Customer Reviews

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

TOUCH OF FROST GAVE ME CHILLS, it was so good. And what's not to like in a world filled with pale pink computer-hacking warrior princesses, moody talking swords, a deliciously crush-worthy bad boy spartan who can turn anything, I mean anything into a deadly weapon, and one unlikely heroine in a school full of heros, a geeky gypsy girl who might just save the world. This book was truly awesome.

Mythology meets modernity at Mythos Academy. The nefarious Loki and his Reapers of Chaos are in a constant battle with the Pantheon. So naturally the forces of good and evil are staging their latest battle... in a high school. In an institution filled with warrior whiz kids, ironically the fate of the world rests with an odd girl who thinks all myth and magic is a load of bunk, and who can't fight for squat. But her gypsy gifts are only the start of her powers and she may just find that she's a lot stronger and braver than she thought, more of a warrior then she could have imagined, the perfect champion.

Gwen Frost has always been different. Special. Gwen's a gypsy like all the women in her line. Her grandmother can see the future, her mother can see the truth, Gwen can see and feel the history of an object. And she's about to find out just how special she truly is. Gwendolyn Frost doesn't believe in magic or the historical significance of mythology. Too bad Gwen's being thrown into a world of real life legend. After the sudden death of her mother Gwen is sent to nearby, Mythos Academy, a boarding school dedicated to the fine arts of mythological combat. They train various types of teenage warriors like Amazons, Valkyries, Spartans, and Romans. Unfortunately Gwen isn't a typical warrior type. Ok, she's not a warrior at all. And her total lack of sparring ability makes her a complete outcast. Luckily Frost's pariahdom could be coming to an end when the luscious Logan Quinn takes notice of her, but his rakish reputation could spell heartbreak if Gwen's not careful. Her problems aren't limited to falling for the wrong boy though, the most popular girl in school is murdered, but there's something not quite right with the killing, and Gwen is determined to find out who's behind the viscous attack and why.

Jennifer Estep's first foray into YA was excellent. Anything with a strong mythological base is always a treat, but Estep really made it fresh and different by only focusing on the soldiers of lore and champions of the gods, instead of the usual heros. The storyline was great, definitely not what I was expecting. I feel like where Estep took the story stayed true with the YA genre, it had believable teenage motivations, while managing to weave in some more mature villains. Gwen is a wonderful character she was witty and a bit snarky without being annoying. If her development is anything like Gin Blanco, then I'm sure with each book her powers will grow and evolve until she's become the powerhouse heroine to match any god. I can't wait for the future tomes to see how her skills will build. Daphne was an equally fun character, the prissy pink princess valkyrie who happens to also be a total computer geek. And then there's Logan. I'm not entirely sure he's the playboy everyone makes him out to be, plus he's got some secret that will keep me interested in this series. I thought the beginning felt a little weird, because Gwen is very lonely with her social exile and the grief she's going through. You can really feel the absence of companionship. Then she starts hanging out with Daphne and the solitary strangeness ends and much needed secondary characters emerge. So stick with it the awkwardness rights itself. Plus there's a wonderfully long battle scene toward the end.

The only thing I really didn't like was Estep's repeated use of certain descriptives and catch phrases. I don't like reading how Logan has ink-black hair, or how Gwen's eyes are the color of twilight EVERY time it comes up. And it came up a lot. I get that warrior whiz kids, and magic mumbo jumbo has good alliteration but these phrases where too redundant. I think writing flows better when the author finds new ways of saying the same thing. My rating is 4.5 stars because of this repetition.

Great Book. Exciting New Series. Highly Addictive Read.



FYI: The first two chapters of Kiss of Frost are up on Estep's site, and the second chapter reveals some interesting new possibilities with Gwen's abilities, along with the setting of the book and the mounting tension between Logan and Gwen. If your like me Nov. 29th can't come soon enough.

Gwen Frost is being forced to attend Mythos Academy, an elite school set apart to train kids who just so happen to be descendants of various mythical warriors. Of course, Gwen doesn't believe in any of the supernatural skills her classmates supposedly possess. The only type of magic she actually accepts is her own and that of her own family. When the school's most popular girl, the icy Valkyrie princess Jasmine, is murdered right in the library next to a stolen mythical artifact called the Bowl of Tears, Gwen is determined to get to the bottom of the entire situation. It's never a good idea to poke your head into other people's business, though. So the results? Who else is to blame but yourself?

