Monday, March 10, 2014

Review: Killer Frost

KILLER FROST
Mythos Academy #6
Jennifer Estep
Paranormal Young Adult
384 pages
Kensington Teen
Available Now
Source: ARC from author for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.


MY THOUGHTS
Killer Frost is a story we enter into with both excitement and sadness, adrenaline pumping from the beginning in expectation of the battle with Loki we know is coming, but at the same time our hearts beat heavily in our chests with the understanding that each page turned brings us one step closer to saying goodbye to these characters. Ms. Estep is someone we know isn’t afraid of death in her books–the uncomfortable possibility that not everyone will make it to the bitter end a constant companion throughout–but though we’re a swirling mass of nerves from page one to three hundred, Ms. Estep never fails to entertain and thoroughly satisfy.

Gwen has been a joy to follow through this series, growing with each installment into a young women of unwavering loyalty and determination who, along with her friends, is first into a fight in defense of those she cares about. For much of the first half of this book, Gwen is a touch more isolated than she has been previously, the weight of all that’s expected of her bearing down on her young shoulders and causing her to turn inward rather than reach out for support. Though such an action may sound like it would be frustrating, given all that’s happened to her and all she’s facing it’s a more than understandable response, and we simply can’t imagine we would do anything other than the same were we in her shoes. Before Gwen’s self-imposed emotional isolation can drag on too long and tip the scales in favor of the aforementioned frustration however, her friends rise up in the way best friends do and force their way through the shields she’d snapped into place.

While all the previous installments had a strong emotional element to them, whether it was the extremely tense romance between Gwen and Logan, Gwen’s memories of her late mother, or the sometimes rocky relationship she had with the students of Mythos, this final book eases up on the emotional connection between reader and characters in favor of focusing on the final showdown with Loki. Though not a big enough flaw to influence our overall reaction to Killer Frost, we can’t help but miss the tug on our heartstrings that’s accompanied every book before it, wishing for just the tiniest bit more from that aspect of the story.

Where Ms. Estep truly shines in this last book though is in the crafting of the battle scenes, creating heart pounding action at every turn without ever losing us as readers in the clash of swords or the swing of fists. The battle with Loki is appropriately epic and hard-fought for the amount of build-up from book one, giving us dark moments and breathless moments, but beautifully weaving threads of hope through them all to make sure we keep fighting with Gwen and company every step of the way. Overall, Killer Frost is a thrilling conclusion to the Mythos Academy series, and I can’t wait to see what new world and set of characters Ms. Estep has in store for us next.

Rating: 4/5
 

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This book was sent to me by the author  free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

25 comments:

  1. Everyone sure loves this series :)

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  2. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
    Although I have yet to start with the series, I am very excited for this one!

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  3. The fact that there is a possibility of any of the main characters to die (but they actually won't, though you are still very afraid) is what I like, however, if the authors kills the love interest or the mc? That's what ticks me off. I'm glad this isn't the case. I looooove Gwen's friends:) They're all so awesome! I'm actually all for the showdown. Like, better an epic showdown than nothing plotwise and everyone emotional and all wise all of a sudden, y'know. Eeep! Can't wait to see this series through to the end:)

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  4. I've said it before, and I'll say it again--I really need to finish this series. I love Jennifer Estep and I'm a couple of books behind in both this and Elemental Assassin. *hangs head in shame*

    I'm glad that the final chapter of these books was both epic and thrilling ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  5. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book in this series but I might just have to binge-read them all -- maybe I'll be a convert! After all, you make such an eloquent argument for the ending as well as the whole series. How can I resist?

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  6. Aww Gwen sounds like she has through so much. I hope she gets the happy ending she deserves. I've loved the first two books in this series, but put off reading the rest until the series came out and now I'm going to binge read them.
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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  7. I agree, I did miss that tug but I have loved this series so much over the course of it that I am so happy with the way it all came together.

    I will really miss this series!! I guess it is time to start her adult one now. ;)

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  8. I have to get back into this series, Jenny! I only read the prequel and book 1 but I enjoyed Gwen immensely. I'm glad to find out that the series ended on a high note.

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  9. As you know, I haven't read (or even started) this series, but your love for it - and pretty consistent reviews - make a really strong case for me to do so. Gwen sounds like such a great character. Lovely review, as usual, Jenny!

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  10. I loved the way Estep incorporated all of the characters, and everything that Gwen's learned into this finale. It was a great way to end the series IMO. Glad you loved it too!

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  11. Jenny, thanks to your excellent guidance and reviews, I am a huge Jennifer Estep fan. I enjoyed the Mythos series and I am sorry to see it end. But I am thrilled that Ms. Estep has managed to do a brilliant job continuing her Spider series.

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  12. Oooh can not wait to read this book! I want Gewn and the hot Spartan together!!!

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  13. I've heard of this series a lot lately. It definitely reminds me more of an adult sci-fi novel. I think I may have one of these books around somewhere, lol. I better make sure to pick this series up some time. It certainly sounds like a premise and characters I would very much enjoy. Brilliant review Jenny as always.

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  14. It really sounds like the battle scenes ( which I love to read) by Ms. Estep were amazing and well crafted. Gwen sounds like she had an epic battle against Loki. I'm glad Killer Frost was a thrilling conclusion to the series, Jenny! Great review :)

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  15. I've still only read the first two. I'm so behind! But I'm glad you enjoyed this last installment!

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  16. I thought this was a solid ending to a terrific series, but you are right once I think about it, there were no big heart tugging moments, I still haven't gotten over Nott!

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  17. I enjoyed this one as well. I always worry about the ending books, but I felt this was a solid one. I don't think I've ever met a ending book that would fulfill all my wishes, but this one came close. I really loved this series and hate to see it go, but I'm with you... can't wait for the next thing she has in store. :D

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  18. I don't think there is a way that I'll miss this book (or better series) when it has Loki in it (I blame Tom Hiddleston). Anyhow it sounds like a really great read and I'm glad to hear that battling scenes are done nicely, cause I always miss those. Great review, Jenny :)

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  19. My gosh, I really need to start these books - action-packed novels are always fun!

    Great review :)

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  20. I'm so glad you've enjoyed this series from beginning to end, Jenny! As you know, I've been meaning to pick up an Estep novel since forever so perhaps I'll finally get around to this series now that I know it doesn't disappoint. Lovely review, Jenny!

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  21. I wish I would've jumped on this series in the very beginning. I'm fairly positive that I'll still read it, though. Especially since everyone seems to be happy with the series overall.

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  22. "Overall, Killer Frost is a thrilling conclusion to the Mythos Academy series ..." Couldn't agree with this more, Jenny! I loved this series and the way it concluded, and can't wait to see what Estep's next YA novel or series will be.

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  23. Nice to see you enjoyed the ending of a beloved series, Jenny. Sorry it seemed to be less emotionally moving than the previous books. I'm always more focused on the relationships more that the actual plot, so this would be a disappointment to me, too. Still, it sounds like a great series. Wonderful review! :)

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  24. Oh so glad to know this is good. I didn't realize this was the last one. I'll have to read it soon! I hope she finally gets together with a certain with Spartan without questioning his motives or actions. That has bothered me throughout the series.

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  25. I read the first two of these, and haven't decided if I'll finish them or not. It sounds like the conclusion was satisfying overall, and that you enjoyed this series and connected with Gwen. Hopefully some of the Logan angst is over by this one!

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