Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 0 Comments
This review may contain spoilers if you have not read Storm Glass and Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder. (I suggest you do, they are amazing! Then come back to this review).


Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Released: AU September 2010
Series: Glass [Book Three]
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Pages: 424
Source: Gift
Buy it: Book Depository | Amazon

Opal Cowan had been willing to make the ultimate sacrifi ce to save her friends and rid the world of blood magic. Though she survives, she is forever changed…

Opal has lost her powers. More than that, she is now immune to magic. Opal is an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference to the world and were her whole world…

Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes fl ash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood and that fi nding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if she’s lost them forever… - GoodReads

When we last left Opal Cowan, she had sacrificed her own magic in an attempt to save her friends. Unfortunately for her, but lucky for her friends, she was successful. In a twist however, Opal not only lost her powers, but is now immune to magic. Going from ‘powerful glass magician’ to losing her powers is tough for Opal, and at the start of Spy Glass we find her in her home town of Booruby, moping (although she won’t admit it). But she can’t stop thinking about her magic and about Ulrick, Tricky, and Devlin. She feels that she doesn’t have a purpose, and that if she was somehow able to restore her magic, that it would bring meaning back to her life. So, she travels all around Ixia in search of answers. In the process, she is attacked, attempts to break into a high security prison, gets caught in a mine explosion, and finds herself battling with blood magic. Poor Opal!

We meet some old friends in this final instalment of the Glass Series, and are also introduced to some new ones. Her relationship with her family, friends, and Kade are stretched to the limit. She finds herself drifting apart from people she once held close, and is attracted to people (or more specifically a someone) that she was once repulsed by. Her new immunity to magic turns out to be rather helpful, when she helps rescues a new magician on the verge of flaming out. With or without her magic, this new magician and his sister help Opal discover herself, and help her to discover another purpose.

Rating:
Overall, Maria V. Snyder does another amazing job at keeping you connected with the characters, and on the edge of your seat (or bed, or cushion, or wherever you happen to be while reading). Each cliff-hanger/surprise/mysterious chapter ending had me wanting more, and I finished the last half of the book in 2 evenings (I generally read before bed, so I had a couple of sleepless nights because of this book). Although I don’t ‘like’ the final decision Opal makes, it is explained well enough that I accept it and am happy for her. Opal’s seeking her ‘sense of purpose’ while searching for her magic is relatable, and although set in a fictional setting, gives the book a feeling of reality.

I really enjoyed Spy Glass, and the entire Glass Series. I truly hope that Maria continues writing about Ixia; even if Opal’s journey has ended!

Happy reading,
Alisa

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Back from Extended Hiatus

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 1 Comments

“Hello, my name is Alisa, and it has been 10 months since my last blog post.”


You may have noticed, but The Novel Nook and I have been M.I.A for almost a year. Although I wasn’t posting, I have still been doing a lot of reading and rating on Goodreads. I love Goodreads. It has kept me connected with books and other readers, and I feel a sense accomplishment being ahead of my reading challenge schedule, even if I haven’t been as proactive with my blogging.

I feel like I owe you all an apology and an explanation on why I’ve been gone so long. The reasons are fairly simple and non-personal, so I’ll just get to it.

When I first started The Novel Nook, I was in my final year at university. Looking back, probably not the best time to commit myself to a blog, but as with most things, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, I found myself letting my uni work slide, in favour of working on my blog. Then as the year continued, I started my internship at a school, and planning, teaching, and marking became my main priority. Soon graduation followed, as well as the task of applying for an education panel interview and job hunting. These things took up a large part of my time for several months.

Next, things weren't going as smoothly with my family as they had in the past. Sibling ‘disagreements’, work troubles, and ill family members; It all added up and took its toll on me too.

Now, seven months after I’ve graduated, things are looking better all-around for my family, and I think I’m ready to start blogging again. Last time when I began blogging, I feel like I took on too much at once. So this time, I’m giving myself a simple schedule which I feel I can manage along with my other commitments. You, the book bloggers community, are so friendly and accepting, and I hope you’ll join me again in sharing something we all love!

Thank you,
Alisa