Title: Dark Heart of Magic
Series: Black Blade #2
Previous book in this series: Cold Burn of Magic
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Published by: Kensington
Source: Publishers via Netgalley for review and this blog tour
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Synopsis:
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...
I love Jennifer Estep and all of her writing and am absolutely loving this series as well! I just love the world and all it's characters with awesome powers (love me some good supernatural abilities, and Lila's are awesome!). So, yeah... it's no surprised I loved this book ;)
Speaking of our main character Lila with her super awesome powers, she is also a badass and I love her! I also adore Devon--he is super sweet! Lila is crazy for not being with him (though I suppose I do understand why...). Anyway, I loved the sexual tension, though these two need to get together like yesterday. All the other supporting characters are great too: Felix, Oscar... so fun and so diverse--I love it!
So in this sequel, someone is out and about trying to eliminate the competition from the Tournament of Blades... I totally figured out who it was, like, right from the beginning. To me it was glaringly obvious, unfortunately. It was also unfortunate it was this particular person 'cause they actually seemed sweet.
But overall I loved the story-- it totally made sense! And although that particular element didn't surprise me, there were a couple of other twists I absolutely did not see coming! That whole thing with Deah's mom...crazy! I don't even think she was mentioned in the previous book so that pretty much came out of nowhere. Pretty cool though.
Another thing I really loved were all the little Easter Eggs throughout the book--the mention of Bigtime (as in from the Bigtime series) AND Lila trying Gin Blanco's (from the Elemental Assassin series) yummy BBQ sauce!
"Tonight's menu was barbeque, which meant meat and lots of it. Pulled pork, pulled beef, smoked brisket, and lots of grilled sausages slathered with this spicy barbecue sauce Reginald told me he'd gotten from a restaurant called the Pork Pit."
Eeeep! So excite! :D Anyway, here are some more of my favorite quotes from Dark Heart of Magic:
"Right," Felix drawled. "Because the two of you haven't spent the last few weeks making googly eyes at each other when you think the other person isn't looking. I might be a flirt, but at least I'm honest about it. You two just need to make out already and be done with it."
Sometimes, humans were more monstrous than anything else.
"Don't make me bean you in the face with your own socks and sneakers," [Oscar] warned.
Bullied by a six-inch-tall pixie at seven in the morning. Yep, my life as a mobster was certainly a glamorous one.
"I would wish you good luck, but you don't need it," [Devon] said.
I grinned. "You're right. I don't. Eat my dust, Sinclair."
"You're talking to Lila Merriweather, remember? Thief extraordinaire." I gave an elegant, elaborate flourish of my hand and bowed low.
Claudia huffed. "Perhaps instead of asking whether you'll get caught, I should be asking whether you can keep your ego in check long enough to get over there and back again. Or will you be too busy patting yourself on the back the whole time?"
I tapped my finger against my lips, pretending to consider her question. "I don't know. My ego really likes being a badass thief--gives me the warm and fuzzies inside."
Yeah, sometimes, doing the right thing was the most painful feeling in the world.
Guys, if you have not started this series, get on it! I cannot wait to see how this series wraps up! (it's almost over already??? What?! *cries*)
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Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! :)
Hi! I wanted to let you know that the 2015 Horror Reading Challenge wrap up and giveaway has been posted! Check it out here!
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