REVIEW: Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5)

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5), by Jennifer Estep
To Be Published July 30, 2013
Publisher:  K-Teen
Format: ARC - received from publisher
Genre:  YA, mythology, urban fantasy
To Buy:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) 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.

The Mythos Academy series is a perfect study in character evolution. There are so many series where the main character is very static, and the only things that change from book to book are his or her interactions with the supporting characters and the situations in which they find themselves. That's all well and good for awhile, but not very fulfilling. As a reader, I get so much more enjoyment and satisfaction when I see the characters I love grow up literally before my eyes.

In Midnight Frost, Gwen is trying to get by after the horrible events in Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4). Nothing has changed with the Reapers; they are still actively trying to kill her. And, after an attempt on her life ends up critically endangering someone Gwen cares about, she and her friends (sans Logan, of course, who is still off trying to get his head together) set off on a dangerous quest to try and set things right again. 

This is the most action-packed book in the series with plenty of sword fights in lots of cool settings like the library (of course!), a train and an ancient goddess' ruins. There's also plenty of opportunities for Gwen to use her powers, and not just her touch magic. We see her use her ability to communicate with animals, which is my personal favorite part of her magic. And, Gwen uses it in a big way in Midnight Frost.

But, above all, I absolutely love seeing how much Gwen has grown over the course of the Mythos series. I almost felt like a proud parent reading about her kicking ass in Midnight Frost. I remember back in Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1), Gwen was shy, reserved, and a little angry. She didn't know a broadsword from a fencing foil. She was enemies with Daphne, wary of Logan and afraid of her own shadow.

But now? The best part of Midnight Frost is hearing Gwen's ruminations as she thinks on all her life has become over the past year. Her thoughts and actions have matured beyond measure, and that is all born out of hardship and experience and love.

Never fear all you Logan Freaking Quinn fans (of which I am one), he does make an appearance in Midnight Frost. The Spartan's conscience is still not wiped clean, but he is a man of honor, so he feels the need to help his friends in their near suicide mission. You gotta love that about him.

And, although the individual quest in this book is wrapped up, the over-arching goals that Nike has put on Gwen's shoulders remain. The set-up is good for Killer Frost (Mythos Academy #6). I can't wait to see what happens next.

NOVELLA REVIEW: Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5)

Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5), by Jennifer Estep
To Be Published June 25, 2013
Publisher:  K-Teen
Format: e-ARC - obtained from NetGalley
Genre:  YA paranormal/fantasy/romance
To Buy:  Amazon  * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Rating:  4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) 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...

I don't usually review novellas. I think maybe I should. Although I still don't consider them a "novel," novellas do still have their place in the overall story. I think they fill in the gaps and make the rest of the books so much richer. So, I'm going to start my new policy with Spartan Frost - it's a very good place to start, actually.

If you read my review of Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4), you'll note that the only fault I found with it was that there wasn't nearly enough Logan Quinn for my liking. Imagine my glee when I found that Jennifer Estep had a novella planned from - wait for it... LOGAN'S POV. I know, right?! All the full-length Mythos books are told from Gwen Frost's POV, so this novella was such a treat. 

And, it came at the perfect time, too. After the events at the end of Crimson Frost, I've never been more interested in getting inside Logan's head than I am now. And, what a sad and complex place it is, too. He's experiencing such guilt and anger over his actions, it hurts my heart. Logan is a Spartan - a natural born warrior. So, it's not in his nature to sit around and wallow. 

The events of Spartan Frost lead Logan on quite an adventure. It's exciting and super fun to see him kicking some major butt again. The end leaves a perfect opening to lead you into Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5), due out later this summer. Spartan Frost seemed like it was on the short side as far as novellas go. It's a great way to spend an hour or so in the afternoon while you wait for Midnight Frost's release and more Logan Freaking Quinn. 

Book #138 - Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4)

Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4), Jennifer Estep
YA urban fantasy, paranormal romance
378 pages
Started 12/23/12
Finished 12/24/12
4 STARS

I was so excited for this book to come out that I couldn't wait, and I got it from NetGalley before its release date (which was December 24, 2012). I'm a huge mythology fan, especially Greek mythology. So, this series in particular has been one of my favorites for awhile now.

Gwen is in a sticky situation as she is wrongly accused of a very serious crime. All of a sudden, the tenuous hold she had on her social life at Mythos comes crumbling down as her classmates think she now works for the enemy and their torment is particularly harsh. The only thing for Gwen to do is try her hardest to clear her name and continue on with the mission that Nike gave her.

Of all the Mythos books, this one was, by far, the most emotionally charged. Jennifer Estep hasn't shied away from tough situations for these teens. They have gotten into battles. Kids have died. Kids have been tortured. But, even through all that, there were plenty of lighter moments to temper the emotion. Not so much in Crimson Frost. Gwen starts out conflicted, frustrated and angry and stays that way through the end. There are very good reasons why, and I felt all of that as I was reading, which is a good thing. It just would've been nice to have a few happy scenes to balance it all out.

The other thing that I felt was lacking was LOGAN. He was there, but took a definite backseat to all of Gwen's drama. And, this was when I was finally hoping for some major forward progress in their relationship. Not only was there not much of that, but the events of the book cause a major misstep in the progression of their relationship. It was a bit of a bummer, because I really love that Spartan. I wanted much more of him.

But, even with that in mind, I'm a sucker for books that elicit strong emotion from me, and this one most certainly did that. I felt so frustrated for Gwen and the trials she very literally had to face. And, once again, the mythology is great. I really love all the references to Greek, Roman, and even Norse mythology.

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) will be coming out this summer, and I can't wait to see what Jennifer Estep does next with Gwen's and Logan's story.