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Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
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Showing posts with label Mythos Academy series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mythos Academy series. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Review: Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep
Spartan Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4.5
ISBN: #978-0758294777
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy), novella
Format(s): E-book
Book Source: Purchased with own funds
About the book:
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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. . .
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una have fallen in love with the Mythos Academy series. We love Gwen and the world she inhabits. We tend to get completely caught up in the stories and lose all sense of time. Ms. Estep gives us a treat in this series with Spartan Frost – a short novella that gives us a glimpse into Login-freaking-Quinn’s mind. If you are a fan of this series, this novella is a must read!
Through this very short novella, we see how torn and broken Logan is over his betrayal of Gwen. He is still reeling from being tricked by his stepmother and bound and controlled by Loki through a necklace, which causes him to almost kill Gwen – his beloved Gypsy Girl. Spartan Frost is a bit of an emotional jaunt as we see Logan home with his father – with whom he has a broken relationship. However, we are given a glimmer of hope at the end. That is until you read the short snippet from Midnight Frost and become agitated at the peril Gwen finds herself in. Our only complaint is that it was a novella… and we just wanted more!
If you haven’t started the Mythos Academy series, you are seriously missing out. This is a series parents can read with their kids (seventh grade and up) or as an adult to enjoy. They are really just great reads.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Review: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
Crimson Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Dec. 24, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4
ISBN: #978-0758281463
Genre: Young Adult (urban fantasy)
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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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…
What G & U are talking about:
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Crimson Frost is the fourth release in the Mythos Academy series. Gwen is finally at the center of attention, but for all the wrong reasons. Gikany and Una recommend reading this series from the beginning as many references are made in this novel to previous events. Plus, this is a very well written series, and you should just start from the beginning.
We begin right where Dark Frost ended, with Logan and Gwen on their first date at the coffee shop. However, it is rudely interrupted when the Protectorate, the police of their society, arrive to take Gwen into custody for several charges. The most notable of these charges is the willful release of Loki from his prison. In Crimson Frost, we follow the trial of Gwen as she tries to clear her name and find out the Reapers’ plan for strengthening Loki.
Although the shocking arrival of the Protectorate is completely out of the blue, Crimson Frost starts a little slowly. This is partly because the charges against Gwen seem so ridiculous, but also because you don’t out who is responsible for these charges until you are almost halfway through the story. Despite these issues, it is still a fast and gripping read. Gikany and Una nearly inhaled it. The camaraderie between Gwen and her friends continues to provide Gwen with the steadfast foundation she needs. We enjoyed their interactions and especially the infiltration of Gwen's grandmother into their world.
Crimson Frost is a nail biting and suspenseful fourth edition on the Mythos Academy series. The mythology is fresh, the character engaging and the plot twists and turns nicely. All of this with Ms. Estep's enchanting writing style makes it a very enjoyable read overall. We eagerly look forward to the next novel, Midnight Frost, due out August 2013.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday Snippet #113
Dark FrostAuthor: Jennifer Estep
Mythos Academy #3
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Released: May 29, 2012
REVIEW HERE
Despite my brisk pace, the winter chill continued to creep through my clothes and seep into my bones. I'd just turned around to head back to my warm dorm room when a low growl sounded.
I froze, suddenly colder than ever before, wondering if I'd only imagined the sound - and really, really hoping I had. In my experience, growls were never, ever good. Growls usually meant that large, scary creatures like Nemean prowlers were lurking around and intent on tearing into me with their teeth and claws. I was so not fond of the oversize, black panthers-like creatures - especially since the Reapers trained them to be deadly, kitty-cat assassins.
The growl rippled through the air again, shattering any hope I'd had of it's just being my imagination or my Gypsy gift gone wild. I slowly turned my head to the right - and saw the Fenrir wolf.
The Fenrir wolf was hunkered down in a pile of leaves on the other side of the gate I was standing in front of. The creature was even longer than I was tall, with a thick, powerful body and razor-sharp teeth and claws to match. Its fur wasn't quite black, but more like the dark, deep smoky color of ashes. The shaggy coat helped it blend in with the shadows cast by the towering trees. The last time I'd seen a Fenrir wolf, I'd noticed that its fur had crimson strands glistening in it, but I didn't see any in this creature's coat. Its eyes were a rusty red, although the color was far dimmer than I remembered it being and without the creepy burning glow that had told me just how much the wolf had wanted to gobble me up.
My gaze roamed over the creature, and my eyes caught on its ear. A small V was grooved into the wolf's right ear, and I knew it was my wolf after all. The one I'd met at the ski resort, the one that had kept me from freezing to death after we'd both been caught in the avalanche Preston had set off. The wolf had gotten the V-shaped scar that day.
