Spartan Destiny by Jennifer Estep

This Spartan makes her own destiny...

Most kids at the Colorado branch of Mythos Academy know me as Rory Forseti, the daughter of Reaper assassins. Secretly, I’m a member of Team Midgard, a group of students and adults tasked with stopping Covington, the evil leader of the Reapers of Chaos. For me, the mission is a deeply personal one, since Covington is also the man who murdered my parents.

When my friends and I get a lead on a powerful artifact that Covington wants to steal, we think we finally have a chance to thwart the Reapers and stop them for good. Team Midgard comes up with a plan, but everything goes sideways, and I’m suddenly in the fight of my life.

My worst fears might have come true, but I know what my Spartan destiny is—to save my friends, or die trying...

Book 3
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Spoiler-Free Review

Spartan Destiny is the third and final (I believe) installment of the Mythos Academy: Colorado spin-off. Not only do I strongly suggest reading the series in order to avoid any confusion, but I also believe it best to start with Touch of Frost, which is the debut in the Mythos Academy series, fully developing the world building throughout all the novels.

Rory and her friends at Midgard are still on Convington's tail, attempting to stop his mission of gaining all the mythical artifacts necessary in his evil plot. There is a definite vibe of urgency, as if they fail this time around, all hope will be lost.

Over the past novel, Rory stepped out from her cousin's shadow and finally came into her own as the heroine and narrator of the spin-off series. Whatever insecurities plagued her have finally shifted to confidence in how she fits into life. Fierce, protective, logical, yet also compassionate and empathetic. Rory has the strength to get things done, even while her world is falling down around her.

There's a strong thread of friendship woven into the series, proving that you shouldn't have to do it alone – the relationships built are important. The shared laughter, joy, tragedy, and companionship are what make life worth living, worth fighting the good fight.

Everything in perfect balance, the thrilling action, the paranormal elements, and the emotional connections, I have enjoyed every book in the Mythos Academy series.

Highly recommend Jennifer Estep for both adult and young adult urban fantasy and fantasy. By profession, I can hear an author's voice underlying on the pages, but Estep has a way of writing strong characters that are individuals, where if I read a quote, I could figure out which character was speaking. No two narrators are alike across all of her series, which is what has me eager to pick up whatever she publishes next.

Young Adult age-range: 12+

Also Available in the Mythos Academy: Colorado Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Spartan Heart post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Spartan Promise post.

JENNIFER ESTEP is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

She is the author of the following series:
The Elemental Assassin Series
The Crown of Shards Series
The Mythos Academy Spinoff Series
The Mythos Academy Series
The Bigtime Series
The Black Blade Series

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Spartan Destiny (Mythos Academy: Colorado #3) by Jennifer Estep to read and review.

Spartan Promise by Jennifer Estep

Hunting for the bad guys has never been so dangerous...

My name is Rory Forseti, and I attend the Colorado branch of Mythos Academy, a school of warrior kids, powerful artifacts, and mythological monsters.

I’m a student, a fierce Spartan warrior, and a member of Team Midgard, a group of kids and adults tasked with stopping the evil Reapers of Chaos. There is one Reaper I’m determined to hunt down above all others: Covington, the man who murdered my parents.

So when the Midgard gets a tip that Covington is going to try to steal a dangerous artifact, I’m ready to fight. But the situation is far more complicated than it seems, and the Reapers aren’t my only enemies.

I’ll have to use all my Spartan strength and skills to survive this. And even then, it might be my blood that gets spilled...

Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
It is impossible for me not to love a heroine who can look the guy she fancies in the eye and tell him she’ll rescue herself. Rory is pretty special. Adult urban fantasy has had a few heroines who rescue themselves, but there is something special about this teenage warrior who doesn’t feel the need to prove herself to anyone. Rory is her team’s most skilled warrior and she expects to be respected for her abilities. Rory’s clever, she’s brave, and the feminist in me wants a set of these books in every school library.

I’m revealing my age when I compare Rory to Buffy, but this second book gave me a few flashbacks. Apart from the Mythology twist, the framework for these stories is quite similar. And I swear I saw the episode where the characters follow underground chambers up to a graveyard… I have to say that I’m actually finding Rory a more interesting character than Buffy and her innate confidence is a better fit for the post #metoo generation.

The writing is stronger in this second book than it was in the first. As the characters develop and the world building gets more complicated, this series is turning into something memorable. I’m really enjoying the mythology aspect of the book and the references to so many ancient cultures and theologies. The concept retains the action and power dynamics I love in Urban Fantasy while providing a welcome break from vampires and werewolves. The plot feels tighter in this second book and I like the way the wider story is starting to unravel. I’m very excited for the next book in the series!


