Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Book Two in the Black Blade Trilogy
Published By: Kensington (October 27, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Something Wicked This Way Comes...
As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.
Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.
As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else..
After falling in love once again with Estep's writing in Cold Burn of Magic, (okay okay I was a huge fan before but you get the idea!), Dark Heart of Magic was one of my most anticipated reads for fall of 2015.
As I picked it up and started reading, it didn't take me long to remember exactly why that was the case.
Estep has a way with words, not to mention characters. Her heroines are always tough, fierce, feisty, and full of sarcasm, some of my most favorite traits in a protagonist. Add in her unique talent of making something over used, completely new and fresh, not to mention plots that are every bit as fast paced as they are addicting, and you truly have a read that stands out and is every bit as entertaining as those of us that are familiar with Estep's work, have come to expect from her.
And her second installment in the Black Blade series was not a disappointment by any stretch of the imagination.
Once again filled with mystery, great one liners, humor, friendship, action, and danger, this series truly is a stand out series in the genre of young adult.
Every bit as fun as it is adventurous, this second installment lived up to the first and made me anxious for the third.
I'm on edge curious about how this will all end but have complete faith in Estep's ability to deliver with a well rounded, well written story.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
**Edited-This is now available in audio so check it out!
https://soundcloud.com/audible/dark-heart-of-magic
**Edited-This is now available in audio so check it out!
https://soundcloud.com/audible/dark-heart-of-magic
WOO HOO! We're review twins today Ali:) I love all things Jennifer Estep and this series is no different. Like you, I'm both nervous and excited to see how everything is going to come together in the next book!
ReplyDeleteHehee, great minds. ;)
DeleteShe does have a way with words Ali, I Love her Spider series and I've love her Mythos Academy series too. Looks like I'll have to start yet another :)
ReplyDeleteShe just genuinely knows how to write well for sure Debbie regardless of the genre!
DeleteI still haven't got around to reading the first book :\ And it sounds like this one is pretty much as good as that. Wonderful review, Ali.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona!
DeleteYes, I am so glad you enjoyed this too and I liked the mystery and tournaments.
ReplyDeleteThe tournaments were fun!
DeleteI am excited to have this featured during Wicked. Estep always drags me into her stories.
ReplyDeleteYes! I can't wait for it Heidi!
DeleteI haven't started this series yet. I have book one on audio and plan to start it very soon.
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy to hear that Melanie. I really hope you like it!
Delete" Her heroines are tough, fierce, feisty, and full of sarcasm " yes, yes, yes! Just what I need at the moment. I recently read Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith, and that book would've easily been 5 stars for me if the main character was everything you listed above. I haven't heard of this series before, but you know your shit when it comes to Fantasy and UF, so I'm trusting you not to led me astray lmao :)
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Martika! :D
DeleteI love humor, friendship, action and danger :). I love it when they are all in the same book :)..Again, great review Ali
ReplyDeleteI love that all her YA reads are really clean too. ;)
DeleteI'm so late! I have this one to read but I haven't yet! Soon! SO curious to compare my feelings with yours!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you thought about it!
DeleteOooh, I've forgotten about this one! Nice to know the second book is just as great as the first one ^_^ I know for sur that Amir liked this series, which means I definitely need to check it out too :D
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
Do check it out, all her books are just so fun.
DeleteThis series sounds perfect for me! I need to read book one, but I do have a copy on my Nook but I am glad to hear book two was great, too!
ReplyDeleteThis series is really fun, all her series truly are. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. :)
DeleteDark Heart of Magic sounds like a well written and engaging read. The only series I have read that has held a female assassin has been the Graceling series, but it would be an adventure to meet a new one! Thanks for sharing this one :)
ReplyDeleteShe has an adult series with a female assassin and it is so much fun too!
DeleteSo many series here that I haven't started yet - I just scanned your last several blog posts and realized how many series I still need to read!! :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh don't do that, it is dangerous LOL! I learned that long ago while visiting other blogs as well LOL!
DeleteI keep forgetting about this series! lol. I need to get to it.
ReplyDeleteI bet you will like this one. ;)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis series sounds like a lot of fun and one that I need to pick up soon. I got a copy on order for my teens who just adored book 1.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear the YA audience is loving it as well!
DeleteNot sure but I think I still need to read one by her. I fully intend to...someday :) Glad you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteGlad it's in your TBR pile. ;)
DeleteThis sounds great! I can't believe I've never heard of it before. I'm glad you liked it. I will definitely have to add the first one to my to read list.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a fun series, all her series are!
DeleteSigh. I really need to read some Estep. My library is severely lacking of her books.
ReplyDeleteShe is so awesome. She never fails to deliver is whatever genre she writes in. ;)
DeleteOh I definitely need to read this series!
ReplyDelete