2017 Series Read: Jennifer Estep's "Elemental Assassin"

[Sasha]

I never understood why Gin put up with Donovan. I could see why he'd have a problem with her being an assassin but he was just an ass.

[Hectaizani]

I'm glad to hear that things pick up in the romance dept. Caine is so not right for her for so many reasons. It's hard for me to "watch" her throwing herself at him.

[Netanella]

I think one of the reasons we can empathize with Gin's ill-fated romance with Caine is that we've all been there at some point in my life. I remember the guy that was just so wrong for me, but I wanted it to work so badly. My friends and family warned me about the heartache to come, but I just wouldn't listen. Now, we warn our daughters, and hope they don't make the same mistakes that we do.

[Linda (ellsky)]

This series has been on my TBR list for years. I read #1-4 of Mythos Academy in 2013 and really enjoyed them. I was hesitant to read this series for a strange reason... I am painfully afraid of spiders. I don't even say the word out loud. When I read it, my brain now automatically changes it to the word "bug" lol. I wasn't sure I would like reading that word over and over again in the books. However, I'm planning to use reading this series as a slightly off-kilter method of therapy for my fear. So far it's all good lol!!

I just started reading #1 Spider's Bite a couple days ago. I'm really loving it and expect to be done tomorrow. I have noticed a bit of repetition about the silverstone 5 blades, but it's not too bad. I'll see how it goes in future books.

One funny line I noticed at the beginning of chapter 4...
(view spoiler)["A black toboggan I'd had folded in my pocket..." In Canada a toboggan is a sled. I had to Google this to find out that in the Southern States it also means a hat that is kinda like a touque. I had a laugh! (hide spoiler)]

[Steph, Serious series addict]

LOL! Good luck facing your arachnid fears, Linda :)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Linda (ellsky) wrote: "This series has been on my TBR list for years. I read #1-4 of Mythos Academy in 2013 and really enjoyed them. I was hesitant to read this series for a strange reason... I am painfully afraid of spi..."

Yes toboggan threw me too. :-) I hope you can enjoy the series. Yes from all accounts the repetition is something you have to learn to look past. Looking forward to book #3 this month.

[Linda (ellsky)]

Just finished Spider's Bite. I gave it 3 stars. It felt a little clunky. I hope the writing style improves. I love the world and the elemental powers, though. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I wrote a review for it but I'm not sure how to link to it here.
Happy reading!

[Hindidownload]

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[Beth The Vampire]

Sasha wrote: "I never understood why Gin put up with Donovan. I could see why he'd have a problem with her being an assassin but he was just an ass."

Agreed! He really pissed me off in the second book. But at the same time Gin doesn't realise how important his morals are to him, and she just wants him to throw that all away? She's asking a lot. And really, they wouldn't have worked at all in the long run. It would have been a relationship based on passion and sex, nothing more. And Gin deserves something better than that. Someone who won't push her away or pretend she is something she is not, or like Gin herself says, someone who will chase her.

Up to Venom, so hoping to pick that up in the next few weeks.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Beth The Vampire wrote: "Sasha wrote: "I never understood why Gin put up with Donovan. I could see why he'd have a problem with her being an assassin but he was just an ass."

Agreed! He really pissed me off in the second ..."

Yes exactly!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I really enjoyed #3 Venom. I like the direction in which the overall story arc is moving but the repetitive writing style continues to irk, and prevents it from becoming a 5 star read, so 4 stars for Venom.

[Cheryl]

i just finished Venom and it was so good! It is getting better with each book. Gin is such a mixed bag - tough on the outside but so soft on in the inside, and her 'family' are the glue that keeps her together. I must admit that I was much more interested in Gin's relationship with Bria and Owen (he is so hot and much more suited to Gin than Donovan) than I was with the happenings with Mab Monroe and Elliot Slater. My only gripe is the repetitiveness of events from previous books which I tend to skip over.

[Moondance]

I need to update my reviews and start Venom. I think that is as far as I got when I first started reading the series. So everything after this will be new to me.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

The repetitiveness from book to book doesn't worry me too much as originally I guess they were published a year or so apart so as a reader I would have probably appreciated that had I been reading each book as it had been published.

