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Poison Study #1.5
Assassin Study
Yelena, the heroine of Maria V. Snyder's stunning debut novel Poison Study, is on her way to her ancestral homeland of Sitia to be reunited with her family and to learn more about her magical powers. An order of execution hangs over her head should she ever return to Ixia. But her true love, Valek, quickly learns that an assassin has taken it upon himself to make sure Yelena doesn't reach her destination.
As Ixia's chief of security, and a highly skilled assassin himself, can Valek track down the killer in time to save Yelena's life?
As Ixia's chief of security, and a highly skilled assassin himself, can Valek track down the killer in time to save Yelena's life?
15 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2008
69 people are currently reading
11554 people want to read
About the author
Maria V. Snyder
75 books17.4k followersWhen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 802 reviews
February 28, 2015
Read for free here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
This was very reminiscent of those ‘choose your own adventure’ books, which is probably simply due to the whole ‘letting the readers chose what happens next’ thing the author did. I will say that it’s a very bad idea to get on Valek’s bad side though!
This was very reminiscent of those ‘choose your own adventure’ books, which is probably simply due to the whole ‘letting the readers chose what happens next’ thing the author did. I will say that it’s a very bad idea to get on Valek’s bad side though!
March 24, 2023
This was a short and sweet novella, and while it’s told from Valek’s point of view, it was a pretty unnecessary addition to this series. However, considering how obsessed I am with Valek at the moment, it didn’t really bother me all that much!
Is it bad that I ship Valek with myself? ;) I want a sexy and protective blue-eyed assassin!!! <3
Is it bad that I ship Valek with myself? ;) I want a sexy and protective blue-eyed assassin!!! <3
July 5, 2019
Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.
This is the first of three short stories that intersperse the Study series and is available to read here: https://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassin.... It takes place directly after the events in book one, Poison Study.
Protagonist of the series, Yelena, has returned to her ancestral home and left both the kingdom of Ixia and Valek behind her. Unfortunately, the danger that dogs her every move is not so eager to leave her and it is only Valek who can stop it.
It was interesting to see this world through Valek's eyes and the reader got to understand his motivations a little better even as he dually opened up previously unknown segments and facets of this world. I also appreciated how this wasn't a mere rehashing of already known events in a new perspective but a new creation, complete and separate from the central story-line.
I did find, however, that the events wrapped up a little too hastily. I understand that at 27 pages the amount of plot was going to be limited but the fight scenes and concluding conflict took mere paragraphs and I would have preferred this to be slightly longer in length and, so, more fleshed out in tension and action.
This is the first of three short stories that intersperse the Study series and is available to read here: https://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassin.... It takes place directly after the events in book one, Poison Study.
Protagonist of the series, Yelena, has returned to her ancestral home and left both the kingdom of Ixia and Valek behind her. Unfortunately, the danger that dogs her every move is not so eager to leave her and it is only Valek who can stop it.
It was interesting to see this world through Valek's eyes and the reader got to understand his motivations a little better even as he dually opened up previously unknown segments and facets of this world. I also appreciated how this wasn't a mere rehashing of already known events in a new perspective but a new creation, complete and separate from the central story-line.
I did find, however, that the events wrapped up a little too hastily. I understand that at 27 pages the amount of plot was going to be limited but the fight scenes and concluding conflict took mere paragraphs and I would have preferred this to be slightly longer in length and, so, more fleshed out in tension and action.
April 9, 2021
2.5⭐️
short and sweet. pretty unnecessary but valek is probably my favourite character in the series and it was a fun story.
short and sweet. pretty unnecessary but valek is probably my favourite character in the series and it was a fun story.
March 17, 2017
This was way too short, but it has cemented my love for Valek and my absolute need for more of this series!
March 16, 2015
Valek goes after an assassin who's on his way to kill Yelena. He succeeds, easily. And that's about it. This is a short story that feels shorter than it actually is because there's very little character development and a straightforward plot that doesn't add to the overall narrative. You could skip this story and you wouldn't miss anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2018
*3.5/5 stars*
This short story is fast and pretty entertaining. Must read for fans of Study series and to those who are in love *like me* with a certain assassin!
“Knife fighting was his forte, but he wouldn’t have time to have a proper match. Pity.”
You can find it on Maria V. Snyder's website, here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
This short story is fast and pretty entertaining. Must read for fans of Study series and to those who are in love *like me* with a certain assassin!
