SPIDER AND FROST (Elemental Assassin/ Mythos Academy) by Jennifer Estep-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2023

WHEN AN ASSASSIN . . .

My name is Gin Blanco, and I’m on vacation. Sort of. As the assassin the Spider, it’s hard for me to completely relax, but I’m determined to enjoy a scenic train ride and a nice, quiet lunch before heading back home to Ashland.

My plans change when Gwen Frost boards the train. The girl says she’s heading back to Mythos Academy, the fancy private boarding school, but I can’t shake the feeling that Gwen is hiding something—and is in far more trouble than she realizes.

. . . MEETS A CHAMPION

My name is Gwen Frost. I might have saved the world from Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos, but I’m still chasing down Reaper villains. It’s all part of being the Champion of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

I’ve been assigned to protect some mythological artifacts that are being transported via train to Mythos Academy, but some Reapers are hot on my trail, and they’ll do anything to recover the artifacts—and kill me.

Also on the train is Gin Blanco, who claims to be the owner of the Pork Pit barbecue restaurant. My psychometry magic keeps whispering that there’s more to her than meets the eye, although I can’t tell if Gin is a friend, an enemy, or something else entirely.

Note: Spider and Frost is a 28,000-word crossover novella between the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series and the Mythos Academy young adult series. It is told from the points of view of Gin Blanco and Gwen Frost.

Spider and Frost takes place after the events of Last Strand, book 19 in the Elemental Assassin series.

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Sandy’s REVIEW: SPIDER AND FROST by Jennifer Estep is a cross over instalment in both of the author’s Elemental Assassin and Mythos Academy series focusing on elemental assassin Gin Blanco, and Oracle Gwen Frost.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gin and Gwen) SPIDER AND FROST follows in the aftermath of a rockslide that separates Gin and Gwen from family and friends . Gin, Owen, Fin and Bria were taking a well-deserved scenic train vacation in the wake of the war between Ashland and The Circle but all does not go according to plan when a rockslide separated Gin from her loved ones. With a push from her friends, Gin continues on with the tour wherein she will me an eighteen year old Gwen Frost, a young woman who reminds Gin of herself. From the outset, Gin and Gwen suspect one another but it is Gwen’s enemies, The Reapers, who are determined to take back what they claim as their own. Several attacks, a talking sword, and a young woman who can ‘see’ the past, finds Gwen and Gin on the defensive to protect one another’s backs.

SPIDER AND FROST is a quick read; a fast paced, short story that revisits Gwen Frost and some of the Mythos Academy characters, as well as Gin Blanco, and the family she loves. There is plenty of action, swords and knives, magic and mayhem, and just enough love and friendship to keep everybody happy. The premise is captivating and engaging; the characters are familiar and tenacious.

Barb’s Review: Spider and Frost by Jennifer Estep is a novella set in our two wonderful series, Elemental Assassin and Mythos Academy. I really got a kick out of Gin and Gwen getting to know each other, and learning what each can do.  It was lots of fun.

At the start, Gin Blanco (the Spider) is waiting at the train station, for her friends, Owen, Fin and Bria, as they are on vacation; but a rockslide has caused the others to be late; they tell Gin to take the scenic train ride anyway, and enjoy the ride. 

Gwen Frost is also watching out for her friends (Logan, Daphne, and others), who have also been slowed down by the rockslide.  Gwen has been assigned to protect a number of mythological artifacts, which are on the train, on the way to Mythos Academy.

Gin sees Gwen on the train, and gets vibes that she is possibly in danger, and decides to go into her section, just in case she may need help. When the train starts off, Gwen notices some of her Reaper enemies, who are determined to steal back the artifacts. In a short period, Gin and Gwen do become friends, knowing they will help each other.  When the Reapers attack, Gin is injured, with Gwen thinking she is dead; and is captured by the Reapers.

What follows is a wild, exciting, battle with both Gwen and Gin fighting together to defeat the enemy. I really loved Gwen trying to save herself, using Gin’s special knife and Gin using Vic (Gwen’s magical sword).  Gwen also used her psychometry magic to learn more about the amazing Gin Branco. They really made a great team, and I would love to see more of them working together. 

Spider and Frost was a fun, exciting, action-filled, fast read and very well written by Jennifer Estep.  I really enjoyed seeing Gin and her friends, as well as Gwen and her own friends. They did make a great team, and should be fun if they ever meet again (Jennnifer-?) to fight all enemies. If you are fans of either series, you should read this novella.

Copy supplied for Review