Blog Tour ~ Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) by Jennifer Estep ~ Review by Jaime and Giveaway!

By Jaime Lester - October 22, 2015

Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)
by Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: October 27th 2015

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Supernatural
Rate: 4.5 Stars!

Synopsis:

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...

Cold Burn of Magic is still one of my absolute favorite books of this year. It was my first experience with this author, but I knew almost as soon as I started reading CBoM that it wouldn't be my last. I will admit to some hesitation over reading Dark Heart of Magic. Everyone knows that sequels, especially second books in a series, have a tendency to be letdowns, and I desperately didn't want that to happen with THIS sequel. After reading it, I can say that, without a doubt, Jennifer Estep knows how to write an awesome story, whether it is a first book, a second, or a twentieth! And now I can add DHoM to my 2015 Fave's List!

This time around, the amazing Lila is officially a member of the Sinclair family. She is Devon's full time bodyguard, and has taken to the job better than she thought she would. Other than being hopelessly in love with Devon and refusing to give in to it, things are looking up. She has been chosen to be a competitor in the Family Tournament. She has made friends, and has a home and plenty of bacon on the table. She also has Claudia Sinclair to thank for giving her a chance at revenge on the Draconi's. Oh, and her life is in danger, more so than ever before.... and that is saying something! She also learns a shocking secrets that throw her world off it's axis. The life she had known is long gone, and the world she was resentfully thrust into might just be exactly where she wants to be after all.

Lila is an all time favorite character of mine. I love her snide, sarcastic nature. Her fierce love and loyalty. I love that she stays true to herself, and never becomes complacent. She also shows serious character growth throughout this book, and it only made me love her more. She learns to let people in, and it makes her stronger than ever before. Devon is the sweetest, most humble dude! I adore him, and root for him and Lila! She loves him as much as he loves her, but she refuses to give in to him because she is so used to losing the people she loves. She thinks it would only lead to heartbreak, so she pushes him away. I hated seeing her struggle to keep her distance, but loved seeing their relationship blossom regardless of her best efforts! Mo is back, and bigger and louder than ever. I love the game that he and Lila play! Felix is even better developed as a character, and so easy to adore. Poppy, Claudia, Felix's dad, even Deah Draconi, who isn't the person her family thinks she is. .Every one of them characters that I loved that were important to the story in their own way! And the villains were as villainous as ever. Blake is horrible, but his dad Victor is even worse.And there is a new character on the scene. What role does she play in the war between the families? Jennifer Estep brings her characters to life in a big way. She makes me feel for her characters, whether love or hate, and in my book that is a hugely important part of a story.

DHoM is a fun and fast-paced thrill ride full of adventure and intrigue. There is a healthy dose of humor added in which added so much more to the story. Every emotion was tugged at while reading this book. I laughed and cried and gasped and got angry.... This series is full of so many wonderful things that add up to create a series that has a special place in my heart, and on my bookshelf. I am counting down the days until the final book is released! I am a huge fan of the Black Blade series, and I highly recommend it to every single person who reads this review!

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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.