**Visit Dark Faerie Tales today for her Deadly Destination tour of Karsten Knight’s redwood forests of Northern California & a chance to win WILDEFIRE**
School’s in for Summer this year. That’s because our tour guide for today’s Deadly Destinations is Jennifer Estep’s Gwen Frost. She’s taking us to Mythos Academy, the setting from Jennifer’s new YA urban fantasy debut TOUCH OF FROST (Available now from K Teen), ‘a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.’ It’s my favorite book from Jennifer yet, sort of a Veronica Mars meets Percy Jackson mashup…Myths and mystery and mean girls. Want to win a copy? Leave a comment. See details below.
Gwen Frost’s Guide to Mythos Academy
by
Jennifer Estep
Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Abigail for having me on the blog again. Thanks so much, Abigail!
I write the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.
Touch of Frost, the first book in the series, was published on July 26. First Frost, a prequel e-story to the series, is also available now. The second book in the series, Kiss of Frost, will hit shelves on Nov. 29.
A lot of the action in the books takes place on the campus of Mythos Academy, which is located in Cypress Mountain, a fictional town not too far away from Asheville, North Carolina. So today, I thought that I would let my heroine Gwen tell you a little bit about the academy in her own words:
What can I say about Mythos Academy other than I hate it? Seriously, I hate it. I have no idea why I’ve been shipped off to this school for warrior whiz kids, but everyone here is rich, beautiful, powerful, and deadly. Everyone except for me, that is. I’m just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl who touches stuff and sees things. I totally do not fit in here.
Still, I suppose that the academy’s not all bad. The grounds are kind of pretty and look like what you might find at an expensive college – lots of grass, lots of shade trees, lots of iron benches and cobblestone walkways. The upper quad is the heart of campus and features five buildings that are clustered together – English-history, math-science, the gym, the dining hall, and the Library of Antiquities. All of the buildings are made out of dark gray stone and are covered with lots of ivy. They all look like old-fashioned castles, complete with towers, balconies, parapets, and stuff. Cool, but a little sinister-looking too.
The only thing I don’t like about the buildings is the fact that they’re all covered with statues of mythological monsters – everything from gryphons to gargoyles to Gorgons to dragons. But the really weird thing is that the statues always seem to be staring at me – and tracking my every step with their open, lidless eyes. Super, super creepy, if you ask me.
Anyway, here are some dos and don’ts that I’ve learned since coming to Mythos Academy. Maybe they’ll help you prepare for your visit:
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DO bring a sword, staff, or some other weapon with you. You’ll need it if you run into any bad guys like Reapers of Chaos or mythological monsters like Nemean prowlers.
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DON’T think you’re safe just because you’re studying in the Library of Antiquities. In my experience, the library is one of the most dangerous places on campus. Seriously.
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DO pack plenty of snacks. Trust me, you do not want to eat most of the froufrou food like liver, veal, and escargot that the dining hall serves on a regular basis. And the desserts come in pitifully small portions. Would it kill the Powers That Were to let us kids have some sugar?
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DON’T forget to bring your credit card. Tourists flock to Cypress Mountain because of all the cool shops that sell designer clothes, jewelry, armor, weapons, and more. Most of the shops feature primo goods at a primo price. So be sure you have a nice, high limit on your credit card before you come to shop.
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DO be afraid – very afraid. Because anyone can be a Reaper of Chaos, from the girl in the next dorm room, to your economics professor, to that cute guy you’re crushing on …
So there you have it – a little bit about Mythos Academy. What about you guys? What are some of the paranormal or urban fantasy towns/worlds that you’d like to visit – or not?
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep also writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.
Books in the series are Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, and Tangled Threads. Spider’s Revenge, the fifth book, will be released on Sept. 27. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for free short stories, excerpts, and more.
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About Jennifer Estep
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Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone. Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more. Visit www.jenniferestep.com for excerpts and more. |
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Want to read more from Jennifer Estep?
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Giveaway provided by K Teen/Kensington
One copy of TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep
Available now from K Teen/Kensington
Description:
My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.
But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .
"Touch of Frost is an intriguing start to an exciting new series!" —Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready
". . .surviving high school means staying alive!" —New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks
Read an excerpt | Read our review
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About the author
Review: Towering by Alex FlinnMay 18, 2013
Mega Mammoth Paranormal Giveaway–64 books!April 13, 2011
Deadly Destinations: Gina Rosati & win AURACLEAugust 8, 2012
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81 Responses to Deadly Destinations & Giveaway: Jennifer Estep’s Gwen Frost takes us to Mythos Academy from TOUCH OF FROST
I Like Jennifer's Gin Blanco series and am looking foward to reading Touch OF Frost.
sgiden at verizon.net
I love the elemental assassin series, I'm sure touch of frost will be just as good.
lakishaajones@yahoo.com
Hi Jennifer! I can't wait to read Touch of Frost!!!
