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

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Liza and her town have lived in fear of all things magic since the War. Before she was born, the world of human and fae collided in a war unlike any other. Magic spread through the human world infecting, plant, weather, animal, and human alike. Magic is the stuff of nightmares. Plants can strangle you, trees have a life of their own, hawks can hunt you as prey, and some children have been touched by magic. Liza’s world changes when her little sister is born with magic. “And cast out the magic born among you, before it can harm its parents.” Her father leaves her baby sister in the woods and the only things left of the tiny life are the bones. When Liza starts showing signs of latent magic she does the only thing she can think of…she leaves. Liza and those she gathers along the way will fight tooth and nail making a journey few if any have ever came back from. They are going beyond The Arch into Faerie. The question is will they make it? Will they come back? Will they ever be the same? Or will they be lost in visions of faerie forever?

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner is amazing! I am kicking myself because I have had this book for over a year and am just now reading it. This slim book is deep. When I first picked it up I wasn’t expecting a dystopian world filled with magic. I find this a refreshing take on this genre that has become so popular. The way the world has become so desolate and unwelcoming contributes to the haunting voice of Liza. The descriptions of the dying world around her are absolutely beautiful in a dark eerie sort of way. Each character is essential in their own right and has a distinct personality that contributes to the desolation and need to survive in this harsh world. Even those who died haunt the pages of this novel.  The ending of the story is spectacular! While writing this review I learned that there is a part two to Liza’s story. I can’t decide if I am eager to see the evolution of this world or apprehensive. I can’t imagine on another  book living up to the perfection I found this one to be. This is a dark book, but I recommend that all lovers of YA, dystopian, and faeries read it. I give this book a 5 STAR rating!

***Bones of Faerie Extras***

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner has approximately 256 pages and was published on January 26, 2010 by Random House Books for Young Readers. There is a sequel to this book called Faerie Winter and is available now.