Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Helpful Score: 7
The main character in this book is one of my new favorites. She is tough, gritty, strong, and at the same time, she is loving, compassionate, and most of all, loyal.
Gin is an elemental assassin. She can manipulate stone and ice. Her use of magic, while sometimes necessary, is not her strength. Her strength comes from knowing when to use the magic and when to use her street smarts (much she learned from her handler and her handler's son). She is the best at what she does- being an assassin. She is also a wounded soul that doesn't trust anyone and uses her tough exterior to hide her true self.
My only complaint is the ending. It felt like a let-down. It was okay but considering how strong the writing, and story telling was in the beginning, I expected so much more at the end. Regardless, if you like characters like Cat in Halfway to the Grave, you'll love Gin!
This is an urban fantasy but does have one very steamy scene!
Gin is an elemental assassin. She can manipulate stone and ice. Her use of magic, while sometimes necessary, is not her strength. Her strength comes from knowing when to use the magic and when to use her street smarts (much she learned from her handler and her handler's son). She is the best at what she does- being an assassin. She is also a wounded soul that doesn't trust anyone and uses her tough exterior to hide her true self.
My only complaint is the ending. It felt like a let-down. It was okay but considering how strong the writing, and story telling was in the beginning, I expected so much more at the end. Regardless, if you like characters like Cat in Halfway to the Grave, you'll love Gin!
This is an urban fantasy but does have one very steamy scene!
Helpful Score: 6
Originally posted at http://rockread.westofmars.com
When I'd heard that Jennifer Estep had a new series in the works, a darker series that was going to feature an assassin, I was conflicted. First was the sorrow at the end of the Bigtime series. It's a fun series, full of humor and a fictional world so vivid, I'd move to Bigtime if I could. After only three books, I wanted more. The potential characters were there. They just had to get a book contract so they could come to life.
It's okay, I ws told. Just wait, I was promised. The Elemental series will kick Bigtime's butt.
It does. It is darker, as promised, and the delicious absurdities of Bigtime have been smoothed out. Yet names still have matching initials, Fiona Fine makes an appearance in passing, and Estep's narrative voice -- this time in the guise of Gin Blanco, aka the Spider -- still rocks.
The plot's pretty standard: the bad guys tie our heroine up in a double-cross and she's got to untangle it. Important people die. There's a love interest.
But, as happens in all the best books, nothing is this easy. Gin may be an assassin, but she's got a conscience. Our romantic interest has got one, too -- only his gives him trouble (and really, when was the last time we saw this happen? A man? Really? A lot of fiction would have you believe men lack consciences.) and gets in the way of romance.
That's okay, though. Gin's too busy to be swooning over the good detective. Much. It's a good balance our girl gets going, and it all makes sense at the time. Decisions that would seem stupid if I wrote them here work.
A couple of things truly impress me with this series-starter. One is the world-building. Estep knocked it out of the park with Bigtime, and she takes it a step further with Ashland. We've got dwarves, vamps, giants -- and people who can control the elements: air, fire, water, and stone -- an interesting twist on the familiar Earth magic. It is this magic of Gin's that provides a low, humming resonance to the book.
Gin's got an unusual hobby, as well. Part of her cover is as a college student, so she amuses herself by taking, among other things, cooking classes. Our heroine rises above the stereotype of the working woman (always with a completely empty refrigerator) and has her place stashed. Not only is her larder full, so's her knowledge of what to do with those foods. It fits, as the other part of her cover is a part-time employee of the Pork Pit (note those repeating initials!). While she may not whip up barbecue at home, she's comfortable with a kitchen. And with knives (that's her joke, not mine).
Again, this is a series starter that I could go on and on about. Estep gets how sleazy the true forces behind a city's scenes can be, and she puts that on display. Mab Monroe is a character with huge potential; I hope Gin interacts on a more direct scale with her as the series progresses. I hope Ashland continues to evolve and become a character in its own right.
I hope... I hope... I hope.
I hope I can make it to March and the release of Web of Lies.