) Thanks for the giveaway!!!
kristen10horses@yahoo.com
Hi Jennifer! What a fun interview : ) Love the format. Your name is on my TBR list, and I've only heard good things about your work. I would love to win this giveaway and read this book! Thanks for doing this awesome giveaway.
- Monica
Sandy — Thanks! I appreciate that, and I hope you enjoy TOUCH OF FROST just as much as the Elemental Assassin books.
Lakisha — Thanks! I appreciate that, and I hope you enjoy TOUCH OF FROST just as much as the Elemental Assassin books.
Kristen — Thanks! Hope you enjoy the book.
HelloKittie — Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you get a chance to check out my books.
This looks good! I'm ready to find a new series to start!
Rebs — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Sounds like a great read
gfc follower
vidishamun@gmail.com
Thanks for the great giveaway. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
This book sounds so ridiculously awesome.
Thank you so much for the tour and giveaway!
twiztidsharkie@aol.com
This sounds really good. Please enter me into the drawing. rahne1971@yahoo.com
I am so excited to try out this series because I LOVE the Elemental Assasin series! Please enter me!
jacki.gentry@us.army.mil
Cypress Mt. sounds like one of the nicest UF/Paranormal places to visit. I'd probably wouldn't want to visit any places found in paranormal/UF books, the place like Andrews' Atlanta or the inhabitants would probably kill me.
I already plan to read Touch of Frost, but Abigail saying it's the best Estep book is something.
acm05atjuno.com
I would love to visit the Atlanta of Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. It sounds pretty wild. Aside from that, one place I DON'T want to visit is Ashland. That is one scary city. I love Gin Blanco and I'm looking forward to reading A Touch Of Frost.
Jen at delux dot com
Thanks for the chance to win! I have seen this book around and it looks amazing!
hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu
Vidisha — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Victoria — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Ozymandias — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Rahne — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Jacki — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Acm05 — Cypress Mountain looks tame from the outside, but there are lots of Reapers running around — something that Gwen finds out as the series goes along. LOL.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the book. And I was very flattered by Abigail's review.
Jen — I think that would be an interesting city to visit too. Ashland is pretty scary, but just think, you could eat the Pork Pit. LOL. Thanks for the nice words about Gin. Hope you enjoy TOUCH OF FROST just as much.
Hense — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
I'm looking forward to reading this book!
glow_in_the_dark@live.com
Touch of Frost has been on my wishlist for a while. It looks great! There is something about gypsy magic that is so intriguing.
Thanks!
Katie
bigferret at email dot com
Love Gwen's DOs and DON'Ts. Sounds like they would come in handy on the school's campus.
I can't wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
lyssad87(at)gmail(dot)com
I am very much looking forward to reading touch of frost!
snifflykitty@gmail.com
Really sounds awesome!!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I love Mrs. Esteps adult novels, looking forward to her reading her new YA!
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
NOT ENTERING GIVEAWAY JUST HAD TO STOP BY AND SUPPORT JENNIFER
I would love to visit "The Edge", the world created by Ilona Andrews where magic users live and love and fight to survive…
I adore the character of Gwen Frost already just from the prequel, this new series is one that is light years different from the "Elemental Assassin" series but still as visually delightful to explore from the small amount of what is in store from others book reviews… Thanks for sharing this POV post by Gwen, it and Abigial's statement about "Touch Of Frost" being her favorite Jennifer Estep read so far makes me very happy to have already won a copy from you as the book has been one highly anticipated to read by so many of us who are your fans.
Laura — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Katie — Cool. Glad the book and the Gypsy magic looks interesting.
Lyssa — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Sniffly Kitty — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Vivien — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Van — Thanks! I appreciate that, and I hope you enjoy TOUCH OF FROST.
Jackie — Thanks! I appreciate all your nice words about my books. You should be getting your copy of TOUCH OF FROST soon. I mailed it out a few days ago. Hope you enjoy it!
Touch of Frost sounds great. Love Jennifer's writing. Thanks for the giveaway.