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Spartan Promise is the second installment in the Mythos Academy: Colorado series, a sister series to Mythos Academy. First, I suggest reading the main series first. Second, I strongly suggest reading this series in order, as everything ties together in a continuous plot.

After slightly struggling with Spartan Heart – simply because it was no longer a good fit for me like it was nearly a decade ago, reading-wise – I was apprehensive to begin Spartan Promise. I told myself I'd read a little bit and put it down if the book wasn't doing anything for me, reading a little at a time. I sat down with my Kindle and didn't come up for air until I was finished.

Beyond fast-paced, the pages flew by as I immersed myself in the young adult fantasy world Estep has created. Rory is a member of the Migard team, an offshoot of the Protectorate, battling the insurgence of Reapers in Mythos Academy, stealing artifacts to advance their cause.

Set in the backdrop of a school academy catering to those blessed by the gods, be it Spartans, Valkyries, or Vikings, Rory battles beasties, delves through the angst of unrequited crushes, connects deeper with true friends, and wages war against the very man who murdered her parents.

A true page-turner, the novel was exciting, highly descriptive, with deeper world-building than its predecessor.

Definitely recommend to fans of Jennifer Estep, readers of Young Adult Fantasy, and those young at heart who want a little dose of first crushes while saving the world from impending doom and gloom.

Young Adult age-range: 13+. Be warned of fantasy violence.

Also Available in the Mythos Academy: Colorado Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Spartan Heart post.

JENNIFER ESTEP is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

She is the author of the following series:
The Elemental Assassin Series
The Crown of Shards Series
The Mythos Academy Spinoff Series
The Mythos Academy Series
The Bigtime Series
The Black Blade Series

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Sarah and Erica reviewed their personal copy of Spartan Promise (Mythos Academy: Colorado #2) by Jennifer Estep for this post.

Spartan Heart by Jennifer Estep

New school year, same old problems...

At Mythos Academy, everyone knows exactly who I am: Rory Forseti, Spartan girl and the daughter of Reapers.

Even though I fought alongside my cousin Gwen Frost to save the mythological world from Loki and his evil Reapers of Chaos, I’m still the most hated girl at the academy because of all the horrible things my parents did. I had hoped that this school year would be different, but the other kids just won’t let me forget about my parents.

But something strange is going on at the Colorado academy. First, I run into a Viking guy who dislikes me more than most. Then I notice some odd artifacts in the Library of Antiquities. And worst of all, I start hearing rumors about a new group of Reapers who can summon mythological monsters.

I might be the most hated girl at Mythos Academy, but I’m also the only one who can save it...

Book 1
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The mythological warriors in the Mythos Academy stories offer a welcome reprieve from the myriad of Urban Fantasy vampire and werewolf stories. A spinoff from the original Mythos Academy books, Gwen’s cousin Rory begins this first Colorado book as a grieving social outcast before finding her place and growing into her potential.

I have to admit that Rory grew on me. She’s a little bit wet and a little bit maudlin at the start of the book. Self-pity doesn’t look good on anyone and Rory is wallowing at the beginning of her story. But as Rory’s confidence grows, she quickly becomes more interesting and more likeable. I like the team around Rory and I look forward to watching the characters and relationships grow as the series progresses.

This is good young adult urban fantasy writing. The genre tropes are pretty familiar and there isn’t anything particularly remarkable about the story, but it is well written. I love Jennifer Estep’s adult writing and while this lacks the complexity of her mind blowing Kill the Queen, this is still decent quality young adult storytelling with a strong female lead.

My one issue with this book is with Rory’s Aunt Rachel. At the start of the story, Rachel is 27 and Rory’s new caregiver. She’s described as more of a big sister than a parent. Which makes sense considering the ten-year age gap. However, through the rest of the book she comes across as a maternal matron who chaperones school dances and prepares healthy balanced meals. It doesn’t work for me. Aunt Rachel is supposed to be younger than Taylor Swift. She’s the same age as Selina Gomez. The domestic maternal thing really, really doesn’t work.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Spartan Heart is the first in the Mythos Academy: Colorado series. However, it is a spinoff of the Mythos Academy series. While it's possible to read as new, I do believe that it would cause massive confusion, as events that happened in the previous series were mentioned almost on every page.

