Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

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...

Book 2
Releases October 27^th

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 adventurous stars.
I’d asked to review this title, being a huge fan of Jennifer Estep, and didn’t think I’d get approved. I was new to this series, so I purchased the first book and devoured it in one sitting. It hit all the elements of a great Young Adult Urban Fantasy title, perfect for the young at heart reader that I am.

With book #1 receiving a solid 5 star rating from yours truly, I was filled with trepidation to begin book #2. Simply because of this thing called the first book curse: where the first book is the best book ever and the second book falls short. Or the first book is meh but it’s a slow build, making book #2 spectacular. Trepidation because it fell into the former category of the first book curse. Whew, am I relieved that wasn’t the case.

Starting off with a bang, Lila is battling with a monster – a troll. With the one she is sworn to protect, Devon, and his sidekick, Felix. After which, they meet up with their nemesis & his sister – Felix’s Juliette – plus a new character is introduced. It sets the pacing, engaging readers who are curious about the tournaments mentioned in said conversation.

This series, including this book, has action, monsters, magic, a tourist-filled West Virginia town, and incredible world-building that is as intriguing as it is original.

Lila is a strong female, young yet not dumb. She’s the perfectly flawed role model. Not too perfect where she doesn’t seem real, never making a mistake. But she also can take care of herself, never falling into the trappings of a YA TSTL character. She’s also not overbearing in the arrogance department – not a know-it-all. Lila is an all-around intriguing character that will entertain both boy and girl young adults, and those like me who believe books have no age-range.

There are violent moments, but this is an Urban Fantasy series, so you’d be disappointed if there weren’t. There are a few threads of romance going on in this series. The ‘I can’t like you even though I do’ between Lila & Devon, and to be quite honest, that thread feels a bit forced – not fluid. Another thread is between Felix and Deah, Romeo & Juliette. Then the newcomer is thrown in the mix.

There is a little bit of everything to entertain those young and old and in between. If Urban Fantasy is your genre, Jennifer Estep’s writing is solid, her world-building is consistent, and her storytelling is stellar.

Recommended for a mature 14+ due to violent content.

Also Available in the Black Blade Series

Book 1
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Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

Her Elemental Assassin series follows the life and times of Gin “the Spider” Blanco, a barbecue restaurant owner who also happens to be an assassin with magical control over the elements of Ice and Stone.

The Mythos Academy series focuses on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. She studies at Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors.

Her Bigtime paranormal romance books feature sexy superheroes, evil ubervillains, and smart, sassy gals looking for love.

Estep’s new Black Blade series is about 17-year-old thief Lila Merriweather, who has a Talent for sight, along with the ability to take magic others used against her to boost her own powers. She tries not to get involved with the Families who control much of the town, but ends up in the middle of a potential turf war.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep to read and review.

Salem’s Vengeance by Aaron Galvin

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Kelly never expected to meet the Devil’s daughter. She only sought innocent dancing in the moonlight, not a coven entranced by their dark priestess.

When her friends partake of a powder meant to conjure spirits – and the results go horribly awry – Sarah is forced to make a choice. To keep their secret risks her own damnation, but to condemn them may invoke the accusing remnants of Salem to rise again.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Christy – ☆☆☆
A fresh approach to a well-known American story, Salem witchcraft. This book is slow on the pickup but draws you in still with the insights into the characters and keeps you guessing. Once the action starts it pretty much doesn’t stop. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. And to see what direction he takes the characters in. This is a period set story and I appreciate that he kept the characters true to how they would have behaved back then.

I would recommend this book for 14 plus. There is some sexual content.

Aaron Galvin first cut his chops writing stand-up comedy routines at age thirteen. His early works paid off years later when he co-wrote and executive produced the award-winning indie feature film, Wedding Bells & Shotgun Shells.

He is also an accomplished actor. Aaron has worked in everything from Hollywood blockbusters, (Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, and Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers), to starring in dozens of indie films and commercials.

Aaron is a native Hoosier, graduate of Ball State University, and a proud member of SCBWI. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and children.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Salem’s Vengeance (Vengeance Trilogy #1) by Aaron Galvin to read and review.

