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Storm Glass (Glass, #1; Chronicles of Ixia, #4)

Maria V. Snyder

Start date: March 1, 2011

Finish date: March 31, 2011

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What Members Thought

Mar 12, 2011 Nairabell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: signed-books, 5-star, fantasy, read-in-2011

Despite her own innate glass-based magical abilities, Opal Cowen has always felt unsure and out of place at Sitia's magic academy. When the Stormdancer clan needs help, only Opal possesses the necessary skills to help them and in doing so she taps into greater powers that she ever imagined she could possess. But the Stormdancer clan's problem isn't as simple as it first appeared, and soon Opal finds herself in danger.

I read Maria V. Snyder's Study trilogy (Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Stu Despite her own innate glass-based magical abilities, Opal Cowen has always felt unsure and out of place at Sitia's magic academy. When the Stormdancer clan needs help, only Opal possesses the necessary skills to help them and in doing so she taps into greater powers that she ever imagined she could possess. But the Stormdancer clan's problem isn't as simple as it first appeared, and soon Opal finds herself in danger.

I read Maria V. Snyder's Study trilogy (Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Study) a while back and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I heard about the Glass trilogy (this, Sea Glass and Spy Glass) I was really excited but I also wanted to wait until I had all three books before starting given how addictive I found the first trilogy.

Opal was introduced in the Study trilogy so we don't get much of an introduction at the start of the book, however I love how Opal grows and changes during the book. She begins as a shy, self-depreciating girl and gradually through learning and accepting her talents becomes a more confident woman. I also loved how several other characters from the Study trilogy were in this book - Yelena, Leif and a bunch of others all return, but there are also lots of new characters which enables the book to balance between being set in an existing world but being innovative at the same time.

The plot is slow to start but builds pace quickly, and not only are there lots of little twists and turns but the author's talent for carrying seemingly innocuous events through to become big story points is present here too. There is a focus on romance, but it is small and doesn't impact the storyline negatively. As seems to be typical at the moment, a love triangle is quickly set up between Opal, the emotionally cut-off Stormdancer Kade and glass artist Ulrick. However, there is a decidedly unique twist to this and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes next.

I loved how the way the character's work with glass was displayed, especially as Opal, Ulrick and the Stormdancer glass artists all have unique ways of working with the glass. It's obvious the author has done her research, and I found these sections fascinating to read.

All in all, I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading Sea Glass.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50 ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2010 Bonnie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-books, fantasy-high, fantasy-general

Sometimes authors appear to get all their talent out in their first book and all follow-ups are disappointing. I didn’t even like Poison Study as much as everyone else (though I did think it was pretty good), but it was a hell of a lot better than this table leg prop.

This was just a horribly “meh” book. The love interests in particular suffered from Dull Syndrome. How can a love triangle be so unexciting? Kade, the Stormdancer, was far from being “mysterious and mercurial” like the description ...more

1 like · Like · see review