After having scads of friends tell me "You must read this book", I finally did just that. Having had a few hours to kill, I curled up in a chair. I only had one big problem with that. I was so glued to my seat that after I'd finished, I had to do some stretches to get the kinks out of my muscles. I read it pretty much in about one big sitting. 
 The book follows Yalena, a young girl who has been placed in prison for murdering the son of one of the kingdom's important people. On the morning of her hanging, she is given the option to become the new poison taster for the king rather than go immediately to her death. Choosing to live, Yalena goes to the castle & learns the art of poison detection under the tutelage of the broody Valek. Once there, she finds that even as she initially mistrusts him, she is also drawn to her tutor. 
 I loved this book. I loved the descriptions as well as the characters. I didn't immediately see the chemistry between Yalena & Varek, but I will say that when I eventually caught on I did see how they made a good match. The only thing I would say needed work is that at times Yalena seemed a bit like Wonder Woman, always making the right steps & almost never stumbling. I enjoyed the book so much though, that I was willing to forgive this one flaw.