Maria V. Snyder "Poison Study"
Yelena killed her benefactor's son, and now she rots in a dungeon. It has been almost a year, before she faces her execution day. But the hangman's noose is stayed after the Commanders second in command, Valek, offers her a job...
Since her life is already forfeit, she is to become a food taster, to check for poisons...A chance to live again got Yelena intrigued.
Valek has a way of making sure Yelena stays in line, by poisoning her, and giving her a small dose of antidote every day.. and so her poison study commences.
The Commander is set against any and all magic users, sentencing them to death and forbidding any use of magic..
A foul plot is afoot as Yelena struggles against the assassination attempts, taking private solace in the quiet, firm and confusing ways of her mentor Valek. She doesn't know what to make of him...
He's mysterious...
He's powerful....
He's errrr.....
I loved the story, it was unique, made for an engrossing read. I only had one small problem though. The way they got together in the end. There was so much aloofness and distance trough the entire novel, leaving them fighting for their lives one second, so when the next scene popped in and they were at it like rabbits made me think....well, that was kinda sudden. But the insta-pheromone spray in the face can be forgiven, because it was, undeniably a fabulous read!
