Spinnenbeute

Elemental Assassin #5

by Jennifer Estep, Tanja Fornaro (Narrator)

Als ehemalige Auftragskillerin hat "die Spinne" Gin Blanco einiges an Erfahrung im Töten vorzuweisen. Doch diesmal ist ihr Ziel niemand Geringeres als Feuerelementar Mab Monroe - die Frau, die einst Gins Familie umbrachte. Dass dieser Mord kein Spaziergang wird, scheint klar. Denn Mab ist nicht nur mächtig, sondern auch skrupellos. Um Gin niederzustrecken, hetzt Mab sowohl ihr als auch ihrer kleinen Schwester Bria eine Armee Kopfgeldjäger auf den Hals. Gin ist entschlossen, Mabs Treiben ein für alle Mal ein Ende zu setzen. Nur zu welchem Preis?

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Vampires, Adult

Audible Audio

First published September 27, 2011

About the author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-....

FOLLOW JENNIFER ONLINE:
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yyj59omw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_es...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39lCyX6
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y4dm3zso
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y638q98k

Jennifer's blog: https://tinyurl.com/2dj4afb
Jennifer's newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-...

Happy reading, everyone! 😎

Reviews

[Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

They say repetition is the key to learning & if that is the case; I am now an expert in all things Gin Blanco. I’m so frustrated by this book. The repetition has spiraled out of control. Since Estep loves to repeat herself, let me say it again, the repetition has gotten OUT of CONTROL.

I know Gin is an assassin, I also know that she carries five Silverstone knives. I know where Gin carries these knives. I know Mab killed Gin’s older sister and Gin’s mother. I know Mab burnt the spider rune into Gin’s hands and I know Finn loves his chicory coffee just like Finn’s dad (Fletcher). I cannot tell you how much I know about Gin, about Bria, about the dwarfs, the giants, about Mab, about Owen, about the damn restaurant, about everyone else because frankly, I do not want to relive the story over again. Trust me, I know already and I don’t want to subject one more reader to one more regurgitation of the facts.

The farther we get into the series, the worse the repetition gets. Not only does Estep repeat information from the previous books but also she repeats information from earlier in the book. I swear, towards the end of this book, I was actually on edge because I was afraid that if I heard one more line just one more time, I was going to throw my Mp3 player across the room.

The actual length of the actual story is like a short story. If you take out all the repetition, you barely have a book. Regardless of my love the actual story, if you are only giving me 50% of a book, I’m not going to enjoy the 50% that is basically repetition.

My name is Michelle…

I am a frustrated reader…

And I’m only telling you once.

[Mrs. Badass · Rating 3 out of 5]

"My name is Erika. I'm glad this story ARC is OVER."

I wrote a more in depth review (Ok so I may have ranted a little) at Badass

3.5 stars or grade: B-

Want to know what I love about the Elemental Assassin series?

1) Kick ass heroine named Gin--like the liquor, who will Un-apologetically kill you and smile about it

2) Awesome secondary characters who are all necessary to the plot and health of the story

3) Cool Fight sequences

4) I like the Elemental Magic aspect


Want to know what drove me absolutely crazy?

1) Constant. Repetition


I love Ms. Esteps straight forward writing style. It's descriptive without being flowery. It gives you enough information to keep you turning the pages and move the story along.

But geezus please, please, please, please stop with the repetition. If I had to read about how Gin was an assassin, former assassin, retired assassin or how she hadn't killed anyone for money in a while, was working pro-bono or how Mab had killed her family, how everything was always her fault I think I was going to throw up!! Seriously, for crying out loud write some new material. Stop just recycling the same shit every book.

As to the final showdown, it was pretty cool. And gross. I'm glad that it's over and done with though. I just hope that the next book doesn't constantly tell me about how Mab went down in flames.

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weekly UF buddy read with Buddies Books and Baubles

4.5 We are Finally Here Stars

Finally! Finally! Finally!!!


This is the book were shit goes down and stuff really starts to happen.

This is the book that was intense most of the way through and I couldn’t put it down.

This is the book that didn’t only use threat of rape for a plot point

This is the book that I thought our heroine might not get out of alive (yeah I know there are a ton more books so it was unlikely but you know what I mean)

This is the book that we get the backstory of Sophia

And THIS is the book with the ‘I love you’ moment I’ve been waiting for.

FINALLY!!! It took 5 books to get to one that I really enjoyed from start to finish and didn’t want to strangle Gin at some point. But finally we are here. Now if the momentum can just keep going on.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, I'd hate to get on the Spider's bad side!

Mab's obsession with that prophecy kind of made it self-fulfilling, and I'm completely okay with that. Looking forward to seeing where the story goes now. It's like Supernatural... the main storyline was over five seasons in, but it's still going strong. Can't wait to see Gin helping people for a living. I love the great characters! :)

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider’s Revenge is book five in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep.

*** Possible Spoilers ***

WOW, we are finally at the big showdown between Mab Monroe and Gin Blanco. This battle has been a long time coming. The wait has well been worth it. Estep doesn’t waste anytime jumping into the think of things and keeping readers in suspense until the final page.

I’ve been devouring the books in this series. Estep world-building is superb and her kick-ass herion is out of this world bad ass. I love all the secondary characters as well. Their is just so much to love and capture you in the Elemental Assassin series. I also love the first person POV writing style and the non-stop action.

