Spy Glass (2010)
Written by: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Pages: 424 (Trade Paperback)
Series: Book Three of Three (or Six of Six, if you consider the Study trilogy to be the first three books of the series)

The premise: ganked from BN.com: After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world.

Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood—and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if they're lost forever...

My Rating

Worth the Cash: Fans of Snyder will be pleased with this final installment of the Glass trilogy, and what looks to be the final installment of the overall series, which started with the Study trilogy. Snyder definitely gives Opal, our heroine, the means to discover who she is as a person and to be happy with who she is, what she can do, and who she loves. There are a lot of enjoyable moments in the book, though at times it feels like it wanders, and there are also moments that will surprise you. But Snyder's been working towards certain conclusions from the start of the trilogy, particularly the second book in the trilogy, so the outcome shouldn't be that surprising, even though they may leave some readers feeling a little icky afterwards. Still, I'm happy with the conclusion, though I'll say I think I prefer the Study trilogy to the Glass trilogy, I do like the development of this world and how it's built with each and every book. Should Snyder even return to Sitia or Ixia, I'll be happy to tag along.

Review style: For starters, I'm going to talk about how the summary above (which is also the backcover blurb) is COMPLETELY misleading, and also I want to talk a lot about the romance in this one and what works and what doesn't. Then I'll ramble about how this is the last of a series and whether or not Snyder's got the material to keep going in this world, even if she has a new heroine. Spoilers, yes, so please don't click to the full review at my LJ below if you don't want to be spoiled! Everyone else, feel free. As always, comments and discussion are always welcome. :)

REVIEW: Maria V. Snyder's SPY GLASS

Happy Reading!

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Book club selections @ calico_reaction. Hop on over! We'd love to have you!

September: So Long Been Dreaming edited by Nalo Hopkinson
October: Feed by Mira Grant
November: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin