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

Title: Kiss of Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #2
Publisher: K-Teen (November 29, 2011)
Length: 368 pages
Source: purchased @ Wal-Mart
Edition: 1 edition paperback

From the Back of the Book

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 hear-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 Thoughts

Jennifer Estep's writing has really grown in second installment of the Mythos Academy. The character's have not only progressed, but the story as a whole has. There is a change of scenery in this second novel with the main part of the book taking place at a resort. This picked up the pace and was a nice edition. More history, myth, and creatures are revealed in Kiss of Frost. Readers will have a better understanding of the Mythos Academy world and of Gwen and Logan. I'm a sucker for a bad boy and the back and forth relationship of Gwen and Logan was definitely my favorite part of the book. Gwen's powers also change or evolve and she gains more confidence in who she is and what's in store for her future. There are several new characters introduced, one being Oliver, a Spartan friend of Logan's who I believe will add something to the rest of the series. The ending of this book is spectacular! Such drama, hatred, and a need for vengeance! The set up for the third book is perfect. There is an air of urgency and mystery that really grabs you in the end. I don't want to say too much and give away the book, but I will say that I thought this one was much better than the first, and I really liked the first one. The only thing that kind of irks/bugs me about these books is the fact that sometimes the sentences will last forever and ever. Just because you can grammatically make a sentence last for three of four lines doesn't meant that you should. I know I'm being picky, but I had to find some negative aspect of the book. I cannot wait for May 29, 2012 when the third one, Dark Frost, comes out. I give this book a 4 STAR rating.

***On Amazon there is an 11,000 word prequel to Touch of Frost about how Gwen goes to the Mythos academy in the first place. It's cheap too $0.89, but only available as a Kindle edition.





My Thoughts

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

Title: Touch of Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #1
Publisher: K-Teen (July 26, 2011)
Length: 336 pages
Source: purchased from Wal-Mart
Edition: 1 edition paperback

From the Back of the Book

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 an 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 Thoughts

Touch of Frost was a very interesting read. The thing I most enjoyed was not just the traditional Greek/Roman myths, but that many culture's myths were mixed to make this unique world. I have always had a soft spot in my reading heart for "boarding school" books and add to that the fact that this is a school for warriors...amazingness is abudant! The main character is Gwen Frost. She is a nerd who loves comics and wears hoodies 24/7...she's awesome! Gwen is a character who feels the need to right injustices and she is more sympathetic or more human than her fellow classmates. There is a lack of self assurance in Gwen that I believe many people experience at least once in their lifetime. She has these amazing abilities and a caring heart, but never sees herself being quite as good as those around her. As for Logan (the main guy in the story), I think I've just found another bad boy crush! He is certainly a naughty boy, but I have a feeling he is hiding something. Daphne was the other character I found very likable. She adds just the right touch of airiness, self assurance, and snobbery to counteract Gwen.

The story as a whole was very good, but judging by the cover I wasn't expecting it to be for "older" teens. By that I mean the sexual content. It wasn't excessive and I believe that it plays a role in the story showing what kind of world her classmates have grown up in. The story line overall reminded me a little of Oh. My. Gods. by Terra Lynn Childs (this isn't a bad thing), but on a more grown up level. This is a unique and very enjoyable start to a series that I am sure many will love. I give this book a 3 1/2 STAR rating.