Taste of Darkness is, so far, a huge improvement over Scent of Magic. I say so far because, I can’t bring myself to finish this book. I got to about halfway through where one really tense thing happened and I had to put it down. I’m not ready to see how this story ends. I can’t handle the feels. I can’t take anymore heartbreak. Snyder is an evil, evil temptress who is stabbing me in the heart, seemingly for the fun of it.
Taste of Darkness picks up very immediately from where Scent of Magic leaves off, so you may want to do a quick refresher read of the series before you start it. Kerrick is gone but Avery isn’t one to sit on her butt and weep about it. Snyder throws you straight into the action with a fast-paced, high-stakes plot that never lets up.
The thing I kind of love about this series is what continually happens which is:
Random person: This is impossible.
Kerrick: Step back.
Random person:
Avery: You’ll need my help.
Random Person:
Pretty much all three books follow that formula. It should be weird that it often seems like Avery, Kerrick & co. are single handedly saving the world. But for some reason it doesn’t. Because they are awesome.
Which is why I just can’t read anymore right now. But what I did read of this book was truly some great writing and story telling!
Nova Lee @ Out of Time
Aw, Kat, I love your reviews! This book sounds so cool and I do hope you pick it up again. I haven’t read anything by Maria V. Snyder, but if it involves guys doing the splits in impossible situations with acrobats on his shoulders, count me in! LOL.
I’m probably going to have to go look at some of those “in-depth” reviews but it’s so awesome being able to read a review that just makes you laugh and entertain you! *throws money at Kat*
Lovely post! <333
Braiden @ Book Probe
I unfortunately felt like Taste of Darkness dragged a little and that the problem with the book was that it was much too similar to the previous two as well as Study and Glass, because Maria just recycles the same plots. I love Maria’s work, but this was just not her best.
At least you can rate positively even if you haven’t finished it 😛
April Books & Wine
HAHAHA, that GIF summary of the Avery and Random Person and Kerrick is PERFECTION.
And you are right, that’s the basic summary BUT IT WORKS because like you said, they are awesome.
Natalie M.
I saw your updates on Goodreads and the summary sounds interesting, but I don’t know if I can pick up another YA fantasy again. Throne of Glass, Graceling, Seraphina all disappointed me horribly. On a side note, I adore Harry Potter )Who doesn’t?) and Game of Thrones. I hope you’ll review the latter soon!
Johannah
I met Maria V. Snyder once. For a banned book dinner and discussion. I enjoyed her speech a lot.
Amy
This review made me want to start the series.
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
Ugh, I am so pissed at where this series went. I’m officially not reading book three after I got Jessie to spoil it for me. So many characters come back to life. Seriously, Snyder, even Joss Whedon is judging you at this point. And, more to the point, when Whedon’s characters come back at least dying has fucked them up. These guys just skip on their merry way. No. Just no. ARGH.
In other news, that series of gifs is spectacular.
Both the US and Australian covers for this series blow.