"Um, puppy?" I asked in a tentative voice, since that was all I'd ever called the wolf. "Is that really you?"
At the sound of my voice, the Fenrir wolf sprang to its feet, and its muzzle creased back into what looked like a - a smile. Okay, that was a little creepy. Usually, mythological creatures weren't any happier to see me than I was to notice them stalking me and licking their chops at the thought of sinking their teeth into my body. But the wolf actually seemed glad I'd noticed it, like - like it had been waiting here for me to walk by.
The wolf let out a soft whine and crept closer to the gate, making the leaves crackle underneath its enormous body. I walked over to the iron bars. I hesitated, then stretched my hand out through one of the gaps. The wolf paced back and forth for a few seconds before heading towards me and shoving its head underneath my hand.
As soon as my fingers brushed its fur, images of the wolf began to fill my mind. Flashes of the crushing avalanche that had almost buried us both, then one of the branch that had pierced the creature's leg and of me shoving the sharp wood out so the wolf could walk again, even a memory of me facing down Preston and the wolf spoiling the Reaper's aim when Preston had tried to kill me with a crossbow.
More images zipped through my mind, of snow and trees and the wolf running through the forest, along with the creature's feelngs. There was only one emotion, really - happiness. Pure, fierce, intense happiness that it was finally free of the Reapers who had caged it, hurt it, tortured it for so long. Tears burned my eyes at the intensity and depth of the wolf's elation.
Then, the image of another wolf popped into my head, a second Fenrir wolf, although this one didn't have the Reaper red tint to its gaze or fur. It must be one of the wild Fenrir wolves that Metis had told me about, the ones who lived deep in the mountains and were rarely seen by members of the Pantheon. At first, my wolf was cautious around this other creature, bur soon, the two of them were hunting through the snow together. Playing, mock fighting, even snuggling together.
For the first time, I realized my wolf was actually a she, and I also got the sense that it - no, she- wanted me to help her.
"I don't understand," I murmured, opening my eyes and staring at the wolf. "Why are you here? Why did you leave your mate? You were so happy with him. What could you possibly want here with me?"
The wolf let out a little snort, like she couldn't believe I was so dense. Kind of sad when a mythological creature thought it was smarter than you. The wolf pulled away and walked back and forth in front of the gate, almost like she was parading around for me. I started at the creature, wondering what she was doing, what she was trying to show me.
After a few seconds, I realized the wolf was much fatter than I remembered her being before - especially around the middle. I reached out and put my hand on the creature's stomach. It took a second, but another little flicker filled my mind, another little spark that told me the wolf wasn't exactly by herself anymore.
"Oh," I said. "Oh. You're going to have a baby puppy... or whatever."
I didn't know how much of my words the wolf understood, but she almost seemed to nod her head, like Finally, the silly mortal girl understands what I'm trying to tell her.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Review: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep
Dark Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #3
ISBN: #978-0758266965
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Format(s): Paperback (336 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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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.
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una are happily stunned. We decided to read the previous two Mythos Academy books before reading Dark Frost. We are so glad we did. This is an outstanding series! Una started the first book and read through all three in a couple days... because it was too good to put down! Gikany did it in a day!
We recommend that you start from the beginning of the Mythos Academy series with Touch of Frost. It will help you connect with the characters and there is a build up through the first two books to the climax at the end of Dark Frost. There are two novellas, one is a prequel to Touch of Frost and the other is between Touch of Frost and Kiss of Frost, but they are not necessary to read. Gikany and Una did not feel we missed anything and we didn’t know about the novellas until we started our review.
Ms. Estep has created a stunning world in the Mythos Academy series. We loved the blending of the different mythologies and how seamlessly they are woven into the fabric of this young adult series. We think that this would be a great series for children (like Gikany and Una) who love ancient histories/mythologies. Not that we are experts, but we, too, were fascinated and enthralled by Clash of the Titians (the original) and can completely relate to the creation of this series. It is a fascinating urban fantasy that will entice the older generations who grew up with comics and superheroes.
Another aspect worth noting of the Mythos Academy series is the characters. Our main character, Gwen, is easy to relate to. She is a normal teenager with an exceptional talent. She must make the transition from one world where she felt she belonged to a new one where she feels like a complete outsider. The friends she makes along the way and the experiences of first love are easy to relate to. The varied personalities of the other characters are endearing and add to the complexities of the world and grounding of the novel. This is just a well-rounded series.
We seriously recommend this series and especially Dark Frost to readers ages junior high and older. In our opinion, adults may find the Mythos Academy series as endearing and enthralling, or more so, as the Twilight series or Hunger Games trilogy. This would be an especially great read for parents to share with their kids. We can’t wait for the next book, Crimson Frost, to arrive in December 2012.
Their Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
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