Endlessly exciting, completely brilliant, and utterly wonderful in execution, Poison Study is going to be my new favorite book of this year! Poison Study details the life of Yelena, a girl about to be executed for her murder of General Brazell's son Reyad. However she's quickly offered a chance of a lifetime to become a food taster for Commander Ambrose (in effect, the ruler of the land). Yet, her new life as a food taster is no safer than her desolate dungeon - hounded by Brazell, constantly on her toes for poisoning attempts and learning to fend for herself Yelena has her hands full in a new world of loyalty and danger. 
 Starting off and without missing a beat, Yelena proves herself to be more than competent as a new food taster. She's smart, cocky to a point, and impressive at learning - a person born to succeed. Under Valek's tutoring and the circumstances pressed down upon her, Yelena strives harder and harder to physically hone her skills, master the smell and taste of poisons as well as figure out mysteries in the scheme of politics and power struggles. Yelena is particularly impressing, when later events prove her endurance and her capability to think for herself and elude foes. Yet, Poison Study doesn't only succeed because the heroine is undeniably strong; it succeeds because Snyder has given a unique voice to each character and compelling characterizations. 
 The characters, any of them are just as convincing and befitting of a novel like Poison Study. The mysterious-yet-seemingly-profound Valek is a master assassin and security master for Ambrose, yet he shows a soft side for certain events. Rand, Margg, Irys, even Ambrose himself and a slew of side characters indeed are all multi-dimensional and have multiple masks, different sides of themselves. Their characters are not just punctuated by sob stories but rather long hidden secrets, double loyalties or hidden strengths. 
 But Snyder does far more than just create a cast of colorful characters, she adds riveting character dynamics and emotions into her writing. Poison Study is indeed a coming-of-age type of story, with Yelena maturing into a stronger and more independent women; however it is also just a young women getting to know her powers and what she can do for the world. Snyder's story is filled to the brim with small incidents that both entertain and invigorate the reader as well as action, danger and tactical decisions. Since Snyder thoroughly details a journey of Yelena through her food tasting and more - readers will never feel a moment of quiet, the action is continuous, and the tension are throughout. Poison Study answers enough questions to be a thorough story, yet it leaves readers begging for more. Especially of a certain relationship... 
 Snyder has definitely become one of my new favorite authors. Her story has woven a tale of everything I've wanted to read: a smart heroine, actions and a exotic setting. Poison Study keeps the danger atmosphere pinched in with some sweet scenes and endless strength throughout. Impressive and a tale woven from the best of everything, Poison Study will stun any reader, and leave them wanting sequel after sequel.