I had high expectations for the Glass series after falling in love with the Study series. I wanted to read this series before reading Shadow Study in case I missed any important details. While the Glass and Study series can be read independently, a lot the characters do cross-over and important events are mentioned without much explanation. Though I did enjoy reading the Glass series, I did have quite a few issues with it.
Description: As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. 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 happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed… - powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.
Review: Storm Glass was a slow read for me, which is highly unusual since I tend to burn through Snyder's books quickly. I think part of my problem with this book is that I didn't warm up to Opal until quite over half of the story. While she is in her twenties, Opal felt very young to me and I found her insistent whining and complaining annoying. Though she did save the day in helping Yelena in Sitia, she is seen as the social pariah in her glass making school. Her journey, thankfully, is much more interesting as she faced threats and discoveries that could kill her. This is one of those rare cases in which I liked the secondary characters much more than the main character because they had a lot more depth.
The structure of Storm Glass is very episodic. We follow Opal from one small adventure that leads to the next. There was really no flow to the story, however, I did love learning about weather with the clan of Stormdancers and glass making as Opal explained how her powers worked.
I also didn't care for the romance in this book. Instead of a love triangle, it is more like a square. Ulrick is the hot, glass maker who has an inferiority complex. Kade the brooding Stormdancer didn't leave an impression on me because he wasn't present for majority of the book and another character that I won't spoil who made me scratch my head. Overall this was an okay start to a new series, but it left me wanting more.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars by Janice Hardy, Fire by Kristen Cashore
Description: Like the colorful pieces of sea glass washed up on shore, Opal has weathered rough waters and twisting currents. But instead of finding a tranquil eddy, Opal is caught in a riptide. Her unique glass messengers which allow instant communication over vast distances have become a vital part of Sitian society. Once used solely by the Councilors and magicians, other powerful factions are now vying for control. Control of the messengers equals control of Sitia. Unfortunately that also means control of Opal. If that isn’t enough of a problem, Opal’s determination to prove blood magic is still being used is met with strong resistance. The Council doubts her, her mentor doubts her, and even her family is concerned. When her world is turned upside down, she begins to doubt herself. In the end, Opal must decide who to believe, who to trust, and who has control—otherwise she will shatter into a million pieces and be swept out by the tide.
Review: I liked Sea Glass a little more than Storm Glass, but not a whole lot. I appreciated Opal coming into her own and trying to figure out who she is without her magic. She stopped whining and decided to take charge of her own destiny by learning how to defend herself. Opal is much darker and jaded in this book than the previous book, but she is still naive and falls into traps quite easily. Once again I felt the secondary characters such as Lief, Janco, and Ari stole the show and I kept reading the book because of them. The love square has now shrunk to a love triangle, though I'm curious about one of the suitors. I am also interested in seeing what becomes of Opal with her magical abilities changed.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of torture and violence, and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars series by Janice Hardy, Snow Like Ashes series by Sara Raasch
Description: After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood - and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know it could be they are lost forever.
Review: Spy Glass is much stronger than the previous two books. The tone is much more serious and the characters have finally reached their maturation. Opal is on assignment: retrieving her magic. She is caught between several court conspiracies and the court intrigue held my attention throughout the story. I was also interested in the villain of the story and wondered if there is such a thing as redemption and being reformed. The romance was solved unusually, but I can't fully support it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of torture and violence, and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars series by Janice Hardy, Snow Like Ashes series by Sara Raasch, Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Grave Mercy by Robin Lafevers
Review: Storm Glass was a slow read for me, which is highly unusual since I tend to burn through Snyder's books quickly. I think part of my problem with this book is that I didn't warm up to Opal until quite over half of the story. While she is in her twenties, Opal felt very young to me and I found her insistent whining and complaining annoying. Though she did save the day in helping Yelena in Sitia, she is seen as the social pariah in her glass making school. Her journey, thankfully, is much more interesting as she faced threats and discoveries that could kill her. This is one of those rare cases in which I liked the secondary characters much more than the main character because they had a lot more depth.
The structure of Storm Glass is very episodic. We follow Opal from one small adventure that leads to the next. There was really no flow to the story, however, I did love learning about weather with the clan of Stormdancers and glass making as Opal explained how her powers worked.
I also didn't care for the romance in this book. Instead of a love triangle, it is more like a square. Ulrick is the hot, glass maker who has an inferiority complex. Kade the brooding Stormdancer didn't leave an impression on me because he wasn't present for majority of the book and another character that I won't spoil who made me scratch my head. Overall this was an okay start to a new series, but it left me wanting more.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars by Janice Hardy, Fire by Kristen Cashore
Description: Like the colorful pieces of sea glass washed up on shore, Opal has weathered rough waters and twisting currents. But instead of finding a tranquil eddy, Opal is caught in a riptide. Her unique glass messengers which allow instant communication over vast distances have become a vital part of Sitian society. Once used solely by the Councilors and magicians, other powerful factions are now vying for control. Control of the messengers equals control of Sitia. Unfortunately that also means control of Opal. If that isn’t enough of a problem, Opal’s determination to prove blood magic is still being used is met with strong resistance. The Council doubts her, her mentor doubts her, and even her family is concerned. When her world is turned upside down, she begins to doubt herself. In the end, Opal must decide who to believe, who to trust, and who has control—otherwise she will shatter into a million pieces and be swept out by the tide.Review: I liked Sea Glass a little more than Storm Glass, but not a whole lot. I appreciated Opal coming into her own and trying to figure out who she is without her magic. She stopped whining and decided to take charge of her own destiny by learning how to defend herself. Opal is much darker and jaded in this book than the previous book, but she is still naive and falls into traps quite easily. Once again I felt the secondary characters such as Lief, Janco, and Ari stole the show and I kept reading the book because of them. The love square has now shrunk to a love triangle, though I'm curious about one of the suitors. I am also interested in seeing what becomes of Opal with her magical abilities changed.
Rating: 3 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of torture and violence, and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars series by Janice Hardy, Snow Like Ashes series by Sara Raasch
Description: After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood - and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know it could be they are lost forever.Review: Spy Glass is much stronger than the previous two books. The tone is much more serious and the characters have finally reached their maturation. Opal is on assignment: retrieving her magic. She is caught between several court conspiracies and the court intrigue held my attention throughout the story. I was also interested in the villain of the story and wondered if there is such a thing as redemption and being reformed. The romance was solved unusually, but I can't fully support it.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some language, scenes of torture and violence, and implied sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Healing Wars series by Janice Hardy, Snow Like Ashes series by Sara Raasch, Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Grave Mercy by Robin Lafevers
Labels:
2015 YRHMB Reading Challenge,
3 stars,
3.5 stars,
Fantasy,
Glass series,
Magic,
Romance,
YA
|
Posts
Hmmm... I have long wanted to try this author, but after reading your reviews, I think I will pass, they sound good, but not WOW, which I want right now.
I have yet to start this series for the very reasons you mentioned. After reading other reviews for it I just decided I didn't want anything to ruin (so to speak) the original for me. Maybe someday I will give it a go but until then, I am just happy she is continuing with the Study series. ;)
Yea I've heard that the romance wasn't great. I still want to read it even if it was somewhat lukewarm with you. I did like her Healer series so I've been wanting to give this one a go.
This series has never gained traction in my library. Only a few girls have checked it out and no one has come in asking for it. Now I know why!