Review--Spy Glass

After Siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world.

Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has stolen some of her blood--and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or know they're lost forever....

Simply put I LOVE Maria’s work!! Every book brings you into her world where magic exists. Far better than Harry Potter kind too. Spy Glass concludes the Glass trilogy starring Opal and I must say it was fantastic!

So much happened in the time span Opal was in. A LOT. I won’t even get into all of it since most of it will lead to spoilers as well. But Opal is dealing with a lot of troubles, her magic is gone, which happened at the end of Sea Glass, her sister’s upcoming wedding is looming over her head, her blood is still out there in the world somewhere, and of course there are some other woes to be had, like her relationship with Kade. He’s away on a task and Opal misses him terribly.

But Opal is not one to sit around, one of the many reasons why I like her. She is going to find where her blood’s at so she can have it back and then decide what she’s going to do with it. There’s some complexity about magic and blood, hence the blood magic that is even brought up. But by having her blood out there, it’s not a good thing and Opal wants it back so she knows where it’s at and that it is safe.

Opal must play undercover agent in the town where Ulrick’s prison is held. Which Delven conveniently resides in the prison next to it, the prison for lesser criminals while Ulrick is in the one for the more dangerous criminals. Weird huh? Delven, the man who kidnapped and held Opal hostage for days back in the Study series has changed a lot, we saw this in Sea Glass as well.

All the characters return in this series, which is probably why I love it so much. Valek helps Opal learn to be sneaky like he is. Yelena helps Opal try to deal with the loss of her powers. Friends such as Ari and Janco—and I have to say I LOVE those two!! Never have I ever really liked a set of secondary characters so much before, Janco is hilarious! He still has his quirks and his rhymes. Gotta love that guy. Those two are there to lighten the mood. Opal’s friends Eve and Nic return as well and their friendship with Opal is endearing as well.

So much complexity happens in Opal’s life during these 400+ pages, so would have read more and enjoyed if there were more pages. Basically the journey Opal takes to find her blood is long and complicated, she is led from one city to another and remember there isn’t technology, so she’s riding by horseback for days on end. But really the lack of technology or the modern vices doesn’t harm the book, it enhances it. To write a fantasy novel as wonderful as Maria has done takes true talent. She created her own world without making it overly complex like Lord of the Rings.

Opal has grown so well since we saw her in the Study series, and even from the beginning of the Glass series. She is no longer the frightened young girl who lost her sister and was kidnapped, she has transformed into a brave young woman willing to do whatever it takes to help her friends and in this book, save herself. But at times we all need help and Opal realizes this even in Spy Glass, hence my love for it, because all her friends return. It was like a wanted reunion!

I know I’m not going too far into the plot, but I have reasons for that. And as you know it’s because the more I talk, the more likely I will reveal something that shouldn’t have been revealed.

But Opal does a LOT of things in the book, but the pacing is wonderful. Maria really knows how to keep her readers reading. I literally sat in my room all day just reading this book. I finished it in a little over a day, read the rest of it the next morning.

I write this review months away from its release. As I mentioned earlier I received my very first ARC and it was of Spy Glass, so I typed up my review now so I could post it on the release week and all the events be there while I go back and re-read it myself at leisurely pace. Meaning a non-stop reading day!

Opal’s relationships, all of them—friends, family, love—are all tested in this book. In more ways than one. She has a lot of decisions to make and not all of them are easy. Some are heart-wrenching. I’ll tell you I really didn’t see one coming. There were hints, but I wasn’t sure, until more and more developed throughout Spy Glass and I suddenly came to the answer and it still shocked me. But in a good way.

The ending was happy. Everything was finally settled, much like we saw in Fire Study which concluded the Study series. I am eagerly awaiting information regarding Maria’s next series, if it’s a trilogy or whatever. I really hope it’s set in the same world again, because I really do love these characters so much. They are so real and endearing and funny and annoying and snarky and kind and the list goes on and on. Basically they are real. I see their personality traits in some of my friends and family. Their relationships with Opal are heartfelt because a lot happens and they are there for Opal even when she is trying to save them.

Okay, I must stop, I feel myself leading into a spoiler. Read Spy Glass as soon as you can, you will not be disappointed. I wasn’t! Of course if you are new to the Glass series you must read the previous two books and if you want to go even further back read the Study series which stars Yelena and we are introduced to all the characters for the first time through her eyes.

Glass Series

Storm Glass

Sea Glass

Spy Glass

Study Series

Poison Study

Magic Study

Fire Study

Also look at her debut YA release: Inside Out

See my review here