Audible Sample

Playing...

Paused

Shadow Study Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Maria V. Snyder (Author), Gabra Zackman (Narrator), Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. (Publisher)

276 ratings

See all 7 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Amazon Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$7.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Paperback

"Please retry"

$24.81

$23.27

—

New York Times best-selling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance. Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands - and protect her relationship with Valek. Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers. Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous.…

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible narration with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $2.99 after you buy the Kindle book.

Shadow Study

Maria V. Snyder (Author), Gabra Zackman (Narrator), Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. (Publisher)

Audible is $16.45/mo after 30-days. Cancel anytime.

Includes one free audiobook
Choose from 400,000+ titles
After 30 days, Audible is $16.45/month.
Cancel anytime

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 28 minutes
Author	Maria V. Snyder
Narrator	Gabra Zackman
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com.au Release Date	24 February 2015
Publisher	Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B00TY26JDC
Best Sellers Rank	41,097 in Audible (See Top 100 in Audible) 666 in Fantasy & Futuristic Romance (Audible) 703 in Contemporary Fantasy (Audible) 2,076 in Literary Fiction (Audible)

Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

How does Amazon calculate star ratings?

Review this product

Write a customer review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Calyad

Yelena Zaltana; Soulfinder

Reviewed in Australia on 10 March 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I had a bit of confusion as I was reading this series, because the MC, Yelena Zaltana, narrates in the first person. Also, I was continually feeling as though I had missed something through her references to experiences in other times. And just to confuse my poor deficient brain further, the first two books in the Soulfinders series are Poison Study and Magic Study. Book three in the series is Fire Study, but it is listed on Amazon as "the Yelena Zaltana series Book 3". Then the next book, Shadow Study, is book 4 of the Soulfinders series.

Despite this, I am enjoying the characters and their adventures, so I do recommend it. This book ends at a crucial time, so I look forward to the next in the series.

Helpful

Comment

Erin Hughes

Maria transports you to a whole other world full of fun laughter and adventure

Reviewed in Australia on 20 May 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I cannot wait to read more!! I have been hooked on this series since day one.

Maria transports you to a whole other world full of fun laughter and adventure.

Helpful

Comment

Kayleen

Serendipitous

Reviewed in Australia on 7 August 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

So glad I reconnected with this series and author. Always a joy to find well written and edited extrapolated future world genre.

Helpful

Comment

hayley_chan

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 2 November 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great continuation from the first 3 study books.

Helpful

Comment

Jen Lilly

Four Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 24 March 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great read

Helpful

Comment

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 9 June 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Can't wait for the next one

Helpful

Comment

For established and new fans alike

Reviewed in Australia on 2 March 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Shadow Study launches an exciting new fantasy adventure trilogy by Maria V Snyder featuring characters familiar from her Study and Glass series.

It opens as Yelena, on her way to meet Valek for a brief reunion, is attacked by a hidden assailant who shoots her with a poisoned arrow. Able to heal herself, Yelena enjoys a passionate reunion with Valek before he returns to Ixia, but twenty four hours later she realises her magic has disappeared. Returning to Sitia, Yelena is desperate to find out how she has been stripped of her powers, and how to get them back. Without them she is vulnerable, especially since an old enemy is bent on revenge, and a new one is determined to destroy her.

While Yelena sets out to find the answers she needs, Valek is busy in his role as the Commander's second after being gone for almost a year. His point of view details life at the keep, as well as Valek's recall of his past as a student of the The School of Night and Shadows, desperate to avenge the murders of his family, and sets up what I assume will be the main thrust of the plot for this trilogy - a brewing war between Sitia and Ixia.

I don't think it is strictly necessary to have read the previous books set in this world to enjoy Shadow Study, but those that have will have the slight advantage of being privy to both the history of Snyder's world, and the development of the characters and their relationships. Snyder does introduce a few new characters in Shadow Study, most notably Onora, a talented assassin with her eye on Valek's job, and Gerik, a soldier, who are partnered with Janco and Ari.

For established and new fans alike, Shadow Study should prove to be a fast paced and entertaining fantasy adventure. Fair warning though, the book ends on a cliffhanger and the second book, Night Study, won't be published until 2016.

Helpful

Comment

Sapphired Dragon

An awesome read for old and new readers alike!

Reviewed in Australia on 27 February 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Oh My Goodness this book was so good! Another awesome instalment in the Study series and Valek and Yelena's story.

From the moment I read the first page, I was pulled right back in Yelena's world and it was great to visit with all the characters again, and a number of the main players from both the Study series and the glass series are back in this book. That being said however, whilst it helps to already know the characters, this tale is its own story and I believe it is just as compelling even if you are visiting the Study world for the first time.

