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Elemental Assassin #4.5
Spider’s Nemesis
This short story spans a period of many years, beginning before Gin was born and ending during the events of Tangled Threads. It is told from the point of view of Mab Monroe and shows how the Fire elemental grew up, including her first meeting with Eira Snow, Gin’s mother.
35 pages, Online Fiction
First published September 19, 2011
7 people are currently reading
1439 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Estep
97 books12k followersJennifer 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! 😎
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! 😎
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 14, 2018
Fun to see things from Mab's point of view. Also fun to know that she's destined to fail at the hands of our feisty kickass heroine.
December 13, 2015
Loved getting inside Mab's head, definitely a scary and dangerous place to be! Can't wait to start book five now.
October 27, 2012
OH MY GOD - Mab!!!!
We finally see the story from Mab's point of view and we see how she finally realises who this Spider is, who the assassin is that has instilled so much anger into her and the need for revenge...
We see Mab and Gin's mum as children... We see Fletcher Lane turning down the job and why... We see Gin's torture through Mab's eyes...
Woah what a path we are on, I am holding my breath!!!!!
We finally see the story from Mab's point of view and we see how she finally realises who this Spider is, who the assassin is that has instilled so much anger into her and the need for revenge...
We see Mab and Gin's mum as children... We see Fletcher Lane turning down the job and why... We see Gin's torture through Mab's eyes...
Woah what a path we are on, I am holding my breath!!!!!
April 29, 2018
4 Stars... In the “Elemental Assassin” short story we are given a glimpse into the maddening mind of Mab Monroe as seen in childhood to present day... Details are provided as to the history with Eira Snow and the ultimate destruction of the Snow family... Mab Monroe is a chilling villain with her intensifying insanity and endless selfishness that gives no end to her wants and desires or the way in which she will achieve her criminal goals... looking forward to the ultimate showdown of Elemental proportions:)
August 5, 2014
Poor Mab. Things didn't exactly word out the way you planned, did they?
Ehehehe . . .
Ehehehe . . .
July 21, 2016
this story makes Mab seem even scarier than the books do.
May 10, 2025
This was a short little novella that travels back in time that explains why Mab hated Gin's family. The woman is a psychopath and I can't wait until Gin finally gets rid of her once and for all. Mab is a bit scared because she though Gin was going to be an easy kill, but so far she has thwarted almost every move that Mab has made.
June 13, 2012
One of the many things I loved about Jennifer Estep is that she writes mini books in between the next installment of the Elemental Assasin series. "Spider's Nemesis" introduces to Mab Monroe as a child and is told from her perspective. Once thing for sure, she did not grow evil, she was born that way.
The young Mab Monroe was a brat. She was never told "no" by anyone including her father. While entertaining a young Eira Snow she notices a unique necklace hanging from the girl's neck. Of course she wants it and decides that if Eira refuses to give it to her she will take it. They begin to fight until they are interrupted by Eira's mother and Mab's father. The girl leaves and Mab vows to make her pay. Meanwhile, good old Dad gifts Mab with a necklace of her own, the necklace she will be known by.
Years later, Eira Snow marries the man Mab wanted for herself. They have three girls and are happy until Eiera's husband is killed in a car accident. Then one day, Mab is visiting her great aunt where she learns that a daughter of Eira snow will kill her one day. Her aunt is unable to tell her which of the girls it will be; so, Mab happily decides to kill all of the girl as well as her long time nemesis, Eira.
The Tin Man,(Gin's mentor, Fletcher) the best assassin in the business refuses to accept a job that kills kids. So, she decides to do the job herself sending out a clear warning to her remaining enemies. SHe manages to kill Eira and her oldest daughter. While torturing the middle daugher and searching for the youngest, something unexpected occurs. One of the daughter causes the ground to shake destroying the house to collapse. Mab and her minions assume the two remaining girls are dead. You know what they say about assuming!
Years later, shortly after the disaster at the train depot, Mab is standing looking over the devastasion caused by the Spider. She vows to kill Detective Bria Coolidge and she finally knows the identity of the Spider. At that moment she develops her plan to bring in a plethora or assassins to take them out. Mab is cackling at her assumed success. Did I mention what they say about assuming?
This is another excellent story in the series because I've always wondered why Mab murdered Gin's family. It also provides insight into Mab's necklace. This is one excerpt you will want to read. It is really good; but then again, Jennifer Estep does not write anything that isn't good!
The young Mab Monroe was a brat. She was never told "no" by anyone including her father. While entertaining a young Eira Snow she notices a unique necklace hanging from the girl's neck. Of course she wants it and decides that if Eira refuses to give it to her she will take it. They begin to fight until they are interrupted by Eira's mother and Mab's father. The girl leaves and Mab vows to make her pay. Meanwhile, good old Dad gifts Mab with a necklace of her own, the necklace she will be known by.