When I'd heard that Jennifer Estep had a new series in the works, a darker series that was going to feature an assassin, I was conflicted. First was the sorrow at the end of the Bigtime series. It's a fun series, full of humor and a fictional world so vivid, I'd move to Bigtime if I could. After only three books, I wanted more. The potential characters were there. They just had to get a book contract so they could come to life.
It's okay, I ws told. Just wait, I was promised. The Elemental series will kick Bigtime's butt.
It does. It is darker, as promised, and the delicious absurdities of Bigtime have been smoothed out. Yet names still have matching initials, Fiona Fine makes an appearance in passing, and Estep's narrative voice -- this time in the guise of Gin Blanco, aka the Spider -- still rocks.
The plot's pretty standard: the bad guys tie our heroine up in a double-cross and she's got to untangle it. Important people die. There's a love interest.
But, as happens in all the best books, nothing is this easy. Gin may be an assassin, but she's got a conscience. Our romantic interest has got one, too -- only his gives him trouble (and really, when was the last time we saw this happen? A man? Really? A lot of fiction would have you believe men lack consciences.) and gets in the way of romance.
That's okay, though. Gin's too busy to be swooning over the good detective. Much. It's a good balance our girl gets going, and it all makes sense at the time. Decisions that would seem stupid if I wrote them here work.
A couple of things truly impress me with this series-starter. One is the world-building. Estep knocked it out of the park with Bigtime, and she takes it a step further with Ashland. We've got dwarves, vamps, giants -- and people who can control the elements: air, fire, water, and stone -- an interesting twist on the familiar Earth magic. It is this magic of Gin's that provides a low, humming resonance to the book.
Gin's got an unusual hobby, as well. Part of her cover is as a college student, so she amuses herself by taking, among other things, cooking classes. Our heroine rises above the stereotype of the working woman (always with a completely empty refrigerator) and has her place stashed. Not only is her larder full, so's her knowledge of what to do with those foods. It fits, as the other part of her cover is a part-time employee of the Pork Pit (note those repeating initials!). While she may not whip up barbecue at home, she's comfortable with a kitchen. And with knives (that's her joke, not mine).
Again, this is a series starter that I could go on and on about. Estep gets how sleazy the true forces behind a city's scenes can be, and she puts that on display. Mab Monroe is a character with huge potential; I hope Gin interacts on a more direct scale with her as the series progresses. I hope Ashland continues to evolve and become a character in its own right.
I hope... I hope... I hope.
I hope I can make it to March and the release of Web of Lies.
Catherine M. (Catherine1) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I think one of my favorite things about this story was Gin's outlook on her job as an assassin. There wasn't chapter upon chapter of internal angsting about her morals and her career choice. She's an assassin because it doesn't bother her and she's good at it.
The author did a really good job of making Gin competent. Too often I find that authors paint their protagonists as the best things ever, but when it comes to showing how clever or smart or competent that character is they fail miserably. That's not the case here. Gin knows how to compartmentalize. When she's working, she's really working. She's doesn't cry over the people she's supposed to kill, she just does it (and does it rather impressively too). If she has a boundary she won't cross she chooses those lines before she picks a job.
Now, Gin's competence doesn't mean she's invulnerable. Just like anyone else, she can be talked into rushing a job for a big score. She has regrets and she has feelings, even if she never shows you them. She's pragmatic and willing to live in the moment. She knows that assassin's don't have a very long shelf life and she accepts that. She does have a weakness in the form of her past. Well, I guess it's not really a weakness, more like an area that eats at her. I'm looking forward to learning more about that.
I also really like how Gin has developed a skill beyond her magic. She won't trust it blindly and she'd rather rely on her trained skill sets. I liked that in the end all her issues with her magic weren't solved.
I thought the side characters were well done too. I think the person that we learned the least about was Detective Donovan Caine. I don't know if I like him or not. On one hand, I appreciate the fact that he struggled with his attraction to Gin and his personal and professional revulsion of her job. I don't like when characters abandon their morals for no reason, so watching him struggle was nice. On the other hand, I really didn't like that he looked down on Gin so much. I felt he was overwhelmingly judgmental toward someone who was keeping him breathing. I know she wanted his help too, but he got way more out of that deal than she did. I didn't understand their attraction to each other and I don't think they fit very well together.