This novel is told from three points of view, Yelena, Valek and Janco, each weaving a different thread in and around each other and in its own direction as needed. Ms Snyder uses it very well to direct the different threads of the story and the balance between the three worked well for me and each thread had its own story and own mystery to be solved and I was just as hooked on all three.

I liked that we learn a lot more about Valek in this novel, we get to see some of his history and how he came to be where he is which gives us a much greater understanding of his character and why he does what he does. We also learn a bit more about certain characters from the previous novels which also helps to propel the story forward.

What Ms Snyder does really well however, is create a story, world and characters that you can't help but love, hate, and be completely immersed in. This is the first book in a new series set in the Study world and I for one, am thankful to Ms Snyder for allowing us to visit with these characters again and share in their newest adventure. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I give this novel 5 stars.

Sapphired Dragon xx

Helpful

Comment

Top international reviews

Sam

Magical story telling

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2016

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed the is follow up to the Study series. Back by popular demand, Yelena, Valek and friends are engaged in another adventure as we follow them through a brilliantly plotted and written story.

It begins with Yelena and Valek who going about their day to day lives hidden away in a cottage enjoyed each others company. However, evil lurks and Yelena is attacked and loses her magical ability because of it. This leads both her and Valek down many different paths and with the help of their family and friends and assorted colleagues they become more and more embroiled in the mystery that ensues.

This story has a lot of humour, regarding the antics of Ari and Janco, I loved their voices which are heard consistently throughout as the author has chosen to write the novel from the viewpoints of multiple characters. I am not usually a fan of this kind of style of writing but it made sense to do so here as the crew are set on many disparate journeys. It also worked as a thrilling plot device, because just as you were reaching a cliff hanger with one character you would then join another one and becoming equally intrigued regarding their plight.

This is a very return to the fantastically imagined worlds of Ixia and Sitia and the magically realms that surround them. I can't wait to visit again.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

annmarie

The author is one of my favourites and reading this book reminded me why that was

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2016

Verified Purchase

I loved the study series I loved the glass series and I always hoped there would be more and this book was not a disappointment. The book has all the characters I had grown to love and the storyline was amazing. I was so pleased about the whole thing. I think a lot of people worry when new books come out from the same world you loved and you pick the new book up you have this fear that it’s not going to live up to all the books before but that was not the case at all this book was everything I had grown to love and more.

The characters had grown and yet still the people we had read and loved and wanted them to do well and keeping going and this book while showing you the character’s life forward a little in time since we last saw them but it was like you now knew what happened after the book you last read and you also got to see how they changed and what they are doing now but most of all you got more information and views into the characters.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

C. C. Chivers

A lost fan.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2016

Verified Purchase

Much as I like the storyline and have read all of the preceding related books and having read 'Scent of Magic' I am now forced to say that all of the characters have no depth and are pretty much the same person in different guises. It is a great disappointment because I really loved Snyder's first set of books: the storyline was unique and the characters showed promise. But then they never developed. Rather the contrary, they de-evolved into different sides of the same person and the storyline became far too predictable. At one point in this book I knew exactly what was going to happen and who was going to say what.

Among other things, in Scent of Magic, Avry says 'who me?' when talking about herself, exactly as the main character in every other book. To me, this sounds as though Snyder is probably writing about herself rather than creating a unique character in each story which, unfortunately, means all the characters are the same.

This story is also pretty much a repeat of the others, but with different scenery and the same thing was happening, but to a different character. I really felt like I was plodding through the book rather than getting lost in its world. Unless Snyder can develop her characters so that the hero, Valek, can really behave and think like a man (albeit one in love) instead of a lovesick teenage girl and the heroine thinks and behaves like the tough character she's supposed to have been trained to be instead of a weakling sap constantly whining about her poor fate and filled with indecision (which would go against her original strong character), then I'm afraid she's lost a previously loyal reader.

Yes, terrible things have happened to Yelena, but would someone who has been rigorously trained and gone through serious hardships, including attempted murder on more than one occasion, fall back to being a quivering mouse like the younger girls in Snyder's other books? Or would she more likely have more determination and courage, and probably a sense of revenge to see things through and take her next calculated step like the older and more experienced woman/mentor she's supposed to be?

And Valek, his training is described in detail in this very book. The cold determination it would have taken such a boy to go through something like that is at complete odds to the man he is now described as. At one point he is filled with near blind outrage that his love has been injured by someone (which has happened before without his extreme reaction). I would have expected him to behave in a much more calm and focused manner as the leader and fighting man he's supposed to be. As I wrote, the characters have all merged into one.

