Some authors always hit a home run!

September 28, 2015 Reviews 18

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Some authors always hit a home run!Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep
Series: Black Blade #1
Published by Kensington Books on April 28th 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
four-half-stars

There Be Monsters Here. . .
It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.
I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

I grabbed Cold Burn of Magic from Netgalley months ago. I mean, it’s Jennifer Estep! How could I not?! But then, life happened and IDK what else, but I didn’t read it. And then the most amazing thing happened. Jennifer Estep sent me book two as an ARC to reviw! SQUEEE!!! I mean, talk about honored! And feelings of total guilt because I haven’t read book one yet….

Well that problem is now solved. I read Cold Burn of Magic in just four days. In my current life, that’s a huge feat. I went to bed one night at 9, sick and needing sleep. But I wanted to read a little. Next thing I knew, it was 11pm and I was only 1 chapter from finishing the book. Yeah. It was good. But am I really surprised? Nah! Some authors always hit a home run!

If you’ve read Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series, you’ll see something of Gin Blanco in Cold Burn of Magic‘s younger heroine, Lila Merriweather. They both have had it rough because their mother’s were brutally murdered. They both grew up fast and turned into fairly brutal fighers *ahem* killers. They both have two magical talents – one that’s fairly common and another that’s pretty rare. So yeah, there’s similarities and so often that’s like a kiss of death. But, while these characters share some similarites – Cold Burn of Magic is incredibly fresh and not slightly stale. The world is very different and, as one can expect from Jennifer Estep, very well done. I felt so immersed in the world and never lost in it. Even though details of the world were constantly being revealed, it never felt like an info dump. It fit just right.

As much as I loved the world – which is a fantastically elaborate world of magic and mob family drama – it was the characters that hooked me. I mentioned that Lila has a lot in common with Gin, and well – what’s not to love about that? I love Gin! But she’s the younger version – with less experience, perhaps a little less jaded… perhaps?… and her youth makes her just a bit more FUN. This is, of course, coming from the girl that gobbles up YA. But still. Her appetite (the girl can eat), the way she just does and says what she’s thinking, just made me love her. And there’s so many secondary characters to love just as much. I particularly loved a grumpy pixy named Oscar with a heart of gold šŸ™‚ I won’t say more, you just have to meet them all for yourself.

While I wish I hadn’t waited to read Cold Burn of Magic, the plus side is that I can dig into the next one immediately. See… procrastination pays off sometimes!

4.5 stars I loved it

Some authors always hit a home run & @Jennifer_Estep is one of them! Loved Cold Burn of Magic! Click To Tweet Follow on Bloglovin

four-half-stars

About Jennifer Estep

My name is Jennifer Estep, and Iā€™m the New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series; the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy; the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series; and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Berls

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About Berls
Berls has been a book lover her whole life. She reads pretty much every genre and is currently working hard at making her childhood dream of becoming an author come true. She loves sharing her thoughts about books, blogging, and just random fun stuff. She's a challenge and read-a-thon junkie, so it's no wonder that she loves co-hosting the COYER reading challenge. Leave a comment, Berls is always happy to chat!

18 Responses to “Some authors always hit a home run!”

  1. Lola
    Twitter:

    I loved this one as well and just like you thought it were the character that stole the show. I loved all the characters and the little hint of romance. And Oscar was just plain awesome! I agree that Lila had some similiarities to Gin, but they were different enough as well. I can’t wait till my pre-ordered copy of the next book shows up here so I can start reading it!
    Lola recently posted…My To-Be Read List #14: pollMy Profile

    Reply

    • Berls
      Twitter:

      Isn’t Oscar just great?! I’m reading the next one now and I’m loving it. Oscar is even better šŸ™‚ the story is More complex now that the world and characters are established – I can’t wait to see the full evolution of this series.

      Reply

  2. Bookworm Brandee

    I’m glad Estep knocked it out of the park for you, Berls. She’s on my *must-read* list but I have to admit that I’ve thought of starting here rather than her Elemental series. Which should I read first? I’m glad that procrastinating paid off šŸ˜‰ and I look forward to seeing your thoughts on #2.

    I hope you’re feeling better. I’m sick as well – no voice either. My kids love it! *haha*
    Bookworm Brandee recently posted…That’s What HE Said #38 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #17My Profile

    Reply

    • Berls
      Twitter:

      Lol well my voice isn’t back… But I also got hit by some sort of stomach bug and I’m actually home sick. I can work through a lot, but I can’t teach in this pain šŸ™ Hopefully I’ll be better tomorrow. The kids like me without my regular voice too šŸ™‚

      As for where to start – they’re both great really. The thing that’s nice about this one is that you’re not behind and can get current easy. On the flip side, you can’t binge read if you get hooked – which is what I did with elemental assassin. Lol I’m no help, huh? I can loan you EA on audio if that helps….

      Reply

    • Berls
      Twitter:

      I love her Gin Blanco series, though I haven’t managed to get current yet. I can’t wait to see what you think of the audio!

      Reply

    • Berls
      Twitter:

      Lol! Yep these posts are all directly from HELL šŸ™‚ but the books are helping me survive, as is my blogging about hell!

      Reply

  6. Stormi
    Twitter:

    This was my first book by this author and I thought it was okay but a bit slow in parts. I think I am coming to the conclusion that I am not a world building person. They books always sound so good but in the end…I just want to get to the action. šŸ™‚ I am currently reading book two but I am only on chapter two so I don’t have an opinion yet…lol. šŸ™‚ Glad you loved it and had a chance to get some reading in! šŸ™‚
    Stormi recently posted…The Week In Review #55My Profile

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    • Berls
      Twitter:

      I’m reading book 2 now too and I’m not far but enjoying it. I really enjoy world building, so I can see why that could have been slow if you don’t.

      Reply

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