping secrets from Valek…secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander''s mysterious plans, they realize it''s far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.

From New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder Return to the realms of Sitia and Ixia, where a young glass magician becomes ensnared in a deadly power struggle that may cost her everything… Opal Cowan, glass magician-in-training, has discovered a terrifying and powerful new ability: she can steal the power of other magicians. And that makes her too dangerous to be set free. Ordered to house arrest by the Council, Opal defies them to search for Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. But as she travels through the Moon Clan’s lands, she begins to hear disturbing rumors that Ulrick’s desire for blood magic has eclipsed any sense of reason—and perhaps even his passion for her. Deep in hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn’t sure whom to trust. And everywhere she turns, people want to control her powers for their own deadly gain. Opal must make the choices to secure her own future, even as the path she treads becomes more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Previously Published. The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V. Snyder Book One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study

The Apprenticeship is Over—Now the Real Test has Begun. When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena’s unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena’s fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before…. Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

The apprenticeship is over—now the real test has begun.

Fierce, determined, dangerous. No wonder her soul called to his. As Chief of Security of Ixia, Valek has spent the last fifteen years keeping Commander Ambrose and his citizens safe. With his complex network of spies, informers, and soldiers, it’s his job to hunt down and capture criminals, including the intriguing Yelena. Sensing there is more to the story of why she killed a general’s son, Valek arranges for Yelena to become the Commander’s new food taster, training her in the delicate art of detecting poisons. As mysteries and a devious plot to harm the Commander unravel, Yelena’s presence becomes crucial. Will her intelligence, stubbornness, and survivor instincts be a help to Valek’s investigation, or a hinderance? A companion novel to Poison Study, The Study of Poisons reveals Valek’s side of the story. Return to the world of Ixia and discover just how the lovely Yelena got Valek’s cold heart pumping!

Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there’s more to Inside than we knew. And finding that led to a major rebellion between worker scrubs like me and the privileged 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. And something from Outside wants in.

Avryś power to heal the sick should earn her respect in the plague-torn land of Kazan. Instead she is feared. Her kind are blamed for the horrifying disease that has taken hold of the nation.

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle. Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon''s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon''s most horrible creations yet: an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat. War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.

From New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder In this riveting conclusion to Opal Cowan’s saga, the young magician will discover that glass holds many secrets… including the key to her plight. After siphoning her own blood to defeat her enemy, Opal Cowan lost everything—including her powers. Moreover, her choice has made her immune to the effects of magic. Once a trusted protegee, Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in her world. Until spying through glass unlocks something new within her. Suddenly the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. She also discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood for nefarious purposes—and that finding it might allow her to regain her powers. As she sets out on a new journey, she’ll learn, once and for all, if her powers are lost forever… and what she would sacrifice to regain them. Previously Published. The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V. Snyder Book One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study

The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry''s healing powers are needed now more than ever. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he''s gone forever.

From New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder Enter into a stunning world of molten magic, where storms can be captured in glass and a magician''s powers can remain hidden…until challenged. As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowan understands trial by fire. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan''s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal''s unique talents to prevent it from happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic. As she delves into the intrigue behind the mysterious glass orbs, she uncovers secrets not even she could anticipate. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control her powers…powers that could lead to disaster beyond anything she''s ever known. Previously Published. The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V. Snyder Book One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study

A new darkness is rising for Yelena Zaltana ...

Beyond Ixia, the roots of magic run deep...

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond—and a family—that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia. Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person’s resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall—and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal. With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician…and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.