In Spider’s Revenge we get to see a new side to our fearless assassin; which is to be expected when everything she holds dear is on the line. We see that Gin’s infamous patience slip’s a few times and with that mistakes happen. I can understand it; because so much time has gone by and built to this moment, it’s hard to hold back when all you want is Mab dead.

I have to say that I love the relationship with Owen. He, to me, fits Gin. He accepts who she is, maybe cause he has had to do some not so great things, but also he supports her and if he can will come for her. Seeing Gin deal with all her different kinds of emotions towards Owen, family, and friends was a fabulous addition.

I will say I did have a few teary eyed moments; one was when all her friends and the people she has helped rally behind her and refuse to let her take on May alone. Watching her realize that she is not alone had me going; awww. Another moment, which I loved, was her near death experience with her mentor, Fletcher Lane. He’s dead, but he has/does play a pivotal roll in Gin’s life. It was exhilarating to see her finally get to ask all those burning questions she has.

Last, we finally get to find out what happened to Sophia and her mangled voice.

Spider’s Revenge ends one storyline, but we know it’s not over for Gin and her gang. Their is still more to come. I can’t wait to read on.

Rated: 5 Stars

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

01/06/2016 BR with my fellow UF fans over at BB&B.

Possible spoilers ahead.

I was Gin Blanco, Genevieve Snow, and the Spider. Easy wasn’t in my vocabulary. It never had been.

Finally the battle between Gin and Mab has arrived.
And it was E P I C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mab Monroe had decided to up her game against the Spider. She has hired bounty hunters to track Gin down, and she has put a price on Detective Bria Coolidge’s head. Now Gin not only has to keep out of the hands of the lethal bounty hunters, but she needs to keep her baby sister safe, and finally kill Mab. Even if that means dying herself.

Luckily Gin is not alone, and all her friends showed their support and loyalty, reminding her that they were there for her and that the battle with Mab included all of them by her side. I just love all of Gin’s friends, and I’m so very happy that all of them appeared in this book.

Spider’s Revenge was action packed from start to finish, and I freaking loved it!! Gin was just as awesome and kickass as always, and her battle with Mab was scary and amazeballs!! There were some very nail-biting moments, and near the end I was so worried that Gin might just not make it out alive.

“I’m a growing boy,” Finn said in a sincere tone. “I need my vitamins.”
Bria snorted. “The only thing that’s growing on you, Lane, is your ego.”
Finn sidled up to my sister and gave her a dazzling smile. “Well, other things of mine also tend to swell up in your presence, detective.”

Bria and Fin finally having their moment, alas it was off screen, but I’m so glad. The banter between these two are hilarious and I just love them.

Sophia has been a big mystery to me, and I’m so glad that finally we find out a little about what happened to her. And my heart just broke for her. It’s horrific what was done to her, and what she had to survive. I really hope that Gin will get revenge for Sophia soon.

“I know, Gin,” Owen rumbled in a soft voice. “I know. And I love you too. And now that I’ve got my arms around you, I’m never going to let you go.”
“Good,” I said. “Because I don’t ever want you to.”

On the romance front Gin is struggling with voicing to Owen how she really feels about him. Owen has definitely become a favorite of mine, and I just adored how he was always there for her, and how much faith he has in her. These two are so wonderful together, and I am loving their romance.

This is definitely my favorite of the series so far!! I just love all the characters and my bloodthirsty heart just loved all the violent scenes :-D A definite must read for all UF fans.

[Cheryl La Pa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! From the first page this was non-stop action. Gin finally sorts out her feelings for Owen and she has her showdown with Mab. A lot of things were wrapped up in the heart-stopping conclusion and I was glued to my ebook for the entire journey.

I love Gin - she is so tough on the outside yet so vulnerable on the inside. She has finally found her 'family' and will defend them to the death. Their love and support for each is other is strong and unbreakable, and it gives Gin the strength to do the seemingly impossible - go after Mab.

Each book gets better as I get to know the characters more and this was the best so far.

[Tina ♥ Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://martinabookaholic.wordpress.c...

Meine Gedanken zum Buch:
Wie immer hat Estep gleich mal einen interessanten Einstieg geboten, der mitten in der Szene begonnen und nur so von Spannung und Adrenalinkick gefüllt war, was ich ja immer total gut finde. Und ja, das kann Frau Estep wirklich gut – Spannung erzeugen und sie aufbauen; darin ist sie eine Meisterin.

Doch dabei kann auch oft etwas schiefgehen und bevor wir es versehen, wir aus Gins verpatzten Mordanschlag, eine Flucht auf Leben und Tod, bei dem sie sich so einigen Schwierigkeiten stellen muss. In diesem Band geht es hauptsächlich darum, sich auf den letzten großen Kampf gegen Mab Monroe – der Erzfeindin von Gin – vorzubereiten. Auf etwas, auf das wir bereits seit Band 1 warten und auf das sich die Handlung seit mehreren Teilen zugespitzt hat. Statt wie gewohnt neben der allgegenwärtigen Bedrohung von Mab, auch einen eigenen Fall zu übernehmen, lässt Gin all ihre Energie und Gedanken um den einen letzten Kampf fließen und immer wieder wird der Leser daran erinnert, warum Mab so böse ist, was sie alles getan, was sie Gin genommen hat und wie evil und skrupellos Mab doch ist…
Neben den Rückblicken auf Gins Kindheit und ihren Wiederholungen aus den letzten vier Bänden, steht auch die schwesterliche Annäherungen zu ihr und Bria im Vordergrund, was ich ganz nett gefunden habe, aber bei dem sicherlich auch etwas ‚mehr‘ gegangen wäre.

