Monday, October 26, 2015

Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Series: Black Blade #2
368 p.
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 10/27/15
Source: From author for review
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...
My thoughts:

The first book started this series with a bang and this one follows. I think it is a great follow up to the first book and we get more insight into Lila's background as she finds out more about herself than she thought possible. This is also a good book for character growth and I can see Lila grow up and toward the woman we all know she will become. Of course there are some impossible things looming in the future so she needs all the maturity she can get.

I also, like the other Jennifer Estep books, love her secondary characters. Oscar was a little bit more in the background in this book, but still lent some loyalty, sweetness and twang to this world. I also cannot say enough about Devon who is the perfect swoony character for Lila to fall in love with even if this book is light on the romance. This is a good thing since I think it would have gotten in the way of the story and growth as well as her own realization into what she really wants in life.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is an excellent book in this trilogy and I will be sad when it comes to a close. This is a great book for those that enjoy UF and YA and I recommend you don't skip any books to get into this one. Can I have the next book now? :)

30 comments:

  1. I can't wait to read this one! I really enjoyedbook one and I'm curious about this second too! I'm glad to see it was good.

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  2. The character development must be important in this series if you are recommending no skipping.

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    1. It is! Plus you lose some good worldbuilding if you skip as well.

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  3. YES MELISSA!!!! I would very much like the next book in my hands as well. *attempts to wait patiently* I just love Jennifer's books so much, they just make me happy:)

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  4. I still haven't read anything by Estep so I'm glad to see this new series is a hit as I definitely want to pick it up soon. Great review, Melissa!

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    1. I think you'd enjoy it. It is also fun to read easter eggs from her other series within the novels.

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  5. Yay! I adore this series, well, I adore all of Jennifer's books but her YA ones especially. So happy you are loving them as well, it really is fun and I love all the characters, so much personality in them all!

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    1. I love all her characters. I cannot wait to see what develops from the revelations in this book.

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  6. Okay... this is review #4 of this book today - so glad everyone is enjoying it!! I've got it on preorder, and still need to read the first one!!

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  7. This is only a trilogy? Bummer. I have this up on Wednesday, and I like it a lot as well.

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    1. I know! Hopefully we may get more. I guess it depends on how much we beg? LOL

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  8. aww i didnt realize this was a trilogy, that is sad

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  9. Whoop! I'm going to listen to this series on audio.

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  10. This sounds like another series I need to try! Glad you were able to get more on the characters in this one.

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  11. I'm so far behind her other series (I have the books but haven't started it) - I should probably just read this one instead lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  12. I really want to start this series but I feel I should finish some of the others first. I've started two of hers but haven't finished. But this just sounds fantastic!

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  13. Yay I am so glad you enjoyed this too Melissa, I am excited for the final book :)

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  14. Great review Melissa, I do want to read this series someday.

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  15. You are killing me with these books! LOL! I need to get to her books so I can enjoy them just as much. :)

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  16. I don't know why it's taking so long for me to get to this series. So happy it's good so far.

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  17. A wonderful review! I am really loving this series, Lila and Devon are amazing together and how great is Oscar. I can't wait for the next book.

    Sharon – Obsession with Books

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  18. Oh I just really need to go ahead and start this series already. Every review I read says it's good. I am so behind.

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