Gods of Anthem by Logan Keys

Oceans apart, a young musician and a “special” soldier embark on a perilous journey for home fueled by the unyielding pursuit of freedom from the Authority.

Sixteen-year-old prodigy, Liza Randusky, waits imprisoned, blamed for the undead plague that’s slowly destroying the planet. Banished to an island where she’ll never play her beloved piano again, Liza’s steadfast sense of justice and passion for music may have the power to change her destiny. But will it be enough...

To strike back at the new world order, the troubled son of a preacher, Thomas Ripley-Hatter, suffers unspeakable alterations by the Underground to join a secret Army. Tommy knows that all hope lies in human-weapons like himself, and that somehow he must cling to his sanity…while letting loose the monster to win.

The battle begins for the last-standing sliver of humanity: Anthem.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Christy – ☆☆☆☆
This could be the hardest book I have ever had to review. Now it is not because the book is bad, in fact I thoroughly enjoyed the book and had a hard time walking away from it. But because throughout the book it feels as though I am reading 2 very different stories that just happen to be set in the same universe. First you have Liza’s story and it is confusing and heartwarming, but be prepared for a rollercoaster ride with her. Then you have Tommy and his story is all manly and confusing but much more straightforward. Now add a backdrop of zombies and military and dictatorship and you have the universe setting. And trust me, there is plenty of action and heroic measures throughout the book. But I didn't see how it all fit together until the very end and then I was left with more questions. If the author happens to read this review please tell me this is going to be a series. I need more. I need to know what happens next and if sweet JoJo is okay. Oh there is so much to say that I can't due to I don't do spoilers. All I can say is this an action book that MAKES you think.

Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and violence.

Logan began writing horror and poetry early in life but she says young-adult dystopian is the next best thing. She's currently living on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii with her husband, daughter, and fur-child Lola. Even though it's a tropical setting, her writing remains the same moody narrative she's always enjoyed.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Gods of Anthem (Gods of Anthem #1) by Logan Keys to read and review.

Dark Hope by Monica McGurk

For years, Hope Carmichael, survivor of a shocking child abduction, has lived a sheltered existence under the protection of her fanatically religious father. Now, liberated by her mother, Hope prepares to start life over as a normal kid in an Atlanta, Georgia, high school.

Normal, that is, until Hope meets Michael, a gorgeous emancipated teen with a mysterious past and a strong interest in Hope. Soon, Hope’s life is filled with questions. What’s behind the angry looks Hope gets from Lucas, leader of a gang of students? Who’s responsible for sending Hope strange valentines inscribed with Bible quotations? How does this relate to the sinister business of human trafficking that operates on the periphery of Hope’s suburban world? And is Michael really a protector, or something more sinister—and just why does he seem so familiar?

In an epic narrative that takes readers from the back streets of Atlanta to the height of Vegas penthouses and beyond, Dark Hope introduces The Archangel Prophecies, a saga of vast mythological scope and great moral urgency.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Christy – ☆☆☆
This book is a clever way to get teens invested in a major social crime. Using the backdrop of a girl that can change the world because she is so special for both angels and demons, the author tells a story of her search to find one girl in the vast human trafficking network and to save her. I feel though the underlying theme to the series was lost somewhat with so much of the focus more on saving the sex slave. I plan on reading the second book though.

In addition I feel this book is meant for older teens – 17 plus – given the nature of sex trade and violence in the book.

Also Available in the Archangel Prophecies Series

Book 2
Buy Links

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Monica McGurk loves nothing better than to craft thought-provoking, multilayered stories, showcasing strong girls and women overcoming big challenges.

Already a fan favorite, she received the 2013 TwiFic Fandom Undiscovered Gem award for Morning Star, her alternate ending to the Twilight series, written before the release of Breaking Dawn.

Her first novel in The Archangel Prophecies trilogy, Dark Hope, was published in 2014. Dark Rising is the second novel in this series. The final installment, Dark Before Dawn, is expected in 2016.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dark Hope (Archangel Prophecies #1) by Monica McGurk to read and review.