Generell hatte ich an manchen Stellen leider das Gefühl, dass man daraus auch etwas ‚mehr‘ machen hätte können. Etwas ‚mehr‘ Handlung zwischen den Vorbereitungen auf den Endkampf, etwas ‚mehr‘ Zeit für Bria und Gin, um wirklich wieder zu richtigen Schwestern zu werden. Und vor allem auch etwas ‚mehr‘ Knistern und sexy mexy time zwischen Gin und Owen. Wer meine Rezis zu den Vorgängern kennt, der weiß, dass ich von der ersten Stunde an #TeamOwen und Anti-Donovan Caine war, weil Owen einfach ein klasse Charakter ist, der neben seiner muskulösen sexyness auch mit seiner Toleranz und unglaublichen Loyalität gegenüber Gin bei mir punkten konnte. Seine violetten Augen sind ein netter, großer Pluspunkt. :D Aber hier – in diesem Band – ernsthaft? Da kam er gefühlte vier Mal vor und das immer nur sehr kurz, außer das eine mal, als sie Sex hatten. Aber sonst? Sonst wirkte er leider eher etwas farblos und zu einem fast schon unwichtigen Nebencharakter verdammt, was ich einfach nur sehr, SEHR schade fand! :( Ich habe das nämlich genau beobachtet/ gelesen, und seine Dialoge sind dürftig, mini klein und sehr selten bzw. kurz. Also ehrlich: mit diesen hätte er mich nicht rumgekriegt und hätte er nicht schon seit Band 3 einen Platz in meinem Herzen, würde er mit seiner Leistung in diesem Band sicherlich nicht dorthin kommen. Daher auch einen halben Punkt Abzug für das Buch, das mir ansonsten wirklich gut gefallen hat.

Trotz einiger weniger Längen im Mittelteil war es durchwegs wirklich gut geschrieben und man hatte seine Freude beim Lesen. Nur die Wiederholungen und auch diese fast schon zu weiche Seite von Gin, waren etwas Spaß-hemmend. Dieses ewige Gerede von wegen „mein schwarzen Herz“ oder ähnliches. Wir wissen doch alle, dass sie eben kein herzloses Miststück ist, aber es ist leider ermüdend, wenn sich Gin selbst immer wieder vehement so sieht, obwohl sie dann wieder weich wie Butter wird und vor Rührung Pipi in den Augen hat. Nein, passt nicht ganz zusammen und irgendwie vermisse ich ein wenig die toughe Heldin vom ersten Band. Sicherlich hat sie sich verändert, ist gewachsen und lässt sich auf ihre Gefühle ein… aber dann soll sie etwas mehr dazu stehen, und nicht immer so stark darauf beharren, dass sie noch immer kalt wie ein Eisblock ist. Diese widersprüchliche daran hat mich gestört und ja, auch genervt, daher auch hier ein halber Punkt Abzug.

Und auch, dass dieser Band, dieser Endkampf, auf den man so lange hingearbeitet hat, dann doch etwas mau und nicht das große Finale war, auf das man gehofft hat. Viel mehr wirkte es dann gegen Ende plötzlich wie eine schnelle Verbindung, ein Zwischenband, um an die nächsten Handlungsstrang für Band 6, 7, 8 usw. anzuknüpfen. Und daher frage ich mich gerade eben, was jetzt bitteschön im nächsten Band kommen soll? Mab war die mächtigste, fieseste Elementarmagierin in ganz Nordamerika und jetzt plötzlich soll es im nächsten wieder einen fieseren, besseren, stärkeren geben? Hm, ich weiß nicht was ich davon halten soll.
Auch nicht davon, dass im nächsten wieder Donovan Caine auftauchen soll. Warum das denn? Wehe, wenn Gin dann wieder ins Schwanken gerät, nach allem was sie und Owen miteinander durchgestanden oder sich in diesem Band gegenseitig gestanden haben. Wehe Frau Estep… Mir wird jetzt schon schlecht bei dieser Vorstellung.
Dennoch, ich werde die Reihe weiterlesen, ihr kennt mich ja – bin zu neugierig! :D

(Mehr dazu auf meinem Blog)

[Jen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I start a new Elemental Assassin book, it's like visiting an old friend. Not that I'm tight with any killers. But these books are so familiar, inviting, exciting and fun. What's more... They are consistent. The series has a tone, a voice, that never wavers. And from the first page of each installment, I am back in Gin's world, like I never left.

Fans of the series have been waiting for this book from the beginning. We've known for a long time that Mab Monroe is the woman who killed Gin's family; the woman who set in motion the life-changing events that turned her into an assassin. Now Gin is finally poised to have her revenge and kill her nemesis. One of the things that surprised me, though, is that Gin's efforts begin on page 1. From the start, our Spider has her crossbow in hand, ready to fire. But, as Gin likes to remind us, luck is rarely on her side. The hit doesn't go according to plan --and her attempts only ratchet things up another notch.

