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Poison Study #3.5
Power Study
Ari and Janco deal with a Sandseed Story Weaver and a cocky young soldier while Valek is off helping Yelena.
27 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2008
35 people are currently reading
10k people want to read
About the author
Maria V. Snyder
74books17.3kfollowersWhen Maria V. Snyder was younger, she aspired to be a storm chaser in the American Midwest so she attended Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. Much to her chagrin, forecasting the weather wasn’t in her skill set so she spent a number of years as an environmental meteorologist, which is not exciting...at all. Bored at work and needing a creative outlet, she started writing fantasy and science fiction stories. Over twenty novels and numerous short stories later, Maria’s learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a dozen awards, and has earned her Masters of Arts degree in Writing from Seton Hill University, where she is now a faculty member. Her favorite color is red. She loves dogs, but is allergic, instead she has a big black tom cat named…Kitty (apparently naming cats isn’t in her skill set either). Maria also has a husband and two children who are an inspiration for her writing when they aren't being a distraction. Note: She mentions her cat before her family.
When she's not writing she's either playing volleyball, traveling, or taking pictures. Being a writer, though is a ton of fun. Where else can you take fencing lessons, learn how to ride a horse, study marital arts, learn how to pick a lock, take glass blowing classes and attend Astronomy Camp and call it research? Maria will be the first one to tell you it's not working as a meteorologist.
Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at .
When she's not writing she's either playing volleyball, traveling, or taking pictures. Being a writer, though is a ton of fun. Where else can you take fencing lessons, learn how to ride a horse, study marital arts, learn how to pick a lock, take glass blowing classes and attend Astronomy Camp and call it research? Maria will be the first one to tell you it's not working as a meteorologist.
Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
February 28, 2015
Read for free here:
Well, this felt a heck of a lot longer than it was! I thought it was never going to end! Kinda boring really.
Well, this felt a heck of a lot longer than it was! I thought it was never going to end! Kinda boring really.
August 7, 2023
Ari and Janco, I have really missed these fools!!!!!!!
January 26, 2016
*3,7/5 stars*
Power Study is a fun novella, which takes place soon after Fire Study, it's told from Janco's and Ari's pov. *And I absolutely adore these two! Especially Janco's pov was amazing.*
Available on author's website:
“May be a spy. ‘May� being the key word.� Maren looked at Ari. “What’s next?�
“Hey,� Janco said. “How come you always ask him? He’s just the muscle. I’m the brains of this outfit.�
Power Study is a fun novella, which takes place soon after Fire Study, it's told from Janco's and Ari's pov. *And I absolutely adore these two! Especially Janco's pov was amazing.*
Available on author's website:
“May be a spy. ‘May� being the key word.� Maren looked at Ari. “What’s next?�
“Hey,� Janco said. “How come you always ask him? He’s just the muscle. I’m the brains of this outfit.�
September 5, 2024
This is another short and fun novella, but this time it is told from Ari and Janco’s points of view. I love both of them, and their dynamic (their banter, sarcasm, and bickering) is one of my favorite things in this series. It is not necessary to read this novella to understand the rest of the series, but if you like Ari and Janco, you will most surely enjoy this short story.
1. Poison Study ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 Assassin Study ⭐⭐�
2. Magic Study ⭐⭐�.5
3. Fire Study ⭐⭐�
1. Poison Study ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 Assassin Study ⭐⭐�
2. Magic Study ⭐⭐�.5
3. Fire Study ⭐⭐�
December 31, 2020
5 out 10
Better than other Study's bonuses, but my excitement was already lost somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd parts of the series, so... I didn't die, I've read it fast, amen.
(Study) Испытание:
� Poison Study (Испытание ядом) #1/3
� Assassin Study (Испытание убийством) #1.5/3
� Magic Study (Испытание магией) #2/3
� Fire Study (Испытание огнем) #3/3
� Power Study (Испытание силой) #3.5/3
� Ice Study (Испытание льдом) #3.6/3
Glass (Стекло):
� Storm Glass (Стекло штормов) #1/3
� Sea Glass (Стекло морей) #2/3
� Spy Glass (Стекло шпионов) #3/3
Soulfinders (Ловцы душ):
� Shadow Study (Испытание мраком) #1/3
� Night Study (Испытание ночью) #2/3
� Dawn Study (Испытание рассветом) #3/3
August 9, 2020
For a short novella, it was surprisingly nice.
I have to admit that I absolute;y love Ari and Janco, so reading through their points of view was amazing for a change. I especially have a fondness towards Janco, he is so fun to read from!
The action in this book was fun although very rushed towards the end. The pace was normal in the beginning and as they got closer and closer to the end it kept speeding up like the author couldn't wait to be over with writing this one. The last few pages felt a bit too rushed, and the final fight scene was very confusing to me. If we had spent a little more time to actually explain what had happened it would have been a lot better. And after they were finished with fighting I needed more than a page to wrap this up.
I know it sets up some key element for Shadow Study (because I've read it), but I would have loved if it had been a little more.
