Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep Series: Elemental Assassins #1
Published by Pocket Books on 1/26/10
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Source: Gifted ♥
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My name is Gin, and I kill people.
They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction...especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.
Interest in Book
Ever since Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series, I’ve been really interested in all things elemental in urban fantasy fiction. This series has been on my list for some time, and I am damn happy I finally picked it up. This is my first Jennifer Estep novel, and I adore her for writing a raw, broken, ruthless heroine who remains decent and honorable at her core.
Characters
Dude. Gin is a freaking wet dream in terms of bad assery. She is the Spider, a truly gifted assassin who lies in the shadows and patiently awaits her prey. She is ruthless and merciless against the predators and scum of society, but still holds morals and values closely. She will avenge her loved ones until the sea turns to blood…with your blood. Or rather, the idiots that dare to cross her. You get snippets of her personal history throughout, and learning about her tragic past makes your heart burst with love and sorrow for Gin. However, don’t let her see pity in your eyes, should you want to keep them. And I must admit, Gin’s straight-forward, dominant sexuality fit her perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed her inner monologue about Donovan Caine, the cop who is not happy that circumstance has brought them together. He tries but cannot resist her “you. me. broom closet. now.” sexual honesty.
Donovan Caine naked, water droplets sliding down his lean body, his muscles clenching and relaxing as he washes himself. Mmm. Nice image. Despite our earlier confrontation, I still found the detective extremely sexy. He’d be even more attractive if he’d lose the righteous anger and the stick up his ass. But no man was perfect.
Finn Lane, Gin’s pseudo-brother, is a hoot. I loved his fancy pants character, all suited up with the best clothing and cars, women all over him in every scene, and his pure enjoyment over his playboy status. He was able to calm Gin down and talk sense into her irrational behavior, at times. While they may not be the closest of kin, their dedication to one another was wicked awesome.
World-Building
Yea, baby! Jennifer Estep has built a killer world, literally. The community of Ashland is full of serious scumbags, human and other. Gin is hired by private parties to clean up the filth of the city and she thoroughly immerses herself into the environment of her target, as the opening scene so beautifully illustrates. She is so skilled at her job that everyone and no one knows who the Spider is. As one of Gin’s jobs goes horribly awry, it comes to her attention that she is in the middle of a political coup, and they expect her to be the scapegoat. Ha. Bring it.
The Elementals, who can control Ice, Stone, Air and Fire, are known to the public. Gin is a Stone elemental. She can speak to the stone and command it to do her bidding, but she can also listen to what the stone has absorbed over time. She also has minor control over Ice, and I must say, it served her well! The villain in this book was an Air elemental, and their magic drove them straight to crazy town. They would use the air as a weapon and flay people alive! How you fight that power is beyond me, but Gin may have a trick or two up her sleeve.
Lasting Impressions
I love Jennifer Estep’s descriptive writing! It is so well-balanced, bringing you enough of the surroundings without overkill. I could smell the barbecue at the Pork Pit and hear the sounds and emotions the stones relayed to Gin. Ok, not really, but I was transported and engrossed in the story. The plot kept me entertained and the characters all hold their own. Overall, it’s a pretty standout start to a series!
© 2012 – 2013, Smash Attack Reads. All rights reserved.
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The series keeps getting better and you haven’t been exposed to the awesome that is Owen yet! Just saying!
Owen, you say…?
Can I just say FINALLY? lol I think I sent those to you a year ago for your graduation. I’m glad you love Gin just as much as I do. I can’t wait to see what you think when you meet Owen. Le sigh.
EEEEEEEEEP. It WAS you! Shoot, I need to change the Source. I have it written down in Goodreads but forgot to put it on the post. My bad! Also, THANK YOU! I am deeply in love with this series and look forward to starting book 2 next.
Yes, I sent you the first 3 books.
Can I just say that I love your email response thingy. Mr. Owlie FTW!!!
YEA! I love Mr. Owlie too.
I knew it was you, I just forgot to put it on the post. I have it in Goodreads that you sent them to me. ♥
Haha, I hope you have gift cards or a new library card in Atlanta to get a hold of the books past #3. You won’t want to stop reading them. They seriously easy to get lost in.
I have 4 already, was gifted 6 so now I just need 5. Woot!
SCORE!
Oh and #7 comes out in August.
SWEET!
I really did love Gin! I think I stopped reading after book four, but your review makes me want to pick the series back up!
And Felicia is right — Owen is awesome! Far better than Donovan.
I just met Owen for the first time last night…very intriguing…
I too worship at the alter of uber badass Gin Blanco. This is one of my favorite UF series.
YES. She is really taking a fast lead into favorite territory.
I just read books 2 and 3 and, yes, they get better! If you can believe it! SO FUN!
I can definitely believe it!
When I read this first one, I wasn’t sure what to think of Gin. She was so much badder-assed than I ever expected…it took me a while to pick up the second one in the series. But after that, I was hooked. Felicia’s right…Owen. *sigh* Keep reading! This series just gets better and better!
I am wicked excited. I just met Owen and look forward to whatever he brings to the table.
I have been wanting to read this series for a while. I really need to go pick it up now. Especially after your review!
You DO need to read it. I wouldn’t lead you astray.
Gin ROCKS. I love a strong, courageous, kick-butt heroine and Gin is all of the above.
Thanks again for recommendation on Twitter/Goodreads.
I am so wicked excited you enjoyed the book. I’ve jumped into book two, because honestly, Gin is more exciting than anything else right now.
I am soooooooo looking forward to book two. It’s on my birthday list.
Have you read the Arcadia Bell series? Finished book one last week and loved it. Cady is another strong, kick butt character you may enjoy.
I have yet to read this series even though I own the first four books but I have heard great things. I really can’t wait to get to it though because I love Estep’s YA series and it is one of my favs of 2011 so I need to see if her adult stuff is just as good
I’m so glad you made time to read this one and that it was a great book for you! Can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series.
MOVE IT UP THE LIST! DOOOO EEEEET!
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