Review: Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Bright Blaze of Magic

Series: Black Blade #3

Previous books in this series: Cold Burn of Magic (#1) | Dark Heart of Magic (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: Kensington

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis:

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

My rating: ★★★★★
I adore Jennifer’s work and am incredibly sad that this series has come to an end. But, at the same time I was also very excited start it and find out how it ends.

Blog Tour - Review + Giveaway: Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep

Hi guys! You all know how much I love Jen's stuff, so I was so happy to be able to be part of this amazing blog tour! I LOVED Dark Heart of Magic (as you will see in my review below)! And also I share some of my favorite quotes!

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

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iTunes

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...

My rating: ★★★★★
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 ;)

Review: Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Cold Burn of Magic

Series: Black Blade #1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Kensington

Source: From publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

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 rating: ★★★★★
So, I'll admit that at first I was a bit hesitant about this book. Don't get me wrong, I love Jennifer Estep's other books--Mythos Academy is one of my favorite series! But I think the thing that may have put me off a little was the whole mobster, "Families" thing. I am pretty sure this stemmed from the season nine episode on Supernatural called Bloodlines, which was actually very similar to this. That episode sounded very interesting--a town ran by "Families" of monsters, shifters, werewolves, all sorts of creatures previously seen on the show. Anyway, this episode left much to be desired. Loving Supernatural as much as I do, this was a total disappointment.

At the time I didn't know this episode was this sort of pilot that was supposed to lead into a Supernatural spin-off series called Bloodlines, but I can see why that ended up not happening.

So that's why I was just the tiniest bit hesitant with the whole mob thing--I hadn't had a great experience with it in the past. But I should've known better, Cold Burn of Magic was absolutely amazing! I mean, hello! This is Jennifer Estep! After delving into three of her series (Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and this one), I am convinced anything she writes will be pure gold!

Review: Love, Lattes and Mutants (Mutants #1) by Sandra Cox

Title: Love, Lattes and Mutants

Series: Mutants #1

Author: Sandra Cox

Genre: YA, paranormal romance, sci-fi

Publication date: February 17th 2015

Published by: Kensington

Source: E-ARC from publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Finding love is hard, even when you aren't a mutant.

Like most seventeen-year-olds, Piper Dunn wants to blend in with the crowd. Having a blowhole is a definite handicap. A product of a lab-engineered mother with dolphin DNA, Piper spends her school days hiding her brilliant ocean-colored eyes and sea siren voice behind baggy clothing and ugly glasses. When Tyler, the new boy in school, zeroes in on her, ignoring every other girl vying for his attention, no one, including Piper, understands why...

Then Piper is captured on one of her secret missions rescuing endangered sea creatures and ends up in the same test center where her mother was engineered. There she discovers she isn't the only one of her kind. Joel is someone she doesn't have to hide from, and she finds herself drawn to the dolph-boy who shares her secrets. Talking to him is almost as easy as escaping from the lab. Deciding which boy has captured her heart is another story...

My rating: ★★★☆☆
When I first heard about this book I thought it sounded really awesome! I mean, a mutant girl with dolphin DNA, how cool is that? It's not something you read about too often. The only other book I read that sounded similar this was The Neptune Project, and I absolutely loved that one! So I was really excited to try this one! And overall, it was a pretty good read.

Review: Killer Frost (Mythos Academy #6) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Killer Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #6

Previous books in this series: Touch of Frost (#1) | Kiss of Frost (#2) | Dark Frost (#3) | Crimson Frost (#4) | Spartan Frost (#4.5) | Midnight Frost (#5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: Feb. 2014

Published by: K-Teen

Source: For review from publisher/author

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good...or I am.

My rating: ★★★★★
This book was GREAT!! It's the final battle with Loki, and only one will come out on top...

Gwen's been through hell and back, and then things get worse. Loki and the Reapers endanger the life of someone Gwen dearly loves... This is the last straw for Gwen! She has just about had it with the Reapers, and their latest stunt has pushed Gwen over the edge! Gwen will do anything to rescue this person she loves... and when I say anything, I mean anything... Even maybe doom humanity. Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit here, but her decision seriously freaked me out! Anyway, more on that later ;) The time has come to end all this--it's either destroy Loki or get killed by him. Gwen's battle is about to begin, and with the help of her friends, they might just come out on top. Cross your fingers...

Review: Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Midnight Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #5

Previous books in this series: Touch of Frost (#1) | Kiss of Frost (#2) | Dark Frost (#3) | Crimson Frost (#4) | Spartan Frost (#4.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: July 30th, 2013

Published by: K-Teen

Source: the publishers via Netgalley (thank you!!)

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Here we go again...

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there...

My rating: ★★★★★
I was so glad to get back to reading a new book in my favoritest series EVER! I absolutely LOVE it!

Review: Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spartan Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #4.5

Previous books in this series: First Frost (#0.5) | Touch of Frost (#1) | Kiss of Frost (#2) | Dark Frost (#3) | Crimson Frost (#4)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: June 25th, 2013 (TODAY!)

