For such a simple job, Yelena has a lot of enemies, and with those enemies comes attacks, training, and so much more. I don’t know why, but each page that passed had me begging for more even as plenty was happening. I think that’s my favorite part, if I’m being honest-aside from the romance, duh-the beautiful writing. Whether it’s an attack on Yelena to abduct her, a poison lecture on what to watch out for, or an actual tasting for the commander, I was never once bored and found myself idly wondering how this book could so be wonderful with it’s understated simplicity. With a soft, languid pace, this book tricks you with it’s addicting nature-It isn’t rushed, hurried, nor overly stuffed with information, yet each chapter something significant happens that has you on the edge of your seat. While subtle in it’s charm, this book sneaks up on you like poison in your veins (Muaha I went there). Who better to have on my side? Rand, the cook, whose food I’d be eating on a daily basis, or Valek, the assassin, who had a nasty tendency of poisoning my meals?Īhhh where do I even begin? Is there even an adequate place to start? Wellll, first I’d like to give a shout out to my two vacant besties who did a wonderful horrible job of reading this with me- Hello, Bitches (you know who you are, my lovelies). But this time the outcomes aren't so clear. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust-and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.Īs Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace-and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.Īnd so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve.

Poison study