I really liked Finn's character. Truthfully, I wish he and Gin were set up as a potential couple instead of her and Donovan. They had such a great dynamic together. Even though he and Gin joke about him doing anything for money, you can feel that he'd do anything for Gin and his father. Speaking of his father, for all his short page time alive he really felt like a well developed character. Gin's memories of him helped fill in his character and made me care for him right along with Gin and Finn.
I waffled between choosing 4 stars and 5 stars for my grade. I thought it was a great book and it kept me very entertained, but I also thought the middle dragged a bit. In the end I decided to just go for 5 because I can excuse a few awkward parts for a really fun read.
The author did a really good job of making Gin competent. Too often I find that authors paint their protagonists as the best things ever, but when it comes to showing how clever or smart or competent that character is they fail miserably. That's not the case here. Gin knows how to compartmentalize. When she's working, she's really working. She's doesn't cry over the people she's supposed to kill, she just does it (and does it rather impressively too). If she has a boundary she won't cross she chooses those lines before she picks a job.
Now, Gin's competence doesn't mean she's invulnerable. Just like anyone else, she can be talked into rushing a job for a big score. She has regrets and she has feelings, even if she never shows you them. She's pragmatic and willing to live in the moment. She knows that assassin's don't have a very long shelf life and she accepts that. She does have a weakness in the form of her past. Well, I guess it's not really a weakness, more like an area that eats at her. I'm looking forward to learning more about that.
I also really like how Gin has developed a skill beyond her magic. She won't trust it blindly and she'd rather rely on her trained skill sets. I liked that in the end all her issues with her magic weren't solved.
I thought the side characters were well done too. I think the person that we learned the least about was Detective Donovan Caine. I don't know if I like him or not. On one hand, I appreciate the fact that he struggled with his attraction to Gin and his personal and professional revulsion of her job. I don't like when characters abandon their morals for no reason, so watching him struggle was nice. On the other hand, I really didn't like that he looked down on Gin so much. I felt he was overwhelmingly judgmental toward someone who was keeping him breathing. I know she wanted his help too, but he got way more out of that deal than she did. I didn't understand their attraction to each other and I don't think they fit very well together.
I really liked Finn's character. Truthfully, I wish he and Gin were set up as a potential couple instead of her and Donovan. They had such a great dynamic together. Even though he and Gin joke about him doing anything for money, you can feel that he'd do anything for Gin and his father. Speaking of his father, for all his short page time alive he really felt like a well developed character. Gin's memories of him helped fill in his character and made me care for him right along with Gin and Finn.
I waffled between choosing 4 stars and 5 stars for my grade. I thought it was a great book and it kept me very entertained, but I also thought the middle dragged a bit. In the end I decided to just go for 5 because I can excuse a few awkward parts for a really fun read.
Helpful Score: 2
Amazing! This book hooks you from the first page. It's the start of a very promising paranormal series unlike other books in the genre. The main character is very smart, feisty and tough. She can take care of herself, but she also has vulnerabilities. The plot is well thought out. There are quirky secondary characters. The town itself is a character given how different it is from towns in modern America.
This is not one of those stories where the plot is weak and the paranormal is overpowering. Both are equally strong. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the Elemental Assassin series.
This is not one of those stories where the plot is weak and the paranormal is overpowering. Both are equally strong. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the Elemental Assassin series.
Michelle M. (seemichelleread) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As a teenager, Gin Blanco lost her family to a brutal attack which left her homeless, friendless, and running scared. All that changed after she met Fletcher, the kind owner of a local BBQ joint, the Pork Pit. Fletcher got Gin back on her feet by wiping away her fear with the knowledge of how to make a killer sandwich and how to protect herself and those she loves. Years later, she's become a tough assassin, known as the Spider, with a killer record. And if her sharp knives don't do the trick, Gin's ace in the hole happens to be an affinity for stone, making her a rare and dangerous elemental.
After agreeing to a risky contract which ends up going south, Gin quickly finds herself fighting tooth and nail to protect those she loves while trying to stay alive herself. But the only way she's going to make it out alive in the corrupt and brutal city of Ashland is by aligning herself with by-the-book Detective Donovan Caine. Which can only complicate matters since said easy-on-the-eyes Detective happens to loathe every single aspect of Gin's chosen profession. Figures.