Published by: Kensington, K-Teen

Source:The publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

I’m Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was — until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.

Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I’m fine, that Loki and the Reapers don’t have a hold on me anymore, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk hurting Gwen again. So I’m leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.

I know Gwen wonders what’s happening to me, whether I’m safe. I can’t tell her, but this is my story...

My rating: ★★★★★
Oh man, this novella? It was AMAZEBALLS! I *heart* Logan

Review: Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Crimson Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #4

Previous books in this series: Touch of Frost (#1) | Kiss of Frost (#2) | Dark Frost (#3)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: December 24, 2012

Published by: Kensington; K-Teen

Source: The publishers via Netgalley (thank you!)

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository

Synopsis:

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…

My rating: ★★★★★
I absolutely LOVED this book! From book one I have loved this series, and it just keeps getting better and better!

Giveaway: Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

This giveaway is now over. All winner have been chosen and e-mail.

Hey everyone! I'm happy to announce that I'll be giving away a SIGNED copy of this AMAZING book: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep! It's book 3 in the Mythos Academy series and it was published by Kensington (K-Teen). I would like to thank the publicist at Kensington, Vida, for providing this copy to give away...Thank you SO much!

Below are books 1-3 in the series. Click on each image to learn more about the book.

  

So, what's up for grabs? you ask. For this giveaway there are going to be SIX (6) winners! The main prize includes the following:

1st place winner will receive a SIGNED paperback copy of Dark Frost and a set of 4 bookmarks (one for each book)!

And the other 5 people will receive some awesome swag: a set of 4 bookmarks, one for each book of the series.

Prettyful!

Sound good? Awesome! All you have to do to enter is fill out the following Rafflecopter form (giveaway is international, BTW!):

Quick note: In order to be entered to win one of the five sets of bookmarks you MUST answer the question in "Leave a Blog Post Comment" task on the Rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Please read the terms and conditions!*

Good luck to everyone who enters (I'll be totally jealous of the winner...I LOVE this series!) and the winners will announced a month from today, on Nov. 12th.

Review: Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Dark Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #3

Previous books in this series: Touch of Frost (#1) | Kiss of Frost (#2)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: May 29, 2012

Published by: Kensington, K-Teen

Source: the Publishers via Netgalley (thanks!)

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository

Synopsis:

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.

My rating: ★★★★★
So, in this Mythos Academy novel, Gwen looks for the Helheim Dagger that her mother hid. She must find it before the Reapers get their evil hands on it, and his it again in a more secure place. Will she be able to find it before the Reapers do? And most importantly: will she be able to do it without getting killed??

Review: Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Kiss of Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #2

Previous book in this series: Touch of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: November 2011

Published by:  Kensington, K-Teen

Source: Borrowed from public library

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository

Synopsis:

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...

My rating: ★★★★★
In this installment of Mythos Academy, the whole academy goes to a ski resort for winter break. But fun soon turns to horror when "accidents" start happening...accidents that clearly want Gwen dead. It's obviously a Reaper, but with so many students at the ski resort, finding out who wants to kill Gwen is virtually impossible...or is it?

Review: First Frost (Mythos Academy #0.5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: First Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #0.5

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: July 2011

Published by: Kensington, K-Teen

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

I am Gwen Frost, and I have a Gypsy gift. It's called psychometry - that's a fancy way of saying that I see images in my head and get flashes of other people's memories off almost everything I touch, even guys.

My gift makes me kind of nosy. Okay, okay, maybe a lot nosy--to the point of obsession sometimes. I want to know everything about everyone around me. But even I don't want to know the secrets my friend Paige is hiding or the terrible loss that will send me to a new school - Mythos Academy, where the teachers aren't preparing us for the SATs, but to battle Reapers of Chaos. Now I have no friends and no idea how my gift fits in with all these warrior whiz kids. The only thing I do know is that my life is never, ever going to be the same...

My rating: ★★★★☆
Gwen Frost has a supernatural ability called psychometry, which basically means that when she touches and object she can see images, the memories of other people who constantly came in contact with the object and had some sort of meaning for them. In this novella we see how Gwen helps out a girl (Paige) by simply touching her hairbrush, how and why Gwen’s mother dies, and when Metis comes to take her to her new school: Mythos Academy.

Review: Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Touch of Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #1

Prequel story: First Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: August 2011

Published by: Kensington, K-Teen

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository

Synopsis:

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy; a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why; especially since I should have been the one who died...

My rating: ★★★★★
In a world where mythology is real, there is a special school for kids who are descendants of some of the most powerful mythological figures known. That school is Mythos Academy. Here the descendants of gods, goddesses, Romans, Spartans, Amazons, and Valkyrie are trained to fight like experts, for they are destined to fight in what might be the next Chaos War—a war between the Norse god Loki and the Greek goddess Nike.………