I've been reading Snyder's other series - which is loosely connected to this one - so I decided to give this a try, and I really enjoyed this first book.

Opal is a glassmaker and magician in training, but her magic seems limited and she has no friends, so she has very little confidence in her own abilities.

Unfortunately, someone is sabotaging the storm-catching orbs used by the Stormdancer Clan. The Council Magicians believe Opal may be able to figure out the problem and send her on a mission. With her goes Kade, a member of the Stormdancers who Opal is attracted to, and Opal's Magician mentor.

The simple mission quickly becomes complicated by sabotage, intrigue, treachery and mysterious expansions of Opal's powers.

This is a science-fiction story, so there are creative places, people and abilities that make up a good portion of the book, however, Maria Snyder writes wonderful, interesting, engaging characters and makes them so likeable that you want to root for them. The character-development is what really made this story for me. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series. A very good read.

After reading tons and tons of books about werewolves and shifters and vampires and fairies, how would it feel to read a fantastical book where only magic resides? A pure fantasy with no huge monsters, no crazy moon phases and no bubbling cauldrons? Apparently, it would feel like a very nice change of pace - especially when that book is written by Maria V. Snyder and when it takes place in her wonderfully crafted world.

My love for Maria's books goes way back. (Okay, I know I've only been reading novels for fun for 17 or so months… just be quiet! I mean way back to the beginning of my reading addiction). It started when I decided that I was a little too grown up to only read YA titles anymore, but I was still a little embarrassed hesitant to dive into full on grown up paranormal romance material. I did my research and discovered Maria's 'Study' series. I fell in love with Poison Study. To this day, it's still one of my all-time favorite books. I loved everything about it. The story, the world, the adventure and of course Yelena, Valek (Mmm Valek!…) and the many other wonderful characters. When I was finished reading the 'Study' series, I didn't have to worry too much about going through Maria V. Snyder withdrawal because her 'Glass' series was already under way.

"Storm Glass" is the first book in Maria's newest trilogy set in the lands of Ixia and Sitia. It takes place five years after "Fire Study" and follows the adventures and misadventures of Opal Cowan, the glass magician who helped Yelena trap the bad guys into glass her figurines. Even though her magic is unique and has helped better the lives of pretty much everyone in Sitia, Opal is not a confident person. She is studying magic at the keep where she feels alone and isolated, even though she is surrounded by students. Opal is very well written. You feel her plight to fit in - her struggle to find and understand herself and where she stands in her world.

I am really glad that Maria has decided to incorporate characters from her 'Study' series into "Storm Glass". The mix of old and new will delight fans of her 'Study' series, but not overly confuse readers newly introduced to Maria's books. Yelena and her brother Leif make an appearance. I loved their sibling banter in this book. Very funny. Leif is great at bringing a smile to your face even as you are reading about something as dire as the use of blood magic or the possible demise of the Sitian government. Master Magician Zitora Cowan is Opal's travel escort and school mentor. Opal feels comfortable and trusting of Zitora and comes to value her friendship as well as her guidance. Their interactions on the page are delightful.

The new characters we meet are plenty. Each compelling in their own way, but a few do tend to stand out. Ulrick, a fellow glass maker and potential glass magician. Devlen, a swordsman and all-around suspicious character. And Kade, the most powerful Stormdancer. Opal meets Kade when she is asked to accompany Zitora on a mission to try and discover the reason behind why the Stormdancer's glass orbes are breaking, subsequently killing the magicians. Kade is a lovely character. A brooding hero that Opal feels an attraction towards. He tries to convince Opal of her worth. He tells her that she should be proud of who she is and of all that she has accomplished. Opal is reluctant. That is when you think Kade is charming and you think he'd be a good match for our heroine. But once the Stormdancer's issue is resolved, Kade and Opal part ways and you are left thinking "Say what?!"

Many happening make you think "Say what?!" in this book. The suspense in this story is not the kind that makes you want to throw the book across the room and bang your head against the wall. It's the kind that makes you wonder how on earth the author came up with that idea and makes you wish you could read faster to find out how it will all come to pass.

"Storm Glass" is an entertaining and exciting adventure story. You truly don't ever know where the story is headed which makes it a fun read. The new characters are great and the revisiting characters put a smile to your face. You won't get totally disoriented if you don't read Maria's 'Study' series first, but you will get more out of the story if you do. I recommend that you do. I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter of Opal's adventure; because the ending will definitely make you grateful that "Sea Glass" is already in stores and that you don't have to wait to find out what's next.

I was a little skeptical of reading this book at first because although Storm Glass takes place in the same world as Snyder's "Study" series, this book is centered around one of the minor characters; Opal. Having loved almost the entire main cast of the Study series, I was skeptical that little Opal could make for as good of a story as Yelena had. Luckily, my worry was very much misplaced.

I was actually rather disappointed that Yelena, Valek and most of the main previous main cast had only minor, cameo appearances (since I REALLY loved them), but still, Storm Glass was a great read regardless. Opal, was still the same scared, unconfident girl that she was previously, only now we get a LOT more insight in her inner turmoils and get to see her FINALLY develop into a strong leading character.

The plot was original and just as entertaining as Snyder's other works and definitely is definitely worth following. Can't wait to read the next installment, Sea Glass.

We get a taste of Opal's life in "Fire Study" but now Maria Snyder captures hearts with a whole new heroine. Her fiery novels take us back into the country of Sitia to a girl coming of age and her struggles to find herself. Her emotions and love life as wild as the darkest storms.

Opal is a girl known only by her connections, the death of her sister and her friendship with Yelena. She feels as if she doesn't belong and she fights only to feel accepted and make a name for herself, with her minimal magic skills. However she finds helping the strangest people can show you things about yourself you never once imagined and maybe, it takes getting lost to realize where home really is.

Opal's heart and her experiences and faith will either save her or kill her or both. This is one book you can never escape from. It takes you by storm and locks your heart deep inside, and you have no choice but to dive head first back into Maria Snyder's world. It will captivate minds and hearts and leave readers dying for more.