I would not call this the debut in a brand-new series, as a new series to me means the reader can just pick it up, with no backstory ever told elsewhere. This is a continuation, set in another campus of the Mythos Academy. I suggest reading from Touch of Frost onward.

Having read Touch of Frost almost eight years ago, I was rusty on what had happened, but Estep does a good job on jarring memories without doing too much info-dumpage. Gwen's cousin is the narrator, Rory, who lost her parents, discovering they were Reapers.

Rory is carrying a ton of guilt, even if she helped the good side win a battle in the never-ending war against the Reapers in the previous series. She has to face her peers on the first day of school, when no one trusts her. Not only has she lost her parents, her faith in her abilities to accurately judge a person's character, but she has no one on the planet on her side, worrying about her welfare, except for her aunt.

Spartan Heart was nothing but endless fast-paced action, from page to page, with a bit of everyday life thrown in, but mostly it gave a rundown on what happened in the previous series and how it connected into the current situation.

Reapers are stealing artifacts, and Rory gets caught up in the action.

Rory has a reluctant love interest, where I am beyond thankful there isn't even a hint of insta-love. However, the enemy’s banter was a bit forced, as it also felt irrational. If anything, Ian would have seen Rory as a kindred spirit, not hated her on sight. So the romance angle simply felt forced to me.

While I do believe young adults will find the novel beyond exciting, I will admit that I believe I'm not the target audience anymore. Had I read this almost a decade ago, when I first read Touch of Frost, I would have been captivated, but today I'm a different sort of reader. This doesn't invalidate the novel, just that it wasn't exactly my cup of tea anymore.

There was a bit too much going on at all times for me to truly relax and fall into the story. Like Rory didn't even get to catch her breath before she was being attacked by more mythological beasties. One battle would be over, yet another would start three pages later, in an endless loop, feeling redundant after several battles. As this was book one, I knew Rory would come out on the surviving end, so that took away from some of the heart-stopping action.

Recommended to fans of the author. New readers, I strongly suggest against reading this without reading the original series first.

Young Adult Age-range: 13+, parental discretion as there is nonstop fantasy violence.

JENNIFER ESTEP is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

She is the author of the following series:
The Elemental Assassin Series
The Crown of Shards Series
The Mythos Academy Spinoff Series
The Mythos Academy Series
The Bigtime Series
The Black Blade Series

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


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Sarah and Erica reviewed their personal copy of Spartan Heart (Mythos Academy: Colorado #1) by Jennifer Estep for this post.

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

Book 3
Buy Links

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
First, I won't give a plot play-by-play, because there is too much to cover and I don't wish to spoil the experience by giving a book report. This is a spoiler-free review, sticking to characterization and writing style.

I've never hid the fact that I was an Estep fangirl after finding her years ago. The Elemental Assassins series is unique and Gin is...Gin. (Now I want to do a reread) With that series, I developed a taste for Jennifer Estep's writing style. The women are strong characters, not thinking themselves strong in their own heads while putting themselves in sticky situations they can't get out of, expecting help from their love interest. The girls get the job done themselves. They take the lead. So, needless to say, when I began the journey of the Black Blade series, I fell in love with Lila because she was flawed with perfectly crafted human traits. Over the past three books, I've watched the characters grow, the story evolve, and Victor get more villainous.

The final installment of the Black Blade series has arrived. Knowing this at the start of the book made the journey bittersweet as I said goodbye to the characters.

There's an addictive quality to the story, thrilling and exciting – adventurous but a little bit brutal with unexpected humor to soften the blow. It was a nonstop action thrill ride to close out the series. After the previous books, Lila and Devon are together, so the romance is underlying to the main story, which I appreciated the fact that it didn't overshadow what had been built.

Yes, some of the obvious outcomes were predictable, but this is a young adult book designed for young adults, and I'm an adult who enjoyed in nonetheless. And yes, that is my fangirl bias showing in the form of common sense. To make it so ‘I’ couldn't reason out the conclusions, would mean children wouldn't be able to read it...just saying. Nevertheless, the flow was so rapid, it's not like the reader had any filler to wade through while contemplating the plot.

I recommend this series to young adults and the young at heart who enjoy the fantasy genres, who need a thread of romance but want a developed story more.

Will I read more by this author? I look forward to whatever Estep brings us next.

Young adult rating: 14+ due to violence set in a fantasy world.

Also Available in the Black Blade Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Dark Heart post.

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.

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3) by Jennifer Estep to read and review.

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

Pre-Order Links

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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
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

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.

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

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.