Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Book One in the Black Blade Series
Published By: K-Teen (April 28, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
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. .
After reading this book, my first thought was this, “Is there anything Estep can't write, and write well?”
Because truly, I do wonder that. She has yet to let me down, nor ceased to amaze me with the intricate, fun, and action packed worlds that she creates, whether in the YA or adult genres.
I loved this series! It was just so much fun to read and I loved the new world that Estep created, where anyone could be magical and monsters lurked anywhere and sometimes, those monsters, weren't always the obvious ones.
Estep's famous for her heroines, they are always tough, fierce, snarky, and downright lovable and Lila was an amazing blend of all these traits, in fact this whole world was an amazing blend of her Elemental Assassin series and her Mythos Academy series, and while one is adult and one is YA, they both have that wonderful blend of action, fantasy, romance, kickbutt-ness, and a whole lot of fun that makes them hard to put down and always leaving you wanting more.
I so can not wait for more. I can quickly see this series, once again, becoming a favorite and one that I am always on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one to come out.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
seriously, Estep can do no wrong! I am reading this one soon.
ReplyDeleteSo very true!
DeleteYAY! So glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did, Ali! This book was definitely a lot of fun and YES, I need book 2 asap!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
Yay! I'm just so happy she is writing another YA series that I can't stand it! :P
DeleteI really hope you love it too Michelle but I honestly don't have any doubts that you will. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enoyed this, Ali! I guess I expected more and ended up a bit disappointed. I mean, I had fun reading it, but I just wanted something slightly different from Estep this time. Ah well, it's fun anyway and I can't wait to read the second book. I already checked Netgalley but no luck. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will be checking Netgalley like crazy as well. ;)
DeleteHopefully book two will blow you away.
Oh, everyone but me seems to have already read this! Picture me quietly venting my frustration into the pillow (I've got sensitive-eared neighbors...) LOL. Bloggers appear to love it, and I suspect I will too, because Lila sounds like a wonderful character. Lovely review, thank you :) Have an amazing weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona and you too!
DeleteI'm behind on both of her series that I've started but I know I'll need to read this one at some point. So glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteShe really does write fabulous series regardless of the genres! So glad you are reading them too. :)
DeleteI enjoyed this one as well. I am excited to see what EStep does next.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI love a heroine that can kickbutt! Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteSo I didn't really like Estep's Mythos Academy series - baa, black sheep alert - but I'm intrigued by this. It sounds a bit like another series I like - Jacqueline Carey's Agent of Hel - which makes me want to read it all the more.
ReplyDeleteHow was her Elemental Assassin series? I didn't know that existed, but I'd be interested in reading her books for an adult audience.
Her Elemental Series is fabulous! Gin is one strong kick butt assassin! I bet you like it.
DeleteThis one sounds enthralling! Especially when magic and fiends are thrown into the mix; I'm looking into this one! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you and I hope you like it if you decide to read it! :D
DeleteOOh I love her Spidey series and I've enjoyed the Mythos Academy books too. Thanks Ali
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you read either Debbie, that is awesome. Glad you enjoyed them both.
DeleteOkay, now you have to be the fourth positive review I've seen of this book - the hype is slowly getting to me, it does sound wonderful <3 Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteBenish | Feminist Reflections
Glad we are getting to you. :P
DeleteI grabbed this yesterday even though I cannot review it till later next month..it just sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteYay, I hope you love it!
DeleteFor some reason I haven't read Estep yet. I see her all over the place, so I know I need to. Maybe this series would be a good place to start?
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh gosh you should read her! It is a good place to start but not her best. If you like YA I would start with her Mythos Academy series.
DeleteAli.....seriously! I cannot keep up :). When I started this blogging thing my TBR pile had 75 books. 75. NOW, 1497. I think I am out of control :). I am blaming you. hehehehe! Have a wonderful weekend Ali!
ReplyDeleteI will take all the blame happily! :P Have a wonderful weekend Becca!
DeleteI skipped your review because I'll read it soon but I'm curious to see my feeling about it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you think!
DeleteI saw this book on goodreads and instantly knew I had to have it. I have yet to purchase it, but it's on the list of books to buy ASAP! Glad you enjoyed it because it makes me ten times more excited to finally read it :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you get it soon and love it too!
DeleteI've never read anything by this author but the synopsis sounds real good, although a bit confusing? Though I feel like I should try this out, I love me some fiesty, snarky heroines! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessie @ Mischievous Reads
It wasn't confusing once you got into the story and this is one of my favorite authors so I really do hope you try something of her's. :D
DeleteI've yet to read Estep but I'm already seeing so many awesome reviews for this! I actually requested it on NG so hopefully I'll get approved. I think I'm missing out on so much by not reading this author, especially since you love her so much too! Awesome review Kindlemom!
ReplyDeleteYou are, she is fabulous! I love both her YA and UF series, they are wonderful and this looks very promising as well. I hope you get approved!!
DeleteI don't read a lot of fantasy, but when I read reviews like this it makes me reconsider. :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI never use to either until about a year ago and now I'm loving them!
DeleteI have yet to read a book by her, but I really want to. You made it sound so good! I need to try this sometime for sure. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you do, if not this then definitely another one of her's.
DeleteHmmm ... I want to read it, but kind of want to wait until more in the series are out. I still need to read the 3rd Elemental book though.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. I need to get caught up on that series as well and it may never happen at this rate!
DeleteI can't believe I've still not tried her. I have a couple on the tablet and really must someday soon.
ReplyDeleteYou need to try her!
DeleteThis sounds fantastic! <3 I have yet to read a Jennifer Estep book, and I'm definitely loving the sound of her kick-butt and lovable heroines. :) So glad you loved this--awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee! You need to try her, all her heroines are fabulous!
DeleteHappy to see you give this one 4 stars, babe! :) I remember Rashika liking this one a bit, and have read a few reviews saying it was a bit "superficial" for them in terms of writing, so I am still on the fence. Will have to read more reviews to be sure!
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
I think the series will definitely get better and grow into its own. ;)
DeleteShe is the only one who can pull me out of any reading funk. I loved this one too!
ReplyDeleteMost definitely she is wonderful for that!
DeleteAnother shining example of a clever imagination with the ability to create characters, conflicts and villains we cannot help but want to learn more about. A great start to what I hope will be a long running series.
ReplyDeleteMica
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Oh me too! I loved her other YA series so I'm really hoping this feels the gap of that series ending.
DeleteWow nice post, nice blog thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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