CrystalGB
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
The cover is so amazing & the description/premise of the book makes me want to read it ASAP!!
mcnx06(at)gmail(dot)com
-Em
Awesome
Want to read this one so bad!
wolfbauer3(at)gmail(dot)com
- Amanda
This book is on my wishlist. I love the Elemental Assassins series. Thanks for the great giveway.
~Paula
pebasso@firstfleetinc.com
I love the Gin Blanco series. Touch of Frost looks like a good read. Thanks for giveaway!
Skk25@aol.com
Crystal — Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying my books.
Sash and Em — Cool. Hope you guys get a chance to check out the book.
Shelbie and Amanda — Cool. Hope you guys get a chance to check out the book.
Paula — Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the Elemental Assassin series, and I hope you like TOUCH OF FROST too.
Stephanie — Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the Gin series, and I hope you like TOUCH OF FROST too.
I work in a bookstore and harass the receiving staff whenever a new book of yours is coming out! They have grown used to me squealing and jumping around in the basement once it comes in. I even had to take my break early to start it on the last one! I recommend your Gin Blanco series to any readers of modern fantasy I can get my hands on, especially if they are looking for an original, kickass heroine. It's a bummer your Bigtime series is unavailable (at least in Canada), cause I adore that one too and which I could handsell it. Keep up the good work, looking forward to getting your books into teen hands too! ladygekko@gmail.com
Ohh this sounds like an awesome new series. I cannot wait to check it out. I cannot believe I had not seen it on my local store yesterday! Looks great. Thank you for coming on and inspiring me to want to read it!
terilhack at yahoo dot com
Mythos Academy sounds like a place I'd love to visit… even if only in my imagination! Sounds like a great read!
jj.bonds@live.com
I'm looking forward to reading Touch of Frost, it sounds like a fantastic book.
I think I'd be afraid to visit Ashland, it sounds pretty scary. I'd love to visit New Orleans, which has been the setting for quite a few great books I've read lately. And Kevin Hearne's Tempe, Arizona would be nice to check out.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Kim — Thanks! That's so nice of you to say. I appreciate all the nice words about my books. If you need any bookmarks for your store, just let me know. Actually, I've just reissued the Bigtime books as $2.99 e-books for the Kindle, Nook, etc. Glad you enjoyed the Bigtime series too.
Teril — Thanks! I appreciate that, and I hope you get a chance to check out the books.
J.J. — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Barbara — Thanks! Hope you enjoy the book. I've heard a lot of good things about Hearne's books. They're on my list to try.
Just finished Web of Lies…it kept me up. I will be adding Touch of Frost to the wish list. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jnmt3 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'm so excited about this new series!
Thanks for the giveaway!
ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com
I can't wait to read this series!
ajiehuang1997 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you for this giveaway
I love your Bigtime series, so I know I will love this!
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com
Man I can't wait to start this. I just got the short prequel today. So I can at least get my foot in the world. I really can't wait. I have been seeing great reviews everywhere. Thank you for the tour. Thank goodness I am not going to this school. How can a library be so dangerous? That was the only I ever spent my time in high school. That is just brutal
Great guide and giveaway. Thank you 
drharleyquinn87 (at) gmail (dot) com
I can't wait to read this! Love the Do and Don't list….thanks for the giveaway!
romancingthedarkside@gmail.com
Wow, Mythos Academy sounds really dangerous. I'll be sure to bring my magic wand as a weapon LOL! I can't wait to read Touch of Frost! If Gwen is as kickass as Gin, I'm sure I'd love Gwen as well.
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
This sounds like such a great book.Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I've heard great things about this author and this new series!
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I'm so looking forward to reading this book! It's definitely on my TBR list! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Ambercruz1(at)yahoo(dot)com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Awesome that Jennifer Estep is now writing for YAs as well adults. Can't wait to read her newest series!
(___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Psychometry would be very hard to live with. I can't wait to read all about Gwen in Touch of Frost.
tytysmommy21(at)hotmail(dot)com
Great interview, it was a lot of fun. I asked you earlier who your favorite fictional character of all time was and you said James Bond. So I"m curious who your favorite movie Bond was?
eckstein99@comcast.net
Great interview, love the giveaway
ang1549@gmail.com
Great interview! I love the cover art on your books!
Thanks for the giveaway too.
Theresa
rtnorman2@gmail.com
Rain Maiden — Cool. Glad you enjoyed WEB OF LIES, and I hope you like TOUCH OF FROST too.
Christa — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Pandasrule — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Ricki — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book and glad you like the Bigtime series.
Offbeat Vagabond — Thanks! Hope you enjoy the prequel story. Yep, the library is probably the most dangerous place at Mythos. LOL.
