CRIMSON FROST — Mythos Academy is One Tough School!

CRIMSON FROST

A Mythos Academy Novel
by Jennifer Estep
Kensington Teen 12/24/2012
384 pages
E-Book, Paperback, Audionook
E-Galley provided by Publisher via Net Galley.
No Remuneration was exchanged, and except as noted, all opinions herein are my own.

To Buy: AMAZON   BARNES and NOBLE

Description

Seventeen-year-old Gypsy girl Gwen Frost has charmed readers with her snarky, self-deprecating voice and unusual powers since TOUCH OF FROST, the book that first opened the doors to Mythos Academy. With each installment, Jennifer Estep’s RITA nominated series has quickly gained popularity as word continues to spread about this school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where the students are taught and trained to become protectors of humankind when they “grow up.” In January 2013, Gwen returns with her gift of psychometry in CRIMSON FROST.

Gwen should have known that her first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. She was prepared to get into a swordfight, or be ambushed by Reapers. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? She didn’t see that one coming. Gwen is accused of purposely helping the Reapers free the evil god Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against her is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks she’s guilty. If she’s going to get out of this mess alive, she’ll have to do it herself…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The USA Today bestselling author of The Mythos Academy series (KTeen), the Elemental Assassins urban fantasy series (Pocket Books) and the Bigtime paranormal romance series (Ballantine), Jennifer Estep is an author­ity on fan­tasy lit­er­a­ture and cul­ture. She is a mem­ber of Romance Writ­ers of Amer­ica, Sci­ence Fic­tion and Fan­tasy Writ­ers of Amer­ica, and other writ­ing groups. Her books have been fea­tured in Cos­mopoli­tan, Enter­tain­ment Weekly, South­ern Liv­ing, and a vari­ety of other publications. Book one in the Mythos Academy Series, TOUCH OF FROST, is a RITA Award finalist. NETGALLEY.COM

Jennifer Estep's Website

 

I don't read much in the Young Adult realm anymore. I often enjoy it, but since no one under eighteen is supposed to be here it's not the best place for Young Adult.

I think YA is that it is a great way to open communication with your kids. With this series you have duty, right and wrong, family, love, sex, and responsibility — all great topics for discussion. So, there are a few series I make an exception for and this by Jen Estep is one of these.

As always, Jennifer brings us a stellar story filled with pathos and chaos. Emotionally, I was gripped from the start by young Gwen's courage.  It reminded me of watching the Harrison Ford remake of THE FUGITIVE; where there is no way out and you can feel the character rushing towards his doom.

I was thinking that maybe Gwen would be executed and would have to work from the other side.  But, I certainly didn't realize what would happen next until I found some clever foreshadowing.  In Jennifer's books you only get the clues if you read carefully and pay attention to the links.

Not only could I not put the book down, I would not. I read it downstairs, walking up the stairs while I brushed my teeth and even after my husband fell asleep I continued reading it until I was done. It's a good thing I started supper before I began reading it or there would have been a call for takeout!

I really like how Jenn is aware of the reality of teenage sexuality and doesn't pretend no one is getting any in this school full of privileged warriors. After all, they fight to the death, and even Gwen has to kill a few people. My theory is that these kids are expected to run around with swords fighting evil then they should be allowed to let off some steam. 

Cripes, it's not a normal school day without bad guys trying to kill Gwen (who is not one of the sexually active young women on campus), a large portion of a building being destroyed, a visit a goddess, magical pets and emotional statues. Whether their kids are having sex is the least of a Mythos Academy parent's worries.
Really, there is non-stop action throughout this book. This is a tough school!  There's capture, arrest, fighting, betrayal, near death experiences, and more. There's happiness and heartbreak as well. Often it is Gwen who figures out what is happening. She has fresh eyes in this supernatural world, so while adults are seeing what they expect to see, she is often putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

Woven into the action though is an emotional tapestry and journey, not just for Gwen but for many of the supporting characters as well.   And Jennifer gets the feeling of relationships, emotions, kindness and the cruelty of teens to teen, parents to children down to a tee. I can't tell you if it is realistic because I haven't been a teen for a while, but it feels real and genuine. It reminded me of how cruel people, not just teens can be. And then, how good they can be as well.

Gwen feels a little younger than the other kids at the school, and I think it is by design. She has matured through the series, but she was raised as a normal girl, without the privilege and exposure of the rest of the kids at Mythos. Without the world-weariness and entitled attitude of the other kids. This makes her seem younger, but her heart is in the right place and it provides her with a strong moral compass. Of course, if she would tell adults what was happening her life might be a little less complicated, or maybe not. Since the book is written from her perspective it sometimes feels youthful as well. it is a unique voice that Estep brings to the character, and it makes for an interesting and exciting series.   HIGHLY RECOMMEND!



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