Review: Storm Glass (Glass #1) by Maria V. Snyder

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

I have not picked up a book by Maria V. Snyder yet that I did not absolutely adore. Her wonderful writing, fun characters and thrilling action scenes were in full swing with her first installment in the Glass series. Opal Cowan takes the lead in the series and we start out five years after readers first met her in the Study series. She's studying and using her unique magic at the keep and is asked to help on a mission for the master magicians. Her mentor, Master Zitora Cowan escorts her to the Stormdance lands where trouble has arisen.


Alon the way there are storms (of course), kidnappings, battles and ambushes and a little romance thrown in, all at the same time. Snyder brings new characters into her world, both good and bad. Kade the Stormdancer will win you over with his weather analogies and you'll find yourself forgiving his prickly personality. Ulrick makes a nice addition to a growing love triangle, which always makes for a good read. Devlen plays our villain and he piqued my curiosity on more than one occasion.

But right along with the new characters, came some of my old favorites as well. Yelena, Leif, the master magicians, they're all back for bits here and there. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them when the Study series ended so I was very excited and happy to see them again.

In typical Snyder fashion she managed to keep me on the edge of my seat with anxiety but also didn't kill me with anxiety. It's always a perfect mix. I immediately wanted to start the second installment in the series to see what came next for Opal and the rest of the gang.

I gave Storm Glass (Glass #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!