Years later, Eira Snow marries the man Mab wanted for herself. They have three girls and are happy until Eiera's husband is killed in a car accident. Then one day, Mab is visiting her great aunt where she learns that a daughter of Eira snow will kill her one day. Her aunt is unable to tell her which of the girls it will be; so, Mab happily decides to kill all of the girl as well as her long time nemesis, Eira.
The Tin Man,(Gin's mentor, Fletcher) the best assassin in the business refuses to accept a job that kills kids. So, she decides to do the job herself sending out a clear warning to her remaining enemies. SHe manages to kill Eira and her oldest daughter. While torturing the middle daugher and searching for the youngest, something unexpected occurs. One of the daughter causes the ground to shake destroying the house to collapse. Mab and her minions assume the two remaining girls are dead. You know what they say about assuming!
Years later, shortly after the disaster at the train depot, Mab is standing looking over the devastasion caused by the Spider. She vows to kill Detective Bria Coolidge and she finally knows the identity of the Spider. At that moment she develops her plan to bring in a plethora or assassins to take them out. Mab is cackling at her assumed success. Did I mention what they say about assuming?
This is another excellent story in the series because I've always wondered why Mab murdered Gin's family. It also provides insight into Mab's necklace. This is one excerpt you will want to read. It is really good; but then again, Jennifer Estep does not write anything that isn't good!
July 16, 2014
This short story is 4.5 in the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series and focuses on Mab Monroe.
You can read this short story for free on Estep's website.
My Take
It's a mish-mash of Mab from her point-of-view and revolving around the day the Spider killed Elektra to her past as a seven-year-old psychopath and all the killing and whining she's done through the years. I'm kind of surprised her family never had her assassinated.
We also get a bit of back history between Mab and Eira Snow when they were girls — Mab was seven and already preferred hurting people. It's a summary of events from that seven-year-old point-of-view to now with a look at the nasty inside of Mab's mind.
Poor thing. So misunderstood. So confused about the people who get assassinated through the years.
The Characters
Mab Monroe is a Fire elemental and the head of the underworld in Ashland. Jonah McAllister is her lawyer. Marcus is her father, a Mob boss with a gift for Fire, whom she killed. Elliot Slater is a giant and head of the giant bodyguards she employs. Douglas is one of Elliot's men, very capable, and Mab sets him on the Tin Man's trail.
Great-Aunt Magda is Marcus' aunt with a gift for visions. She also lives in a pigsty of a house, and Mab would love to burn her and her house down.
Elektra LaFleur uses her electrical elemental magic to kill. She'd been hired by Mab to take out the Spider (read all about it in Tangled Threads , 4).
Detective Bria Coolidge is the Spider's sister. Xavier, a giant, is her partner on the force and not in Mab's pocket.
Eira Snow met Mab when Mab was seven, and they've hated each other ever since. When Eira married Tristan, a handsome and rich Stone elemental whom Mab had wanted...that was the end.
Porter Kincaid is another Mob boss, one with whom Mab is having trouble.
The Title
The title could well refer to Mab or Elektra, for both were the "Spider's Nemesis".
You can read this short story for free on Estep's website.
My Take
It's a mish-mash of Mab from her point-of-view and revolving around the day the Spider killed Elektra to her past as a seven-year-old psychopath and all the killing and whining she's done through the years. I'm kind of surprised her family never had her assassinated.
We also get a bit of back history between Mab and Eira Snow when they were girls — Mab was seven and already preferred hurting people. It's a summary of events from that seven-year-old point-of-view to now with a look at the nasty inside of Mab's mind.
Poor thing. So misunderstood. So confused about the people who get assassinated through the years.
The Characters
Mab Monroe is a Fire elemental and the head of the underworld in Ashland. Jonah McAllister is her lawyer. Marcus is her father, a Mob boss with a gift for Fire, whom she killed. Elliot Slater is a giant and head of the giant bodyguards she employs. Douglas is one of Elliot's men, very capable, and Mab sets him on the Tin Man's trail.
Great-Aunt Magda is Marcus' aunt with a gift for visions. She also lives in a pigsty of a house, and Mab would love to burn her and her house down.
Elektra LaFleur uses her electrical elemental magic to kill. She'd been hired by Mab to take out the Spider (read all about it in Tangled Threads , 4).
Detective Bria Coolidge is the Spider's sister. Xavier, a giant, is her partner on the force and not in Mab's pocket.
Eira Snow met Mab when Mab was seven, and they've hated each other ever since. When Eira married Tristan, a handsome and rich Stone elemental whom Mab had wanted...that was the end.
