Maria V. Snyder's Favourite Books From Childhood.

As part of the Night Study tour, Maria V. Snyder wanted to share her favourite books from her childhood. Here are the five books she loved the most. 

1 & 2 ) Swimmy and Frederick by Leo Lionni.  

In Swimmy I loved how all the little fish worked together to scare off the big fish, what a great lesson.  And Frederick the field mouse gave me permission to daydream.  He taught me the value of a story teller.

3) Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire. 

I loved this book.  The main character can change the colour of his spots and rearrange them in different patterns and shapes. I wished I had his spots and could play with them.

4) Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.  

Another great book for those of us who like to daydream and use our imagination.  All you need is one crayon and you can create an entire world.

5) The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. 

Each night my father read a chapter of this book to me. He was very busy so I didn’t see him much during the day, and I was such a daddy’s little girl, that I treasure those times together.  

Night Study was published in February 2016. You can buy it here

                           Summary

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's 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 are 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 that they could have ever imagined.

To find out more about Maria V. Snyder:

Website 

Maria Snyder is running a competition on her website offering the chance to win a free copy of Night Study. All you have to do to enter is to read one of the blogs on The Night Study Blog Tour and leave a comment about the book.

The link to the competition is here 

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

They said the only folks who belonged in Headshot after dark were the ones who were up to no good. I wasn't up to no good. Then again I wasn't exactly up to no bad neither. 

Published by Faber Books in February 2016

Pages - 348

Cover designed by Will Steele

Summary 

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from. 

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is.

*****

I heard about this book early in 2015 and I had a feeling it was going to be special. At YALC, I managed to get a sampler of the first two chapters and I've waited impatiently ever since to read the rest of the book. I definitely wasn't disappointed and it was so worth the wait. This book shook the ground beneath my feet!

I honestly believe we have found the UK's answer to Laini Taylor.  Seriously - expect the unexpected  with this book. I don't want to give any of the plot away because you have to experience it first hand to understand what I mean.

Amani is one kick-ass, gun welding heroine, who deserves to stand alongside the likes of Katniss and Caelena. Her gun toting skills are better than nearly every man in her life. Determined to get out of Dustwalk, she risks everything for a chance of freedom.  

I loved Jin! He's the type of boy, every girl wants by her side. 

The story seamlessly weaves together an Arabian Nights style setting with  the hardships of the Wild West, bringing you a stunning blend of two very different genres. 

This book has everything you could possibly want and I think everyone should read it. A Adventure, magic, romance and explosive action all blended together to make one of the most epic and original debuts of 2016.

Alwyn Hamilton is a name you really need to keep watching!

If you love Sarah J. Maas, Laini Taylor and Maria V. Snyder, then this really is the book for you. 

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

Pages - 413

Published by Mira Ink in December 2012

Book received from publisher via Net Galley

'I'm dead,' I said to Kerrick.

He kept his flat expression, and I knew I'd get more cooperation from the cave's stone walls. Too bad for him that I didn't need his approval. But it would be nice if we worked out an agreement at least.

Goodreads Summary

Avry of Kazan, the last Healer of the mystical Fifteen Realms, has a power that can’t be matched. But in the minds of her friends and foe alike, Avry no longer exists. Now, as the psychotic King Tohon builds an army mightier than any that has been seen before—a league of undead soldiers—Avry must face her toughest, most terrifying battle alone. Fighting to be reunited with her family and her lover Kerrick, Avry must infiltrate Tohon’s troops. But does she have the power, the rare magic; to do what legend says is impossible?

********

I love this series! When I read this series, it makes me want to rush out and buy every book by Maria V. Snyder. It is just so good.

This is the second book in the Healer series and before I go any further, I have to tell you to stop reading this review if you haven’t read the first book as it will contain spoilers!

 

*taps feet* *checks watch* *whistles while the people who haven’t read the first book leave the blog*

Are we ready?

