Dawn Study (The Chronicles of Ixia, 9)

“Because now the baby was tangible. Not just a concept or a belief. Real. Excitement mixed with fear, and the desire to protect crashed through him like a burning hot wave. He staggered to his knees under the weight.”

Unfortunately I have to say I was disappointed with the final book in one of my most loved series. It did not live up to the exciting, magical, assassin, butt-kicking book I’ve loved in the past.

To start the review, a look at Valek an Yelena. Their voices and mannerisms in the book have changed, but that didn’t bother me much at all. Valek the Assassin is slowly turning into Papa-Valek, and Yelena has when she calls “baby-brain”. Where Valek was more trusting of Yelena to handle herself, he seems to worry more for her safety and doesn’t approve of her putting herself in danger, and vice-versa with Yelena. Out little couple is growing up and worrying about their future as a family.

What really threw this book off was the entire plot line. It seemed to be bouncing around everywhere. In other book in the series, groups would split and every other chapter or so would update on one group or the other. In Dawn Study, however, there were so many separate groups by the time one rolled around the reader would have forgotten what that group was up to in the first place!

There were also more than a believable number of kidnappings/captures in this book, even for a romantic fantasy! Every other chapter one of the characters was in need of rescue, which is disappointing for this series because I loved how the characters were mostly self reliant or always had each other to get out of the tough situations.

I did love that Fisk and his Helper’s Guild had a major roll in this book. His little guild of street kids has almost grown into an army of their own, and they the ins and outs almost as well as any trained man of Valek’s. It’s great is see what started as a insignificant character in one book grow to become so important over the series.

Overall, Dawn Study was good. It defiantly wasn’t what I was hoping for in the last book of the series, but it was good. Now I’m just left with my fingers cross for a Janco/Ari/Onora spinoff.

Very disappointed. Her first books in the Study series were amazing. The last 2 went round and round, repetitive and predictable. I had hoped for a bit more, but still enjoyed knowing what became of the characters. I don't know what Night and dawn had to do with the Study.Just seemed random names compared to poison, fire or magic study.

Dawn Study is the long-awaited conclusion to the Soulfinders series and the Ixia Chronicles. How I have loved every single minute spent with Valek, Yelena, and the gang. They have grabbed my heart, taken me on wild adventures, driven me slightly crazy with tension, and changed forever the way I look at books. Dawn Study is everything I was expecting and waiting for. Incredible doesn't do it justice. Prepare yourself, because this is going to be a long review - when I am this in love I get longwinded.

Yelena and Valek have long been working towards establishing peace between the countries of Ixia and Sitia. Now they must face their final battle. The magicians of Sitia are under the control of a rogue group and the Commander is threatening to invade. Yelena, Valek and their friends have until the hot season before they lose their chance of peace once and for all. They will need to sacrifice everything in the hopes of one day being able to raise their family in safety.

Dawn Study kind of felt like both a second-last and last book in the series rolled into one. There is so much contained within its pages. Along with Yelena's first-person-narrated chapters, readers are treated to chapters from Janco, Valek, Leif and also Heli's perspective, told in third person. This keeps the reader well informed about all the different angles of the story and made me pay attention as it sometimes takes a while to circle back around through all the characters. It also made it a little hard to pick the story back after putting it down (because, you know, my boss doesn't like it when I read all day, although 'it's Dawn Study' might have proven a worthy excuse). But these multiple perspectives are necessary to continue the story and I absolutely love the extra insight we get into all the characters.

When I'm talking with people about books, be they students, friends or complete strangers, I am likely to ask "have you read Poison Study? No? Well, you have to. Don't ask why, just read it. You can thank me later." It is a series unlike any other. And Dawn Study is the perfect conclusion. In a way I'm kind of glad this is the end of the series. Because Yelena, Valek and all the gang seriously deserve some peace. It's funny, but Valek is getting old. He's still the best spy and fighter around but his weariness seeps through his every breath and action - he is ready to settle down, raise his family, and grow old with Yelena. And I absolutely love that! It kind of hit me that all the characters are so much older now. All grown up you might say. Even Fisk is seventeen now. Their lives have been dominated by fighting for peace and in Dawn study they make their final stand. And we finally get some answers to some big questions, like what is causing Yelena's magic blockage and HOW ON EARTH IS IT GOING TO END??????

I have always loved Valek and Yelena as a couple (Valena? Yelek?) and Dawn Study just shows us why all over again. They are honest with each other use humour and teasing and love to cope with the stress they are under. They are not perfect, but you never, ever doubt they will work things out. I love that Valek and Yelena get to spend so much of this book together. Aside from a few dangerous situations and journeys, Valek and Yelena are together for the majority of the book, which is so nice after previous books where they are so often apart. It is something Valek himself comments on. It also means there are plenty of opportunities for alone couple time. These are always fade-to-black scenes but there is no doubt what is going on... just another reminded that despite the YA love for and adoption of this series, the Ixia series has always been a general fiction title and not YA. But of course its readership and fans spends generations.

I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say readers will be happy with the ending. I laughed, cried happy and sad tears, and simply didn't want it to be over while enjoying every minute of the conclusion. I think Maria Snyder would have had to worry about sneaky assassins in the night if she didn't give us an ending to cherish. As Valek says, it is time for the next generation to step up and start leading. If we as readers get to be privilege to that next generation's adventures I will be very happy and eagerly come along for the ride. But if this is the last we see of Sitia, Ixia, and their wonderful inhabitants than I am content to have enjoyed the journey. All I can say is: Maria Snyder, thank you. Thank you for the wonderful characters, the adventure, the love, the excitement, the tears, the heart-stopping moments. Thank you.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Awesome

Love!!

Dawn Study is the brilliant final novel in the Soulfinders series, which is well written and action-packed but a bit slow. I also found it a bit repetitive and I did not fear that the main characters were ever in danger.

Yelena disappointed me a bit with her lack of trust and being self-destructive despite being pregnant. Valek is feeling very protective of Yelena and I felt it changed him from the stealthy and calculating Valek we know and love.

The ending was bittersweet as it is the last book in the Sitian and Ixain world. I would recommend Dawn Study to fans of Maria’s previous Study and Glass books.

I did not like this book and how it ended. Yelena became took a back seat to her own story as soon as everyone found out she was pregnant. The battle between Valek and Commander was built up and we all knew it was coming. The battle and after math pissed me off. I am so disappointed right now.

Ixia and Sitia have never been closer to war than now.

The Commander is under the influence of a powerful evil magician who is pushing for war, hoping to clean up afterwards and take control.

Majority of the Sitia population is under the control of Theobroma and another magician in cohoots with the magician controlling the Commander

An amazing end to a wonderful series. This series captivated me from the start and oh how the characters have grown throughout. I am heartbroken that I won't see anymore of them in the future but also so happy to have experienced them. Their herd is truely amazing.
Yelena and crew are in a battle against a horde of evil with the ability to influence many across the country. Their goal is to stop the evil and be able to raise their family in peace - but can they win?

Excellent author enjoy all her books. Well worth the read.

I wish this series would never end it is so well written. I LOVE Maria's books and highly recommend her fantasy books to friends.