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Venom (Elemental Assassin, #3)

Jennifer Estep

Start date: March 1, 2017

Finish date: March 31, 2017

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Elemental Assassin …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 89 posts · 31 views

last updated Aug 30, 2025 10:39PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 15, 2010 Alisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, urban-fantasy

Initial reaction (upon finishing): Rock ON! That's how it's freakin done.

This was an absolutely fantastic addition to the Elemental Assassin series. I just don't know where to start. But I'll say this: Venom is a very pivotal book, placing Gin in the position of finally being able to address (and do something about) her family's torture and murder. I would not recommend beginning the series here (rather, first check out Spider's Bite and then Web of Lies). Technically the main plot arc is self-c Initial reaction (upon finishing): Rock ON! That's how it's freakin done.

This was an absolutely fantastic addition to the Elemental Assassin series. I just don't know where to start. But I'll say this: Venom is a very pivotal book, placing Gin in the position of finally being able to address (and do something about) her family's torture and murder. I would not recommend beginning the series here (rather, first check out Spider's Bite and then Web of Lies). Technically the main plot arc is self-contained in this one installment, but Gin makes a lot of decisions and does a lot of soul searching that simply won't have the same impact without proper context.

For example, this book finds Gin's sometimes-lover Donovan Cain long-gone, as he's "gotten outta Dodge" to escape his considerable attraction to our beloved assassin. Eager to fill that void is Owen Grayson...but we're repeatedly reminded of Caine during Gin's interactions with Owen, due to her feeling once-burned; she basically compares everything from their kisses and physical attributes to their respective morals and motivations. Her wanting to know Owen at all is colored by her past with Caine. Personally, I really found the introduction of Owen as a major figure to be an intriguing one. His presence brings an enticing air of mystery, for both Gin and the reader.

We've also got a conundrum that forms the main plot and is directly influenced by the events of book two. That is to say, some of Gin's decisions and actions come back to bite her in the butt. I actually loved this inclusion, because it reveals Gin's humanity, humility, generosity and sense of honor/fidelity. Eat your heart out, Donovan Caine. ^_^

The plot was deliciously paced; just about every returning character is fleshed out more (and to addictive effect!). Estep has trained me to be on guard; I feel like no one is safe and anything can happen (which not always the case in series, open-ended or not). This is the installment that really solidifies the series arc; I am now absolutely vested in the outcome of the next books to come. ...more

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May 29, 2011 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011

Venom is the third installment in Estep's elemental series. I was very happy overall with the story for the most part, but others felt a little phoned in. Estep often uses the same phrases in each of her books to describe the same thing. A few things like eyes meeting gray on violet, or gray on green, or whatever colors. She always talks with the same phrasing Bria as her baby sister, not little sister or even just sister, even the other characters do this, maybe she's going for the dialect but ...more

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Feb 04, 2017 Netanella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, chicks-who-kick-butt, 2017-dangerous-heroes, 2017-february-reading-challenges

First line: The bastards never even would have gotten close to me if I hadn’t had the flu.

4 1/2 stars, rounded up because this book, and this series, just keeps getting better and better in terms of plot line and my love for the characters. Yes, granted, the needless repetition of phrases and whole scenes from the earlier books are a little grating - I prefer it when a series author respects the reader enough not to have to bang us over the head with prior information we've still retained from t ...more

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Jan 28, 2015 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2015-books-read

I like where this series is headed! Love the introduction of Owen and Bria, and the possibility of much more from Roslyn. Estep seemed to really hit her stride with this one, and renewed my interest in the series. Gin is still nursing some hurt feelings post-Donovan, but she is still hard as nails and ready for action. I loved seeing her work with Finn and throw down to protect people from evil. New lines are drawn by the end of this book and I don't think I'll be able to wait long to pick up th ...more

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Jun 17, 2010 Ebby Wilhelm rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal, magical-with-a-twist, mystical-powers, elemental

I'm getting more interested in this series after reading this installment. I'm very happy with how the men situation turned out- actually, I like when things come around full circle. I'm hoping that as this series continues there will be more depth into the relationships of the characters, more explanation of how things came about. I'm looking forward to the next though. ...more

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Apr 30, 2010 Cindi Kelley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-read

Gin rocks! This series only gets better and better. She's almost out of the closet with her past but not quite. Hopefully in the next installment she confides in Bria that they are sisters. ...more

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