Review: Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Bright Blaze of Magic

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Black Blade

Pages: 368

Publisher: Kensington

Release date: 26^th April 2016

Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: The characters are as fantastic as Estep fans have come to expect." – RT Book Reviews

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… 

"An adventurous ride you will never want to get off." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout on Cold Burn of Magic

Review: 5 out of 5 stars

Bright Blaze of Magic is the final instalment in the Black Blade trilogy and was a riveting, engrossing addition to what has been a wonderful series.

These books need to be read in order, the events that take place and the build-up are all pivotal in getting to this point. In this instalment we see Claudia Sinclair, the head of the family working with her son Devon, the family bruiser, Felix and Lila Merriweather as well as Draconi’s daughter Deah to attempt to foil Victor’s plan in taking over Cloudburst Falls and eliminating all families in order to lead. A lot has happened to get to this point and the action and thrills kept it all extremely entertaining.

Lila continues to be a fantastic heroine, she doesn’t sit on the sidelines, she is in on all the plotting, planning and the action; she is resourceful, skilful yet still sweet and has fit into the Sinclair family beautifully, I admired her character. Devon was the sweetest; I loved his interactions with Lila and his loyalty to his whole family. All of the secondary characters played an important role in this book; I didn’t fully trust Deah in the last instalment so I was pleasantly surprised by how everything worked out with her.

The romance in this series has been drama free and is slow to build, it isn’t at the forefront of the story but it is sweet and enjoyable.

We are finally given the much needed answers about Lila’s mother and Victor’s purpose. The magical world Estep has created is complex and filled with a variety of unusual paranormal creatures which I have really appreciated and her writing continues to hold me captivated, she surprises me with enthralling plot twists and developments, just as I think the families could take a breather something would always pop up. The battle scenes were brutal and filled with surprises and I liked the good vs evil elements.

Bright Blaze of Magic is a thrilling, action-packed and satisfying conclusion to the Black Blades trilogy.

Thank you to Kensington via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Bright Blaze of Magic.

About the author: Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SERIES
Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. 

The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.

BLACK BLADE YOUNG ADULT URBAN FANTASY SERIES
Jennifer is also the author of the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series. 

The series focuses on Lila Merriweather, a 17-year-old thief who lives in Cloudburst Falls, West Virginia, a town dubbed “the most magical place in America.” Tourists come from around the world to tour all the magic-themed shops and attractions, as well as see monsters like tree trolls, copper crushers, and more in their natural habitats.

Lila does her best to stay off the grid and avoid the Families — or mobs — who control the town. But when she saves a member of the powerful Sinclair Family, Lila finds herself caught in the middle of a brewing war between the Sinclairs and the Draconis, the most powerful Family in town. 

MYTHOS ACADEMY YOUNG ADULT URBAN FANTASY SERIES
Jennifer is also the author of the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. 

The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

BIGTIME PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES
Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series. 

The Bigtime books feature sexy superheroes, evil ubervillains, and smart, sassy gals looking for love.

VISIT JENNIFER'S WEBSITE
Excerpts, free short stories, and more information on Jennifer's books can be found at http://www.jenniferestep.com.

Waiting on Wednesday - Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep and Unspoken by C.C. Hunter

 

Hi everyone!! thank-you so much for stopping by today.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I have two WoW’s for this week - Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep and Unspoken by C.C. Hunter

 Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Black Blade

Amazon pre-order

Publisher: Kensington

Release date: 27^th October 2015

Goodreads

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

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... 

 Author: C.C. Hunter

Series: Shadow Falls After Dark

Amazon pre-order

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

Release date: 

Goodreads

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Not available as yet J it is going to be amazing!!

Review: Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

Dark Frost #3

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy

Pages: 336

Publisher: K-Teen

Release date: 29^th May 2012

Synopsis –

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.

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Contains possible spoilers from previous books

Dark Frost is the third book in the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep and is keeping me thoroughly entertained.