Try Juliet Marillier, Cinda Williams Chima or Glenda Larke to name but three other women writers in this genre. All their characters are individuals with nuances to their behaviours and the storylines are amazing.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Little Miss Fitness

Not much book for your buck

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2015

Verified Purchase

Overall I'm very much a fan of the original 3 Study series books, not so much the glass series but I liked them in the end. I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into this one but I felt for the price, it was over very quickly with a predictable cliffhanger to finish. So I was slightly disappointed but as a whole I enjoy the Ixian, Sitian world and so look forward to reading the next installment.

Writing: I liked that the author has decided to do multiple POV because as much as I like Yelena as a character, I find singular POV novels can get quite monotonous and repetitive, especially Opal Cowan. There were a good few grammatical errors and missing words, I had to re-read some sections and make sense of them. I felt the book was rushed almost, with a lot of padding for new readers to grasp the book as standalone. I find that quite annoying. Just read the series!

The Story: It didn't spam as much time, usually Maria's books in this series cover a number of seasons, and there is a lot more happening. I didn't feel there was any action or drama in this and it was clearly evident why Yelena had lost her magic. I liked that Ms Snyder didn't jump right in with a Janco/Onora romance, definitely a good thing as pairing off is common and predictable in YA novels.

One person found this helpful

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Michelle

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2015

Verified Purchase

I LOVED IT.
Shadow Study has been a book I have been desperate to read since I first heard about it, I stalked the author, and any place that had the book for pre-order hoping that the publication date had been moved forward. When I got Shadow Study I was torn. I wanted to drop everything to read it, but also had other books I had committed to that were published before Shadow Study, but after a string of books I did not finish, I picked this one up, knowing that I was guaranteed to get out of the slump with Shadow Study.

I want to write this review and tell you everything that I loved, share with you what the characters get up to and all the secrets that are hidden within the pages. I want to share with you the final words in the book, and fan girl over them, but I can't. So this review will be vague on exact detail, but know that it is full of so much love for this book and for the author. I demolished every single page of this book, I was hooked and had to keep reading just one more chapter, and finished reading at 4.10am.

Shadow Study has three narrators, Yelena, Valek, and Janco. I loved how this played out within the pages, especially as the plot progressed, the three narratives only added to this story. It also made it harder to put down, if you finished Yelena's part, you had to read through Valek and Janco to get back and find out what happened to her. We are introduced to some new people, and they make an interesting mix in the pages along with the characters that we know and love. One of the new characters I never really felt comfortable with, and when their story is mixed with an old face nothing good can come from it.

Another thing that I loved in Shadow Study was getting to visit not only Yelena's world, but also Opal's too, catching up with characters from both 'worlds' and seeing how the story lines cross over and intertwine with each other. Shadow Study also gives us another characters world to learn about. We get to revisit Valek's past and find out how he became a feared assassin, and how he gained all of his skills.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Zeena G

Back with a Bang

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2015

Verified Purchase

I finished reading this the day after it was released. It has taken me this long to write a review, because it has taken me this long to assess my feelings about it. On the whole, I loved the book, but there was a niggling feeling of disappointment in the back of my head that I couldn't quite place. I've finally realised what it was. The plot. It read as more of a set up to the next book. Nothing was really answered within this one. Yelena lost her magic and there is an assassin after he, but we never really find out anything important about either of these events.

What saved this book, or rather what masked the issue with the plot because it didn't really need saving as such, were the characters. Like with the books that came before, we get to see Yelena's POV, but we're also treated to Valek and Janco's POV as well. I knew about the multiple viewpoints before I started reading, and I admit I was a little nervous about it because it's not something I have really seen done well, especially when the book is written in first person, but Snyder made it work. Yelena's is the only viewpoint in first person. She effortlessly switches to third person when writing Valek and Janco's viewpoints. Even without the helpful headings at the beginning of the chapter to tell me whose viewpoint I'm reading, it was easy to tell.

With the added viewpoints, we get to learn more about Valek's past and get a better insight into what goes on in Janco's head. I felt Valek's past overshadowed the main plot - at least for me. It was what I was more focused on, and it was very interesting. His flashbacks coincide with the emergence of a new character - an assassin after his job, which just adds to the intrigue. With Janco we can better understand why he hates magic and why he behaves the way he does.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the hopes that some of the questions will be answered and the plot will move forward.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Thisgirllovesbooks

A Brilliant Return

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 March 2016

Verified Purchase

I am always a bit dubious when authors decide to return to a much loved series but I am so glad I gave this book a chance.

