2.5 to 3.0 stars. Let me begin this review by saying that I think Im becoming much harder to please when it comes to fantasy stories so please keep that in mind. Having read quite a few, the standard fantasy plot elements just dont produce the same warm and fuzzy feeling that I used to experience when reading these kinds of stories. I must have hit my tolerance threshold for the fantasy drug because I find that I am needing greater and greater amounts of awesomeness in order to get that "special feeling" I used to get. Part of the issue may be that I have read a number of fantasy books that were "Oh My God, I will never stop loving you" good and they have raised the bar on fantasy books in general. I am now more selective in what I read in the fantasy genre and generally try and seek out books that have truly exceptional characters or unique and memorable world-building or just "off the chart" quality writing and dialogue. These books are more difficult to find but the payoff is worth it. For example, Joe Abercrombie's "First Law Trilogy" or Guy Gavriel kay's The Fionavar Tapestry or.....or.....or.....or.....or.........Um....um.....sorry about that......I was just remembering the first time I read The Lies of Locke Lamora and, uh...I mean....where was I?...Oh, oh, the Poison Study review. Anyway, for those new to fantasy or those that are true fantasy junkies, you may love this as it is certainly a QUALITY book. I had no problems with any of the critical elements (i.e., characters, writing, world-building, magic and plot). I just wasnt blown away by anything and when I was finished I didnt feel like I had experienced anything new that I would remember much beyond writing this review.

The castle, politics, dark mysterious guy, strong female MC, and way it unfolds as a sort of mystery were all seriously awesome. I did really enjoy this book, but think I was just expecting a bit more from the end.The basic plot is Yelena killed her sadistic abuser but is saved from execution by accepting a position as the Commander's food taster. She's given some poison everyday and then has to check back for the antidote in order to deter her from escaping. Yelena gets thrown into a world of politics & spying while she trains in self-defense and tries to figure out exactly what's going on with mysterious events involving... some kind of knockoff chocolate factory? (This is not as Willy Wonka as it sounds).The pacing was great and it's pretty quick read, but I honestly would've liked it to have been a lot longer! This was a really cool world but the story felt like it just barely touched the surface of every plot point.Valek (the guy who trains Yelena in poison tasting) was easily my favorite part! He had kind of a Darkling quality and I totally wanted to skim the book just looking for his name. I appreciated what seemed like a slow-burn romance, but then thought everything it built up to really failed to deliver. I wanted to see the romance develop. The main reason I took a star off was because the book struggled to find the right tone at times as it wavered between a gritty, more mature story and a lighter/younger YA book. I think this story would've worked better as an adult book since there was a pretty intense & traumatic backstory for Yelena (rape trigger warning btw) and the villain was doing creative horrible things that could've grown into a really great darker tone. But then that didn't really mix well with the other relationships that were somewhat juvenile at times. Is it horrible that I kept picturing:Some of the friendships were really solid, though -- I LOVED Ari and Janco so much! This really did remind me of Throne of Glass at times with the writing and how some bits were really complex and creative, while others felt more simplistic with the potential to be more. BUT but but (I know I complained a lot, sorry) this book really is a fun read overall! I just liked it so much that I'm disappointed it wasn't something I could connect with even more. So all of the complaints are a good sign in this case!

Poisoned, pursued and living with a psychopath. Not what I would consider the good life. Death has its perks.Well living with a psychopath Valek is a perk in my humble opinion.The storyYelena is waiting to be executed and she's made peace with that, but then the Commander's right hand (who also happens to be an assassin) approaches her with an offer; she can either be executed as planned or she can become the Commander's new food taster. Yelena naturally picks the latest and she's introduced into a world of politics, schemings and poisons, and she eventually has to face her worst nightmares and find the strength to confront them.Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder. ThoughtsOne of the reasons I started reading Poison Study (besides the gorgeous cover and the premise) was the assumption that it resembles Throne of Glass, which I adore. And it's true, both of them are about an incarcerated girl who is given a second chance if she endures a dangerous challenge, but that's where the resemblances end. Poison Study is different. Unique. Marvelous.Poisons, magic, deception, spies, secrets, assassins, conspiracies, military action, heinous acts and acts of kindness, great main and secondary characters , Maria V. Snyder gives you everything. Yelena is an extremely likable MC, from a scared girl depending on others she evolves into a strong woman who embraces her weakness and turns it into courage. And my precious Valek plays an important part in this transformation.But youve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.Valek contemplated to kill Yelena twice, he was rude and manipulative and he put his duty above everything else. But yet Yelena found a place in his black heart and held it with a strong grip. Their chemistry was palpable and their love was building slowly and steadily. One of the finest OTPs, ladies and gentlemen!You haven't read Poison Study yet? Santa will get you no present this year.