Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep Series: Black Blade #2
Publisher: Kensington on October 27, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Heat:
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...
At A Glance
Still a great series so far.
The Good
Sooooo happy I tried this series. I don’t have a lot of YA series I follow anymore (it use to be like 65% of my reading, now it’s 20%) so it’s nice to find one I really love. So much happens in Dark Heart of Magic. We have a tournament of ability and fighting between the mob families. We have a lot of mysterious deaths people and a few bite sized monsters. We have people plotting and cheating to get to the top. And let’s not forget the big secret revealed near the end. OMG!
This book was all about Lila solidifying her relationships with her new family and friends. She is starting to accept her new life and starting to think in terms of a future. Don’t get me wrong, she still has to stab Victor, the man who killed her mother, a whole bunch of times, eventually. But that takes time, he’s too powerful to hit right now. So Lila is getting use to being seen and well known and letting others actually care for her as she slowly plots Victor’s destruction.
Devon is just the sweetest guy ever. He is very patient with Lila and she learns to trust him and his family. He’s seriously perfect in every way. I love how well these two work together as well.
We are delving deeper into Lila’s past as well as other characters’ stories. I can feel the build-up coming. Something bad is about to happen and I am a little nervous for Lila. Not sure if she is ready
The Bad
Dark Heart of Magic felt it’s age. I like when a YA doesn’t feel too young. Just a personal preference of mine. Some stuff got a little too silly in this book and I was very aware we were dealing with teenagers.
Some of the mystery was pretty easy to predict and it taking Lila so long to figure everything out was just annoying.
The Snuggly
Lila and Devon’s relationship does evolve but only slightly. No sex or much of anything sexual except for kissing.
Final Thoughts
Dark Heart of Magic didn’t have the same natural feel as the first book but it still got the job done. Good story and great characters. Can’t wait for book 3! Highly recommended.
Quotes
“Never thank someone for something you’ve earned by being smarter than everyone else.”
“Did it work?” Devon asked in a shaky voice.
“I don’t know,” Felix said. “But she stopped screaming. That’s usually a good sign.”
Jessica @ a GREAT read
Nice! I still need to read this one! I read book 1 as an ARC, so I am very behind it seems! Might wait to binge the last two so that way I’ll only have memory lapse from the first book! LOL! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Very nice review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I have been holding off on book 3 but I think it’s time.
Lekeisha
I loved this one, but Lila got on my nerves with her indecisiveness about Devon. I know this is YA, but geez…..
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I know what you mean. I just wanted to shake sense into her.
kindlemom1
So happy you are liking this, it really is a fun series!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I love it so far!
Olivia Roach
I have read another review of this book today and it seems like you both have a lot of the similar kind of things to say. I can definitely tell what kind of book this one is! I like the sound of this one being a great urban fantasy and the storyline still managing to throw things your way that you can enjoy. I, personally, don’t mind the YA feel too much but then again, I am a young adult so 😉
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I think you would just fall in love with this series.
Melanie Simmons @mlsimmons
I don’t read many YA either. I’ve read this series though, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m really excited to see how the story wraps up. Great review.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I hope it’s a good wrap up.
melliane
Ah yes I really enjoy this series and book 3 was awesome too, I loved the interaction with the monsters
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
The monsters really did it for me. So cool.
Melissa (Books and Things)
YaY! You loved this one too. You are going to LOVE the 3rd! LOVE!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I’m a little nervous but excited to read book 3.
Jaclyn Canada
I like the look of this one. It definitely sounds interesting and like one that I’d enjoy. I’m glad you’ve found a YA that interests you. Excellent review!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
You would so enjoy this book!