I have to admit that I absolute;y love Ari and Janco, so reading through their points of view was amazing for a change. I especially have a fondness towards Janco, he is so fun to read from!
The action in this book was fun although very rushed towards the end. The pace was normal in the beginning and as they got closer and closer to the end it kept speeding up like the author couldn't wait to be over with writing this one. The last few pages felt a bit too rushed, and the final fight scene was very confusing to me. If we had spent a little more time to actually explain what had happened it would have been a lot better. And after they were finished with fighting I needed more than a page to wrap this up.
I know it sets up some key element for Shadow Study (because I've read it), but I would have loved if it had been a little more.
March 24, 2023
This was another fun (but, thankfully, longer) novella in the Ixian Chronicles...and this time, it was told from the perspectives of Ari and Janco (with Maren making appearances, as well), so I LOVED it just as much as Valek’s previous novella. ;)
I absolutely adore this pair of everyone’s favourite soldiers. Their banter back-and-forth and constant bickering is absolutely hilarious (especially Janco’s fighting rhymes and sarcastic commentary) and I love when we get to hear about Valek and Yelena from their points of view.
”That’s not fair,� Janco said...”Valek gets everything. Immunity to magic, Yelena, super assassin skills —� xD I love them! <3
I absolutely adore this pair of everyone’s favourite soldiers. Their banter back-and-forth and constant bickering is absolutely hilarious (especially Janco’s fighting rhymes and sarcastic commentary) and I love when we get to hear about Valek and Yelena from their points of view.
”That’s not fair,� Janco said...”Valek gets everything. Immunity to magic, Yelena, super assassin skills —� xD I love them! <3
August 15, 2017
Yes! More of Ari and Janco please. They are the best!
August 14, 2017
Μία συμπαθητική ιστορία με τον Ari και τον Janco. Ο συνδυασμός αυτών τον δύο πάντα με κάνει να γελάω με τους επιπόλαιους τσακωμούς τους, ακόμα και τις πιο ακατάλληλες στιγμές.
April 6, 2015
Update 6/4/15:
Even more enjoyable the second time around!
Original review 13/4/14:
Power Study is an eight chapter novella written from the POVs of two of my favourite characters in the Study series: both Ari and Janco. The storyline for this book is quite interesting even though I don’t see it as mighty important for the series, but perhaps it will play a bigger part in the spin-off series, and if not oh well.
The real stars of the show were of course Ari and Janco! You don’t learn anything new about their characters but it was nice to see their easy banter because you don’t see them nearly enough in the second/third books of the series. I especially love Janco because he comes up with the funniest things to say when he doesn’t filter what his thoughts; and Ari is obviously there to reign him in when he starts to go off or speaks his mind in bad situations. They are just so good together and provide a lot of comedic relief. I was laughing all the way though at the dialogue which made a light and fun read.
Maren even made an appearance, but she’s not there for long, which was a shame because I think there’s a lot more to her character than meets the eye.
All in all, this was a really enjoyable novella and all fans of the series should read it. Now I really wish Maria V Snyder would give the Power Twins their own series�
Posted on:
Even more enjoyable the second time around!
Original review 13/4/14:
Power Study is an eight chapter novella written from the POVs of two of my favourite characters in the Study series: both Ari and Janco. The storyline for this book is quite interesting even though I don’t see it as mighty important for the series, but perhaps it will play a bigger part in the spin-off series, and if not oh well.
The real stars of the show were of course Ari and Janco! You don’t learn anything new about their characters but it was nice to see their easy banter because you don’t see them nearly enough in the second/third books of the series. I especially love Janco because he comes up with the funniest things to say when he doesn’t filter what his thoughts; and Ari is obviously there to reign him in when he starts to go off or speaks his mind in bad situations. They are just so good together and provide a lot of comedic relief. I was laughing all the way though at the dialogue which made a light and fun read.
Maren even made an appearance, but she’s not there for long, which was a shame because I think there’s a lot more to her character than meets the eye.
All in all, this was a really enjoyable novella and all fans of the series should read it. Now I really wish Maria V Snyder would give the Power Twins their own series�
Posted on:
July 14, 2021
Power Study was a very short novella that involved me two favorite people - Ari and Janco. There's just something about these two that puts a smile on my face. Especially when they joke around while going into a fight or two. They are just smooth bad asses that can do anything together.
So when Rye enters the picture and challenges them to a duel - it's game on. In some ways, this kind of reminded me of the 3 musketeers.. but in some ways it didn't. Either way, I enjoyed the heck out of this book and seriously wished it a bit longer.
Or maybe I'm just obsessed with these two and will devour any book of theirs. I can't wait to see what they are going to do next - adventure wise or romance wise. I just want more.
So when Rye enters the picture and challenges them to a duel - it's game on. In some ways, this kind of reminded me of the 3 musketeers.. but in some ways it didn't. Either way, I enjoyed the heck out of this book and seriously wished it a bit longer.
