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I agree - I kept wondering if this was actually a YA fantasy disguised as adult, or an adult fantasy with really poor writing. I'm enjoying the story, and hoping the other two (three?) get better.

I couldn't put word for the feeling I had after reading poison study. But you did it admirably for me. I totally agree.

Anne-claire wrote: "I couldn't put word for the feeling I had after reading poison study. But you did it admirably for me. I totally agree."

Have you finished the trilogy? I did. The writing does not get better, and the characters still feel flat. Plus the magic system seems really confusing, like she just kept adding things when the author wanted something else to happen.

Yes, I finished it. I don't want to say that the writing was "poor" - I prefer "simple" - but it certainly does not get better. And it was the major reason why I have mixed feelings for this trilogy. And as for the characters, I agree with you. Especially for Valek and Commander Ambrose, I expected more ... is the word "history" or "depth"? (english is not my mother tongue, sorry).
I think the magic system is confusing because it is seen from Yelena's point of view who has spent most of her life in Ixia. Or perhaps, the author willed it that way. Actually, it might be confusing, but it is not what bothered me.

I think if I had read this series back when I was 12 - 15 years old, I would have really liked it. The story of a young woman overcoming the threat of death, discovering her family, saving the world, and finding love is a classic! But I've read too many "good" books to forgive the trilogy.

Thanks for your insights - you are right that the writing is just simple, not poor. And the magic might become more understandable as Yelena learns more about herself and the world.

I only read the first two. I gave up after that. There is too much really well written fantasy out there to continue with a mediocre writer. Also, I felt the story lost its momentum. Very sad! I wanted to love this.

To Tess: Thanks to you too. And you are right also. Were I 15, I would have wanted to become Yelena, lived her adventure and fallen in love with Valek. It is just so sad for the writing style.

To Letitia: My favorite is the Poison study. I feel that the author should have balanced much more the story between Ixia and Sitia for the last book. I guess she wanted to drift toward more magical stuff and thus lost her story line. However I liked how she described Yelena's family and how they behave and came to accept each other.

Cheers to the author's efforts, and may her next trilogy be better! I just won't be reading it.

So completely what I thought.... exactly.

exactly!

You may be right with her writing style but I like things "dumbed up". I wouldn't say I'm not smart but I feel it was an easy, quick read. I was able to follow very easy and not have to wonder what certain words meant or get lost in "artful" writing. Put your story on paper and stop showing off with big words that no one uses :)

I absolutely agree! I'm hoping the rest of the series progresses well.

100% agree. I read the first 3 books and I think I spent the entire time waiting for the author to write the book I *wanted* to read... Unfortunately it never eventuated. There was a lot of potential here, unfortunately it was just never realised :(

I agree. Plus I felt like a deeper development of the main characters would have benefitted the story. I never felt completely connected with Yelena, and that's a pity because the story has a really good concept. As I have just finished reading the first book,I hope that maybe the sequels will get better.

I�� feel the same way, good story but the writing was sophomoric. Too many lengthy descriptions of clothing *yawn.*

Yes! This is exactlt how I felt reading this book. The plot is such a good idea but the execution is poor. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series...

I also kept waiting for it to get better. It wasn’t the worst but it was just meh ☹️