Rummanah Aasi
  There is always a bittersweet feeling when you finish a series. Sometimes you love the characters and their world so much that it is hard to let go. There are also times when you wish some series would just finish because storylines and characters drag on and on. Thankfully, I felt the former when I finished Fire Study last night. I read the first half of the book in a couple of hours and tried to slow my pace but ultimately failed. This series is very hard to put down!

Description: In the first two books of the series, Yelena discovers her powers and past. She knows she is gifted (or cursed?) with a rare power that threatens herself and those around her. She now must try to hone done her skills, save her kingdom, and silence her critics who believe she can offer nothing but death and destruction. Will she succeed without drifting to the dark side?

Review: Snyder delivers another excellent adventure. I was never bored or felt that the book dragged. Although there is a bit too much going on with both international and local conflicts than the last two books, I was never lost. In fact, I had a lot more questions that I hoped were going to be answered when I finished the book. My questions were answered as I enjoyed the twists and turns of the last book. The author deftly balances the conflicts between Ixita and Sitia against Yelena's personal struggles.

   One of the many themes discussed in this series is the notion of power and the abuse of it. Is magic benefical? And if so, how much do you use and when should you use it? These are the questions that plague Yelena, especially when she is needed to help her kingdom and friends. While the first two books show Yelena the good, the bad, and the ugly side of magic, she must decide who she wants to be. Yelena has her own unique set of powers, but she is also very vulnerable to become addicted to it and use it for her own selfish purposes. Magician Roze Featherstone is a harbinger of what Yelena can become. Both share similar powers and personal traits. Even after the book ends, Yelena knows what could happen and must work harder to resist temptation. As Uncle Ben told Peter Parker: "With great power comes great responsibilites."

  The book ends with a possibility that there may be other storylines in the series. I do very much hope that there will be other books, but I'm very satisfied if there are none. I know that Yelena, Valek, and the others will have more adventures when I read the last page. I'll just miss them.

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: There is more violence in this book than in the first two books in the series due to a war between two kingdoms. There is mild language and suggestions to sex.

If you like this book try: Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder and Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
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