Book Review: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Crimson Frost 
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Series: Mythos Academy #4
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Pub Date: December 24, 2012
Pages: 384
My Copy: E-ARC courtesy of Kensington Teen and Net Galley

Book Synopsis: 

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes-the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki-the evil god that I’d help set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison-and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself.

Book Review:

It feels like you are on a rollercoaster ride and never want to get off it. That was the pace of this book. There were so many moments that I was like WOAH. DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN. YEP. This book was exciting and just a great installment.

Really love that Gwen seems to be put in a situation that really was like wait a minute, she’s the good guy here. This can’t be happening to our heroine. Yet she is. Really surprised that someone actually accused her of being in league with Loki and yet things from this point on actually get Gwen to get very scared. I also like that in this book Gwen actually has to think about things and not be so damn reckless.

Gwen’s actions have consequences and she starts to realize that a little bit more in this book.

This book had so many twists and some interesting new additions to the cannon. I really love the introduction of Alexi and Logan’s father and Logan’s stepmother who plays a huge part of this book. Logan’s father got on my nerves so much. He kind of made you really hate him as he doesn’t like Gwen and we are not given the reason until much later and it really does make sense when we are given the explanation as to his hatred.  

Jennifer Estep builds on previous books here and really it shows how much more her characters have really grown. Here Gwen is not at all a brat, but more of a thinker. Especially when we find out who Gwen’s accuser is during the trial. Jennifer Estep always puts in these neat little twists as well in her books and I love them. The way the trial goes is so awesome. It’s not what you would expect for the way how one would get tried.

Also really love how much Gwen’s friends and her family are there for her in this time of crisis. Gwen’s relationship with her grandmother is a caring and loving one. I think that in YA sometimes it’s just about the kids, but not here. I really love this aspect of the book. The time that Gwen and her Grandmother is special and they bond a lot of time over things. Plus the way they know things is not always easy for them to share.

Things get interesting as we learn of the Reapers plans to do some horrible things to Gwen’s boyfriend Logan. There is a major mystery and Gwen solves it with some help from her ability of touch magic…and that things are not always what they seem. Logan is such a pivotal part of the Reaper’s plan that we almost see things twist and turn in a way that you wouldn’t expect.

The way the plot twists and turns is unforgettable towards the end. So many surprises. I was like please don’t stop them from coming. This is one book that I didn’t want to end. Although what happens with Logan and Gwen is sad, I kind of  think it was necessary so that they each grow as individuals and then hopefully will come back together.  

A solid installment in the Mythos Academy.

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