Jennifer Estep has created an intriguing new world in her latest series Elemental Assassin. As a dangerous and corrupt city with dirty cops ready to look the other way, Ashland reminds me of a southern Gotham City with an added bonus of powerful magic. Though equipped with an appealing world-building concept, I struggled throughout to connect with Gin as a character. Even in the face of tragedy, I never really felt that her grief was genuine. Sad to say, her narrative often seemed forced and quite repetitive. I often found myself hearing Gin describe the same types of scenes over and over again. Her enemies were always "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" and every description of the attractive Detective Caine ended with "Mmm." While I'll give you that a good lookin' man can be mouth watering, I don't need the blatant reminder every time he pops up. Though I did catch a glimmer of chemistry between Gin and Caine, their awkward exchanges tended to leave me surprisingly uncomfortable and a little iffy on their couple-potential more often than not. Which can only be described as unfortunate since Gin's story really had the potential for becoming a honest and hard-hitting UF series. Spider's Bite, while fast and gritty, ultimately failed to deliver on the entertainment front for this reader.
On a side note, I am actually totally digging this cover. In a Urban Fantasy market awash of books that have no relation whatsoever to their story, the cover art for Spider's Bite is refreshingly accurate, and really eye-catching.
After agreeing to a risky contract which ends up going south, Gin quickly finds herself fighting tooth and nail to protect those she loves while trying to stay alive herself. But the only way she's going to make it out alive in the corrupt and brutal city of Ashland is by aligning herself with by-the-book Detective Donovan Caine. Which can only complicate matters since said easy-on-the-eyes Detective happens to loathe every single aspect of Gin's chosen profession. Figures.
Jennifer Estep has created an intriguing new world in her latest series Elemental Assassin. As a dangerous and corrupt city with dirty cops ready to look the other way, Ashland reminds me of a southern Gotham City with an added bonus of powerful magic. Though equipped with an appealing world-building concept, I struggled throughout to connect with Gin as a character. Even in the face of tragedy, I never really felt that her grief was genuine. Sad to say, her narrative often seemed forced and quite repetitive. I often found myself hearing Gin describe the same types of scenes over and over again. Her enemies were always "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" and every description of the attractive Detective Caine ended with "Mmm." While I'll give you that a good lookin' man can be mouth watering, I don't need the blatant reminder every time he pops up. Though I did catch a glimmer of chemistry between Gin and Caine, their awkward exchanges tended to leave me surprisingly uncomfortable and a little iffy on their couple-potential more often than not. Which can only be described as unfortunate since Gin's story really had the potential for becoming a honest and hard-hitting UF series. Spider's Bite, while fast and gritty, ultimately failed to deliver on the entertainment front for this reader.
On a side note, I am actually totally digging this cover. In a Urban Fantasy market awash of books that have no relation whatsoever to their story, the cover art for Spider's Bite is refreshingly accurate, and really eye-catching.
Helpful Score: 1
Love this book! Love the main character! I read a lot of books and it's rare to find one you don't want to put down. This is one of those books.
I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An exhilerating new series with solid characters. An intrigueing new world.A must read.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was eager to read this book because it sounded like some of the other series I really like (Kate Daniels, Jane Yellowrock, Dorina Basarab). It was a great read and I strongly suggest it to people who are fans of kick-butt women in an urban fantasy setting.
Gin is the Spider, an assassin with a reputation for getting the job done. When Gin takes on a new assignment things go horribly wrong. Someone tries to pull a hit on Gin while she is trying to take out a target. That same someone kills her handler and beats up her best friend and suddenly the whole thing has become personal. Gin has to figure out who double-crossed her and why that someone wants her dead. Helping her out is best friend and bank tycoon Finn; as well as the unlikely ally Donovan Caine, a policeman who is out for Gin's blood because of one of her old hits, whose life is in as much danger as hers.