Ashland is crawling with bounty hunters, targeting not only Gin, but her baby sister Bria too. And with that risk, there can be no more waiting. Gin has to step up her game and finally strike down Mab before she loses the last living member of her family.

There were so many things I loved about this book. The action is awesome. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out. (Their voices are so clear, I feel like I know them.) We're treated to more great nuggets of backstory... Including the recounting of what happened to Sophia all those years ago. We've got more progression in Gin's relationship with the amazing Owen. And of course, the big showdown... which doesn’t disappoint.

There are only two things that keep me from shouting from the rooftops. One, Estep does tend to repeat details. Like the fact Mab is "the most powerful elemental born in 500 years." I think we got that nugget 3 or 4 times. Granted, I read an advanced copy and perhaps all those references won't exist in the final copy. But it bears a mention. The second issue: what I'll refer to as Bria and Finn's "big mistake." I won't spoil the details, but the pair makes a major error in judgement that just didn't work for me. Their lapse felt out of character for both of them, given the circumstances they were in. It felt more like a plot device than a natural progression, and it bothered me.

But (and this is a big BUT) neither issue would keep me from recommending this book. Gin is such a great character. She is smart, brave, loyal and strong. Estep never shies away from the fact that she is a killer but there is never any doubt that she is also a heroine. Even though I know there are more installments in the works, this book could have easily served as an end for the series. I felt so good when I finished... triumphant. And I loved reading that last line: "My name is Gin. And I kill people." You're damn right! 4 1/2 stars.

*ARC Provided by author for review

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already knew I liked this series but I think after this fifth installment, it is safe to say that I completely love it now.

Without giving too many spoilers away for the book nor the series I would like to say that the closeness this tight group of friends has, truly is what makes this series so great. These bunch of friends turned family are just so memorable and lovable that it is hard not to get wrapped up in them at all times. They are the type of people that everyone wants by their side and I truly couldn't love them more than if they were very much real and very much my own.

And trust me, things were amped up in this installment. The friends, the battles, the feelings, the danger, all of it. It was hard not to forget about everything else I had to do that day and not want to spend every single minute reading instead.

I loved every minute of this and can truly say without a doubt, this is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I just love all the characters and Estep's writing so much and can't wait for more.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spider’s Revenge is the fifth book in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. The main protagonist is Gin Blanco, a semi-retired assassin with the ability to use the elements as weapons, known as the elusive Spider. Gin owns a BBQ joint and moonlights as an assassin whose objective is to take down the nasty Mab Monroe, the mob boss of the Ashland underworld and the one who made Gin an orphan at thirteen by killing her parents and youngest sister. The fifth book is what I call the Return of the Jedi book. It brings everything to an explosive conclusion because this is where Gin and Mab finally come face to face with one another.

Gin comes across as a solitary character, but through the course of the past four books, that has changed. Gin has an extended family and friends. Gin is now in a relationship with Owen, a rich business man with a shady past who understand her and accepts her for all that she is. Gin has come to the conclusion how important Owen is to her. Finn, who’s Gin’s brother in her heart but not of her blood, is her ultimate backup and has a James Bond type of appeal to him (Plus an addiction to hickory coffee). Flynn is a character full of possibilities, especially when he sets his sights on Bria Snow, a detective and Gin’s missing sister. There’s just enough sparks between these two and a nice conclusion to their attraction, where you can’t help but want to see more of. I’m hoping Bria and Finn will have their own book, or at least a short story.

The title says it all with this latest by Jennifer Estep. A major story arc has finished here but some things remain open. The fighting scenes are some of the best Jennifer has written and there are a few surprises ad twists. I feel this is the best book in this series and I can’t wait to see what’s left for Gin and her crew, especially in regards to Gin’s unfinished business with her former lover, Donovan Caine, who may or may not appear in the next book.

If you haven’t read Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series, what are you waiting for? Spider’s Revenge has the best of everything from a heroine with major balls and a romance I’ve become addicted to. Team Owen and Gin for the win!

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's repetitiveness is Sloppy sloppy sloppy every page screamed danger danger danger and it sounded like crack crack crack . That's how descriptive this book was.

I am almost certain some lines were copied word for word from the previous 4 books. One example is Rosco, Jojo's dog. I was going to check the other books because I kept having this deja vu feeling as I read it. That detail doesn't have to be mentioned every time. I don't want to read about Rosco the basset hound that just lies there and only pays attention when there's food. We get it already.

I thought I had found a new series with this one but I really can't take the receptiveness. It really detracts from the story.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the conclusion to the Mab story arc—other than badass action scenes, of course. ;) But whatever I expected, this was better. We got the same awesome cast of characters and thrilling action scenes, but we also saw a vulnerable side to Gin and got the pleasure of watching her and her friends solidify into a solid team.

Let me just say, I didn’t expect Gin’s confrontations with Mab to turn out how they did. I had a vague image of her and Finn spending most of the book plotting, leading up to one big ass confrontation. How it turned out was so much better. There was one final climatic battle, but there were a lot of skirmishes along the way. I loved the uncertainty and vulnerability that Gin experienced after them. She’s apt to shoulder a lot of the blame when things go wrong, anyway, but here she had to face the fact that when the opportunity of a lifetime came around she faltered. Who wouldn’t angst over that?

