The fifth long-awaited book in the outstanding (Romantic Times) Elemental Assassin fantasy series featuring Gin Blaco, who by day is a waitress at a Tennessee BBQ joint, and by night is a tough female assassin. Ever since declaring war on Mab Monroe, the ruthless head of the Ashland underworld, Gin Blanco has had a target on her back. Mab wants her dead in the worst kind of way, but what’s worse … worse is that Mab has also put a bounty on Gin’s baby sister Bria’s head. Keeping Bria safe is Gin’s first priority, but taking out Mab is a close second. It’s a battle that’s been years in the making, and it promises to be deadly. And if Gin isn’t going to survive, then neither is Mab–no matter what Gin has to do to make that happen.
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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
Audiobook review: 2 Stars for story; 4 Stars for narration. I thought I’d give this series another chance and start where I last stopped with book 5. I really like strong willed tough as nails female lead characters but Gin Blanco is an idiot. Each book she has somehow managed to screw up some aspect of a kill and get her rear handed to her in the process, which begs the question of how she is the almighty assassin feared by the underworld. I thought things might improve as the series moved along but after she missed killing her target not once but twice in this book and managed to put those she loves in jeopardy, I’m done. There’s also way too much reminiscing of things covered in the prior books in this one. The narrator did a good job.
I’ve been in love with this series since book one. I’ve enjoyed watching Gin grow and her battle with Mab escalate. While there were a few stumbles along the way, Ms Estep is back on track and with this latest installment, she has a winner .
In Spider’s Revenge, Gin is finally ready to exact her revenge on Mab, who killed most of her family years before. She’s honed her assassin skills and with the support of her friends and family, it’s now time. Over the course of the series, Gin has slowly eliminated Mab’s goons and has crept closer to her ultimate goal. And Mab knows she’s coming. Oh the suspense!
There are flashbacks galore and all our favorite characters are back. Gin is getting closer to her long-lost sister and her romance with Owen is really heating up. There’s a lot of action and a variety of bad guys to keep the reader on edge.
But this series isn’t done. I’m really curious to see where this series is going to go… and I can’t wait for By a Thread (Feb 2012) to answer all my unanswered questions.
My review originally posted at Romancing the Book.