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…

 OMG! Those following this series will love this book. The rest of you? Go get book 1, Touch of Frost! Seriously... GO! This series is amazing and this is such a great addition. My goal right now? Not to spoil a thing for those reading the series and those not yet picked it up.

This book is filled with a bit more political intrigue. We learn more about Loki's reapers and yet so much still remains a mystery. The adventure and action blend well with the intrigue and I have to say that I'm really impressed with Gwen in this book. Not only is she brave, but she is intelligent as well. I love that in female YA characters!

There are aspects we have also been teased throughout the series and still are teased more. I know I will get those answers but will have to wait a bit longer to find out what they mean. I won't say what they are for fear of spoiling it for those just starting, but I will say that although I want those answers, I also don't mind waiting. Why? Because that means I'll get more Mythos Academy adventure!

What else? The action was fierce and Gwen's circle of friends widens. Ah the secondary characters rocked. And of course Vic still tried to steal the show. I love that sword! My biggest complaint? The next book is slated for Aug 2013. :( Well, you know good thing comes to those that wait.

I received this ARC from the author and no compensation for my review was given.

...and speaking of waiting...

Come back Jan 3rd for a excerpt of Crimson Frost and a giveaway! This book will be published on the 24th!

Books in the Mythos Academy series: 

First Frost (novella #0.5)

Touch of Frost

Kiss of Frost

Dark Frost

Crimson Frost

Midnight Frost ( the next one... me want!)

Bloggy Note:

AND.... the first 5 of Jennifer Estep's adult Elemental Assassin series is now on sale! The first 5 are only $2.99!!!!! So, those that want to start the series can and those that need some of the first books can also get those! I recommend that adult series! I love it.

 Spider's Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, and Spider's Revenge 

From Jennifer Estep:

"I think this is really cool, since folks who buy the e-books can get a complete story arc of my heroine, Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, taking on her nemesis. The story arc spans the first five books in the series."

Seriously... cool isn't a good enough word for it!

In effect at all the major e-book retailers -- Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kobo, iTunes, etc. The e-book sale will run through Monday, Jan. 21.

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.

I usually try to post the Mythos Academy series books on the day of  publication, but I just couldn't wait to dive into this book. I'm so glad I did. I devoured it quickly. For those that haven't started these books, I will try to be as non-spoilery (it's a word... I just made it up!) as possible.

Okay, let me start off by saying that Logan, Gwen's love interest, and I have had a difficult relationship. There were times I just loved him and times I wanted to seriously kick that Spartan's arse. Oh and in this book our relationship seemed to be going the same way. Usually it's only one swoon and one arse kicking... in this one, it was several. However, I will say that Logan did win me over in the end and I swooned a lot. :) Too bad he's not at least 21... well, outside my mind. ;D

Gwen is still my fave gypsy. Her adventure captured me and I have to say this was my fave so far. I really loved the way her character grew in this book. In fact, with what she had to handle I thought she did it with more grace than most adults. I really enjoyed that.

Now to the part where I curse Ms. Estep for tearing out my heart and stomping on it. Let me just say a character we briefly got to know in the last book we get a little more of in this one. Then my heart gets ripped out and I had to have a kleenex or two on hand. Oh I do hate to cry, but I also wanted more. *shakes fist* Darn you Jennifer Estep! I wanted more! ;)

I give this book 5 stars. I really enjoyed this episode in Gwen's adventure. No cliffie, but you will be salivating for the next morsel. I know I am! *wipes chin* Also, can I have a fenrir wolf? *gets glares from dogs in the room* What? ;D

This book is to be published on May 29th! Preorder your copy at Amazon, B&N or the Book Depository. Do eet! ;) Also, come back on June 1st for a Q&A with Jennifer Estep and a giveaway of the book!

I received this ARC from the author and no compensation for my review was given.

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Description:

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...

Okay... gotta make this unspoilery for those not yet started the first one... *taps foot* Okaaay.... *sigh* but I want to say SO much... *zips lip* but I won't!

