Spider's Biteby Jennifer Estep
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9781439147979
Series: Elemental Assassin #1
Publication Date: April 15, 2010
Pages: 395
Genre: Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Follow Gin Blanco, a kick-butt female assassin who moonlights at a BBQ joint in Tennessee, as she searches for the person who double-crossed her in this heart-pounding and fresh paranormal romance series.
After Gin’s family was murdered by a Fire elemental when she was thirteen, she lived on the streets and eventually became an assassin to survive. Now, Gin is assigned to rub out an Ashland businessman, but it turns out to be a trap. After Gin’s handler is brutally murdered, she teams up with the sexy detective investigating the case to figure out who double-crossed her and why. Only one thing is for sure—Gin has no qualms about killing her way to the top of the conspiracy.
Good. Similar in tone to Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels, but without the humor. The characters are well written, though without any levity to speak of, they’re hard to connect with. The world building leaves a bit to be desired; I’d have liked a little bit of information about how elementals and vampires and dwarves are integrated into society – have they always been in this alternate world, or was there some event that changed everything? It’s not necessary, but my curiosity is a little tweaked over it.
The ‘mystery’ was ok, although not much of a mystery in terms of who the villain is; the pool is tiny. The writing teeters on the edge of being too graphic, although it’s not as dark and confronting as Briggs’ work. Mostly, I liked it enough to stay up wwaayy too late last night to finish it, and I’ll be requesting book 2. But I didn’t like it enough to gush about it.