Night Study by Maria V. Snyder

From New York Times Bestselling Author Maria V. Snyder Magic, danger, and intrigue abound in the worlds of Sitia and Ixia… Yelena Zaltana’s life has always been fraught with peril, but the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. The growing discord between the two countries, and the possibility of imminent war, threaten everything Yelena holds dear. Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he’s quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided and has been keeping secrets...secrets that put Valek, Yelena, and their allies in terrible danger. And as the assassin and the Soulfinder are pulled deeper into the conflict, they realize the Commander’s plans are far more sinister than they could have ever imagined. Previously published. The Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V. Snyder Book One: Poison Study Book Two: Magic Study Book Three: Fire Study Book Four: Storm Glass Book Five: Sea Glass Book Six: Spy Glass Book Seven: Shadow Study Book Eight: Night Study Book Nine: Dawn Study

Man, I miss the times Yelena had magic.
This book was...mind-boggling, to say the least. So many new developments occurred.
The part I liked the most (no spoilers) was Valek's...er...just Valek's parts in general. Oh, and the different points of views were amusing and pretty cool but Snyder continues frustrating us (Why? To build tension but still Ms. Snyder. WHYYYYYYYY) by switching points of views when things climax in each chapter.
I got pretty bored throughout parts of the first half of the story. There wasn't much major action, and I mostly got bored during descriptions of the environment. I'm sort of discontent with how the conflict just kept getting worse and worse and basically exploded at the end. Yeah, that's what the climax is and props to Snyder for spreading it throughout the whole book but still. I guess it just rubbed me the wrong way. Since it's been a while since I read the other books of the series, I didn't really understand much of the references (old characters and situations) to the previous books.
I just miss all the old things that made up the previous series: Yelena and Valek's kick-assed-ness, the Commander as a likable person, and a better situation in general. Hopefully, things'll turn up in the next book(s). I hope it includes more fight scenes for Yelena and Valek (where they win and their skills are shown off).

I thought this would be good and be a fairly standard bridge book to the conclusion of the trilogy but the ending just blew me away. I absolutely love everything about this series! Valek, just so much Valek!