This is a great second book in this series. LOVED it! We find ourselves shortly after the first book ends. We go through all the everyday school stuff we were set up for and are learning how to defend ourselves as is required of every mythos student. We also get a bit more background and learn along with Gwen more about the pantheon and what really exists in this world. *side note* Personally, although it seems that everyone doesn't like mythos history, I would love that class. Can I sit in or just borrow a book? Please? *end side note* While the beginning is a bit slow we do get the information we need and we also get caught up with what we may have not remembered.

Now, in the middle part of the book there is tons of action and mystery. And although I did figure out who did it before Gwen, I must say it still was a fun ride! I really enjoyed what happened and I feel that a few things were set up for us in the next book within this ride. I can't wait, personally to find out what it is!!

I should also say a few things about Logan. He is still the hottie of our first book, but to avoid spoilers I cannot say how I feel about him now. I don't even think I can say how I felt about him in the first book, but... oh nevermind... Just know that he is a hottie to swoon over!!! ;D

I give this book 4 stars! I loved it and I can't wait for the next book in the mythos series. Can I have it now? Seriously! Oh, and I want it for the story not because we were left with a cliffie. No cliffie!! Whee!!! ;)

Oh yea... and PS... I want a Fenrir wolf. The pups at home wouldn't mind, right? *lives in denial*
I was given this book by the author and no compensation for my review was given.

Books in the Series:

First Frost (ebook prequel)

Touch of Frost

Kiss of Frost

Btw, come back on the 1st. My fave character from the series, Vic, will stop by for a short Q&A with a giveaway! 

TEAM VIC!!

"Powers" by John B Olson

From the Publisher: "Bury me standing. I must be buried standing.”

Powers, the follow-up to John Olson’s Shade (“a must-read for those who enjoy Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti” —Publishers Weekly), introduces a sheltered Gypsy girl named Mariutza. Her grandfather utters a mysterious last request before dying in her arms after being shot by ten cloaked men.

Those same men die before her eyes, but strange powers continue to pursue Mari through the swamps of southern Louisiana where she has always hidden from “the Badness.”

The whole world seems to join in the chase—helicopters, soldiers, government agents, and the police are all trying to kill her. Mari’s only hope of survival is to find Jaazaniah the Prophet, the mythical hero of her grandfather’s bedtime stories. But she has never been outside the swamp or known other humans besides her grandfather and one teacher. How can this lone girl survive the bewildering world of men long enough to find a prophet who might not even exist?

I admit, I was one of the few who were surprised that this was considered Christian fiction, especially after reading the book summation by the publisher. I was further surprised because the main characters are Gypsies. Why? Well, because Gypsies, especially in the European countries, have been persecuted as witches. But, the world has changed (depending on where you are, I believe) so I put that bit of history aside and dove into the book.

The book, in the form of the plot, went very smoothly and it did seem to wrap up neatly in the end. All in all, it would have been a great book if it would have had better character development. I believe this is part of a series, so perhaps that will be rectified in the end, but with this book, it was not.

Jaazaniah, or Jazz, was the most developed of the characters and I was able to really get into his character and root for him to "win". He was from the city life and thrust into this strange world of psychic powers. His counterpart, Mariutza, or Mari, I did not have as much success in liking or getting into her character. Both her and the Grandfather who raised her lived in a swamp with very little access to the outside world. I had no problem with her marveling at the simplest things about city or just plain modern life. That was the part I, in fact, enjoyed. My problem is how she was raised. She was not given the self-worth and ability to think for herself. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I found myself hating the fact that she couldn't think or do for herself. So much that I wanted to throw the book every time I read that "it's not my place". For someone having to help Jazz figure out who to trust, what to do and where to go, I did not find this believable. It became extremely annoying.

I also found the antagonist lacking. All you knew was bits and pieces about the "badness" but not really why they were after them. The lack of information did not make them more frightening, but less so. I would have liked more information on them other than a vague reference to vampirism. What was their motive and/or goals? How dangerous were they? Were they only a danger to "the standing"?

I have to give the book 2 out of 5 stars because of the lack of character development. I feel the plot was worthy, but not enough to carry the book all the way through.