"Touch of Frost" belongs to the new batch of paranormal stories that all seem exactly the same, only with different character names and fantastical elements. This novel's back story is a mishmash of tons of various warriors -- from Norse gods to ninjas. While that is certainly a nice idea, it's never really delved into. Except for a few key warrior gods, all the others felt extraneous and were barely mentioned at all.

The characters aren't especially mind-blowing, either. You have the blonde mean girl clique, the quirky and unpopular heroine, and the hot bad boy who falls in love with the heroine anyways; just the same formula used over and over and over again. The character with an actual personality was Vic, the ancient magical sword, who has a grand total of about five lines in the entire novel. That is just sad. A sword beats out all those other full-fledged human characters? Sad, sad, sad.

"Touch of Frost" is quite a cliché, but lovers of stereotypical teen paranormal stories (I know there are a lot of you out there) will devour it with glee.

3.5 stars

Touch of Frost is fun read with an intriguing mythology that left me wanting more. I'm a little torn about the book, as there are things I both really liked about it and some things I wanted to know more about. I loved what Jennifer did with her mythology and the way she introduced little bits and pieces of each lore through out the story. She created some great legends about both the Greek & Norse Gods and Goddesses, and tied them into the story via Mythos Academy, a school were the children of Valkyries, Spartan Warriors, Gypsies and more attend to learn about their history and how to control their powers. I liked being able to learn more about the legends at the same time the story's main character Gwen does.

Gwen herself is a character that liked getting to know, but there were times I was a little bit frustrated with her character. I was bugged that being halfway through the story she still didn't catch on to certain things about the school and why she was there, like I had excepted her to. One of the things I did like about Gwen is though she seems to be an outsider, she's not someone who's swayed easily and despite how hard it may be to stand up to the school's Queen Bee and her team of "mean girls", she does. I also liked her wit and the way she handles herself about the resident bad boy and main love interested Logan Quinn. One of the things that kept me hooked with the story was their chemistry. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens between these two in Kiss of Frost.

I liked Jennifer's writing, and I felt the story flowed well. There's a few things I felt that weren't covered as much as I had hoped, but I think those things will be addressed as the series goes on. I liked the murder mystery and how that intertwined with the story's mythology. I found the plot to be both predictable and unpredictable at the same time, and I liked that. While some things were easy to figure out, Jennifer was able to still throw some surprises at me. Though I felt the story read a lot like a teenage soap opera, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm hooked on the mythology and the chemistry between Gwen and Logan. I'd definitely recommend this book to older YA readers. There is language and sexual references through out the book and a scene with underage drinking.

Sometimes there are things where you read them or watch them or listen to them and you cannot quite figure out why you liked it as much as you did. For me, TOUCH OF FROST is one of those books. Many of my fellow bloggers had issues with this book. Several did not finish it. Meanwhile, I loved it. I know where people are coming from when they cite several issues with the book - an unclear plot, choppy dialogue, cliché characters and settings. For some reason, my love of this book and the fact I find it an ooey gooey fluffy pile of goodness transcended those issues and I came away from reading Jennifer Estep's first foray into young adult fiction feeling very, very happy.

TOUCH OF FROST follows Gwen Frost, a loner/outcast who has recently come to Mythos Academy in Cypress Mountain, NC (aside: Cypress Mountain = Biltmore Forest, NC, no?), a school for Vikings, Valkyries, Amazons, and Spartans, among other supernatural creatures. They're training to be warriors and defend the world from Loki and his Reapers, and poor Gwen doesn't fit in yet again. Gwen's gift is psychometry, reading the history of an item (or person) with just a touch. When a popular classmate is murdered and an artifact stolen, Gwen is the only one who cares to investigate.

So, what does TOUCH OF FROST have? Superpowers, mythology, an academy for teenagers born to be warriors, an outcast girl with a taste for comic books, and a murder mystery. And it also is not the most thought-provoking or original or anything story on the block. What it does have going for it is a fun story that is quick to read and amusing. And if you know me, you would know I am a big fan of quick and amusing and fun. This won't be for everyone - if you are looking for something completely serious, you will be disappointed. TOUCH OF FROST is a fun book that you will devour with its wittiness, cute scenes, hot love interest (Logan Quinn is a very interesting bad boy that I can't wait to get to know better), and great narrator in Gwen.

It isn't the most original plot ever and does rely on tropes often, so I cannot give it a full 5 stars in actuality. But since I don't give half stars, I will be rounding this up to five. It's enjoyable and fun. If you are in the market for a fun read with mystery, romance, and intrigue, you should check out TOUCH OF FROST. It's probably right up your alley.

VERDICT: While not very original, TOUCH OF FROST makes up for its cliché plot with fun characters, a great bad boy love interest, and a narrator you can't help but root for. Definitely pick this one up.

I decided to write this review just moments after finishing the book so I could try to harness all of my thoughts about it at one time. The first thing I have to say is...Wow. I am a really huge mythology fan and enjoyed Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, but Touch of Frost was a lot different than I expected. It's really not fair to compare the two books because they are both so different, but boarding school plus mythology is bound to be a good time. I am really happy that Estep decided to go with a less known goddess and mythological being, Gypisies.

Gwen Frost is a sassy teenage girl that seriously does not hesitate to tell you exactly what she thinks. I like the way that the reader has to get used to her gift just like she does. You get to learn the advantages of what she can do throughout the story. And oh what a story it is! The plot and character development is exceptional. I can honestly say that Logan freaked me out just has much as he freaked out Gwen in the beginning...but eventually you learn that he's a hottie Spartan with a different side.

The action of the book and the shroud of mystery that surrounds a lot of the plot is really what made me want to keep reading. You really cannot guess where the story is heading until BAM it hits you and you're thinking, "Oh man! Did NOT see that coming!".

I really think that if you're looking for an urban fantasy young adult novel that will keep you up late at night and skipping meals to finish, this is the book for you. I absolutely cannot WAIT for Kiss of Frost--Touch of Frost has the first chapter of it at the end of the book. Gwen is an incredible heroine that starts to accrue a motley crew of friends and alliances, and Logan is someone that every girl fantasizes about (he's like a 300 meets Clash of the Titans sandwich with a side of Troy)--in other words--Estep makes him absolutely delectable.

After hearing about Touch of Frost in an interview I did last year with Jennifer Estep, I couldn't wait to read the book, especially since I enjoyed the author's Elemental Assassin series. So when I was given the opportunity to read Touch of Frost, I gladly dove in...

Gwendolyn Frost is a sixteen-year-old gypsy girl whose life is suddenly turned upside down when she is admitted into Mythos Academy due to certain events covered in First Frost. With very few friends and even fewer ideas about her new environment, Gwen does her best to survive, while trying to earn some extra cash with her psychometry gifts. Her fellow students include Valkyries, Spartans, and other mythological/historical warrior races who are trained in both magic and martial arts. Their purpose is to prevent the Reapers of Chaos from freeing their master, Loki, who was imprisoned eons ago because he tried to defeat the other gods and enslave humanity.

At first, Gwen doesn't buy into any of this "magic mumbo jumbo", but things quickly change when she happens upon a brutally murdered Valkyrie at the same time an important artifact called the Bowl of Tears goes missing. Keenly feeling the loss of Jasmine Ashton's life which strongly resonates with her own circumstances, Gwen decides to use her powers to discover the truth of the matter. Thus begins the first volume of the Mythos Academy series, which pits Gwen Frost against powers she had no idea existed.

Main character Gwen Frost is a refreshing protagonist in the sense that she's a normal sixteen-year-old girl who is trying to adjust to the demands of being a teenager, as well as dealing with the extraordinary wonders of her new school. The supporting cast meanwhile, is not very big, but like the Elemental Assassin series, the side characters in Touch of Frost are well-rounded and will no doubt go on to play important roles in future volumes. As a whole, Jennifer Estep's characterization is realistic and is often the highlight of the novel.

