Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Series: Black Blade #1
368 p.
Published: 4/28/15
Publisher: K-Teen
Source: From author for review

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...

My thoughts:
If you have followed the blog for any time now, you will know I'm a Jennifer Estep fan. I love her work and always highly recommend it. I was sad to see her last YA end, but I was excited for this one. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. When I finally got time to read it I devoured it and didn't want to put it down. Fans of Jennifer Estep RUN to the bookstore to get this book. Those that haven't quite read all her work, I still think you'll really enjoy this book. For me it was a mix of her adult UF Elemental Assassin with her last YA Mythos Academy books and some of her superhero series as well. It mixed well. :)

Now excuse me while I gush. I loved the worldbuilding in this book. I can really see the worlds of her other books blended well here. It also reminded me a bit of a Romeo and Juliet take. Not the romance (although there are hints of that, but not with our main couple but with a past romance) but with the world where to main powerful families feud. There is also a renaissance faire feel to the tourist trap that feeds the pockets of the most powerful families. Of course there is also magic and a darker side often hidden from the visiting folk. I also loved the characters of the book. Lila was easy to like and I can't wait to see more of Oscar, her pixie, which I feel will hold most of the snark for me in the coming books.

I don't want to say more or I'll spoil it, but the book feels complete even though you know you have only scratched the surface of this world and the mystery that surrounds Lila. Yes, that means there is no cliffie but you will be wanting more. I give the book 5 stars and I'm impatiently awaiting the next book. :)