Book Review: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

Crimson Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Mythos Academy, book 4
Publisher: Kensington
ISBN-10: 0758281463
ISBN-13: 978-0758281463
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Buy it here: Amazon | Book Depository
For more information visit Jennifer Estep's website

Reviewed by:  Ronnie


Crimson Frost is the latest novel in Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy series. The book starts off quickly with Gwen being on a date with handsome Spartan Logan Quinn, only to be interrupted by a group called The Protectorate. One of the leaders of The Protectorate just happens to be Linus Quinn, Logan’s father. The Protectorate is charged with keeping order for the mythological world, and as such, promptly seize Gwen and charge her with crimes against the Pantheon.

In the earlier books, you learn about Logan’s history regarding his family and the tragedy that befell the Quinn family. Crimson Frost delves more into that history and I really appreciated the glimpses into the past. I felt Logan’s character was being fleshed out more fully and we got to see what was behind the Spartan warrior. They don’t spend a great deal of time together in Crimson Frost, but you can feel the connection deepening between the two of them. Gwen Frost is one of my favorite characters in the plethora of Young Adult books I’ve read this last year. She has a remarkable capacity for compassion, given that she knows exactly what people think of her if she touches them, or an item they own. She risks her life time and time again to help those that dislike and fear her and is still very much feared and shunned by the very classmates whose lives she tries desperately to save.

The pacing is quick and easy to follow with more side characters coming out to make a much needed appearance. We are introduced to Alexi, a young warrior who has been assigned to guard Gwen for the duration of her trial. We see Gwen’s compassion at work as she looks beyond his assignment and helps facilitate a relationship with one of her other friends at Mythos Academy. I never thought one of my favorite characters would be an object, but as it happens, Vic is entirely a character of his own, in addition to being Gwen Frost’s sword.

My only caveat with this entire series is that I sense a particular pattern emerging from how the story is told. Gwen seems to stumble upon trouble without having anyone (with the possible exception of her friends) believe her, and then just jumps right into trying solve the problem without cluing any of the people that actually run Mythos Academy in. This leads to more trouble and then everyone is aware of the bad guys. That being said, I appreciate the way Ms. Estep uses mythology to craft the world around Gwen and the fun characters that populate the entire Mythos Academy series.
My Rating: