REVIEW: Snared by Jennifer Estep

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected Publication: April 25, 2017

Snared ironically finds Gin Blanco aka "The Spider" snared in another's web.  As she continues to investigate the mysteryious members of the Circle and their connection to her family's deaths, Gin must use all her skills to help save a missing girl from a vicious serial killer.

Her search sends her to the vicious streets of Ashland and has all her friends and confidants equally searching for clues.

A series of clues leads Gin down an increasingly dark, dangerous path, and that the missing girl is really just the most recent in a long tangled web of evil. Gin is used to facing down the dregs of society but even this one surprises her. 

I did want a bit more with the Circle but Estep is pacing this arc for readers. The burn is slow but will be worth it in the end.

Snared has everything fans of this urban fantasy series loves: action, good plot, great characters, romance, mystery and sly humor. It is a fast pacing, thrilling read.

Love it! Love Gin!

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Unraveled by Jennifer Estep

*Thanks to Netgalley and Pocket Books for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: August 30, 2016

Reader favorite Gin Blanco is back for this 15th installment of the Elemental Assassin series.  Following the end of Bitter Bite, Gin learns that there is still a greater power, The Circle, calling the shots in Ashland and that prior to her death, Gin's mother was a member. 

Determined to learn the truth, The Spider in on the hunt for answers. Conveniently, her foster brother Finnegan Lane finds himself the new owner of Bullet Pointe, an Old West theme park willed to him by his murderous witch of a mother, Deidre Shaw. 

What starts as a weekend getaway and some cheesy fun, soon turns dangerous with far too many shady coincidences plus appearances by a known Circle member and a few wily assassins. It is a good thing our favorite Spider knows to bring plenty of knives to a gunfight.

Unraveled is another exciting romp in the series.  Fans are in store for an intriguing plot, much beloved characters, humor, great villains and plenty of adventure.  Gin remains one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines --the assassin with a heart of gold (well, mostly --lol). I love her skill, humor, and humanity when it counts but also her ruthlessness when those she loves are threatened. One true gem in this story is her attire during the one epic showdown.  I don't think anything could beat the Spider being all stealthy dressed as a corseted saloon girl. PRICELESS!

I wish there'd been a bit more Owen, but overall this was a great read.  I can't wait for the next revelations in Snared as Gin prepared to face another foe--especially one who ordered the murder of her family.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @Jennifer_Estep

#elementalassassin #Unraveled #urbanfantasy #stabstabstab #darkhumor #assassins #mystery #netgalley

REVIEW: 'Unwanted' (Elemental Assassin 14.5) by Jennifer Estep

Expected publication: July 18, 2016

"Unwanted" is a novella from Finnegan Lane's perspective falling just after Bitter Bite.  The events of the previous novel were pretty devastating for Finn.  He's delighted when his long thought dead mother, returns very much alive and seems to want to be part of his life. Step-sister and deadly assassin, Gin, is skeptical as to her true motives but has to let Finn find out the truth for himself. Unfortunately, Finn is manipulated, betrayed and gruesomely tortured by his mother resulting in the deaths of multiple people.

Readers find Finn guilt ridden and depressed weeks after these events. His co-workers despise him and view him as a traitor; however, Finn carries on since he feels that the spite is warranted. He soon discovers that Bart the Butcher, a notoriously violent bookie is threatening the widow of Finn's former employee and he's vowed to protect them in lieu of his actions.  In this act, Finn finds a bit of redemption and some hard won solace but he's no where near being over what his mother did or his role in it.

I breezed through this story and just adored it.  It was important for Finn to explore what happened in Bitter Bite and for readers and fans of the series to have this story from his perspective.  He's grown as a character exponentially since Spider's Bite but that progression is too often seen from Gin's point of view. Finn's just as much of a bad ass as Gin but in his own way, especially since he lacks elemental powers--Fletcher would be proud.

