Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep [Review]

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

 

Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Series: Mythos Academy #2

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Release: November 29, 2011

Hardcover: 337 Pages

Publisher: K-Teen

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

Kiss of Frost is the second book in the Mythos Academy series.  Gwen Frost, a gypsy with the ability to see memories from objects, goes to school at Mythos Academy where her classmates are magical descendents of great warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Vikings, etc.  Gwen recently discovered she is actually supposed to be the Goddess Nike's Champion and has acquired a very bloodthirsty talking sword named Vic.  Meanwhile, her unrequited love interest, Logan Quinn (a Spartan), is teaching her swordplay and other various weapons to protect herself against Loki and his bad news Reapers.  

Gwen is pretty snarky and feels like an outcast for the most part.  She isn't into being a girly-girl and loves comic books.  She pines for Logan, who is keeping her distance once he learned that if they were to kiss she would see his memories.  Gwen is feeling pretty down, but allows herself to be convinced to go to the Academy's Winter Carnival in a posh ski town.  Gwen meets a hot boy from another academy named Preston, and of course, gets herself in trouble. 

I really did enjoy the first book, Touch of Frost, but I didn't think this book was as much fun. (Although I will say I love Vic and his bloodthirsty war cries.  I cracked up more than once). I was almost half way through the book before things started to pick up speed.  And the plot was just a little too dubious for me.  Several of my pet peeves ran rampant through this book.  One, was the insane amount of recapping.  Recapping is hard.  I get it.  But it always sounds so awkward in first person.  Secondly, the villain of the story was so obvious it was hard to be interested in it.  Especially when he comes out practically cackling and rubbing his hand together in evil glee.  Also, I'm not a fan of people using words that no one uses when they are trying to taunt/scare/fight someone.  No seventeen year old is going to tell someone to "stop their sniveling" or to threaten to come after their "doddering grandmother".  

Overall, I think the series is a fun one.  I like the premise and it is pretty good for urban fantasy.  I'll continue on to read the third, but I hope it gets better.
 
Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. Touch of Frost
2. Kiss Of Frost
3. Dark Frost
4. Crimson Frost