“Knife fighting was his forte, but he wouldn’t have time to have a proper match. Pity.”
You can find it on Maria V. Snyder's website, here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
January 31, 2018
Review to come.
August 17, 2015
I would’ve given this book page a lot less than 3 stars if it wasn’t 15 pages. Valek, the bae of all baes, is trying to catch up to an assassin who caught the order of assassinating Yelena, and is willing to kill her to be the commander’s second in command.
A few bumps in the road, a new ally, and I guess that’s it…?
I don’t even get why I’m writing a review on a novella that is 15 pages. Well, the basic reason was to explain why it got 3 stars not less.
So guys read it just to waste time, I guess.
For those who are interested in reading it for free; http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
A few bumps in the road, a new ally, and I guess that’s it…?
I don’t even get why I’m writing a review on a novella that is 15 pages. Well, the basic reason was to explain why it got 3 stars not less.
So guys read it just to waste time, I guess.
For those who are interested in reading it for free; http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
May 16, 2018
That’s it, it’s confirmed that love definitely turns a male into an idiot. 🤦🏻♀️
Valek, you’re supposed to be a cunning son of a bitch, not a dweeb who falls into the simplest and most obvious trap ever! You’re a disappointment.
Valek, you’re supposed to be a cunning son of a bitch, not a dweeb who falls into the simplest and most obvious trap ever! You’re a disappointment.
August 1, 2021
Just okay. Doesn't really add anything to the story though🤔
January 10, 2012
GrowingUp YA
I think I had an excitement attack (this usually involves flailing arms) when my friend told me about Maria V. Snyder's novella, Assassin Study
It took me less than a second to find the short story on Snyder's blog and then it was don't talk to me or I'll murder you, Valek style. Okay, so maybe it was more like this:
Anyhoo, as someone who experiences occasional pangs of Poison Study withdrawal, I definitely had my fix with this novella.
Assassin Study is a very quick read that takes place between Poison Study and Magic Study as Yelena travels to Sitia.
While I thought the story was way too short (I need more Valek!!), it was great to finally see the world through Valek's POV and witness his analyses. It was quite thrilling, especially when considering how ruthless he is when it comes to defending the people he loves most. It was also hot.
If you're a Study Series fan, definitely head over to Maria V. Snyder's website and check out this short story. It's definitely a must read.
I think I had an excitement attack (this usually involves flailing arms) when my friend told me about Maria V. Snyder's novella, Assassin Study
It took me less than a second to find the short story on Snyder's blog and then it was don't talk to me or I'll murder you, Valek style. Okay, so maybe it was more like this:
Anyhoo, as someone who experiences occasional pangs of Poison Study withdrawal, I definitely had my fix with this novella.
Assassin Study is a very quick read that takes place between Poison Study and Magic Study as Yelena travels to Sitia.
While I thought the story was way too short (I need more Valek!!), it was great to finally see the world through Valek's POV and witness his analyses. It was quite thrilling, especially when considering how ruthless he is when it comes to defending the people he loves most. It was also hot.
If you're a Study Series fan, definitely head over to Maria V. Snyder's website and check out this short story. It's definitely a must read.
January 22, 2020
This short story was sort of OK, I guess. 🤨 If you miss it, you don't miss anything at all. I read it because it is just ~30 pages long (available to read on Maria V. Snyder's website for free), but basically it adds nothing new to the story. Oh, and Valek... he is not himself in this novella, it was a little weird for me. Valek is a badass assassin, not this lame guy. 😒 I'm not sure I will read the other short stories in the Study Series.
June 16, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
A short review for a short story found at http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassinstudy.php
Yelena has left Ixia to return home to her long-lost family and learn to control her magic, but someone’s taken her execution order and is determined to follow it through. Can Valek, master assassin, save the love of his life without revealing himself?
I quite liked this story told from Valek’s point of view. I love his sense of duty and how he and Yelena have to separate for the betterment of each other. Valek’s quick and cunning, and this story was clearly written to be fan-influenced because at several points Snyder asks what Valek should do next – ie fight, surrender, trust someone – which I found really interesting, and I found the fan choices interesting as well. Snyder let her fans decide how Valek should react, and although I’m not sure I agree with all the choices he ‘made’, as some of them seem slightly out of character, Snyder is such a great writer that she managed to make it even the out of character choices work.
