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

Title: Killer Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 6th (

Pages: 384

Published: February 25th 2014 by Kensington Books

ISBN: 9780758281548

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

I apparently was savoring this last book so much, I flat out forgot to write a review for it.  So, this review will likely not give this book justice.

It's always bring a little bit of apprehension when the final book is a series comes to play.  Especially, when it a series you've really enjoyed with characters you've loved.  That's how I felt about opening up Killer Frost.  I should never have doubted Jennifer Estep.  This book contained everything I had hoped for.  It tied up all the loose ends.  There was no wondering if things played out the way they should.  It was fast paced and moved full throttle to the ending.

I really loved Gwen in this last installment.  Gone is the girl trying to convince everyone that she doesn't belong in this world.  She's determined to see this through to the end and has even accepted the idea that it might not turn out exactly the way she would hope for.  Heck, she even acknowledges the fact that she doesn't have to do it alone.  Her friend will be there until the very end.  In fact....it kind of had a Harry Potter feel to it with the final battle occurring at Mythos Academy.

I still love her friends.  Logan is perfect in every way, especially in the fact that Gwen sees that he's not.  Daphne is the character that has surprised me the most in this series.  I think she balances out Gwen's insecurities nicely.  And those are just two of the secondary characters that make this book (and series) so great. 

I still need to read Jennifer Estep's adult paranormal series, plus this book gives the hint of a spinoff.  I won't be forgetting about her anytime soon!

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

Title: Midnight Frost

Author:  Jennifer Estep

Series: 5th (Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost, Crimson Frost)
Pages: 400

Published: July 30th 2013 by K-Teen 

ISBN: 9780758281494

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 Description: 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 … 

 I Give This ...

This was a fast paced read.  It didn't take long for Chaos to rule.    I was slightly concerned that we wouldn't get much forward progress with this book.  But, I was wrong.

Gwen is really accepting that she is Nike's Champion.  She's kind of waiver back and worth on this front, but she kicks ass this time around.  She gathers all the information when Nickamedes is poisoned and is able to identify what was possibly used.  Turns out the antidote is from a rare flower that only grows in one place.  And it has to be picked at midnight...during a full moon.

Sure they know it's a trap, but they have no choice.  They head to the ruins in Colorado.  Interestingly enough here is were she learns about her dad's family.  There's a lot of history there and I'm not sure how it's managed to not come to light until now.  It helps that Gwen goes by her Mother's name and not her father's.   It make for some interesting reading and seems to make things infinitely more complicated. 

I was surprised when the trap wasn't set right away.  Turns out the Reapers want Gwen and her friends to do their dirty work.  They want the flower for other reasons, but they can't get it on their own.  I really thought this time they might really interfere with the outcome (because beloved characters do occasionally die), but Logan appears at the right time.  I knew he would from reading the short story in between.  But, I honestly wondered when he would get there.

There's a particularly interesting section of the book for me.   Logan and Gwen must take the long way down the mountain and in a snow storm no less.  When it's discovered that Logan is seriously injured, I wondered how they were going to get off that mountain.  The gryphons come to help in the most unexpected way.   This connection leads another Goddess to offer her help to Gwen.  She offers something that might help defeat Loki in the end.

I really liked this story.  But then again, I've enjoyed this series as a whole.   I look forward to the next in the series.  I do hope it doesn't stretch out to much longer though.

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

Title: Spartan Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 4.5 (Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost, Crimson Frost)

Pages: 60

Published: June 25th 2013 by Kensington Publishing Corporation 

ISBN: 9780758294777

Sourcce: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: 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. . . 

I Give This ...

I've been eagerly awaiting another installment in this series.   I thought I would tide myself over with this short story.  Especially since it's told from Logan's view point.

I do enjoy getting the story told from another view point.  I think it bring new insight to characters you think you know really well.  I thought I had Logan pretty well pinned down.  I did not expect him become slightly self destructive.  He's so hung up on the fact that he tried to kill Gwen that he can't get past it.   I think he's horrified by the idea that his actions were so easily taken over by another.  He's afraid to let himself be put in a position were that could happen again.

I don't think the answer is to immerse himself in his training and let himself be used by the Parthenon.  He also really needs to realize that he hurting Gwen more by keeping away.

The only true downfall is obviously this is short.  I wanted more of this story (especially since we get a little cliff hanger) and I wanted more of Logan.  But, it was enough to gear me up for the next book, which comes out soon!

Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Crimson Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 4th (Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost)

Pages: 378

Published: December 24th 2012 by Kensington 

ISBN: 9780758281463

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: 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… 

I Give This ...

 

I've been pleased with this series for the most part.  I like the cast of characters, especially Gwen and Logan.  But, sometimes it can get repetitive.  This really was no exception to that, although it took a little bit of a different direction it seems like.

