The Study of Storms and Magic

The Chronicles of Ixia #9.3

by Maria V. Snyder

“No one survives the third transgression.”

The storm season is fast approaching, and Zethan can’t wait to travel to the Northern Ice Pack in Ixia to aid in taming its ferocious blizzards. It’s a needed break from his twin sister, Zohav’s constant criticism; his magic classes at the Magician’s Keep; and the pressure of being compared to his famous brother, Valek, the hero of Sitia.

Except, this time, Zohav is tagging along to test if her magical abilities to influence water will work on ice. Zohav longs for her old home in Ixia and the quiet life that was ripped from her when she developed magical powers.

Together, with Heli, a strong Stormdancer who can harvest the energy from the formidable blizzards, the trio set off on an adventure. Battling through freezing temperatures, gale winds, icy precipitation, and snow cats, are all part of the job. Unfortunately, the elements aren’t the only danger they face as their escapade turns into a fight for survival.

This novella is set in the Study Chronicles world of Ixia and Sitia! Find out what Valek’s younger siblings are up to in this chilling tale.

Genres: Fantasy

82 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2025

About the author

When Maria V. Snyder was younger, she aspired to be a storm chaser in the American Midwest so she attended Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. Much to her chagrin, forecasting the weather wasn’t in her skill set so she spent a number of years as an environmental meteorologist, which is not exciting...at all. Bored at work and needing a creative outlet, she started writing fantasy and science fiction stories. Over twenty four novels and two short story collections later, Maria’s learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a dozen awards, and has earned her Masters of Arts degree in Writing from Seton Hill University, where she is now a faculty member.

Her favorite color is red. She loves dogs, but is allergic, instead she has a big black tom cat named…Kitty (apparently naming cats isn’t in her skill set either). Maria also has a husband and two children who are an inspiration for her writing when they aren't being a distraction. Note: She mentions her cat before her family.

When she's not writing she's either playing pickleball, traveling, or taking pictures. Being a writer, though is a ton of fun. Where else can you take fencing lessons, learn how to ride a horse, study marital arts, learn how to pick a lock, take glass blowing classes and attend Astronomy Camp and call it research? Maria will be the first one to tell you it's not working as a meteorologist.

Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at http://www.MariaVSnyder.com.

Reviews

[Roseann Zeeuw · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️ reading this made me realize I’m long overdue for a full reread of the entire series. This series still has an iron grip on me twenty years later. Happy Anniversary to Poison Study and Maria V Snyder

[Perle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria !!!!! The scare you gave me !!!

It was very nice to have a book in the POV of the twins 👯

I always enjoy seeing more of Ixia and Sitia 🥰

[Rebecca]

Oooh a surprise new Study novella. I am always ride or die for anything the author puts out connected to this series

[Skye Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise novella release following Zethan and Zohav on their adventures to the Northern Ice Pack, to help tame the blizards for the Commander. Of course, nothing goes as planned and trouble finds the twins and Heli.

I loved this little snapshot of the twins all(ish) grown up and finding their own way after their infamous bother's reputation.
Zethan's taste of adventure has gotten stronger and craves the rush of new lands and helping with his powers.
Zohav's trust of others and keeping to herself has her dubbed as the Ice Queen. Her fear of becoming attached again and trusting anyone besides her twin has her seem aloof and cold; but in truth she feels the most for those she loves and will protect at all costs.

<3 Happy 20 Year Anniversary to Poison Study! <3

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and sweet expansion of the world of Ixia/Sitia, this was a fun (yet risky) adventure for Zethan and Zohav. We meet these two firecracker twins in the later books of the original series, and now we give them their own chance to take center stage and develop their own powers.

This takes place a few years after the end of Dawn Study, so we start out by gaining our footing of where our beloved characters are now and how their lives have grown/developed over the years. Then we get to follow the next generation of magicians on their journey to the north to harnass some ice storm power.

I think this was fun, but it was almost so short that I feel like I still didn't get to become attached to Zohav and Zethan any more than I was in Dawn Study. But I do always love seeing this world expanded in any way.

[Gillian Paulus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading more content from the world of Poison Study. I loved the novella. I honestly only knocked off a star because I prefer novels. I'm pretty sure that in this case that makes me an ingrate since the author didn't have time to write another novel in this world and threw us readers a bone with the novella. I wished that we could've spent more time with even more familiar characters, but we did get to know Zethan, Zohav, and Heli better. I reread the last three books in the series to refresh my memory before reading this novella. I think that that helped to make this book more enjoyable (since I remembered the characters but not in detail).

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2025 I did an entire reread of this series and then in December Maria V Snyder decided to self publish one more novella to add to the world. Of course I had to read it. This was a novella and at only 62 pages, it’s the perfect way to start the new year. The story itself was just okay but that’s because this followed two characters that were introduced at the end of the series and I don’t care that much about them. Even still, I love this world that Snyder built and I’ll continue to read whatever she writes in it.

[Abrielle Emory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anything Maria V. Snyder is an easy buy for me- especially from Cupboard Maker Books (best bookstore in PA)!

This was super fun and fast, everything you’d expect from a novella. I wish it would’ve been a novella about their time in the Magician’s Keep, though. I’d love to see how they’re interacting and fitting in from their POVs.

I did find two typos toward the end, one calling Zethan “Ethan” and another verb being in past tense incorrectly. But, still a fun read!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little Novella! I always love any expanding of the Chronicles of Ixia and Sitia! My first thought when Annika "died" was oh no...I'm sure the real Annika was tickled about it! haha Thanks again to the real MVA (most valuable author) I can't wait to read what's next! (in this series or a new series!)

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting short read and lovely to be back in Sitia and Ixia.
I loved getting to read from both Zethan and Zohav’s perspectives. They’ve both grown a lot since the last book!
It was so nice to get a little glimpse into Yelena and Valek’s lives too, even if I am desperate for more.
I really enjoyed this little novella.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get major ick talking about the relationship with Nell. So she as an adult met a 14 year old, and had feelings for that child but it's okay because she waited until the child was 16 to act on it? wth.
Also some editing errors and nonsensical details.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic little time waster

I read this in its entirety while on a road trip to Sydney AU
Glad it wasn’t longer as I couldn’t put it down
(a normal problem when reading Maria’s books)

[RH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun story in one of my favorite worlds. Any time I get to spend more time in Ixia and Sitia, and do. The characters are always good, the story lines fun and interesting, and they just have fantastic magic. I always hope for more stories from this fantastic writer in this great world.

[Michelle Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short, easy ready little novella for anyone who loves the study series.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt fitting to finish this the day after a snow storm, yet somehow every time I read about the world of Ixia and Sitia I always feel cozy inside.