Gypsy girl Gwen Frost went through so much in the last book and continues to find out more and more about her unique psychometry abilities which allows her to know, feel and see an object or persons history. We also continue to learn about the warriors at the academy such as Spartans, Romans, Ninjas, Vikings etc.

In Dark Frost we have the reapers trying to find the Helheim Dagger, a powerful artefact that Gwen’s mother hid before she died which will allow them to free Loki and plunge the world into a second chaos war, we also find out who one of the main leaders are and it wasn’t someone I had expected. There was action aplenty in this book and I found the pacing to be fast and the plot entertaining but a lot more gruesome than the other books.

One thing I really like about these books is the setting, boarding schools are one of my favourites and the snippets we get about it I find enjoyable – you can picture certain areas in your mind, especially the library of antiquities which is filled with many different artefacts.

Another thing is the character progression; I feel we are really getting to know all of the characters – Gwen is such a wonderful protagonist, sure she can be flighty and act without thinking but she is still fiercely protective and loyal to those closest to her. A bit more has also been revealed about Daphne and her awakening powers. Logan is still a bit of a mystery, I would love for there to be more page time between him and Gwen because at this stage I still don’t feel that they have really gone forward with their relationship. Vic continues to be amazing as does Nickomedes, Carson, Metis, Kenzie and Oliver.

One of my biggest gripes with this series has been the constant rehashing of events and repetitive information, at the beginning of the book it would be alright as there tends to be a bit of time between reading the last book but I am finding it is right throughout which can at times be annoying.

Overall, Dark Frost is another well-written an entertaining addition to the Mythos Academy series.

Favourite quotes:

“You won't hurt me. I know you won't." Logan said.
"How can you be so sure?" I whispered.
"Because you're that Gypsy girl, and I'm the bad-boy Spartan. And I think it's time we were finally together, don't you?”

"In a way, touching her things was like losing my mom all over again--- a dozen little deaths packed into each and every box."

Review: Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep

Kiss of Frost #2

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy 2

Pages: 337

Publisher: K-Teen

Release date: 29^th November 2011

Synopsis –

Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle …

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 …

Review: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Contains possible spoilers from Touch of Frost

Kiss of Frost is the second book in the Mythos Academy series and follows on where Touch of Frost left off.

Seventeen year-old Gwen Frost is a second year student at Mythos Academy, a lot happened in Touch of Frost so Gwen is more than eager to lay low. She is trying to get over her heart ache caused by smexy Spartan Logan Quinn and the Reapers are still after her; she is hoping the school ski resort trip for the winter carnival will be a distraction from everything that has recently happened.

Gwen is a fabulous, snarky character; she is kick-butt awesome and is learning more and more about her psychometry ability everyday but she is also starting to think it may also be a curse. Logan still continues to be Gwen’s saviour but he remains at arm’s length and a bit of a mystery, he mainly spends time with Gwen in their training sessions or when she needs saving, I am enjoying the slow progression of their relationship; nothing has been rushed which I appreciated but I feel he flaunted Savannah, a fellow student in her face.

We get a lot of rehashing from the first book and a few things were repetitive and predictable but I am enjoying the plot progression and how things are slowly starting to fall into place. I was able to guess the bad guy from the onset so the element of surprise was missing.

All of the characters are wonderful! Daphne is a real stand out character for me, who would have thought the popular mean girl would end up best friends with Gwen. Carson is great and I’m glad Oliver and Kenzie played a bigger role – Vic, Gwen’s sword continues to be pretty awesome.

I am enjoying the mystery and learning about Gwen’s ability and her role as Nike’s champion as she does, we also find out more about the reapers and the Fenris wolf; the change of setting in this book was enjoyable and I am still enjoying Jennifer Estep’s storytelling and writing.

Kiss of Frost is a wonderful addition to the Mythos Academy series.

