Jennifer Estep is one of my all time favorite authors. I loved absolutely everything about this book!! From the flawless writing to the captivating characters, Cold Burn of Magic was phenomenal. I loved Lila. She is one kick ass heroine!

A thrill-ride of a start to a trilogy by the author of the Elemental Assassin series. Cold Burn of Magic features highschooler Lila Merriweather, a magically and physically gifted orphan who has turned thief in order to survive on the streets alone instead of being thrown into the foster care system. There's a little bit of dysfunction going on behind the scenes: Lila's mother, prior to her murder during an assassination attempt on an important local leader, taught Lila how to steal and sneak and fight. When Lila's abilities come to light during another attack on the same family, she winds up stuck working for them, though she blames said family for her mother's death. Now, she not only has to watch her own back, but someone else's as well, in order to survive. But will her new job be a prison or free her to live her own life?

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.
I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her...

I have read a few of the Elemental Assassin novels and really liked them. When I saw there was a YA series as well, I knew I had to check it out.

This book has all the qualities of numerous YA urban-fantasy novels...except for two things that really had me wanting to read more.

Firstly: Lila is an awesome MC. She is strong, brave, and doesn't have that "Make the dumbest decision possible - every single page" thing going on. How I hate that trait that some YA authors attribute to their mean characters. So glad Lila is not one of those. (May I also add here that the rest of the cast is equally superb, Oscar in particular!)

Secondly: NO LOVE TRIANGLE!!! How good is that?!?!? Far too many novels fall for that trope, and I was so pleased that this book stuck to its' strength - great storytelling with solid characters.

Sure, there were a few issues along the way that stopped this being 5 stars, but they take up far more space on the page than they deserve...so I will just leave it at that.

A great YA urban fantasy novel that deserves further reading...


Paul
ARH

I am a fan of Jennifer Estep and that is what lead me to this book. Unfortunately this story was not to my liking.

I never had a chance to review this before it expired. I'm sorry! I did just buy all 3 books on sale on my nook, though, so hopefully soon!

Sorry, requested but did not find the time to review.

An exciting and interesting book. My attention was grabbed from the very beginning.