This was a great read. There is a ton of action here and it is all well done. There is blood galore and Gin's sassy, kick-butt attitude makes this a perfect assassin book. Add into that the nifty world that Estep has created and you have a winner. Gin is an Elemental and uses Stone and Ice magic to help her through tight spots. Having the Elementals is creative and interesting; their magic is fascinating. There are also a number of other interesting creatures in the world Estep has created; giants, dwarves, and vampires to name a few. All of this is set in the scenic setting of current day Ashland.
This book is very fast paced and hard to put down. I read the whole thing in a day and was sad when it was over. I liked that Estep didn't run Gin completely ragged; it made the story more realistic. Gin needs to sleep, takes time to eat, and time to heal when she's injured. Estep must really love food, because she gets pretty detailed in describing the prep of some of Gin's meals. This worked fine with the story but made me really hungry at times :-)
Gin herself has a deep history and it is dark and tortured. She was tortured as a young girl and literally brought down her family's home. She lived on the streets for a while. In this book we don't learn a lot but what we do learn makes you want to know more. Gin deals with her job and history with a sharp sense of humor that keeps her job kind of fun...if being an assassin can be called fun.
All of the side characters were interesting too, they have interesting histories and intricate personalities. The heat and hate between Gin and Donovan was interesting and I hope that plays out more in the next book. This book did a good job at wrapping up the main storyline and throwing out a little tidbit at the end that will keep readers wondering what Gin will do next.
All in all this book was a winner. I really have no complaints. The world was creative, the characters engaging, the plot was tight. Estep's writing style is kind of no-nonsense, not much description...it really worked for this character and this book.
Overall I loved this book and am really looking forward to reading more books in this series. Everything here is spot on. If you like any of the following series I think you would love this book: Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, Dorina Basarab by Karen Chance, Jaz Parks by Jennifer Rardin, or Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter. Check it out you won't be disappointed!
Gin is the Spider, an assassin with a reputation for getting the job done. When Gin takes on a new assignment things go horribly wrong. Someone tries to pull a hit on Gin while she is trying to take out a target. That same someone kills her handler and beats up her best friend and suddenly the whole thing has become personal. Gin has to figure out who double-crossed her and why that someone wants her dead. Helping her out is best friend and bank tycoon Finn; as well as the unlikely ally Donovan Caine, a policeman who is out for Gin's blood because of one of her old hits, whose life is in as much danger as hers.
This was a great read. There is a ton of action here and it is all well done. There is blood galore and Gin's sassy, kick-butt attitude makes this a perfect assassin book. Add into that the nifty world that Estep has created and you have a winner. Gin is an Elemental and uses Stone and Ice magic to help her through tight spots. Having the Elementals is creative and interesting; their magic is fascinating. There are also a number of other interesting creatures in the world Estep has created; giants, dwarves, and vampires to name a few. All of this is set in the scenic setting of current day Ashland.
This book is very fast paced and hard to put down. I read the whole thing in a day and was sad when it was over. I liked that Estep didn't run Gin completely ragged; it made the story more realistic. Gin needs to sleep, takes time to eat, and time to heal when she's injured. Estep must really love food, because she gets pretty detailed in describing the prep of some of Gin's meals. This worked fine with the story but made me really hungry at times :-)
Gin herself has a deep history and it is dark and tortured. She was tortured as a young girl and literally brought down her family's home. She lived on the streets for a while. In this book we don't learn a lot but what we do learn makes you want to know more. Gin deals with her job and history with a sharp sense of humor that keeps her job kind of fun...if being an assassin can be called fun.
All of the side characters were interesting too, they have interesting histories and intricate personalities. The heat and hate between Gin and Donovan was interesting and I hope that plays out more in the next book. This book did a good job at wrapping up the main storyline and throwing out a little tidbit at the end that will keep readers wondering what Gin will do next.
All in all this book was a winner. I really have no complaints. The world was creative, the characters engaging, the plot was tight. Estep's writing style is kind of no-nonsense, not much description...it really worked for this character and this book.
Overall I loved this book and am really looking forward to reading more books in this series. Everything here is spot on. If you like any of the following series I think you would love this book: Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, Dorina Basarab by Karen Chance, Jaz Parks by Jennifer Rardin, or Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter. Check it out you won't be disappointed!
