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
Excellent and honest review, Jules. I have to say though, as the books go further, the series does get better. I enjoyed Dark Frost, as you will see on my review of that. I think she has also received some kind of nomination for the Mythos Academy series, not sure if its Kiss of Frost, the second book.
Jennifer Estep will be here in August for a full feature (interview and all) and this one will be for Elemental Assassin.
Barb, my daughter read Kiss of Frost and loved it!
I’m sure Jules. Dark Frost was excellent. I really enjoyed it. So I think it was you who originally said the books get better as the series goes on.
Great review Jules : I have to agree with you on YA books do i think there is anything wrong with them , well heck no but there just not the books i want to read all the time i’m a little more hard core i guess , But i love a great group of author’s like Laurell Hamilton , Christine Feehan ,Nalini Singh, Sherrilyn Kenyon and soooo many more . So i say Kudos to those who love the Ya books . Thats what makes the world go round ,we are all different.
Great review Jules….and I understand completely when you talk about ‘letting your inner teenager out’…there are so many YA storylines that focus on the angst and conquests and abhorrent teen behavior…if we all attended high schools with some of these characters…most of us would have never made it to 21.
I have been reading sooooo many YA novels that focus on the love triangle angst…and I am not sure if that is what today’s teen wants to read…I am on book 5 or 6 or 9 in some cases…and the triangles are still happening….geeeeez…I would have started playing for the other team by now…..lol
But….I digress….excellent review….looking forward to many more.
I couldn’t agree more! What happened to genuinely falling for just ONE person??? Our inner teen might enjoy the drama, but it becomes JUST THAT.
Wonderful review, Julie. You’ve definitely piqued my curiosity as I was happy to read that Gwen is a good heroine who uses her magic for good. 😉
Haven’t read this author either but it was a great review. Will have to give her a try .
watch for our giveaway tomorrow, Fran. jennifer estep is offering the entire set. 🙂
Thank you for your honest review. I agree that I would not want to ever be a teenager again.
I enjoy some YA, but prefer adult novels. I love this series though! I have not yet read her Elemental Assassins, but I will give it a try sometime. 🙂
Glad your daughters like it.
Great review Jules!! I’m not sure how I missed this post, but I did!! I have several YA series that I read. I find them a good break from the darker things I read!!! I’ll definitely be checking this one out!