Teaser Tuesday (292) Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

 

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

“I’d always thought of the monsters as my own sort of standoffish pets. If, you know, you thought pets that could eat you were cool. Which I totally did.” 

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep
 

Teaser Tuesday (216) Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

“I’d always thought of the monsters as my own sort of standoffish pets. If, you know, you thought pets that could eat you were cool. Which I totally did.”

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Waiting on Wednesday (225) Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on:

Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep

Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: October 2, 2018

What are you waiting on?

{eARC Review} Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep

Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 368 pages. Published October 27th 2015 by Kensington

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Another winner from Jennifer Estep. Though the mystery wasn't such a mystery - it was pretty obvious - there were a few curveballs, one HUGE - but the competition was exciting and I loved seeing Lila's evolution.

Lila's back! She still loves bacon, has a smart mouth, finds trouble wherever she goes and hasn't met a challenge she won't face. I liked her from the beginning but I like even more who she has become after joining the Sinclair Family, learned more about her family, and allowed herself to love and be loved.

As to the other characters:

Deah. We're supposed to be sympathetic towards her, or at least pity her, but I really can't stand her. Even seeing more/deeper into her, her home life and upbringing, it only made me dislike her more. We're supposed to see her kick ass side - and she does have one, I'll give her that - but only because of her magic. She's just so... spineless. I saw maybe a glimmer of a decent person in there but she's got a long way to go.

Devon. Love him. He just keeps getting more awesome. He's fierce, gentle, protective, thoughtful, generous. He gently but firmly pursues Lila, never pressuring her, but always showing her how he cares with his words and how he treats her, not to mention letting what her soul sight shows her. Lila is still stubborn, afraid of getting hurt and losing yet another person yet in his own way he's just as stubborn as he is.

Victor. With every encounter he just gets creepier and crazier. We know he was up to something and thanks to Lila's super thief skills we find out that it's just as terrible as Victor is.

I can't wait to see what happens in Bright Blaze of Magic, the conclusion to the Black Blade series.

Waiting on Wednesday (127) Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3) by Jennifer Estep

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3) by Jennifer Estep   

In the exciting conclusion to her richly imagined Black Blade series about a reluctant young bodyguard and thief, and her hometown, where magic, mobsters and monsters make for a dangerous mix, Jennifer Estep expertly combines the snark and fast-paced action that have made her a New York Times bestselling author.

BAD THINGS ALWAYS COME IN THREES…

As a thief, I’m good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families—and kill every last Sinclair. What they don’t know is that I’m on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I’ve got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side… (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: April 26, 2016

What are you waiting on?

{eARC YA Review} Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

{eARC YA Review} Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . . (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC , 368 pages. Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by K-Teen. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Jennifer Estep does a wonderful job of drawing you in with an exciting beginning but the hints and teasers and the slow reveal of the who and what - the magic, what happened to her mother, kept my attention until the very end. I enjoyed the concept - magical mobs, though I wish there had been a bit more explanation about that - the fabulous setting - a carnival/tourist trap full of magical creatures, both good and bad - and the characters - Lila, Mo, Devon.

At first I kept comparing Lila to Gwen, Estep's heroine in the Mythos Academy series. They have  a lot in common - magic, murdered mothers, a job to do, but the similarities stop there. Lila is street smart, harder, self-proclaimed not a good girl, a thief. She's also seriously kick ass. She's a talented fighter, lethal with her blades and she has some seriously awesome magic.

With Cold Burn of Magic Estep has me hooked on the Black Blade series. I eagerly await the next installment - hopefully there will be a bit more happening for Lila in the romance department.

Teaser Tuesday (89) Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

"But then, my other Talent kicked in, and the pain crystallized into something else - a brutal, bitter cold so intense it burned."

eARC, location 492, Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Waiting on Wednesday (86) Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . . (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: April 28, 2015

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday (46) Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

"Whatever happens, we're in this together from now on, okay, Gypsy Girl?" Logan said. "Promise me that.""

page 221, Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

Waiting on Wednesday (35) Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.
(Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: February 25, 2014

What are you waiting on?