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Helpful Score: 1
The Elemental Assassin series focuses on Gin Blanco, an assassin code named the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When shes 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.
Fans of Estep's previous romance superhero novels might be shocked with her new urban fantasy series. Personally, I loved it and can't wait to read more about Gin. In this first installment in the series, one of Gin's jobs goes wrong. About to assassinate her mark, she in turn finds another assassin about to assassin her! Hightailing it out of the area as fast as she can, she dodges detective Donovan Caine and hurries back to her mentor, who she finds dead. She's determined to make whoever is behind the killing to make them pay, even if she has to partner up with Donovan. She previously killed his partner, so he may not be too thrilled with her, even if he does light a fire of desire in her. Spider's Bite is a gritty, urban fantasy with some hot sex scenes. Gin is a very determined and clever character who has just the right balance of good and evil to make her a super villain you will fall in love with. The world-building is phenomenal and I'm really looking forward to book two in the series, Web of Lies, due out in June 2010.
Fans of Estep's previous romance superhero novels might be shocked with her new urban fantasy series. Personally, I loved it and can't wait to read more about Gin. In this first installment in the series, one of Gin's jobs goes wrong. About to assassinate her mark, she in turn finds another assassin about to assassin her! Hightailing it out of the area as fast as she can, she dodges detective Donovan Caine and hurries back to her mentor, who she finds dead. She's determined to make whoever is behind the killing to make them pay, even if she has to partner up with Donovan. She previously killed his partner, so he may not be too thrilled with her, even if he does light a fire of desire in her. Spider's Bite is a gritty, urban fantasy with some hot sex scenes. Gin is a very determined and clever character who has just the right balance of good and evil to make her a super villain you will fall in love with. The world-building is phenomenal and I'm really looking forward to book two in the series, Web of Lies, due out in June 2010.
Debbie W. (deb-loves-bostons) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
All I can say is "awesome". Great book, fast paced and great characters, what more could you ask for? This is a must read.
Fantastic book and and start of a series that promises to just get better. The characters are well-written, making it easy for the reader to relate to their lives. I liked the fact that the main character, even as skilled as she is in her profession, isn't always successful in her endeavors. Great characters, great writing and a world I look forward to exploring more.
More urban fantasy/mystery/action than romance. Don't let the "her love life is killer" tag line fool you.
This book reminded me of the very early Anita Blake books by Laurell K Hamilton (before Anita started having sex). There's a lot of fighting, blood, and general badass-ness and not much romance. It's occasionally sexy but not romantic. Also because the story is written in the first person, there's a bit of a campy feel to the action and scenes: Gin describing her own actions - it sometimes feels a bit silly. Also Gin's description of herself, not quite as dorky as LKH with Anita Blake ("my creamy white breasts"), but pretty goofy "my beautiful gray eyes stared into his golden ones". Cheese. And the use of "mmmm" got old the second time I read it but she used it about 100 times in the book.
Initially I found the book a little boring and couldn't figure out how this story got such great reviews. I forced myself to finish and was glad I did because the ending and the wrap-up to the story was worth the read. I enjoyed how Jennifer Estep also left things hanging for the sequels but still provided an ending that was a satisfying conclusion to this phase of Gin's life.
Overall, not sure Elemental Assassin is my kind of series, as I prefer the scales to tip toward romance rather than action and blood, but I think if you like the reverse, you will really enjoy this series. A very good start.
This book reminded me of the very early Anita Blake books by Laurell K Hamilton (before Anita started having sex). There's a lot of fighting, blood, and general badass-ness and not much romance. It's occasionally sexy but not romantic. Also because the story is written in the first person, there's a bit of a campy feel to the action and scenes: Gin describing her own actions - it sometimes feels a bit silly. Also Gin's description of herself, not quite as dorky as LKH with Anita Blake ("my creamy white breasts"), but pretty goofy "my beautiful gray eyes stared into his golden ones". Cheese. And the use of "mmmm" got old the second time I read it but she used it about 100 times in the book.