Porter Kincaid is another Mob boss, one with whom Mab is having trouble.
The Title
The title could well refer to Mab or Elektra, for both were the "Spider's Nemesis".
September 11, 2015
So good to see the backstory of the Snow family's demise from Mab's perspective and get more details on what happened. I had also wondered about Gin's father and what had happened to him, so was glad to get that detail. If it was in other books I missed it.
November 12, 2025
Spider’s Nemesis was a great addition to the series that delves into Mab Monroe's backstory.
Set during the events of Tangled Threads, this story follows Mab Monroe as she deals with the fallout of another failed attempt to take out the Spider. As Mab looks over the destruction of her train depot, she begins putting together the identity of the Spider leading her right back to her history with Eira Snow, Gin's mother.
I was looking forward to picking up Spider’s Nemesis as at this point we don't know much about Mab other than her history as a murderous fire elemental. In this story we learn why Mab hated Eira so much and what led to her decision to murder the entire Snow family. The prophecy about a Snow girl with Ice and Stone powers taking down Mab was particularly interesting. At the end of the story, Mab puts a plan into motion to take down the Spider and I'm looking forward to seeing how that all plays out.
Overall Spider’s Nemesis was a quick, entertaining read that nicely sets up the events in Spider's Revenge.
Set during the events of Tangled Threads, this story follows Mab Monroe as she deals with the fallout of another failed attempt to take out the Spider. As Mab looks over the destruction of her train depot, she begins putting together the identity of the Spider leading her right back to her history with Eira Snow, Gin's mother.
I was looking forward to picking up Spider’s Nemesis as at this point we don't know much about Mab other than her history as a murderous fire elemental. In this story we learn why Mab hated Eira so much and what led to her decision to murder the entire Snow family. The prophecy about a Snow girl with Ice and Stone powers taking down Mab was particularly interesting. At the end of the story, Mab puts a plan into motion to take down the Spider and I'm looking forward to seeing how that all plays out.
Overall Spider’s Nemesis was a quick, entertaining read that nicely sets up the events in Spider's Revenge.
July 12, 2017
This story, told from Mab Monroe's point-of-view, was very interesting. It tells us that Mab
Mab hatched a plot but unfortunately, though we were in her head for this story, we did not get to find out what it is.
Still though, things are coming to a head. I don't think it will be many more series books before we see the final battle between the Spider and Mab Monroe.
:-)
Mab hatched a plot but unfortunately, though we were in her head for this story, we did not get to find out what it is.
Still though, things are coming to a head. I don't think it will be many more series books before we see the final battle between the Spider and Mab Monroe.
:-)
February 25, 2018
An intense riveting story that gives insight to "Magda's" brilliant, twisted mind and memories. She is the "Spider's" archnemisis, and one crazy lady. A must read if your following the series carefully!
June 15, 2016
“There’s nothing you can do to stop it,” she rasped. “Not this time. Not this one. Not this girl. She’ll be the death of you, Mab. Mark my words. She’ll be stronger than you—she’ll be stronger than anyone for a long, long time to come.”
Now this novella was very interesting. Seeing things from Mab’s POV just made me realise that she’s even more evil than I originally thought. We get the back story about Mab and Eira Snow, and why Mab hated her. And we get a more in-depth view of that terrible night when Mab killed Gin’s mom and older sister, and how she tortured Gin. I love Gin even more now after seeing how strong she was back then, not breaking and telling Mab where her baby sister was hiding.
This is a definite must read for all fans of this series.
January 7, 2012
Loved it! A glimpse inside Mab's head.
This short story is about how the rivalry between Mab and the Spider's mother started. I enjoyed the look back to the ladies fighting as children during a tea party. Later you experience the tragic events that turned the child Genvieve into Gin Blanco the Spider Assassin through the enemy's point of view.
Gin and Mab give the term Bad-Ass, strength. These ladies don't wait to defend themselves, they kill you before the thought even enters your mind.
This short story is about how the rivalry between Mab and the Spider's mother started. I enjoyed the look back to the ladies fighting as children during a tea party. Later you experience the tragic events that turned the child Genvieve into Gin Blanco the Spider Assassin through the enemy's point of view.
Gin and Mab give the term Bad-Ass, strength. These ladies don't wait to defend themselves, they kill you before the thought even enters your mind.
July 14, 2012
This story did a great job of adding some debt to Mab Monroe. It was a great look into her very twisted mind and also her motivations. I liked getting to see a bit of the history between the Monroes and the Snow family. Even though this is from Mab’s POV the author does not turn her into a sympathetic character, she just shows just how insane Mab truly was, and making you appreciate what Gin was up against.
