Tag Archives: Mythos Academy

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

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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.

•••••

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

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Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep – a Review

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Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep – a Review

 

Midnight Frost

Links to order Midnight Frost: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo /The Book Depository

Description:
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 …

Review:

Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep is the 5th book in her Mythos Academy series.  Estep continues this story about Gwen Frost and her friends at Mythos Academy.  In Midnight Frost, Gwen, who is now Nike’s Champion, is now fully respected by her classmates, teachers, and of course, her friends.  Estep has an amazing group of characters that are immensely likable. I have always loved Gwen, and her friend Daphne is also great.  When we left off, Gwen survived an attack by Logan, the boy she loves.  But she knows that Logan was not in his right mind, being ruled by the evil god, Loki. 

While Logan is away recovering from the reapers controlling him, Gwen once again becomes involved in an exciting adventure.  While in the library working, Gwen spots a classmate putting something in her water.  She realizes he is a reaper, and runs to stop him from getting away.  While she wins this battle with the help of her friends, Gwen notices Nickamedes, the librarian takes a sip of her water, and collapses. 

The race is on to find the antidote to save Nickamedes, which forces Gwen, and her friends and protectors to follow her to the Colorado faction of Mythos Academy. They all know they are walking into a trap, but they have no choice, other then to be prepared to fight.  At the Colorado Mythos Academy, Gwen meets a strange girl, who turns out to be a cousin.  Rory is a new addition, and I really liked her; another great new character added by Estep, who creates such good ones, as well and good villains.  Vivian and Agrona are the villains who return in this adventure, as they try to kill Gwen, as ordered by their master, Loki. 

The crux of the story is when they have to travel to the Eir ruins to find the flower which is the only antidote to save the librarian.  It becomes so exciting, as the last third of the book held you at the edge of your seat, unable to put it down. The battle between Gwen and her friends against the reapers was thrilling, with a betrayer in their group.  Vivian and Agrona use Roc predators to help fight this battle, and just when things are looking bad, someone shows up to help them. But as usual, the reapers, especially our antagonists always find a way to survive and escape. 

There was a part of this story that I so enjoyed.  Gwen, Daphne and Rory help a baby gryphon, which will come back later on to help Gwen.  I loved the scenes then, and more so later, when we meet the baby gryphon’s family.  These scenes were awesome. 

Getting to see Nike again, and the Goddess Eir, gives us some answers for Gwen, and yet she still needs more information to help stop Loki, and his Reapers.  It was also great to enjoy Vic (her talking sword), and his funny sarcastic comments.  I also love Nyx, her fir wolf, though he was only there early on.

If you like Urban Fantasy, with mythology, action, excitement, a number of twists and surprises, and a wonderful young heroine; look no further then Mythos Academy.  Midnight Frost was a wonderful enjoyable read, and Jennifer Estep continues to write these books so well, keeping us thoroughly entertained. I cannot wait for the next book, as it is time for Gwen to use her growing powers to defeat Loki.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

 

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Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep – a Review

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Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep – a Review

Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep is the third book (May 29, 2012 release) in her Mythos Academy series.  There is also a prequel (First Frost novella).  I found Dark Frost to be an excellent and enjoying read.  This is the best book of the series.  The story picks up where Kiss of Frost leaves off.

Gwen Frost is our heroine, and continues to have a hard time of it.  However, in this book she comes into her own, with her powers, and with her relationship with Logan.  Throughout the book, their relationship is hot and cold, but mainly due each unable to trust each other with their past and/or abilities.   

Carson, Daphne, Gwen and Logan are together right from the start, as the action begins almost immediately. The day before they are to return to school, they must all fulfill an assignment at the museum, and it seems most of the students from Mythos Academy also waited for the last day.  They are all attacked by the Reapers, who are searching for the Helheim Dagger.  Gwen, Logan, Daphne and Carson were in the weapon room, as the fight started.  They were able to use some of those weapons to stop the Reapers, but not before some deaths occurred.  Carson was close to death, and in a very emotional moment was saved by Daphne, who discovered her powers. 

Before they escaped, Gwen came face to face with her nemesis Loki’s Champion, who eventually also escapes.  Gwen is determined to find out who she is, so that she can avenge her mother’s death.  Gwen takes it upon herself to investigate the possible whereabouts of the dagger before the Reapers come back to find it. It is the Helheim Dagger that is instrumental in freeing Loki from his prison.  The story was very exciting throughout, and we learned a lot more in this book.   

Gwen has been flawed somewhat early on, but in this book she is smart, brave and uses her ability wisely to enable her to find the clues, and she makes a wonderful heroine.  The last half of the book is non stop, as we discover who Loki’s champion is; Daphne powers, much to her dislike; Logan’s fears that stopped him from totally trusting Gwen; Gwen’s full powers come forth and Preston returns. 

One of the best things in the story was seeing the Fenrir wolf come back, and how Gwen becomes close to the wolf, who will also play a big part at the end.  The wild ending with all hell breaking loose, and lives at risk, had some suprises.  There are so many questions as we race to the finish…Will Gwen find the Helheim dagger before the Reapers? Will Lokie return to create chaos? Will Logan and Gwen finally come together?  How will Gwen handle the truth about her powers?

Jennifer Estep does a wonderful job with this book, and continuing the storyline flawlessly.  Dark Frost is action filled, and if you are a fan of the Mythos Academy series, you will not be disappointed.  This book was very good and exciting.

Reviewed by Barb

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Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

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Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep, is a fun introductory novel into the world of Mythos Academy. The main character Gwendolyn Frost is a gypsy teenager sent to a school specializing in training those with magical abilities such as Valkyries, Spartans, Vikings, Amazons, Gypsies, and other warriors.  The book did stay away from witches, vampires, and werewolves, which made it a refreshing take on Young Adult fantasy.

It is Gwen’s first year at Mythos Academy and she tries to find her place in a new mythological world she knows little about. It is a typical high school with popular mean girls, band geeks, and jocks but they are descendents of mythical warriors and have magical abilities.

Gwen has the ability to touch people and objects and know their history and the feelings associated with them.  This comes in handy after the most popular girl in school is murdered and a powerful magical object, the Bowl of Tears, is stolen at the Academy. Gwen is compelled to solve the mystery of what happened because of the recent loss of her mother, a police detective. Her mother was killed while helping the innocent and Gwen feels the same drive.

As she discovers more about the murder, she also learns more about the mythologies of her world and her role in them.  She ends up literally bumping into a bad boy Spartan Logan on numerous occasions and Daphne, a Valkyrie, teams up with Gwen to find the killer and thief on campus. Gwen starts out as an average girl, an outsider and ends up a hero.

I did not include many spoilers, because they are important to the plot and would make reading Touch of Frost less enjoyable!  Did I enjoy the book?  Well,…..it is written for young adults.  I had to release my inner teenager and embrace this world. May I add, I am SO glad that I am not a teenager anymore!  I personally don’t like seeing bad boys glamorized, dear Logan really likes to count his female conquests on campus.  Gwen is a great heroine who learns about her powers and uses them for good.  I let my two teenage daughters read the book and they both gave it two thumbs up, so I guess that is what counts!  I will continue to read Jennifer Estep‘s adult novels and my girls will continue to read the Mythos Academy novels.   

 Reviewed by Jules

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