Initially I found the book a little boring and couldn't figure out how this story got such great reviews. I forced myself to finish and was glad I did because the ending and the wrap-up to the story was worth the read. I enjoyed how Jennifer Estep also left things hanging for the sequels but still provided an ending that was a satisfying conclusion to this phase of Gin's life.
Overall, not sure Elemental Assassin is my kind of series, as I prefer the scales to tip toward romance rather than action and blood, but I think if you like the reverse, you will really enjoy this series. A very good start.
Estep steps away from her campy BigTime series into the urban fantasy world in this new offering starring Gin Blanco aka the Spider, one of the best assassins around and an elemental with the powers of Stone. Gin's handler and surrogate father Fletcher has been urging her to retire, and this one big job pays enough to make it her last. Unfortunately Gin has been set up by an unknown Air elemental and narrowly escapes the trap laid for her. Now she is seeking revenge.
Estep's first steps into a new, albeit similar, genre from her popular superhero BigTime series falter a little bit, but she still creates interesting new characters and a different world. Though there is a nod to one of BigTime's characters, Fiona Fine, I don't see how she can connect the two and she really makes no attempt to do so, which is okay as it does not detract from the reader's enjoyment of the book. What does detract, however, is her habit of repeating descriptive phrases that annoys but falls just short of becoming truly exasperating. "Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" (Gin's opinion of her opponents), "Mmmm" (when fantasizing about her love interest, detective Donovan Caine), and the whole ritual of loading up with her "5-point" arsenal of knives, one in each sleeve and boot, plus one tucked in the back of her pants. She really needs to avoid copy/pasting. However, these flaws were minor and the story still enjoyable as a whole, though she has some way to go to join the ranks of my favorite urban fantasy authors.
Estep's first steps into a new, albeit similar, genre from her popular superhero BigTime series falter a little bit, but she still creates interesting new characters and a different world. Though there is a nod to one of BigTime's characters, Fiona Fine, I don't see how she can connect the two and she really makes no attempt to do so, which is okay as it does not detract from the reader's enjoyment of the book. What does detract, however, is her habit of repeating descriptive phrases that annoys but falls just short of becoming truly exasperating. "Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" (Gin's opinion of her opponents), "Mmmm" (when fantasizing about her love interest, detective Donovan Caine), and the whole ritual of loading up with her "5-point" arsenal of knives, one in each sleeve and boot, plus one tucked in the back of her pants. She really needs to avoid copy/pasting. However, these flaws were minor and the story still enjoyable as a whole, though she has some way to go to join the ranks of my favorite urban fantasy authors.
Excellent plot and character development. I different spin than most of today's urban fantasies. You didn't want to put it down until you got to the end. Good blend of romance and adventure. I liked it so much I went out and bought the next one.
Highly enjoyable!
This is not only my first book by Jennifer Estep, but also my first taste of Urban Fantasy. It was an awesome thrill ride and Im very excited to start the next in series, as this one left us with a HUGE cliffhanger.
We meet Gin Blanco, a stone elemental who was left homeless after a fire elemental murdered her family. At age 13 she was taken in by Fletcher, the owner of the Pork Pit, where Gin works on the side.
Now at age 30, Gin is comming into her powers at theor fullest, and decides to do one last assasin job, and then retire. However, things go wrong when her employer double crosses her, and sends another assisn in to finish her off.
In steps Donovan Caine, the sexy yet reluctant detective determined to take Gin down for killing his former partner.
Paired up with Donovan, Finnegan (Fletchers' son), Sofia and Jo-Jo (twin dwarves, one Goth, and the other Air Elemental); Gin and her crew set out to uncover the secret about why Giles was wanted dead, and who double crossed her.
This was a GREAT book! Full of mystery, lust, murder, and blenty of blood, gore vampires, giants, dwarfs, and a perfect touch of paranormal, and you have the perfect thrill ride. Gin is a strong character whos not afraid to get her hands dirty.
This is not only my first book by Jennifer Estep, but also my first taste of Urban Fantasy. It was an awesome thrill ride and Im very excited to start the next in series, as this one left us with a HUGE cliffhanger.
We meet Gin Blanco, a stone elemental who was left homeless after a fire elemental murdered her family. At age 13 she was taken in by Fletcher, the owner of the Pork Pit, where Gin works on the side.