There’s no lover’s reunion: Valek works from the shadows and doesn’t want Yelena distracted knowing he’s nearby. However I am interested to see how his choices made in this short story impact Magic Study.
And can I just say: that cover. RAWR.
A short review for a short story found at http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassinstudy.php
Yelena has left Ixia to return home to her long-lost family and learn to control her magic, but someone’s taken her execution order and is determined to follow it through. Can Valek, master assassin, save the love of his life without revealing himself?
I quite liked this story told from Valek’s point of view. I love his sense of duty and how he and Yelena have to separate for the betterment of each other. Valek’s quick and cunning, and this story was clearly written to be fan-influenced because at several points Snyder asks what Valek should do next – ie fight, surrender, trust someone – which I found really interesting, and I found the fan choices interesting as well. Snyder let her fans decide how Valek should react, and although I’m not sure I agree with all the choices he ‘made’, as some of them seem slightly out of character, Snyder is such a great writer that she managed to make it even the out of character choices work.
There’s no lover’s reunion: Valek works from the shadows and doesn’t want Yelena distracted knowing he’s nearby. However I am interested to see how his choices made in this short story impact Magic Study.
And can I just say: that cover. RAWR.
October 5, 2019
Meh. I don’t think I’m going to continue reading all the short stories in between. Nothing really important happened 🤷♀️
April 6, 2015
Update 6/4/15:
So good, this was the perfect pick me-up when I was having trouble sticking to a book that wasn't from this series.
Original review 10/4/14:
The second that I saw Maria V Snyder had a novella out it was on my kindle, and the second I realised it was from Valek’s POV my head snapped down and I was engrossed. I can’t get enough ofValek the Study Series and Assassin Study was bound to be a hit. The way that fans had voted on the outcome of the chapters was actually a great idea and I only wish I wasn’t too late to include myself in it.
They also made the right decisions because some fans can know a character as well as the author does and therefore it all made perfect sense. Of course they can’t take all of the credit Maria V Synder did an amazing job, and she kept up a fast pace so you couldn’t take your eyes away and any interruptions would be followed with a murder, Valek style.
But once again (I have the same problem with pretty much all novellas) IT WAS TOO SHORT! It ended abruptly when it could have gone on, but I think I still wouldn’t be happy with the length if it was a thousand pages.
Anyway, Assassin Study is a must-read for all fans of the series, particularly if like me you can’t get enough of Valek.
Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/
So good, this was the perfect pick me-up when I was having trouble sticking to a book that wasn't from this series.
Original review 10/4/14:
The second that I saw Maria V Snyder had a novella out it was on my kindle, and the second I realised it was from Valek’s POV my head snapped down and I was engrossed. I can’t get enough of
They also made the right decisions because some fans can know a character as well as the author does and therefore it all made perfect sense. Of course they can’t take all of the credit Maria V Synder did an amazing job, and she kept up a fast pace so you couldn’t take your eyes away and any interruptions would be followed with a murder, Valek style.
But once again (I have the same problem with pretty much all novellas) IT WAS TOO SHORT! It ended abruptly when it could have gone on, but I think I still wouldn’t be happy with the length if it was a thousand pages.
Anyway, Assassin Study is a must-read for all fans of the series, particularly if like me you can’t get enough of Valek.
Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/
September 5, 2024
Assassin study is a short and sweet novella that tells the beginning of Poison Study from Valek’s point of view, but it does not add anything to the series, and it is not necessary to read it before reading Magic Study. It is nice to have more insight into Valek’s thoughts though and he is a character that I adore so it was fun to have more of him.
1. Poison Study ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
1. Poison Study ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
February 24, 2021
I liked Valek in Poison Study, but seeing reviews of sequels made me doubt I will like him with further reading. This novella proved me right, because he is so out of character in this one, acting stupid and falling into obvious traps. That kind of behaviour would never get him the position of Commander's right hand nor would he be so famously impossible to beat in a fight.
March 18, 2020
I liked Valeks point of view.
But this is a novella, so nothing is too fleshed out.
I still liked it enough to continue this series.
But this is a novella, so nothing is too fleshed out.
I still liked it enough to continue this series.
October 24, 2015
This is an extra available on the author's website here:
http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
Apparently it was written in installments, and at the end of each section, Snyder gave her readers two choices for how things could go in the next section (b/c the endings were rather abrupt and cliffhanger-like).
This was probably the best part, b/c of the two choices given, one would be the prudent, logical thing to do, and the other would be the who-the-hell-cares/guns-blazing option . . .