Lori — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Amy — Thanks! Gwen doesn't kick quite as much butt, but she has her friends to help her out with that, especially Logan.
Elaing8 — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Julie — Thanks! I appreciate that.
Amber — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Lisa — – Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Gidget — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Stephjx — Thanks! Glad you liked the interview. Right now, I'm loving Daniel Craig as Bond. I thought Casino Royale was a terrific reboot of the series.
Angel — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Theresa — Thanks! I like the covers a lot too.
I loved your book. I devoured it two nights ago. I'd love to be at your Mythos Academy. It sounds awesome, you know, even with the Reapers and Loki.
Some places I would like to be? At the Vampire Academy in Montana! (by Richelle Mead)I'd get to learn to kick butt or use magical powers. Or, more likely, be a feeder.
Or Morganville (by Rachel Caine) in Texas. It seems so exciting but deadly. But hey, it's not like my life's interesting.
Hi Jennifer – you know amazon keeps recommending you to me – guess I should listen to my recommendations. I hope I win – save me some money!
tlabunski (at) gmail
Connie — You read it already? Wow! That was fast. But I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Pabkins — That's funny. One of my friends says the same thing — that my books always pop up while she's surfing on Amazon. LOL.
I'm enjoying your Elemental Assassin series so I'm looking forward to this series.
cheleooc at yahoo dot com
I am enjoying the Elemental Assassin series, and I've been looking foward to check this series out also. Thanks for the giveaway
drakenfyre75[at]msn[dot]com
Sounds interesting – With Amazons & Valkyries, it looks like a mixing of mythology, which I love. I'm such a greek mythology nerd, and I'd definitely like to know more about Norse myths.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Oh my, I would love a batch! If you could shoot me off an email, I could give you the store's address. The Bigtime series is available through KoboBooks, which is the ereader company my bookstore is linked to. So at least I can still recommend it to people with Kobos. ladygekko@gmail.com
This one looks really good! Thanks for the giveaway!
TweetyB99 at aol dot com
I am dying to read this! I love mythology
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Oh another must read book that I would like to get my hands on!
Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Christine
ceeenndee at gmail dot com
I have been eyeing this book since I seen it on Jennifer's website- I love love the premise and can't wait to get a chance to read this book.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Ahhhh! I really want this one!!!
Annie
alltherhage AT gmail DOT com
please enter me in this giveaway
kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com
thank you
I am a fangirl–I need this book
audie@wickerness.com
Daelith — Thanks! Glad you are enjoying my books.
Danielle — Thanks! Glad you are enjoying my books.
Heatwave — The book focuses mostly on Greek and Norse mythology, and Loki is my bad guy.
Kim — I just emailed you about the bookmarks.
FloeticFlo — Thanks! And you're welcome.
Throuthehaze — Thanks! And I love mythology too.
Christine — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
BLHmistress — Thanks! Glad you are interested in the book.
Under the Covers — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
KMichelle — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Audra — Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check out the book.
Mythos Academy sounds great. I wish I could visit.
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
I'm not sure if my comment posted so I'm posting again. I can't to read this book.
A Touch a Frost looks amazing! I can't wait to read it!
ajiehuang1997 (at) gmail (dot) com
Since I loved Jenna Black's greek Mythology based UF series I'm looking forward to Touch of Frost. Also, thankfully, it's in paperback so even if I don't win a copy I can spring for it at Barnes and Noble.
brittanynoelle(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds so good heard alot about it and can't wait to read it! Thank you so much for the great giveaway!
tishajean@ charter.net
Sounds like a great book, Awesome cover. Really want to read it now. Must add to my ever growing TBR list.
valerie.rusnak@hotmail.com
Looks like a great series.
chibimimw (at) gmail [dot] com
Thanks for the giveaway! It looks awesome!
Poisnivyred@gmail.com
oh oh oh mememe : ) Jennifer is one of my fave authors out right now i have every book she has done and now i need this one. Im glad about her doing YA now to show another crowd of readers her amazing talent!
jaygyrl03@yahoo.com
Want my hands on this book.
rosez_8@hotmail.com
I've been seeing some good reviews of this book and I'm definitely interested. Thanks for the giveaway!
nalynboni AT gmail DOT com
Really enjoy Jennifer's Elemental Assassin books so I would love to read her YA series! Thanks for the giveaway!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
The books sound really awesome and the cover art is amazing!
Kalliandra2007(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway!
browneyedcutie95(at)gmail(dot)com