Monday, April 27, 2015

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. :)

25 comments:

  1. Wonderfully glowing review, any book which sees the reader devouring its pages is good in my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad you liked this more than I did! I thought it was a bit repetitive, just one of her old stories with different names. But I'm very hopeful for future installments. Estep is at least reliably fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoyed that aspect of it actually. I thought it made it fun. :)

      Delete
  3. Yep, I do know you like some Estep! And I'm happy to see that you enjoyed this one! It sounds pretty fantastic, too. Great review, Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I liked this one a lot as well. The world building and the monsters were awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have yet to read this author so, with a new series, I really have no excuse to just dive in at this point. Lovely review--so glad you loved this one, Melissa, and I hope I do too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this would be a great place to start! Plus you aren't behind. ;)

      Delete
  6. This book is everywhere today and i'm definitely feeling the pressure to read it!
    Lil@ Lilysbookblog

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just saw another Estep review today and I really need to make time to read her

    ReplyDelete
  8. wow 5? that's great! I'm a little late but I have this one to read as well. so curious!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So excited to read this! I had no idea she was coming out with a new series, and it sounds fantastic! :) Lovely review!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a fun read. It's on order. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds good Melissa, thanks for the review! Adding this one to my wishlist.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Damn, there's a lot of love for this book. I was going to wait awhile and focus more on the Elemental series, but I really want to read this now.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Squee..I grabbed this Melissa and will be reading it next week..I can hardly wait after reading your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh yay, that makes me super happy. Everyone has been gushing about this. I'm behind on her other series but one of these days I'll catch up!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it as much as I did! Love the new world Jennifer has created, and can't wait to see what she has in store for Lila and friends! And wasn't Oscar the best? Loved him!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I really enjoyed this one! Estep doesn't fail to entertain, that's for sure. I liked how the families were set up and how Lila wound up there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh excited about this! I'm so far behind on her other series I feel too intimidated to start so I can just start this one instead lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oooo! Amazing. :D I need to get back to reading her books.

    ReplyDelete
  19. *flails about* Another I still need to try. My poor tbr pile.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!