Owen and Gin were excellent together. I’ve enjoyed them in the past, but here we got to see their relationship deepen. Gin finally opened herself up enough to be honest about her feelings. Due to Gin’s focus being on Mab, Owen is more of a background feature in the book, but he stood out whenever he was in a scene. Their scenes together and his unwavering devotion made me sigh. I can’t wait to see where they go from here.

I was thrilled to finally get more information on Jo-Jo and Sophia and their connection to Fletcher. I have wondered about it for a while now and was not disappointed with the truth. Sad and a little horrified, but not disappointed. This book did a really good job of strengthening Gin’s core group. I think Gin finally got an idea of what she means to everyone and exactly who she can count on when the chips are down. I also appreciated that Gin didn’t protest too much when the decision was made that she couldn’t handle this one alone.

I’m sure you can tell by now that I loved all the bits about the side characters. It wasn’t just the good guys that stood out, though. I also enjoyed an assassin team that was hunting Gin. Their dynamic nicely mirrored Gin’s connection to Fletcher and it was hard not to feel for them. The scene with the cookies really underscored Gin’s core self. No matter how much of a badass she is—and she is quite a badass—she never loses that core softness. She can be as cold and as vicious as they come, but her morals and her humanity will always have me on her side.

Finn and Bria were really great here, both individually and together. There came a time when they both royally screwed up, but I have to admire them for owning it. I wasn’t as upset with them as I probably should have been because I read their screw up as Finn and Bria finding something with each other that they weren’t able to control. Always in the past nothing had gotten in the way of them staying vigilant and doing their job. But suddenly, in the most inconvenient time possible, they both faltered because of their feelings for each other. It was hard to be angry at them when they never denied how badly they had screwed up. Plus, I was thrilled they were finally hooking up. ;)

I mentioned it before, but I loved, loved, loved the vulnerability that Gin showed. She was still tough as nails, but her feelings seemed closer to the surface when she wasn’t in her role as The Spider. At one point Bria is staying with her when she has a nightmare. She ends up screaming and waking her up. Their shared memories and their guilt and sorrow finally open them up to each other. They don’t hash it all out, but you see a definite shift in their relationship. When Bria climbed in bed with Gin to comfort her, my heart just about melted.

One last thing I have to mention about the book is the final showdown between Mab and Gin. That was AWESOME. Jennifer Estep writes excellent action scenes, and this one was even better because it had been so long in the making. Watching Gin and Mab duke it out had me on the edge of my seat. One word, people. Intense.

[Denisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finallyyyyy!!!



I've wanted to read this book for ages, I was so curious how it will all turn out! I've wanted to see Gin and Mab fight since the first book and now it's finally happened! And I have to say, I wasn't disappointed.

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weekly buddy read with my fellow UF addicts at BB&B.

The time has come! It's Gin aka The Spider vs Mab Monroe! A battle to the death, one we have been waiting for for 4 books. And I have to say it was about damn time.

This was an action packed instalment from page one to well almost the end. We had a clean up chapter or two in the end. But it was one of those books that you can't let go, "just one more page" turning into "oops I read half the book". Partly it's because of the build up for the story - as I mentioned before we've been waiting awhile for this showdown, but part of it was the writing. Jennifer Estep is getting better with each new book in the series. So it's easier to slip into Gin's world.

Gin screws up a lot in this book. Personally I think it's because this is the ht of her life, the one kill that matters most because if she botchers it her patchwork family will have to face the deadly consequences. And as a result she f*cks up not once but twice! Because she acts like Genevieve Snow, even if she doesn't realise it, instead of the Spider. And it almost cost her everything.

I'm glad it played out that way or she wouldn't have ever learned how much Fin, Jo-Jo, Sophia, Owen, Eva, Roslyn and Xavier care about her. Oh on the surface she always knew but not that knowledge is bone deep. The same with her confidence in her magic. It's a familiar theme in literature - the whole is stronger than it's parts. And it worked out wonderfully in this story.

The "side" characters (if you can say that because they're just as important as Gin and without them this series would have been a flop) are simply amazing. The little sideplot about Fin and Bria provided most of the comic relief and was pure enjoyment to watch unfold. The fact that it was resolved to my satisfaction in the way I wanted it to end just adds to the pleasure. Finally learning what happened to Sophia and how Jo-Jo and Fletcher met? I can't find the words to describe the feelings it invoked. Owen being pissed at being left out in the beginning and demanding for her to have some backup? Just proves that he not only deserves Gin but is strong enough to not let her simply roll over him. Owen Grayson deserves Gin's love. Sure it took her awhile to work herself up to admitting it but it made the moment all the more sweet. All of the characters contributed to Gin's strength in the end and all proved that they're ultimately human by making their own mistakes along the way. And as much as I love the blood and gore in these books this little family of misfits is the reason I come back.

I'm a bit worried that the next book won't be able to live up to this past few instalments. After all the storyarc is over with just McAllister left off to finish. Damn I wanted him dead since book two and he still breathes *pouting* Do I dare hope that Gin will bury him in the next one?

[Lady Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story...but the author was driving me CRAZY with all the repetition!
I think almost every chapter she re-iterated 'what had happened to Gin', 'who had done it', and 'how much she hated Mab', and couldn't wait to 'kill the bitch'...after awhile it was YADA-YADA-YADA!