Story-wise, Touch of Frost is fast-paced and very fun to read, with a slightly campy feel, although the novel never goes overboard with its silliness. There is some romance in the book, but it's kept within reasonable bounds and never overwhelms the story. This was crucial for me as I don't mind romance so long as it complements the story instead of overshadowing it. On a different note, readers familiar with Jennifer Estep's other books might notice the sagacious elder who often helps the protagonist and also makes delicious food ;)

Drawbacks include predictable plot twists and an inescapable comparison to the Harry Potter novels. I confess that part of my attraction to the Mythos Academy series in the first place was the similarities to Harry Potter, but Jennifer Estep's novel is more YA-oriented and doesn't hold a candle to J.K. Rowling in terms of world-building. Of course, Touch of Frost is only the first book of a series, so Jennifer Estep has plenty of opportunities to flesh out the world of the Mythos Academy.

CONCLUSION: Despite unavoidable comparisons to Harry Potter and a predictable story, Jennifer Estep's first YA novel is a successful one. For not only is Touch of Frost fun to read, but it's the kind of book that can appeal to the child in all of us, while Gwen Frost is an engaging protagonist readers can root for as she tries to confront problems of love, magic and destiny...

I admit, I haven't read Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series (I have the first one and will get to it). I've heard great things though. So, I was excited to think what she might do with the young adult paranormal genre. Especially when I saw that it involved mythical warriors in present day. Sign me up!

I was really sucked in by the way this book started. The quite girl taking on the mean popular girl in the bathroom. Sounds like fun. Especially when we learn the Daphne is a Valkyrie, not exactly someone you want to mess with. Turns out Gwen knows something about Daphne that no one else knows. And she learned this buy touching an charm that feel off a necklace that Daphne stole. I instantly wanted to know more about Gwen and this magic that she possessed. I totally understand the downfall to touch magic (instantly getting images for objects people have a connections), but it really intrigues me.

Turns out Gwen is special. She's been sent to this academy full of warriors for a reason she doesn't understand yet. And when she finds Jasmine's body in the library, she unleashes a chain of events that will change her life forever. I admired her determination to find out what really happened to Jasmine when it seemed like nobody else cared. Plus, if she makes a few friends and attracts the attention of Logan Quinn along the way, what the harm. Of course, there seems to be someone (or something) that doesn't want the truth discovered!

I really loved Gwen for the most part. She seems sweet and not completely confident with what she can do. The only thing that drove me nuts was the constant reference to how unpopular she was and how she didn't have any friends. Hard to make friends when you put your head down and ignore everyone around you. I was happy to see her make a connection. While Daphne was initially the mean girl, I totally loved her in the end. She's just what Gwen needs! And Logan....I love those paranormal guys that make you wish you would run across one in real life. Totally hot that he can take any weapon and know just how to use it to kill someone. He's just the protector that Gwen needs!


So, yes I will be reading the next one. Great new paranormal series in the works!

With Harry Potter ending this month, it was the perfect time for me to pick up Touch of Frost. I'm not saying that the novels are very similar but they are both boarding school novels for magical people and it was perfect timing to combat my Potter blues. Touch of Frost combines all sorts of mythologies, an unique protagonist and a who-dun-it plot that is solved by using brains, a little bit of old fashioned snooping and a handful of magic. It's a fun beginning to a series I'll definitely be continuing.

Gwen comes from a long line of gyspies with special abilities. With a single touch, Gwen can see an object's past and how a person felt during the time it was used. But this isn't what makes Gwen special. For me, her real uniqueness comes from the fact that she loves comic books, has a strong voice and has a hoodie for everyday of the week. In a school full of rich and powerful people, Gwen is considered oridinary even though she does have powers. It was nice reading about someone who wasn't chosen or acceptably gifted yet she continued to do what she felt was right and sought to find the truth. Gwen's relationship with those around her was complex and felt real, especially with Daphne. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and see how both were able to effect how the other sees the world. It felt honest and real. Also, Gwen's connection to the girl who died, even though she didn't know her, spoke volumes for what a good person she was.

Another thing that worked really well in this novel is it's mixed mythologies. I really liked how it combined Greek, Roman, and even Nordic Gods and how they were all able to go to the same school and co-exist with each other. The free-feeling vibe of the campus lended itself to create a fun atmosphere and allowed the author to create a rich world without bogging it down with complex (and boring) backstories. The plot was tied into one of those mythologies and it that made it really fun. However, I did figure out who it was pretty early on but I enjoyed Gwen's voice (yucko!) and the setting so much that I didn't mind reading along while she figured it out.