Gwen's really gone through a lot in this series, but in this book she takes a beating.  She's publicly humiliated and branded a traitor.  Thankfully she knows her own worth and her friends never falter in their belief in her.  But to become a social piranha is hard for anybody.  When everyone moves their desk away from you in class or leaves nasty messages on your dorm-room door, it's hard to keep your chin up.  But, she truly believes that there is no way they can find her guilty of what they are accusing her of.  Until she discovers who is behind it.  And the plot thickens.

I was amazed that people in such high authority could made such bold accusations the way they did with so little to go on.  With Gwen's story public knowledge long before our accuser shows up, I was surprised they bought it.  It really bugged me.   I was happy to see that Logan repeatedly stood up to his dad when it came to Gwen.  Their relationship is so strange at times that I was afraid he would back down from him.

I really loved the surprise accuser and the whole part with the asp.  The ending was interesting as well.  Logan's background makes so much sense now and it's extremely sad.  Especially when the story ends the way it does.  I get why he did what he did, but he needs to move on.

I'm starting to wonder what direction this story is going to take.  I see no real clear ending.  I'm not sure how many books this series is planning on reaching, but I want to see something happen.  I feel we are at that point in the series!  I enjoyed the book of course and will continue on with the series.  

 

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

Title: Dark Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 3rd (Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost)

Pages: 336

Published: May 29th 2012 by Kensington 

ISBN:  9780758266965

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: 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 Give This ...

I've early awaited the newest book every time one comes out in this series.  I've grown kind of attached this band of teenagers and the odd school they inhabit.  But then, I've always had a particular love for mythology and this definitely fits the bill.

I think what I find most endearing about Gwen is that she doesn't think she's the bad ass that she really is.   She has all these powers and she's hesitant to use them anymore than she has to.  In fact, she has powers that she doesn't even really know about.  Since she's never managed to really make friends, she loyal to the one's she's made at Mythos.  Even when those friends are treating her like crap because of her own abilities that she can't really control.  But, she's not a pushover.  She stands up for what she believes in and those she loves.  

Sometimes series feel like they drag on and never really get to the point.  While there is element that kind of does this (are Logan and Gwen together or not), the story has wasted no time getting to the point.  The Reapers will get what they desire no matter what the cost is.  I knew we were ultimately headed to a showdown between Loki, his champion, and his followers.  I didn't expect to meet them all so soon.  I also was not expecting Loki's champion to be hiding right under our noses.

Gwen goes through a lot in this book.  Despite some setbacks, she really grows into her character.  She has to witness Daphne alienate her and Logan shun her.  Still she's willing to sacrifice it all to stop Loki from becoming unbound.  I kept waiting for someone to step in and help her save the world.  Sadly it's the wolf who comes and she's injured in the process (man I love that wolf..whole other story).   

Gwen seems really downcast at the end of this book.  I think she really expected to save the day and when it didn't happen that way it really hurt her.  I'm curious as to were this story will go next and if Gwen can fully pick up the pieces and become the champion she needs to be.

  

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

Title: Kiss of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 2nd (Touch of Frost)

Pages: 354

Published: November 29th 2011 by Kensington 

ISBN: 9780758266941

Source: Publisher sent for honest review

 

Description: 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... 

I Give This ...

 

I love it when the second book in a series doesn't fall completely flat.  It seems that it happens quite frequently.  And while this book has some points that bugged me a little, it was still a worthy sequel.

Gwen has a tendency to be "woe in me" in this installment.  While, it's not overly annoying, she doesn't seem as strong willed as in the first book.  I'm taking it that the events from before have shaken her confidence.  I don't think she feels worthy of being Nike's champion.  She currently sees herself as "just" the gypsy girl.  She makes some poor decisions in this book, but I think she can bounce back from that.  I really feel like she's a little distracted by a certain someone.

That someone of course is Logan.  I find it interesting that he's trying to protect Gwen from who he really is.  Basically it's all a game to keep people from getting close to him.  While he secret is really horrible, I think I was expecting more from it.  I am happy to see that maybe he's learning that it doesn't have to define him.  I really think Gwen and him would be really good for each other.

My biggest disappointment (which really wasn't a big deal) was who was trying to kill Gwen.  It completely wasn't a surprise to me.   I was hoping more for the shock value of finding out about someone who we thought was good all a long.  I like how the events have helped Gwen build a stronger circle of friends.  I think she'll need them in the end.

I enjoyed it overall and looking forward to the next one!

Touch of Frost Character Interview: Gwen

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to thank Page for having me on the blog today. Thanks so much, Page!

So today, Page asked me to answer some questions from the point of view Gwen Frost, the heroine of Touch of Frost, the first book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series.

