Early Review – Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, Book 3) by Jennifer Estep (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Size: 336 pages
Publisher: Kesington
Release Date: May 29th 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0758266965
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Mythos Academy series
Source: eGalley through NetGalley.com
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This is the third book in the Mythos Academy series by Estep. This book was an excellent addition to this series; thing really build in this novel….there is a ton of action right from the get-go. There is just so much that happens. The fourth book in this series, Crimson Frost, is scheduled for a Jan 2013 release. Right now there are six books on contract for this series.

Gwen and friends are at a museum finishing up their homework before winter break is over. Things are pretty normal, that is until the Reapers unleash a devastating attack on the museum killing a number of students. Gwen runs into Loki’s Champion during the attack and finds out that the Reapers are searching for the Helmheim Dagger. Now Gwen has to figure out where the Helmheim Dagger is hidden before Loki’s followers, the Reapers, do.

This book is action packed right from the get-go. Seriously the opening scene has our beloved group of characters fighting for their lives against a mass of Reapers. This was a great book, a lot of huge momentous events happening and a number of changes in the characters we love so much.

This being a YA paranormal book there is some teen angst here. Luckily it never overwhelms the story; there is some angst between Gwen and Logan because they want to be together but Logan doesn’t want Gwen to know his secret and with her psychometry she will know it if she touches him. There is also a little bit of mean girl cattiness between Gwen and Logan’s ex-girlfriend.

A lot of the characters grow in major and interesting ways. Daphne learns what her Valkyrie power is, Gwen learns how to use her psychometry as a weapon, Logan tries to make peace with his past, and we finally learn the history behind why that librarian hates Gwen so much.

Most of the story is an investigation of sorts. Gwen is trying to hunt down the Helmheim dagger using the clues provided. She also takes on a side job trying to hunt down a girl’s ring; the mysteries end up tying together nicely.

There is one really great new character in this book and that is the Fenrir (giant wolf) that Gwen saved in the last book. Her name is Nott and she plays a major role in the story. As with previous books the Goddess Nike makes an appearance as well.

I continue to love the mythology throughout the story. I am also really enjoying the magic system and how Gwen is learning to use her psychometry in new and interesting ways. The story never gets too heavy because Gwen is wonderfully snarky and sarcastic. This is a tough book for our characters though, many of them suffer loses, and the situation is more dire than ever before.

Overall just an absolutely wonderful addition to this series. This is my favorite book in the series so far. So many huge things happen and there is so much great character development. Things just keep get more interesting. I really enjoy the balance of action, excellent characters, a wonderful world, an intriguing magic system, and a little bit of romance. This is highly recommended for urban fantasy fans; both adult and YA. If you are an adult I also strongly recommend Estep’s  Elemental Assassin  series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge
– 150+ Books Reading Challenge