Well as you already know, Avry, didn’t die. Nope, she is a living, breathing, snarky yet gutsy girl  out to get her sister back. Even though her sister would rather be eaten alive than spend time with her. So Avry departs on a dangerous mission to save her sister leaving Kendrick behind to return to his army and his own kingdom and prepare to fight against Tohon. The book is told in alternating viewpoints. Avry’s story is told in first person, while Kendrick’s is told in third. I have noticed more and more YA books writing like this lately and I have to say I really like this style of writing.

All the well-loved characters from the first book appear in this one. Kendrick’s men remind me of Robin Hood’s merry men, as they defend Avery at every moment. I loved them all. Avry and Kendrick are still my favourite characters. Unfortunately they don’t spend enough time together in this book for me as I love the sparks that fly in their tempestuous relationship.

Avry’s power is pretty amazing. The way she can take anyone’s illness and pain and make it her own is awe inspiring. However it comes with a price, any scars that the other person would have had become Avry’s and occasionally she pushes her body to the limit and death can often look inevitable for her. I think this power and her need to heal against all odds, shows her incredible strength of character.

Every chapter is short, compact and thrilling, leaving you on a cliff hanger every time as you alternate between points of view. I struggled to stop reading as I always ended up on a cliff hanger and I needed to know what happened next.

The ending! Oh my goodness. That completely left me in shock. I haven’t a clue how Book Three will deal with that.

I am so intrigued by the Peace Lilies and the Death Lilies and the way Avry has such a strong connection to them. The way they work seemed to change dramatically in this book and I am presuming we will learn more in the final book.

A brilliant world building fantasy book with an exciting plot that leaves you breathless. I can’t wait to find out how it all ends. This is the best second book in a series I have read in a long time. It is just as strong if not stronger than the first.

A Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Pages - 390
Published by Mira Books, an imprint of Harlequin in January 2012

The little girl wouldn't stop crying. I didn't blame her. She was dying  after all. Her lungs were so full of fluid she'd drown in another few hours. Tossing and turning on my thin mattress, I listened to her cries as they sawed through the floorboards and through my heart, cutting it in two. 


Goodreads Summary
Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

***********
I have been meaning to read one of Maria V. Snyder's books for a long time, so when I realised she was writing a brand new series I jumped at the chance to read it.  I was not disappointed. In fact I am now in the process of collecting the books from her other series. Touch of Power was an incredible read and one I know I will read again in time. The story is set in a  fantasy world where Avry is forced on a journey to cure someone she would rather stick a knife through. She has no choice but to accompany Kerrick after he saves her life. This book is not about the destination, it is about the journey to get there.

The relationship between Kerrick and Avry is  definitely a love/hate relationship, which has you sucked into the story. Avry is an extremely feisty girl who knows her own mind and will stand her ground. Kerrick, who is used to people obeying him, struggles to cope with her. The sparks that fly between these two lights up the book like firecrackers, creating an excellent side story. I was totally gripped in their arguments and fights. This is the best love/hate relationship I have read about in a long time. When the evil Tohon, joined the story, it was like adding fuel to the fire. He is determined to win Avry, by any method he can, but Kerrick fights him all the way. Now I know I am supposed to detest Tohon, but there was something about him, that really made me like him. I can't put my finger on what it might be, but I have a soft spot for this rather evil man.

Avry was definitely my favourite character in the book. She was just so strong and had very little thought for herself. She healed without  considering her own health. She was determined to help people and take on their illnesses. She showed no fear of dying,even though the worst of the illnesses could kill her. Her mind was just on healing the sick; she risked her life to carry out her destiny. The secondary characters were written beautifully and you came away feeling emotional about Flea and Belen.

The fantasy world created by Maria V. Snyder was completely believable. I found it inventive and original. The idea behind the Peace and Death lilies was just brilliant. I often worry when I read fantasy novels,whether I might not be able to fully absorb the world created by the author, but I couldn't say that was a problem with this book. The plot line with all the twists was fantastic and I was thoroughly absorbed by the story.

This is not a book to be rushed. It is an epic journey that needs to be experienced. I was so disappointed by the end of the book not to have the next one to read.   If you love feisty female characters and a world full of fantasy, then I really think you will enjoy this one.

I think I might be a Maria V. Snyder convert!