Now at age 30, Gin is comming into her powers at theor fullest, and decides to do one last assasin job, and then retire. However, things go wrong when her employer double crosses her, and sends another assisn in to finish her off.
In steps Donovan Caine, the sexy yet reluctant detective determined to take Gin down for killing his former partner.
Paired up with Donovan, Finnegan (Fletchers' son), Sofia and Jo-Jo (twin dwarves, one Goth, and the other Air Elemental); Gin and her crew set out to uncover the secret about why Giles was wanted dead, and who double crossed her.
This was a GREAT book! Full of mystery, lust, murder, and blenty of blood, gore vampires, giants, dwarfs, and a perfect touch of paranormal, and you have the perfect thrill ride. Gin is a strong character whos not afraid to get her hands dirty.
I can't believe I waited so long to read this book! I absolutely LOVE the character of Gin. She is a kick-ass assassin but we also see that she has soft side. She goes from being a cold-hearted killer to shedding tears for her father-like mentor and then back to being an assassin to avenge his death. There is non-stop action throughout the book. We also learn Gin's back story and how she became the Spider. Gin falls a little hard for Detective Donavan Caine but due to his high morals and their obvious differences there are complications. Can't wait to see how this will play out in the books to come! There are vampires, giant, dwarfs, and elemental users all woven into this great fantasy. The ending has me itching to get my hands on the next book in this series!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Actually, I have enjoyed all her elemental assassin books. Initially I planned only to write a review on her Tangled Threads, that I just finished reading, but decided to start at first book. I would recommend reading the books in order. Estep does well in updating in each book, but to thoroughly enjoy the series, start with Spider's Bite. The elemental assassin books get better and better. The humor, action, character personalities, and story line are exceptional. And I am keeping the entire series :~)
Just another paranormal romance with Gin, the main character, lusting after "irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine". Pretty standard stuff.
I found this book to be entertaining, but just a little lacking in some areas. Some of the scenes were wrapped up just a bit too conveniently, and her ability to get out of almost any scrape without very much effort became just a bit unbelievable.
I also did not care for her "love interest" in the story at all- I hope that he either gets more likable or disappears from the series in the next book.
I did enjoy Gin's attitude and her spunk ("like when she calls her assailants "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy"), and I liked the book enough to continue on with this series to see how both Gin and her story develop.
I also did not care for her "love interest" in the story at all- I hope that he either gets more likable or disappears from the series in the next book.
I did enjoy Gin's attitude and her spunk ("like when she calls her assailants "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy"), and I liked the book enough to continue on with this series to see how both Gin and her story develop.
This is an urban fantasy about a hitwoman, Gin Blanco (aka "The Spider") who gets double-crossed during a job to kill a so-called embezzler. Now shes being hunted by the corrupt police of Ashland and she makes a startling move to work with Donovan Caine, one of the few honest cops in the city. This is a lot darker than Estep's Bigtime series, but I enjoyed this one a lot. Gin is a tough, capable heroine who has emotions that she suppresses to get the job done, and the moral dilemma detective Caine faces in being attracted to someone he thinks should be arrested makes for an interesting romantic subplot. I enjoyed the romance, and think that romance readers would be unfazed by a small explicit scene and Gin's unashamed appraisal of the detective, but the focus is definitely more on the action and world than romance. There's some similarity to Kelley Armstrong's Nadia Stafford series, which also focuses on a female hitwoman, but this series has paranormal elements. Elementals (who control Fire, Ice, Stone and Air), vampires, giants and dwarves are a normal part of everyday society.
The more I think about it the more I like this book. I recommend this urban fantasy for people who like a smart, practical kind of heroine with a hard edge. I plan to buy the rest of these books.
My full review: http://janicu.livejournal.com/98899.html
The more I think about it the more I like this book. I recommend this urban fantasy for people who like a smart, practical kind of heroine with a hard edge. I plan to buy the rest of these books.
My full review: http://janicu.livejournal.com/98899.html
Danielle R. (danielleraybuck) reviewed Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Bk 1) on + 76 more book reviews
It took 150 pages before I got into it, but once there it was much better than expected...