Favourite quotes:

“How had I ever thought he was cute? He so needed to be locked up in an insane asylum somewhere. Too bad Batman wasn't here to come and drag his ass off to Arkham.” 

“Since coming to Mythos, I'd almost been run through with a sword and mauled to death by a killer kitty cat. Dirty looks didn't faze me anymore.” 

“Come on, Gypsy girl. I'm bleeding to death here, in case you haven't noticed. At least make it worth my while and kiss me before I die.”

Review: Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy

Pages: 350

Publisher: K-Teen

Release date: 1^st August 2011

Synopsis – 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...

Review – 4 out of 5 stars

I recently read Jennifer Estep’s newest series starter Cold Burn of Magic and I loved it so once I finished it, I instantly downloaded her Mythos Academy series and despite the different feel, I am really enjoying the books so far.

Touch of Frost is the first book in the series and introduces us to seventeen year-old Gwen Frost who has gypsy magic. When her mother is killed, a decision is made to send her to Mythos Academy to hone in on her psychometric abilities – she is able to touch an item or person and gets impressions from them.

Gwen seems to be in way over her head at the academy, she doesn’t fit in with the other mythological rich teens who are Valkyrie, Amazon, Spartans or other warriors. As an uncoordinated teen she has a lot to learn. I liked her snark and sass but her guilt and repetitive thoughts could get quite frustrating.

Gwen is a bit of an outcast but slowly starts to meet others at the academy, I loved her interactions with Daphne, Grandma and Metis; the romance was a little non-existent but you can see it starting to build with Logan Quinn who seems to be around at all of the right times but his hot and cold manner drove me a little batty as did his reputation. I am extremely eager to find out more about Vic.

I enjoyed the mysterious plot and Gwen’s search to find out what happened to mean girl Jasmine who was killed in the Library of Antiquities and the Bowl of Tears stolen, I thought this aspect was done well and I was surprised by the twist we were given.

I thoroughly enjoy Jennifer Estep’s writing style, the world-building was wonderfully thought out and creative and the storyline thoroughly entertaining. The Mythos boarding school setting intrigued me and I felt we got a clear understanding of who was who and what was what. I liked each of the characters and I look forward to getting to know them a little more.

Overall, Touch of Frost is a wonderful start to the Mythos Academy series.

Favourite quotes:

“What did you expect? That he'd send you flowers and write you bad poetry? That dead Nemean prowler is pretty much as close to a stuffed animal as you're ever going to get from a Spartan like Logan Quinn.” 

“I wouldn't say hate, exactly. You're kind of like fungus, Gwen. After a while, you just start growing on people.” 

“My own eyes narrowed. i didn't like being made fun of, not even by a dangerous bad boy like Logan Quinn. "Yeah, well, this Gypsy girl happens to have a grandma who can curse you so bad that your dick will turn black and fall off, so watch your step, Spartan.”

Waiting on Wednesday - Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep and The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 

Hi everyone!! thank-you so much for stopping by today.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I have two WoW’s this week, Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep and The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

 Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Black Blade #2

Amazon pre-order

Publisher: Kensington Books

Release date: 27 October 2015

Goodreads 

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

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..

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Series: The Fixer

Amazon pre-order

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release date: 7 July 2015

Goodreads 

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

When sixteen-year-old Tess Kendrick is sent to live with her older sister, Ivy, she has no idea that the infamous Ivy Kendrick is Washington D.C.'s #1 “fixer,” known for making politicians' scandals go away for a price. No sooner does Tess enroll at Hardwicke Academy than she unwittingly follows in her sister's footsteps and becomes D.C.'s premier high school fixer, solving problems for elite teens.

Secrets pile up as each sister lives a double life. . . . until their worlds come crashing together and Tess finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy with one of her classmates and a client of Ivy's. Suddenly, there is much more on the line than good grades, money, or politics, and the price for this fix might be more than Tess is willing to pay.

Perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars and Heist Society, readers will be clamoring for more in this exciting new series.