Maria V. Snyder Collection: Poison Study

Maria V. Snyder Collection: Poison Study
Maria V. Snyder

Let fantasy star Maria V. Snyder steal you away to a darkly enchanting world of powerful magic and dangerous deeds…. Poison Study About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll test the Commander of Ixia’s meals to prevent assassination attempts. But as Yelena develops magical powers, choices must be made. And this time the consequences aren’t so clear…Book One in the Study Trilogy Storm Glass With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until Opal taps into a deadly new power, which could save them all…or destroy her.Book One in The Glass Trilogy 'Reminiscent of early Anne McCaffrey' –Rhianna Pratchett, SFX

Dear Reader,

There’s something magical about firsts. The first day of school, first dates, first dances, and first kisses. The unknown combines with excitement, anticipation, worry, and fear to make the whole experience like no other. And that’s even true for first books. Before writing, those same emotions churn, and the results can be as surprising and unexpected as that first kiss.

That’s why I’m very excited about this special collection featuring Poison Study,Storm Glass, and a sneak peek of my new novel, Touch of Power. They are the first books of my three fantasy series, and they all have a special place in my heart.

Poison Study is not only the first of the Yelena Zaltana Series, but my very first book written. Ever. I didn’t have a drawer full of manuscripts, or a stack of rejection letters when I started. I had an idea to write a story about a food taster named Yelena. I worked on the story while caring for my young children. After three years, I had the first draft of my first book. Then began a series of more firsts. First round of revisions, my first rejection letter (of many), my first acceptance, my first editor…etc. I went on to write two more books about Yelena (Magic Study and Fire Study), but even though they are near and dear to me, there’s nothing like the first.

Then came Storm Glass and, while the fantasy world was the same as Yelena’s world and many familiar characters returned, for the first time I had a new main character, Opal Cowan. Again my emotions churned. Would my readers like Opal? Would she be too similar to Yelena? I must admit, I had to re-write the first three chapters of Storm Glass because Yelena kept telling Opal what to do. I had to exorcize Yelena from my mind so Opal’s voice could be heard in this book and in the next two, Sea Glass and Spy Glass.

And then came Avry of Kazan Realm in Touch of Power. A new character in a whole new world of the Fifteen Realms. Another first for me. You would think after writing six books, I’d be blasé and confident that all would be well. You’d be wrong ϑ. Excitement and anticipation mixed with the unknown and I was once again sailing in unfamiliar waters.

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them. They’re filled with adventure, mystery, mayhem, suspense, romance, and many many firsts.

Best wishes,

Maria

Maria’s upcoming series Avry of Kazan launches with

Touch of Power

Also by New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder

The Study series

POISON STUDY

MAGIC STUDY

FIRE STUDY

The Glass series

STORM GLASS

SEA GLASS

SPY GLASS

The Inside Series

INSIDE OUT

OUTSIDE IN

www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk/mariavsnyder)

The Maria V.

Snyder

Collection

Poison Study

&

Storm Glass

Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Without the support from my husband, Rodney, this book wouldn’t exist. Thanks, dear, for all the printing, the copying, the critiquing, the willingness to be a single parent from time to time, for not complaining about conference fees, for being there when the rejections came in, and the million other things that I don’t have room to list! To my children, Luke and Jenna, for understanding (most of the time) that I’m not playing on the computer (really, I’m not).To my parents, James and Vincenza McGinnis, thank you for always believing in me. To my sister, Karen Phillips, for reading the book and for giving me the support that only a sister can give. To Chris Phillips for his good ideas, and for putting up with all of us. And I can’t forget the babysitters: Sam and Carole Snyder, Becky and Randy Greenly,Amy Snyder, Gregory Snyder, Melissa Read and Julie Read—without you I would still be on Chapter Two.

Many thanks go to my fellow Muse and Schmooze critique group members: Shawn Downs, Laurie Edwards, Julie Good, Lisa Hess,Anne Kline, Steve Klotz, Maggie Martz, Lori Myers, Kim Stanford, Jackie Werth, Michael Wertz, Judy Wolfman and Nancy Yeager. Without your help and support this book wouldn’t have made it this far.

A heartfelt thanks to Helen French. She made the call I had been dreaming of, and her enthusiasm for this project has been wonderful. Thanks to Mary-Theresa Hussey, who has been an excellent editor. Thanks to my agents, Sally Wecksler and Joann Amparan-Close, for helping with the contract.

Very special thanks go to Alis Rasmussen, who took the time to read and critique my manuscript. Your advice was truly invaluable.

To my husband, Rodney, for all the support he has given,

is giving and will give. I’m spoiled rotten.

In loving memory of Frances Snyder, Jeanette

and Joseph Scirrotto.

“They would talk to you and make jokes while

they were feeding you poison.”

—Kathy Brandt on chemotherapy; a good friend

who lost the battle.

1

LOCKED IN DARKNESS that surrounded me like a coffin, I had nothing to distract me from my memories. Vivid recollections waited to ambush me whenever my mind wandered.

Encompassed by the blackness, I remembered white-hot flames stabbing at my face. Though my hands had been tied to a post that dug sharply into my back, I had recoiled from the onslaught. The fire had pulled away just before blistering my skin, but my eyebrows and eyelashes had long since been singed off.