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 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…
Kiss of Frost is the second book in the Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy series. It picks up soon after Touch of Frost left off. Gwen is nursing a broken heart after being shunned by Logan in the previous book. She’s also continuing her education at the Academy and learning how fight. As the goddess Nike’s champion, she’s honing her skills and discovering new ways to use her gypsy gift, psychometry. And it’s a good thing too because someone wants her dead.
Although Gwen has a killer after her, this book is not really big on the action and fight scenes. There is enough to keep it exciting , but the focus in more on the mystery and romance this time. Overall I was disappointed in the mystery as it was predictable to the point where I thought perhaps it was so obvious there must be a big reveal coming that I totally missed.
Where this story really shined was in the emotional arena where we see Gwen dealing with her broken heart and trying to move on as Logan, her friends and pretty much everyone at the Academy seem to be involved in relationships. Gwen, who already feels like an outsider as the only gypsy at the school tries to move forward only to see signs of jealousy from the boy who shunned her. Things are looking up.
We also learn more about Gwen’s mother and her history. The story takes a very sad turn when Gwen learns some things regarding her mother’s death and what it might mean to her and her future. The secrets that are revealed could very well define the kind of heroine Gwen will become I’m very much looking forward to seeing where this goes for her.
I said in my review of Touch of Frost:
Gwen is easy to relate to and from her point of view the world may not make sense but she doesn’t make it worse with silly decisions and selfish behavior. She’s not totally thrilled with the responsibilities and the burden her gift puts on her, but she doesn’t brood and hate the world because of it. She still sees her gift as a gift.
In Kiss of Frost, we see more vulnerability in Gwen. There is a bit more angst and she stumbles emotionally because she is inexperienced, but she is still a solid heroine. I like that Estep remembers that Gwen is a teenager and she doesn’t try to force her character into an adult mold for the sake of writing strong heroine. I love that Gwen is not perfect but she doesn’t cross the line into overly angsty, and selfishness that sometimes frustrates me in the Young Adult genre. I think Estep does a good job of allowing Gwen to be a teenager without making her into a heroine that is hard to get along with.
While I thought the mystery was predictable it was not boring and it didn’t distract from my enjoyment of the overall story. The emotional aspect of the story and the romance really worked for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Gwen evolves and what direction this series will take.
Favorite Quote:
“I’m a Gypsy,” I snarled. “Nike’s freaking Champion. Blessed and gifted with magic by the goddess herself. And Nike is victory itself, remember? That’s who and what she is.”
“So what?” ******* muttered.
“So I found a way to beat you, dumbass. I found a way to win.”
Rating: B+
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep
November 29th 2011 by Kensington
Series
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***Giveaway***
Comment to win a copy of Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep. US only please. Open until December 2, winner announced soon after. Good luck!
About FV Sophia
thanks for a great giveaway!! haven’t read this series but would love to.
You can get First Frost, the prequel novella for only .89 cents. You should check it out: HERE
This looks really good. Thanks for the heads up on the prequel
I love Jennifer’s work. I just picked up book one Touch of Frost and look forward to hanging with Gwen. Thanks for the giveaway!
This is a new author for me, but this book sounds great. I just picked up a copy of one of her books called First Frost from Barnes & Noble. I have heard great things about his author and her books. I would love to win and read this book, so please choose me for the giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you for the awesome giveaway! The book sounds like a great read. :]
Great review. This book sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway..
I recently just finished Touch of Frost & I loved it! I cannot not wait to read Kiss of Frost!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway. I’m looking forward to reading this series
Thanks for the chance! I love her books.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I bought the prequel for this series and it was very intriguing with loads of possibilities for the series. I would love to read Kiss of Frost and I thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
To me it’s fascinating to watch character development throughout an evolving series. It adds an important element of realism, and makes for a much more interesting read.
Thank you so much for such a super sweet giveaway, I LOVE Jennifer Estep and would be ten kinds of tickled to win Kiss of Frost
Book sounds interesting, would love to read it. Thanks Debbie
Ooops, forgot to add my email:
zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com
Have not read this series yet.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Sounds good. Thanks for the chance.
I’m in the middle of reading her Elemental Assassin series and it’s good! I’ll have to check out this series too.
I just gifted you the first book, Touch of Frost via Amazon. Enjoy!
I enjoyed Touch of Frost and I’m really looking forward to reading Kiss of Frost.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Great giveaway,please enter me
reginamayross@gmail.com
I love your books! Thanks for the opportunity!
chornbacher22@gmail.com
This sounds like such a good book. Thanks for the giveaway!
This book sounds awesome! Excellent review! Such an intriguing storyline… would love to go to Mythos Academy!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Ohhh would love to win!!! This series is fantastic!!!
My comment is going to blend this giveaway with one of your other posts today. No, I do not have any money to buy books right now. Tight holidays this year. This book is on my WISH LIST. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I am really excited to find out what happens next!
jepebATverizonDOTnet
I really want to find out what happens next with Gwen, Logan, Vic and all the others. I really liked Touch of Frost and I can’t wait to get the next installment.
Thanks for the chance to win!
spyblue78(at)gmail.com
I love this series and I’m SO psyched to read this book!! Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway:)
I’ve read First Frost and have been wanting to start the full series. I already love Jennifer’s Elemental Assassin books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for the giveaway. I can’t wait to read this.
jlynettes @ hotmail . com
sounds like another great series. I’d love to win this since I could share with my son.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
Sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win. I’m going to check out First Frost too.
Thanks so much for this giveaway. I’ve only read one of Jennifer Estep’s books and have been having a hard time getting any of her others. Am curious to see how her YA book compares to the other one I read though.
Jennifer Estep has been in my to-reads-list of author’s. I would love to start reading her work. TY for the giveaway chance! Cheers!!! sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com