Underneath all the repetition, there was a decent story, with a GREAT, exciting, on the edge of your seat ending!

I actually cried a couple of times reading the story. It was good to find out a little more about the secondary characters and their pasts.

Again, I'd like to re-cap: If not for all the repetition, this story would have DEFINITELY gotten a 5-star rating.


...sorry about repeating myself so many times (couldn't help myself, just wanted to give you a taste of how the story was written)...LOL

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya con su primer intento de asesinar a Mab fracasado, Gin debe formar un nuevo plan y buscar la manera de llegar a ella y destruirla de una vez y para siempre. El problema radica que Mab esta muy bien resguardada, y para colmo puso una recompensa sobre su cabeza y la de Bri, y decenas de cazas-recompensas llegaron a la ciudad para tratar de cobrarla.
Así que ahora Gin debe lograr llegar hasta Mab y terminar con ella antes de que ella haga lo mismo con ella y Bri. Pero podrá hacerlo? Podrán sus amigos sobrevivir a una batalla campal contra Mab y decenas de cazas-recompensas?

Aquí en este libro llegamos al final de la serie como la conocimos desde el primer libro. Por fin llegamos a la batalla final y a la unión de todos los amigos y familia de la prota. Lo malo es que por la menos la mitad del libro, es repetitivo. Nos repiten como murió la familia de Gin y Bri, por lo menos 5 veces, como murió Flecher, el poder la la magia de Jo-Jo, Bri, Gin y hasta Owen. Tanta repetición me hizo la historia aburridísima de leer. Si hasta en la batalla final nos volvieron a repetir como la mamá de Gin y Bri.
En fin, como conclusión de la serie es excelente, tiene un buen cierre y un "final feliz", así que se puede dejar la lectura hasta aquí y estar satisfecho. Sin embargo, el autor decidió continuarla, y hay como 15 libros mas después que no voy a leer ahorita, pero que dejaré en mi lista de pendientes para leer mas adelante y volver a este universo con mas calma, ahora con una nueva meta.

[Paradoxical · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy the series. Really. Just not this book.

There's huge amounts of repetition (you seriously start wondering if the author is being paid by word because there is no reason as to why she needs to rehash the same things over and over again) and the main character is supposed to be tough, competent, and smart, but it feels like Jennifer Estep dropped the ball. The title perfectly matches what is going on plot wise--Gin is actually going to take down Mab this time. Great. It's about time. What kills me, kills me, about this book is that Gin is incompetent.

No, not even that. It's just really stupid coincidences make her miss killing Mab. More than once. It just drives me a little crazy. For someone who's supposed to be a great assassin (and we're told this constantly), the fact that she chokes when it really counts just makes me roll my eyes and wonder if the author felt like it needed something 'exciting' because Gin, honestly, should have killed Mab within the first fifty pages. Though, okay, I guess the author couldn't make it that easy to kill Mab considering that Gin spent the last four books not doing that.

But it pained me when Gin went after Mab again, even though she knew that it was a trap. Just. Why. There's being confident, and then there's being stupid.

You get more back story from Mab about why she killed Gin's family. It's nothing really exciting--just fairly typical family rivalry(ish) sorts of things that just... well, it was kind of boring, actually. To be honest, I was thrown out of the book early on and had to somewhat struggle to finish reading it, which is a shame since I've enjoyed the series a lot up until this book. I didn't care for Bria and Finn's relationship (honestly, Bria is just a convenient plot device), and I just wanted more of... something. Something to make it exciting and fun.

Well, at least this plot arc is done. The final fight was kind of boring and stereotypical. I felt like I could predict the events of the entire book. I just wanted something a little bit different--or at least better written because I wanted to tear out my hair over the constant repetitions. Honestly, I found the book to be 1-2 stars. Rounding up to 2 only because I liked the previous books.

[Madeleine Knutsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low rating probably because of reading slump

[VampireNovelFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella of a story at a novel’s price

The fifth Elemental Assassin entry aims to wrap up the long standing arc since Book 1. It's Mab Monroe vs. Gin Blanco aka The Spider aka Genevieve Snow. It's the final show down to prove once and for all who is the strongest. Mab is pulling out all stops to finish what she started 17 years ago while Gin's not backing down to exact revenge that she's been working towards since then herself. Who will win?

This series has so much potential, but I'm disappointed that things really didn't get going until the half way point. Estep spends the first third of the book practically summarizing what's happened in the previous books which annoys me to no end. It drastically affects my enjoyment of the book; this was the same pitfall for the previous installment. A pattern is now obvious.

Once you get over that, there are some moments and parallels that I saw coming from a mile away, but I still enjoyed them regardless. We learn back story about a couple of supporting characters and we get to see others characters finally in action and kicking some ass, which I liked as well.

I'm typically drawn to series that are primarily character-driven, so a lot of the time I will gloss over the action, but Elemental Assassin is one of the few where I really get into it. I read this series for the action moreso than the characters if I really think about it. The pace is just right, the intensity is there, and it's not very confusing. I think it really helps that we're in the mind of a stone cold killer. She's not some innocent girl still finding herself and trying to react to the bad guy. Gin is genuinely a badass, so I do give the series props for that.

While the action is at an all time high, due to the continuous repitition, the predicability, and the over-explaining (Estep literally makes a page out of something that could be one sentence), I can't ever give this series more than 3 stars until the author gets over those glaringly lazy attempts to fill pages. It needs more substance. Period. The first couple of books are exceptions for obvious reasons. But at this point, each new installment is essentially a novella of a story at the price of a novel.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

17 July 2015: $1.99 on Kindle

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘And then we danced...’ the big showdown between Mab and Gin. I loved the way everyone pitched in to help! I think Gin is a great character. She will do anything to protect the people she loves. Am looking forward to new developments as her raison d’etre so far is no more ( I figure this doesn’t count as a spoiler given the number of books in the series!)

[Jasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In diesem Band ist endlich so weit: die Auftragskillern Gin Blanco tritt ihrer Erzfeindin Mab Monroe, der stärksten Feuerelementarin Ashlands gegenüber. Diese hat vor vielen Jahren ihre Mutter und jüngere Schwester ermordet und endlich fühlt sich Gin, alias Die Spinne, stark genug um Rache an Mab zu üben. Diese hat allerdings nicht vor, sich von der gefürchteten Spinne erwischen zu lassen, und bezahlt die besten Auftragskiller der Landes um Gin zu töten.

Auf dieses Buch zu warten, fiel mir unglaublich schwer. Ich bin ein bekennender Jennifer Estep-Fan und neben der Mythos Academy Reihe, die leider schon ihr Ende gefunden hat, bin ich total verrückt nach der Elemental Assasin Reihe. Dies ist der fünfte Band der Reihe und hätte ich es nicht gewusst, hätte ich gewettet das wäre ein letzter Band gewesen. Schließlich stellt sich Gin in diesem Band ihrer Erzfeindin gegenüber. Ein "klassisches Ende". Doch glücklicherweise scheint Jennifer Estep von Gin Blanco genauso angetan zu sein wie ich, den die Reihe umfasst tatsächlich zwölf Bände. Das heißt, wir haben noch weitere sieben Bände vor uns! Ich freue mich auf jede einzelne Seite davon!

Eines der besten Dinge in den Elemental Assasin-Büchern ist zweifellos die Auftragskillerin Gin Blanco. Sie gehört für mich in die obere Liga meiner persönlichen Kick-Ass Queens, da ich nur wenige Protagonistin kennenlernen durfte die genauso taff und stark sind wie sie. Dazu kommt noch ihr verbissener Ehrgeiz, ihr großes Herz und, wie Gin selbst sagt, die Schwärze ihrer Seele. Eine perfekte Mischung! Man könnte meinen neben so einer strahlenden Protagonistin wäre es für Nebencharaktere schwer zu bestehen, doch Jennifer Estep hat das Rampenlicht gerecht verteilt und so bekommen auch Gin's Ziehbruder Finn, ihre Schwester Bria und ihre zahlreichen Freunde genug Aufmerksamkeit. Ich habe sie alle schon sehr ins Herz geschlossen und freue mich jedes Mal aufs Neue, wenn ich das Buch aufschlage und ihnen wieder begegnen darf.

Zur Handlung möchte ich eigentlich nicht mehr verraten, außer das es in diesem Band wirklich heiß hergeht. Meiner Meinung nach ist es das actionreichste Buch der Reihe, da Gin wirklich radikal gegen Mab vorgeht und ihren steinernen Willen wieder unter Beweis stellt. Mit rassender Spannung verfolgt man das Geschehen und mir fiel es wirklich schwer mich von den Seiten zu lösen, auf denen ich mich wie zuhause fühlte. Als wäre ich ein Teil von Gin's Freundeskreis. Jennifer Esteps fantastischer Schreibstil macht es möglich!

~ FAZIT ~
Ich bin ein unglaublich großer Jennifer Estep-Fan und habe bisher noch jedes Buch von ihr voller Begeisterung verschlungen. Bei Spinnenbeute ging es mir nicht anders. Rassende Spannung, Herzklopfen und eine fantastische Kick-Ass-Protagonistin! Für mich, eine der besten Urban Fantas Reihen die man aktuell im Buchladen finden kann!

[Madeleine Knutsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Första gången läst 2019 - tre stjärnor
Andra gången läst 2021 - fyra stjärnor

[Literary Ames · Rating 2 out of 5]

A novella's worth of content in a full-length novel. What was done with the rest of the pages, I hear you ask? Were they blank? I would've preferred them to be.

My name is Gin Blanco...

I know! I've been reading about your life for four books now.

...and I'm an assassin

Yes, you're a hitwoman, we know this, can we get on with the killin' now?

This is Finn. He's my foster brother.

I do have a memory, no matter how dysfunctional it sometimes is, it's never THAT bad.

And this is Bria...

You can see where I'm going with this, can't you? Every character is reintroduced to us along with their backstory and history with Gin. Lots and lots of repetition. And yet more repetition. Ironically, eye colour-love, the most repeated thing in the first few books was toned down.

Character histories aside, the plot is a wash, rinse and repeat too.
1) Gin gets in a bind.
2) It gets worse.
3) Her friends rally round to do anything to keep her alive because they've all benefited from Gin's talents in the past.
4) Gin gets in huge fight which she barely survives.
5) Jo-jo heals her.
6) Some happy stuff happens then we learn of what Gin plans to do next. The End.

The trouble with #6 concerning this book: the drawn-out story arc is now complete. Am I willing to stick around for another? I'm not sure. One positive about this one, it was skim-city so it took only a couple of hours to read. On the other hand, I shelled out hard cash for the privilege. Venom and Tangled Threads were good reads. I like the characters, the way elemental magic is used, the pretty gory fight scenes and Gin's unapologetic violent ways but based on the pros and cons, By a Thread is likely to go unread unless I see some stellar reviews.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is one thing I can guarantee while reading Jennifer's books - and that the gripping situations that Gin finds herself in!

These books are epic, and how Jennifer keeps on bringing them is unreal! This book had me on the edge of my seat from page 1, it was amazing...

Gin finally gets her chance, finally faces off with the one person that has threatened her and hurt her from her childhood.... she finally looks into those black eyes... and here was me thinking it would be predictable and easy - woah wrong path me!!!

A lot of things come together in this nail biting episode and a lot of feelings come crashing in with it... I was tensed up, I was choked on tears and I was (at one point) scared to read more so I put the book down for a little while - a real little while too because 2 minutes later the book was back in my hands!!!!

I don't tire of the characters at all, infact, there are more characters that I want to know about, there is still someone lurking in these pages that needs the lights turning out, I guess that will happen at some point, but inbetween, I'm a bit worried!!!

Why I left this series for so long is anyone's guess... I'm just glad I've picked them up!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic fun book to read! Loved the character growth, leaning on friends and family and realizing you are not alone. Looking forward to By A Thread.

[lili.darknight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Som rada, že sa autorka rozhodla vyriešiť spoločnú podprahovú zápletku už v tejto knihe. Neviem si predstaviť, že by so o nej mala čítať v rámci všetkých devätnástich kníh. Už len za to si autorka zaslúžila jednu hviezdicu. Škoda, že má nutkanie neustále všetko opakovať. Doteraz som si myslela, že má podobné sklony len Patricia Briggs, ale pri Jennifer Estep vyzerá prízvukovanie minulých udalostí zo strany Mercy len ako neškodný zlozvyk. Jennifer Estep opakovanie povýšila na novú úroveň - keď mi počas knihy so všetkými detailmi pokojne pripomenie tú istú udalosť aj trikrát. Je to otravné a rovno hovorím, že tieto časti preskakujem. Ale napriek tomu mám istú slabosť pre postavy a dej, tak to asi budem naďalej čítať a ďalej preskakovať.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this series is progressing with Gin and and her family and friends, and I'm interested to see where it goes after the events of this book. One slight criticism is I felt there was a LOT of recapping of previous books - I might not have minded as much if I'd read them awhile ago, but it felt like too much.

Gin is kick-ass as ever though, AND she cooks. What's not to love!?

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 going on 4

I can’t believe it! It looks like this series found an editor at last!! Before I started reading Spider’s Revenge I had promised myself that I would give up on Elemental Assassin if the constant recaps & repetitions were only half as bad as they were in the last instalment. No matter how much I love Gin and the rest of the characters in this series, I just couldn’t stand the repetitive narration and was ready to give up on it all, despite my wanting to know whatever happened next.

Well, luckily enough, it seems that someone finally realized the repetitions had to go because Spider’s Revenge is a great improvement on the other instalments. Granted, the narration is still too repetitive but at least I didn’t feel like I was reading the same chapter over and over again, as was the case with previous books. There is less of the “gray on violet” nonsense and I’m very grateful for that. Still, if Estep writes “and then we danced” once more I’ll probably just go down on my knees and scream my head off.

As I have said in previous reviews, the strength of this series is the cast of characters. I love Gin and her straight-forwardness. She is unapologetic, has no qualms about who she is, what she does and the lengths she is willing to go to. I find that she’s a bit lacking in the snark department but that’s probably because I keep comparing her to Kate Daniels, the absolutely queen of all things cynical & sarcastic. Still, Gin is a pretty cool character and one of my favourite kick-butt heroines of all times. Actually, she is probably the main reason why I held on to this series despite the poor narrative. Well, her and the rest of the characters, which are all pretty fantastic. The cast of secondary characters for this series keeps growing and I don’t think there is a single one that I don’t like so far. I just love Finn, Owen, the Deveraux sisters, Bria, Eva, Roslynn, Xavier… Even Mab!

The plot here is entertaining and fast-paced as it is finally time for the final showdown between Gin & Mab Monroe. The queen bitch suffers a satisfying death but as momentous as this face-off was supposed to be, I was expecting a bit more. More violence, more darkness, more gore… I don’t know, something bigger and meaner and “badder” somehow. That’s probably because to me this series is a bit on the light side compared to other urban fantasy series I have read. The bad guys & girls are sufficiently dangerous and mean but not downright evil evil evil. Then there is also the fact that no matter how badly Gin and the secondary characters are injured, they always survive all the fights they get into. Jo-Jo comes over, does her magic thing and everything gets back to normal. With each new instalment I keep expecting one of the recurring characters to die but they just never do and it’s getting a bit too unrealistic for my taste. Besides, having one the main characters die would spice things up a bit, no matter how heartbreaking it would be.

Still, this was an enjoyable read and I was relieved to find most of the repetitions and recaps gone. There is hope for this series yet! Off to get my hands on “By a Thread”!