Gwen is a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

Take it away, Gwen:

 I’ve always loved the idea of violet eyes.  Do you love or hate yours?

Well, my mom always said that Violet eyes are smiling eyes. She had the same violet eyes that I do, and I thought that they were beautiful on her. On me? Not so much. Still, I like having violet eyes, if only because it reminds me of my mom and that part of her lives on in me.

 If they events hadn’t unfolded the way they had, do you think you would have told anybody at Mythos Academy about your touch magic?

Well, some of the kids already knew about my psychometry magic—my ability to touch an object and immediately know, feel, and see its history. Using my psychometry—or touch magic—lets me track down all the things that the other kids lose. Finding lost keys, laptops, cell phones, and more is how I make extra cash at the academy. Sure, it’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it’s something that I’m pretty good at.

But yeah, if things hadn’t happened like they did, then folks like Daphne Cruz, Carson Callahan, and Logan Quinn wouldn’t know nearly as much about my magic as they do. But that’s okay, because Daphne and Carson are my friends now, and Logan, well, Logan is something a little more than just a friend …

 You have touch magic, your mom could tell when someone was lying, and your grandmother can see the future.  Why do you think you had such a hard time believing that that the students were real decedents of ancient warriors?

Because my mom and grandma never made a really big deal out of our powers. They were just these cool things that we could do. They never told me about the evil god Loki, or monsters like Nemean prowlers, or that there are bad guys called Reapers of Chaos who want to kill all the warrior whiz kids at Mythos. So when I got to Mythos, yeah, it took me a little while to believe in all those things. But now, I know that they are all very, very real—and very, very scary.

Why did it take a murder/mystery for you to open up to anybody at the academy?

Well, I’m not nearly as rich, pretty, or powerful as all the other kids at the academy are. They ignored me for the most part, so I ignored them right back. Plus, I just didn’t feel like trying to make friends with anyone. Not with my mom’s death and going to a new school. I just needed some time by myself to deal with everything. But luckily, I have some real friends now in Daphne, Carson, and Logan, and I’m glad that I do.

What do you think Logan Quinn is hiding?

I’m not sure, but it has to be something that he thinks is really important. The Spartan wouldn’t be so worried about me finding out what it is otherwise. But no matter what it is, it’s not going to change the way I feel about him. I just wish Logan would realize that …

Do you intend to find out?

Definitely. ;-)

Jennifer Estep writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. Touch of Frost, the first book in the series, was published on July 26. First Frost, a prequel e-story to the series, is available now as a 99-cent download. Kiss of Frost, the second book, will hit shelves on Nov. 29. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for excerpts and more information.

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

Title: Touch of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: 1st in Mythos Academy

Pages: 350

Published: July 26, 2011 by Kensington Publishing

ISBN: 9780758266927

Source: Publisher for Teen Book Scene Tour

Description: 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. . .

I Give This ...
  

I admit, I haven't read Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series (I have the first one and will get to it).  I've heard great things though.  So, I was excited to think what she might do with the young adult paranormal genre.  Especially when I saw that it involved mythical warriors in present day.  Sign me up!

I was really sucked in by the way this book started.  The quite girl taking on the mean popular girl in the bathroom.  Sounds like fun.  Especially when we learn the Daphne is a Valkyrie, not exactly someone you want to mess with.  Turns out Gwen knows something about Daphne that no one else knows.  And she learned this buy touching an charm that feel off a necklace that Daphne stole.  I instantly wanted to know more about Gwen and this magic that she possessed.  I totally understand the downfall to touch magic (instantly getting images for objects people have a connections), but it really intrigues me.  

Turns out Gwen is special.  She's been sent to this academy full of warriors for a reason she doesn't understand yet.    And when she finds Jasmine's body in the library, she unleashes a chain of events that will change her life forever.  I admired her determination to find out what really happened to Jasmine when it seemed like nobody else cared.  Plus, if she makes a few friends and attracts the attention of Logan Quinn along the way, what the harm.  Of course, there seems to be someone (or something) that doesn't want the truth discovered!

I really loved Gwen for the most part.  She seems sweet and not completely confident with what she can do.  The only thing that drove me nuts was the constant reference to how unpopular she was and how she didn't have any friends.  Hard to make friends when you put your head down and ignore everyone around you.  I was happy to see her make a connection.  While Daphne was initially the mean girl, I totally loved her in the end.  She's just what Gwen needs!  And Logan....I love those paranormal guys that make you wish you would run across one in real life.  Totally hot that he can take any weapon and know just how to use it to kill someone.  He's just the protector that Gwen needs!  

 So, yes I will be reading the next one.  Great new paranormal series in the works!