July 27, 2013
I am way behind on this series - but am almost up to date on all of the shorts now - I have to say that I really liked this short from the POV of Mab, Gin's enemy, and the fill in of Mab's backstory - she thinks she can beat fate but of course her actions to avoid the prophesy only serves to set in motion her own demise. This one actually grabbed me enough to make me want to dig the full length books off of the pile.
February 2, 2012
Wow...this is a great short story told from Mab's point of view. Mab has been troubled for a long time; you will see her as a child full of hate, the need for power and just pure evil. But at least now you know that Mab is a power hungry bitch, just like Gin has always said. This is a must read for all of Jennifer Estep fans!!!
July 6, 2012
This was a great little story, I loved touching base from the beginning and seeing it from Mad side.
Back story just add so much to the original pieces, I wish more writers would release them.
Thank you Jennifer Estep for sharing this with us and I am waiting with baited breath for the next book in this series.
Back story just add so much to the original pieces, I wish more writers would release them.
Thank you Jennifer Estep for sharing this with us and I am waiting with baited breath for the next book in this series.
June 4, 2012
From Mab's perspective, this was actually more interesting than I thought it would be. I enjoyed reading from her sociopath mind. I found it interesting that she commits patricide without a thought. Her father did raise her to be a disrespectful spoiled brat. We reap what we sow.
January 10, 2013
Ya, a lot has been in the books before, but I really enjoyed this one. I think some of the repetitiveness is why I liked this one better than a lot of other short stories. I felt like she took the time to tell me the story and didn't just throw something out there.
December 28, 2014
Good story to see it from the bad guy's perspective. However I would love to know Mab's thoughts when she realizes that Gin was the one who had dual elemental powers and the moment before she dies and she realizes that she brought this on herself.
March 12, 2016
Even tjough I HATE Mab, it was GREAT to see more about her history with the Snow family!
May 25, 2013
Free read on Jennifer's website.
A look at what Mab was thinking as she thought about Bria, The Spider and her past.
A look at what Mab was thinking as she thought about Bria, The Spider and her past.
April 18, 2014
Much longer than most of the other short stories up until this point.
This one focuses on Mab and her dealings with Eira Snow and later her daughters, Bria & The Spider.
This one focuses on Mab and her dealings with Eira Snow and later her daughters, Bria & The Spider.
May 28, 2014
was stoked to read a wee nouvelle from the big bad evil Mab! awesome!
January 25, 2018
Told from Mab Monroe's POV, we get a glimpse of how the feud with Eira Snow began and how it lead to the death of Eira. The story provides additional insight into the fateful night that killed a mother and child and set the courses for two other daughters.
I enjoyed seeing things from Mab's evil point of view. We go back in time as Mab gets embroiled in the feud with The Spider and attempts to figure who The Spider is and what she wants. It's not until the end of book 4 that Mab's memory is triggered and she now knows exactly what she's dealing with - or does she?!
Enjoyable addition to the Elemental Assassin series.
I enjoyed seeing things from Mab's evil point of view. We go back in time as Mab gets embroiled in the feud with The Spider and attempts to figure who The Spider is and what she wants. It's not until the end of book 4 that Mab's memory is triggered and she now knows exactly what she's dealing with - or does she?!
Enjoyable addition to the Elemental Assassin series.
October 17, 2021
Series: Elemental Assassin #4.5
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This short story is told from Mab’s POV. We see her hatred for the Snow family and her constant need to control everything. This tells Mab’s version of the Snow family deaths and how she eventually figured out who the Spider was. It also gives us a surprising piece of information about the Greyson family and the Snow family. I liked that we do get this brief glimpse of the villains of this series.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This short story is told from Mab’s POV. We see her hatred for the Snow family and her constant need to control everything. This tells Mab’s version of the Snow family deaths and how she eventually figured out who the Spider was. It also gives us a surprising piece of information about the Greyson family and the Snow family. I liked that we do get this brief glimpse of the villains of this series.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
April 22, 2021
Eira and then Gin after her were the only ones who were able to put Mab in her place. That's her problem, she grew up privileged and full of unnecessary rage and never had been told no a day in her life. She's such a nasty, arrogant, selfish person that it fills you with joy hearing her great aunt tell her that she will be defeated by Gin or to see Eira get things that she wanted and shake with fear when Gin brought her house down, knowing the power she has.
July 29, 2017
Told from the perspective of the Spider's nemesis, Mab Monroe, this short story begins when the feud between the Snow family and Monroe family starts. Recalling memories from the past, Mab finally realizes who the Spider is. Great back story presented, and reminds the reader of the night Gin's rune was seared into her hands.
Another freebie from the author's website.
Another freebie from the author's website.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews