Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

I am really warming to this new series of Estep's, Black Blade. The first part, Cold Burn of Magic, started with a bang and ended with tentacled terror, and now the second part is making an even firmer mark in the world of YA Urban Fantasy.

Once again Jennifer Estep has created a strong female main character. albeit a younger one this time. Lila is streetwise, grounded and willing to do anything to get revenge.

Lila spends a lot of her time hiding her magic from everyone or at least from the ones who would like to do her harm. Not everyone needs to know just how strong she really is.

Not such an easy feat when the Sinclair family enters Lila into the Tournament of Blades. She has to make a choice between winning and showing her talents or losing and staying under the radar.

On top of all that Lila and Co. are trying to find the monster, who is viciously murdering tree trolls. The search for the killer leads Lila to secrets she might regret discovering. In fact it changes everything.

The Black Blade series offers plenty of magic, strong characters, a world full of conflict and monsters.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of Dark Heart of Magic.

Buy Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2) at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) or Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade #3).

More of the Estep's Elemental Assassin series here: Spider's Trap, Poison Promise, The Spider, The Black Widow and Heart of Venom.