Every, single time the brash and go-forth-into-danger option was picked, and I thought it was hysterical.
SO. If you're a die-hard fan of the series, and want to see Valek get himself out of precarious situation after precarious situation, then definitely read this. Otherwise, it's entertaining, but not necessary to understand what happens going forward.
http://www.mariavsnyder.com/assassins...
Apparently it was written in installments, and at the end of each section, Snyder gave her readers two choices for how things could go in the next section (b/c the endings were rather abrupt and cliffhanger-like).
This was probably the best part, b/c of the two choices given, one would be the prudent, logical thing to do, and the other would be the who-the-hell-cares/guns-blazing option . . .
Every, single time the brash and go-forth-into-danger option was picked, and I thought it was hysterical.
SO. If you're a die-hard fan of the series, and want to see Valek get himself out of precarious situation after precarious situation, then definitely read this. Otherwise, it's entertaining, but not necessary to understand what happens going forward.
July 4, 2010
After all the 2-star reviews about this, i thought i might be sorely dissapointed after reading the novella, but it was fine. Yes, it was short and completely pointless to the plot but hey, it's about Valek and his POV!!! and because it's short it can't have an omg-its-so-good plot. i liked it.
But that's probably because i love Valek too much for my own good XD
But that's probably because i love Valek too much for my own good XD
June 7, 2019
enjoyed valek's view and the promise paves way to new possibilities n a future plot
August 10, 2018
Nice little novella about Valek, which I appreciated a lot but didn't throughly love.
December 12, 2016
I loved this short story and finally getting inside Valek's head! (I haven't read the new Soulfinder books yet but knowing that they have Valek's P.O.V makes me so excited to read them!). It was set a day after Yelena leaves Ixia to go to Sitia. I really enjoyed reading how Valek's mind works and his thoughts on Yelena (as he isn't always forth coming with his emotions in the main novels). I wanted to see more interactions with him and the other characters in the main novels but enjoyed seeing him work on his own and the trouble he gets himself into. I loved the part with Ziva and how her part in the story gave us a peek into a different side of the Sandseeds and their customs that Yelena doesn't go through. I liked the way the story ended however, I would have liked to know if Valek was able to keep his promise and the way that situation worked out. Overall, an awesome short story that allows you to dip your toes into the amazing world Snyder created and satisfy your Valek craving/obsession (didn't know which word to use so I used them both!)
February 13, 2015
Waste of time.
Here's the plot in case you don't want to bother reading this:
There's no reason to read this, honestly.
Here's the plot in case you don't want to bother reading this:
There's no reason to read this, honestly.
September 9, 2010
Hmm. I think I would much rather read about Valek than to read Valek's account. Otherwise this is an OK short, except it doesn't add much to the story, if at all. You won't miss anything if you don't read this, and I would rather read Valek's notes on poisons, like a personal handbook (like J.K Rowling's Guide to Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them), if you know what I mean, with footnotes about Yelena and her reactions to them.
Read
March 2, 201520 páginas de Valek siendo pura perfección.
“...but she had taken his heart with her.”
“...but she had taken his heart with her.”
June 4, 2016
I'm really starting to like Valek ❤️
December 20, 2018
1.) Poison Study ★★★★
July 2, 2021
Assassin Study is a cute little novella about Valek. I feel like my love for him just grew more after devouring this because how much he reminded me of Mal from Shadow and Bone. He would do anything if it meant that Yelena was safe and sound. So once he finds out that an assassin is out to kill her.. he drops everything and goes after the little shit.
Now I'll admit that I really wanted more from this novella. I just feel like certain things were mentioned but not really explained. Or maybe I'm just really tired from all the overtime I got this week and I'm just confusing myself.
I just want to know about Ziva and her promise because I feel like something was missing from it. Like who the hell her husband is. All I know is that he's powerful and has her kid. I need the details girl so spill the tea for me. If Valek ends up getting hurt during this little rescue I will riot.
Now I'll admit that I really wanted more from this novella. I just feel like certain things were mentioned but not really explained. Or maybe I'm just really tired from all the overtime I got this week and I'm just confusing myself.
I just want to know about Ziva and her promise because I feel like something was missing from it. Like who the hell her husband is. All I know is that he's powerful and has her kid. I need the details girl so spill the tea for me. If Valek ends up getting hurt during this little rescue I will riot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 802 reviews