Touch of Frost is really all about the fun. If you're looking for a light paranormal with an intriguing world and a great voice, this novel is for you. As for me, I'll definitely be letting Gwen's next adventure touch my fingertips!

Touch of Frost is Jennifer Estep's refreshingly fun and riveting debut in her new series- Mythos Academy. I have to admit that I wasn't totally sold on the boarding school aspect, but Estep really delivered! I loved it. Though the beginning starts out a bit slow, Touch of Frost picks up quickly.

I found Gwen to be an extremely realistic teenager in a new school. She is likeable and easy to relate to, which makes the story flow as Gwen narrates. I liked all of the characters, honestly- even the mean girls. Their rolls are played out perfectly in the story. Logan, Gwen's love interest, is a stud...the big man on campus. His character is mysterious and I can't wait to see how he develops in the books to come. (Crossing my fingers he gets more face time with Gwen in the next installment!)

The plot is fresh, engrossing and has a great twist to the mystery laid at Gwen's feet. This series has so much potential, I am sooo excited to read Kiss of Frost next! If you are already a fan of Jennifer Estep, this book is a must read. Though I think any fan of young adult, paranormal, urban fantasy or mythology would really get into this book. Jennifer Estep is a brilliant story teller.

In the world of Urban Fantasy I've come to acquire a sweet tooth for certain things. Vampires and werewolves, Valkyrie, unique takes on witches, fairies, well done (and I mean really well done) love triangles, demons, and most of all Greek Mythology are a guaranteed purchase. Jennifer Estep's debut into the YA world of Urban Fantasy (or paranormal YA) instantly made my list with it's promise of Greek Mythology and Valkyries!! Her Elemental Assassin series already made my must-purchase-at-all-costs list and I just new this author would dazzle me.

Gwen is an interesting change from the Assassin in Esteps adult series. She's weak physically and has a clear moral compass that she lives by. While most people might run to safety after finding a dead body with its throat sliced open, Gwen would rather make sure that the victim really couldn't be saved. While I had been hoping for a strong kick-booty heroine to add to my YA shelves, Gwen clearly has other strengths to admire. Not only does she have nerves of still, but she's a nerd girl--with comic books, nerd references, and hoodies to go with--and I can't say no to a fellow nerd.

After the death of her mother Gwen is pulled into Mythos Academy. Where Valkyries, Amazons, Spartans, and other mythological legends go to school to learn how become Patheons, who fight against the Chaos. Basically the the good (Patheons) Vs. evil. Gwen doesn't know why she's been pulled into Mythos, she's not a warrior. She's a decedent of Gypsies, all of her family members just have a magical quirk. Her grandmother can see the past and future, her mom could tell when someone was telling the truth, and her gift is . . . well a little more awkward. She can touch any object and get it's whole live story, that includes people.

A lot of the book deals with Gwen's sadness over her mother passing, blaming herself for her mother's death, and learning to be happy again. It also deals with her self-doubt about her place in the Academy, and her worth. The way she kept knocking herself down over the potential love interest was annoying. Considering that the only guy she kissed was fantasizing about another girl, it's understandable.

It's a nice addition to the realm of teen heroes. Gwen is gaining her footing, building up sidekicks--er, I mean friends. Catching the eye of the hot guy, and get this he's a Spartan. (Yes, 300 is mentioned and joked about.) Big secrets (which are way too obvious to the reader) come out of the closet and Gwen is learning she has what it takes to be a true Champion of the Gods.

The book's plot and "giant twist" was so obvious that I wanted to strangle, the author for thinking that her readers would be too stupid to see it. Estep's dazzling writing, fantastic characters, cool world, and the allure of the "magical school" helped to appease me. This series has room to grow, places to explore. In the end this wasn't what I was expecting from Jennifer Estep, yet it was just what I needed. With ancient gods choosing champions to battle it out and deceit at every corner, it spells wicked fun!

Sexual Content: Teens are getting it on and BJ are the norm. Gwen doesn't participate in any of this, but the kids are definitely frisky critters.

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.