Book Review: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: #4 in the Mythos Academy series
Release Date: December 24, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 384
Received: ARC from author and publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page

WARNING!

This review contains spoilers for the previous books in the series. Haven't started the series yet? Check out my spoiler-free review of the first book Touch of Frost instead!

Summary

From Goodreads (spoilers, highlight to read):


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…

Review

Explosions of love!

I enjoyed every second of this book! I can't even put my finger on exactly why I love the Mythos Academy series so much, but I do. It's my ultimate comfort read. It's like putting on a cozy sweater, curling up on the couch, and having a marathon catch up session with my best friend.

I was happy with Crimson Frost from page one and it just kept getting better and better. Even though everything I wanted to happen didn't actually happen yet, I almost don't even care. What I got was perfect.

Are all my favorite characters back?

Well, no, because one of them is DEAD. (Do I sound upset? Who, me?). 

But, other than that, yes, everyone makes an appearance. Sadly some make less of a showing than in previous books (Daphne where were your sparkly fingers for most of the book?!) and Grandma Frost doesn't bake nearly as much as my stomach wanted her to (though my waistline thanks you, Ms Estep).

However, I forgive whatever quibbles I may have about wanting to spend more time with these characters because Vic makes up for it all. He gets ALL the points in the world!

I've always loved his snarky, bloodthirsty side, and the ante-upping of the previous book gives him a lot of opportunities to goad Gwen into enthusiastic violence. Plus, he has a rivalry with another talking sword (we hate her!) and I seriously can't get enough of their verbal sparring mixed with Vic's snide asides to Gwen.

But, as the previous book showed, Vic isn't all blood and guts. He has a softer side, and it comes out SO adorably in Crimson Frost. His relationship with Nox's little baby wolf is out-loud-awww-inducing and there is a particularly touching scene between Vic and Gwen that nearly broke my heart with bitter-sweet love. 

Is there series stretching?

No! While it does seem a little like a diverting tease because I really do want to see Gwen battle Loki already (she doesn't, not yet anyway), I can't accuse Crimson Frost of being a filler book. Stuff happens, from page one.

There's a trial and a new mythological creature and lots of bloody battles! Plus, other stuff. As per usual, there's a mystery threaded throughout the story and Gwen is up to her usual sleuthing. I love that she sleuths.

Even more importantly, I love Gwen. Crimson Frost reaffirmed why I love her so much. She's strong, resilient, inquisitive, loyal, and determined. But, she's imperfect. A lot of this book was Gwen doubting herself and wondering if she did the right thing and if she can actually do what Nike believes she can do.

Normally I'd be all, "Quit yer whining" about a character getting down on themselves, but not here. Gwen doesn't throw herself a pity party. She asks legit questions and honestly analyzes her actions. She has real reasons to doubt and I think it was important to the book and her character development for her to explore those questions. She didn't come across like a whiner at all. Her doubts only made her seem more endearing, real, and admirable.

So, much as I'd like to get to the final battle, I appreciate that Jennifer Estep isn't skipping ahead. These steps along the way are important and I think they make for a stronger series overall. 

I didn't notice the writing

My one quibble with this series has been Gwen's repetitive recapping everything. I find it endearing because it's a part of what makes Gwen, Gwen, but it was always something that stood out and pulled me out of my reading experience.

But that didn't happen in Crimson Frost!

There was just enough recapping so I knew where I was and what had happened in the previous books, despite my bad memory (it has been about seven months since I read Dark Frost), but that was it.

Bottom line

When is the next book coming out?! (Well, August 2013, so what I really mean is, why can't I have it now?!) The end is a pretty big cliffhanger. I mean, ok, fine, no one is actually dangling from a cliff and the book ends pretty much the way all the other books ended before where the main gist of the story is wrapped up but the overarching Loki storyline is still wide open and gearing up for even higher stakes.

But, I don't want to wait. I love this series.

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about Crimson Frost that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

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