The series return to follow Yelena who, no longer a mere poison taster, is tasked with keeping peace between Ixia & Sitia with her powers.

After an attack leaves Yelena powerless, she and her friends must hurry to find her enemies to try and unravel the damage that had been done. The book does not disappoint as many of our favourite characters return in this book.

A brilliant follow up on the series - I cannot wait for the next book.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

aislingeach

Can't wait for the next book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2015

Verified Purchase

I've now read the entire series. I didn't realize the Glass novels were part of the same series until I started reading this book and noticed it jumped ahead. The primary characters are all well crafted and have their own special quirks, making them easy to like and want to see more of. There are occasional inconsistencies in the story lines but they are easy to forgive. Although I know that creating page turners is desirable for publishers, sometimes it would be nice to rest between crises and enjoy the characters just living their lives normally for a while. The worst part of series such as this is waiting for the next book but when it comes it's like a visit from old friends. I just hope it doesn't take too long.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Serena

Continuation of Yelena's story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 July 2015

Verified Purchase

Cant explain how excited I was to learn there was a new Yelena Zaltana novel out, for those who are new to the works of Maria V.Snyder check out the Study series from the very beginning. Poison Study is where we met the main characters for this novel and this one has all the wonderful feels of the novels beforehand. There is a slight awkwardness in the writing when trying to allude to certain plot points, but I suspect its because its not been properly explored before now, when the need for it exists. However that aside its a wonderful book and Im not looking forward to waiting until the next one is released!

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Amazon Customer

The Fourth Yelena Saltana Novel - a bit of a hit!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2015

Verified Purchase

I absolutely love Maria V. Snyder's books, particularly the Yelena Saltana series, and this is the fourth book in the series. If you are familiar with Maria's work, she produced three Yelena books (Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Study) between 2005 and 2008 chronicling the adventures of Yelena and super-spy Valek. These were followed by three 'Glass' novels which told the story of Opal Cowan, a character that had appeared in the Yelena novels. Shadow study, takes place following the last glass novel, but the narrative focus returns to Yelena and Valek.They are a bit older and a bit wiser, with a bit of wistfulness thrown in as they see their friends settling down around them.
If you are a fan you will love this. However, unlike the first three books which were almost stand-alone novels in themselves, this is clearly the start of another series of books, that has a kind of 'mid-book' fatigue to it. All the old characters are there - particularly the loveable Janco, and the Ixian Commander is up to some skullduggery, plus some new and powerful magicians appear, but the story hasn't really started going as yet. I look forward to the next installment when I'm sure Maria will reveal more of the plot...

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Ani Reviews

A study success!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2016

Verified Purchase

Once again Maria V Snyder has dragged me into Yelena's world and I fell in to it like meeting an old friend. This series is simply amazing and Woah! What a cliffhanger at the end. Time to get the next book and blitz read it. Fast paced, full of action and intrigue. The writing is just perfect for a fantasy epic that leaves you gasping at the end and wondering what's next.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

VonRichtoven

Still good but comming to an end?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2016

Verified Purchase

Good writer, seeming now close to running out of material. Though the skill endures in this book, that is what carries it.

I'll avoid plot spoilers but more formal arrangement between the nations mean more plotting and opportunities for our lovers to meet and save each other. A good read. Not quite all of the original brilliance though.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Arty

OMG

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2015

Verified Purchase

I have waited a long time for Yelena & Valek to return and the book was great so much told us about Valek we did not know.
I finished the book in two days as it gripped me so much ,i am a great fan of the Studys books,but i must say i was so fruistruted when i came to the end i slammed my kindle down so must be a nother book coming hope its soon.
I shall be waiting!!!!!!!!!

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Louise Brown

Excellent choice, keep reading!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2019

Verified Purchase

Thoroughly enjoyed reading these books. Moving on to the next ‘Night Study’, From the same author. Brilliant break from reality.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

MrsB

Awesome, a must.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2016

Verified Purchase

As a huge fan of the poison series and glass series had not realised she had done more but always wanted a series where we learnt more about Valek .... EEEEEEE! EXACTLY what she has delivered. I love her writing style and I am already on my second read through of both of these books. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

You've read the top international reviews

See all reviews from Australia

Shadow Study Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Read & Listen

Free with 30-day Audible trial $0.00

Pay with 1-Click $36.54

People who viewed this also viewed

Product details

Customer reviews

Review this product

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top international reviews

You've read the top international reviews

Free with 30-day Audible trial

$0.00

Pay with 1-Click

$36.54