Final rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @Jennifer_Estep





#unwanted #elementalassassin #urbanfantasy #netgalley #ginblanco #porkpit #novella #books

REVIEW: Bright Blade of Magic by Jennifer Estep

*Thank you to @Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: April 26, 2016

Lilah (Merriweather) Sterling is back in this exciting edition to the Black Blade series as she and her allies prepare to thrwart Draconian head of the family, Victor, in his plans to dominate the ruling families of Cloudburst Falls. Once a thief, always a thief. Lilah embarks on the ultimate heist--to snatch an arsenal of power laden black blades right from under Victor's nose.  She and her allies think they have the advantage until Victor makes his move.  It will take all of her cunning and skill to save not only herself but those she holds most dear.

Bright Blaze of Magic is an exciting third book which could wrap up the series but also leaves room for subsequent stories.  I really like Lilah and the supporting characters, Devon, Felix and Deah. When I reviewed Cold Burn of Magic and Dark Heart of Magic in 2015, I mentioned how much she reminds of of Gin Blaco from Estep's adult urban fantasy Elemental Assassin series. This continues to be the case, but I love it. She's funny, independent yet vulnerable and a kick butt female protagonist.

There's plenty of action, good story line progression and just enough romance balanced with thwarting the villain and finding some justice for past wrongs.  I think my favorite 'character' continues to be the tentacled lochness monster living beneath the toll bridge.  This is definitely the type of creature you'd like to have in your corner.

Overall, I recommend this for middle school readers and older who enjoy urban fantasy that has good pacing and interesting characters.  This is an exciting and engaging read. I'm content if this wraps up the series but would be please to learn that they'll eventually be more.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @Jennifer_Estep



#BlackBlade #BrightBlazeOfMagic #JenniferEstep #YAlit #urbanfantasy #books #teen

REVIEW: Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC*

Expected publication: February 23, 2016

Bitter Bite is the 14th installment to Estep's Elemental Assassin series and is another action packed adventure for Gin Blanco aka "The Spider" and her friends navigating the treachurousness that is Ashland, North Carolina.  A new threat is in town, but one that will test her relationship with foster brother, Finn.  A powerful ice elemental, Deirdre Shaw, has arrived in town and Gin doubts her motives, especially since she's Finn's long thought dead mother.  Their relationship is put to the test given Gin's mistrust and Finn's longing to bond with the mother he never had. The true question is whether blood-ties will prove stronger than years of battle-tested friendship.

After so many novels, a series can wane.  However, I've always been pleasantly surprised by Estep's ability to keep this series fresh while still including characters and elements readers have grown to expect. I alway appreciate the author's vivid character development and descriptions whether it is the physical description of a character, the lush description of food or the gritty take on the action sequences. 

I loved the Finn centric plot line and the not so welcomed blast from the past.  More interesting for me was the tie of Shaw to Gin's mother and Mab Monroe. Furthermore, the introduction of an even more powerful foe--one who has been pulling the puppet strings all along--should make for interesting reading in the next series installment.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

#jenniferestep #elementalassassin #bitterbite #UF #netgalley #bookreview

REVIEW: Spider's Trap by Jennifer Estep

Having eliminated another foe, Gin aka The Spider is now the boss of Ashland's extensive criminal underground.  All she wants is a boring day spent cooking up delicious food or settling various desputes.  However, this is Ashland and, for Gin, nothing is ever simple.  A routine meeting ends with a BOOM! and an assassination attempt. Gin quickly realizes that this may literally be a blast from her past but whether she's the true target remains a mystery.

Fans of the Elemental Assassin series will be satisfied that Gin and crew are once again on to case to take out the Big Bad with their own unique sense of justice.  For me, this wasn't one of my favorites of the series but I still enjoyed it. I'm always surprised at how well Gin handles customer service at the restaurant and that more customer's don't get stabbed. (0:

The story was engaging but it felt as if this book was a mere staging area for the next major threat in Bitter Bite. This new villain has the potential to be very intriguing not only for Gin but Finn and might finally show readers more depth to his character.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars




#spiderstrap #elementalassassin #jenniferestep #UF