{YA Minute Review} Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

{YA Minute Review} Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …(Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Ebook, 372 pages. Published July 30th 2013 by K-Teen. Source: library

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

"I was trapped." (page 1, line 1)

I was excited to see Gwen being proactive, taking the lead, no longer the girl who hides in the background. There are new challenges, old foes, new friends, and as usual, a few more secrets are revealed and new mysteries are presented. I'm still enjoying the series - loving the addition of supernatural creatures - and eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Mythos series, Killer Frost, which releases in February.

{YA Minute Review) Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4) by Jennifer Estep

{YA Minute Review) Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4) by Jennifer Estep

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Paperback, 354 pages. Published December 24th 2012 by K-Teen. Source: library

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

"I have a confession to make." (page 1, line 1)

I'm still loving this series. In Crimson Frost it really sucks to be Gwen Frost. There is the worst first date ever, more emotional drama, more Reaper chaos and a devastating departure. But we get to see Grandma Frost kick ass! And we get to see Gwen really come into her own. Though a several points the 'mystery' of what was going on wasn't a mystery at all I was still glued to my kindle from page one to the very last sentence. Now onto book five, Midnight Frost, I'm desperate to know what happens next!

{YA Minute Review} Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

{YA Minute Review} Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

I've seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I'm supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I'm just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me--again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects--and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I'm also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can't use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me--and I'm in for the fight of my life. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 1st Edition, 336 pages. Published May 29th 2012 by Kensington. Source: library 

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review} 

     "If you guys don't stop making out, I'm going to be sick." (page 1, line 1)

I'm still loving the Mythos series and all the characters. In this book the story progressed, giving us some answers, and there was lots of action to keep me flipping the pages. I did think this book was a bit more predictable than the first two, the surprises weren't really surprises but I was still happy to be along for the ride.

{Paranormal YA Review} Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep

{Paranormal YA Review} Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Paperback, 337 pages. Published November 29th 2011 by K-Teen. Source: Library 

 

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

 

{Review}

"Logan Quinn was trying to kill me." (line 1, page 1)

Life isn't getting any better or easier for Gwen, she's still feeling inadequate when faced with Spartans, Valkyries etc., Reapers are still trying to kill her, Logan's still kissing a girl who isn't her, and the library is still a dangerous place to be.

Some questions are answered and a whole lot more are posed as we learn a little more of the story, of Loki's plan and Gwen's role. I was excited to see kick ass Gwen appear; to see the progress of her powers - the good and bad of it.

Other things to mention: I understand Logan a little better now, even if I did spend half the book annoyed with him. I was intrigued to see the addition of two new characters, Logan's friends and fellow Spartans Kenzie and Oliver, and how they fit into the story. And then there was the possibility of a new romantic interest for Gwen...

I liked Kiss of Frost even better than the first book Touch of Frost (my review here), because we already have the background we are plunged right into the action. I already have book three, Dark Frost, and I'm eager to start reading.

{YA Minute Review} Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

{YA Review} Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy; a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why; especially since I should have been the one who died...(Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Paperback, 350 pages. Published August 1st 2011 by K-Teen. Source: Library

{Rating} 4/5

{Review} Spartans and Amazons and Valkyries oh my. Mythos Academy is populated with them. And then there's Gypsy Girl, Gwen. Poor Gwen. She doesn't fit in, she's friendless, she doesn't understand why she's at Mythos Academy and she can't stop literally running into Logan Quinn. Gwen's a great character, she's strong and smart and determined to do the right thing. 

The book kept my attention from the first page. There are lots of mysteries, what happened to Jasmine, who's trying to start a war and why, what Logan's hiding, what's so special about Gwen. After book one I'm hooked on this series. I can't wait to read the next book, Kiss of Frost, I need answers!