Or maybe I'm just obsessed with these two and will devour any book of theirs. I can't wait to see what they are going to do next - adventure wise or romance wise. I just want more.
April 13, 2021
2.5⭐️
February 19, 2015
A fun little look at mostly Janco’s point of view as they are recruited by a Sitian magician to help hunt down a powerful blood weapon being abused by a green Sitian rookie.
I’ll be honest, Janco got on my nerves a bit. I like Ari’s calm stoicness. Janco never knows when to shut up and he’s clearly in love with himself. That being said, it was Janco’s brains that figured out how to overpower the bad guy, even though Ari normally takes the lead with the two.
This story apparently took place during the story of Fire Study, but I didn’t know the reference to the villain Rye, the magical scimitar, or the Sandseed clansman Janco annoyingly called Stripey. I understand they were off having their own adventure while Yelena and Valek were trying to save the world, but I just couldn’t figure out why this story was written. What was the point? How did it tie in with the full-length novels?
Worth it for Janco’s humour, but not essential.
May 17, 2016
A nice short story featuring two of the best characters in the series, who, after the first book, got criminally underused, and overshadowed by bigger players.
Ari and Janco should have their own book, with no Yelena, no crazy power-ups, no sitian Council or Master Magicians; just the two of them going on about their daily lives, bantering all the way through their missions.
Ari and Janco should have their own book, with no Yelena, no crazy power-ups, no sitian Council or Master Magicians; just the two of them going on about their daily lives, bantering all the way through their missions.
December 20, 2018
I love Maria V. Snyder so much.
March 8, 2016
I took delight on Janco and Ari's POV. Especially Janco's.
Full of actions and enticing short story.
It will let you delve on some of the side character of (Study Series)Ixian Chronicles, well just Janco and Ari mainly.
Full of actions and enticing short story.
It will let you delve on some of the side character of (Study Series)Ixian Chronicles, well just Janco and Ari mainly.
January 31, 2009
I thought this was a fun adventure with Janco and Ari. It made me laugh a few times and gave me incite into just how spazy Janco is. Haha.
August 9, 2023
The book opens with fighting challenges by Ari and Janco, whosoever is able to defeat them will be able to gain power and position.
We see the entry of a new character called Rye.
Entertaining jabs-
Janco: “He's green and likes to preen� apparently Rye is green?
“Tends to brag and his feet do lag. Soon he'll be in a body bag.�
Rye: � he's old yet bold. Soon he'll be turning into mold.
Rye vanishes and they explore the file Valek has on him only leading to more questions and dangers.
To quote Ari “No one ever said life had to be fair.�
The story wasn't that great but tbh Ari and Janco and their easy banter makes it worth it!
We see the entry of a new character called Rye.
Entertaining jabs-
Janco: “He's green and likes to preen� apparently Rye is green?
“Tends to brag and his feet do lag. Soon he'll be in a body bag.�
Rye: � he's old yet bold. Soon he'll be turning into mold.
Rye vanishes and they explore the file Valek has on him only leading to more questions and dangers.
To quote Ari “No one ever said life had to be fair.�
The story wasn't that great but tbh Ari and Janco and their easy banter makes it worth it!
July 24, 2018
These two!
Fun, perky, loyal and awesome! Janco and Ari are the best. Such a nice addition to the series. Great being in “their heads�, even though it was such a short time.
Well-written, action packed and true to the characters.
Read: 24/07/2018
Will I recommend: Yes.
Fun, perky, loyal and awesome! Janco and Ari are the best. Such a nice addition to the series. Great being in “their heads�, even though it was such a short time.
Well-written, action packed and true to the characters.
Read: 24/07/2018
Will I recommend: Yes.
May 26, 2017
Bit disappointing. As much as I like Ari and Janco as characters, this story was a little boring, and it didn't add too much to the main plot.
April 22, 2020
É um conto gratuito que me custou a ler, sempre fora de horas e cheia de sono. De qualquer forma, é sobre Ari e Janco, os cómicos soldados amigos de Yelena. Aqui, descobrem que foram enfrentados por um mago e tentam resolver a situação, na qua de Valek, verdadeiro alvo dele.
February 16, 2017
This as far as I know added nothing to the larger story, BUT it was so worth the read. This little glimpse into Ari and Janco was so worth it. Their banter and style is always a good time and we got to see a little of Maren... like just so necessary lol
May 27, 2018
This was a novella that didn’t further the story in any way. However, as I find Ari and Janco adorable, watching them banter, as well as seeing their mischievous antics was entertaining for me. If you have lukewarm feelings towards them, you would probably see this as a waste of time.
February 3, 2017
Ari and Janco! <3
February 6, 2019
A short story about Ari and Janco. Doesn’t contribute much but Ari and Janco are loveable as always.
February 21, 2020
If Janco has his own spin-off, I'd totally read it. =P
August 1, 2017
Janco and Ari are two of my favorite characters lol
September 5, 2022
I bloody love Ari and Janco
March 2, 2019
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