Monday, September 20, 2010

Review: Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder



**SPOILERISH NOTE!!** (if you do not care to see a spoilerish note, skip to the bold title, REVIEW)
This book contains some rather radical relationship choices... and while I thought that Opal's choices were justified through circumstances that occured (some of them things that one could relate to in this world, some of them through the benefit of the magical powers of people of that world), I've read quite a few other reviews of this book and find that it seems quite a few people were outright appalled.
If you are not a fan of radical, controversial relationship choices... and anything that deviates towards that will ultimately inform your decision about a book, regardless of quality of writing/character development, etc, then I suggest you steer clear of this series.
If this note is too vague... and you don't mind spoilers, email me and I will happily explain in more detail exactly what the situation is that has caused controversy.

REVIEW:
The final book in the "Glass" series... this is the wrap up of the story of Opal Cowan, who you were introduced to briefly in the Study series... but who truly blossoms and is a wonderful character here in the Glass series.

All questions I had about this series going into book 3 were answered by the end, and left me an incredibly satisfied customer!

Like the Study series by Maria V. Snyder, I don't think I can recommend the Glass series enough. The only difference between the two was that I think, in the end, Opal ended up being a stronger character, writing wise, than Yelena did.

Yelena (from the Study series) who I love dearly as a character, had more to deal with her own inner issues and personal past, while Opal had to deal with other people trying to use her constantly and in bizarre ways as well as with her own issues.

Now, that's not to say that Yelena didn't have to struggle with a lot of external pressure... I just felt that Opal really took the brunt of being other people's play thing... and sometimes you truly wondered if she'd pull through, where you never quite truly worried for Yelena, because she was so powerful, and still discovering her powers.

I really can't recommend either of these series enough... and I will certainly be going out and buying Maria V. Snyder's next series, Inside out and Outside in.

4 comments:

  1. Ok, I'll take your word for it...I'm adding these series to my TBR pile. Great review! :)

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  2. I loved this series! I don't know how much I agree with Opal's choice, but in the end, it was HER choice.

    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  3. Yeah, it was Opal's choice that people had a problem with... based on actions from the past... they think the author was being unrealistic in her writing of that.

    I felt she explained the choice well enough... but yeah, I'm still not sure I agree with it... but I understand why she chose it.

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  4. I absolutely adored the Study Series and was so disappointed there weren't going to be more. I love Yelena. I was pouting and didn't want to read the Glass series. But maybe I will anyway now. Tantrum over lol.

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