Early Book Review: Taste of Darkness (Healer #3) by Maria V. Snyder

Taste of Darkness is the third book in the Healer series by Maria V. Snyder. It is currently scheduled for release on December 31 2013. Disclaimer for all- if you have not read anything my Snyder yet go back and start at the beginning of the Healer series with Touch of Power, or better yet go back and start at the very beginning with Poison Study. Do not start here! Snyder fans (like myself) are already planning to read this book, and the fourth, fifth, and sixth books in the Study series which are listed on Goodreads but not yet titled, so I do not think I will have many people reading this review.

Now, in Taste of Darkness Avry is again in the midst of big trouble. She might have survived the plague and saved some of those she loves most, and defeated Tohon, but now Kerrick is missing and presumed dead while Papa Bear Belen is still out there and missing. However, that is not the worst of the world's troubles. Tohon is haunting Avry's dream's, his armies and those of the Skeleton King are moving in and the entire Fifteen realms are at risk of falling to them. There are plenty of people that need rescuing, and battles to be fought, and lots of injuries to tend, but what loyalty and duty can only go so far. Avry and her friends have some hard decisions to make, and lots of challenges ahead, but this might be their last chance to make everything right.

Ah, the conclusion of another trilogy, but I am so excited about the extension of the Study series and the knowledge tat some of the characters will pop up again somewhere in a future series. I am sad to say goodbye to Avry, Kerrick, and the rest- but think that Taste of Darkness wrapped things up nicely. There were ambushes, both political and military maneuvering, moments when everything just went wrong, and moments when it could have gotten even worse. I will admit that this was not the best book I have read from Snyder, but it left me happy and satisfied. Fans of Snyder and the Healer series will curse, cry, giggle, and smile as they read- but they will not be dissatisfied when the book is over.

Notice that I do not go into great detail about what happens in the book? Well that is because if you are a fan and have read this far into the series, you need to read this book- particularly in light of the way Scent of Magic ended! If you have not read this far- then you will not want spoilers and I would want you to enjoy each twist and turn in the story the way I did. Read it- read all of the books by Snyder- then go back and hit the short stories and tidbits on her website. You can thank me later.