It is the repetitiveness within the book itself that irks me the most. The Silverstone knives. We know she's got Silverstone knives. Why are we told every time, she just has to have a knife and we would know it was a Silverstone knife. The description of the 5 places where she put the knives.......

[Linda (ellsky)]

Just finished Web of Lies tonight. So much better than Spider's Bite! I'm really getting into the world now. And I'm so happy that Donovan is (hopefully forever) gone from Gin's life. Owen sounds so much sexier and better for her. I will be starting Venom tomorrow. Great series so far. Thanks for choosing it for this years' read.

[Hectaizani]

Just finished up Venom. Pretty good. I like the way Estep is moving the story forward. The repetition is getting a little bit irksome, as Loriidae said especially the knives. She has five, and we all know where she carries them, because she tells us about 15 times per book. It's not enough to make me stop reading, I like Gin, she's badass. I love some of the supporting characters. I can't wait to see where her new love interest goes. I could just do without being hit over the head with the same information once a chapter.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Sarra wrote: "Just finished up Venom. Pretty good. I like the way Estep is moving the story forward. The repetition is getting a little bit irksome, as Loriidae said especially the knives. She has five, and we a..."

I agree I am looking forward to the progression of the overall story arc.

In particular after venom (view spoiler)[ the devolpment of her relationship with her sister (hide spoiler)]

[Sasha]

One thing I absolutely love about Gin is how she never steps aside to cater to a man's ego. Another of my favorite series is the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and it drove me crazy while reading Magic Breaks when Kate felt Curran deserved revenge on Hughe more than she did. She was the one Hughe tortured. I've noticed this theme in a lot of books. I love how Gin gets to stay the head bad ass throughout this whole series.

[Linda (ellsky)]

Just finished Venom. I enjoyed the characters more than in the previous books. We learned a bit more about Sophia. I want to find out more about her backstory. And yes... Owen... sigh... He does seem lovely, doesn't he ladies?

The repetition isn't bothering me as much as some others have stated. However, it does drive me a little crazy how Estep always uses both first and last names for her characters. For example, (view spoiler)[ when Gin and Finn are at Elliot Slater's mansion, sneaking around getting ready to kill him. It is never just Slater, or Elliot. It's always, "And then Eliot Slater walked here, and then Elliot Slater said this, and then Elliot Slater put his hand in his pocket." (hide spoiler)] A funny little quirk that I'm gonna have to just accept about this author, I guess. :)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Really enjoyed the short story tangled dreams which is on JE's website.
It is told from the POV of Jo Jo and Sophie and gives a lot of insight into the dwarves, particularly Sophie.

http://www.jenniferestep.com/short-st...

[Sam]

Now I can start reading with you guys again since you have caught up to where I am. Tangled Threads this month. I'm looking forward to getting back to Gin and gang.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Sam wrote: "Now I can start reading with you guys again since you have caught up to where I am. Tangled Threads this month. I'm looking forward to getting back to Gin and gang."

I think we have all gotten our rants about the repetitiveness of the writing out of our systems, and can now concentrate on the plot! :D

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Loriidae wrote: "I think we have all gotten our rants about the repetitiveness of the writing out of our systems, and can now concentrate on the plot! :D .."

Well maybe not. :D After reading Tangled threads I'm mildly annoyed by Estep's insults to her readers. It wasn't so much the continuous recounts of previous plots that annoyed me, it was being told the same thing over and over again in the same book. We can remember from chapter to chapter.

Well with that rant out of the way. Tangled threads I enjoyed the plot of this one I loved the insights we get into Gin's character and her relationship with Bria and the huge big spoiler at the end that I won't mention :)

I listened to the audio on this one and perhaps that was what helped me move past the repetition (well mostly) because I was doing other things while listening and not solely concentrating on the book as I would be while reading.

[Stacey]

I'm jumping in late to the group, but I just finished Tangled Threads a few days ago, so I figure I'm actually kind of caught up. I have a lot of the same thoughts as you all --repetitiveness, first/last names, he who shall not be named-- but I do love how Estep actually moves the story along in each book rather than retreading the same ground. Hoping book 5 keeps it up!

[Moondance]

I finished Venom and Tangled Threads in the last few days. I am loving Owen. I was so over Donovan and kept hoping that Gin would get him with her Silverstone knives. The repetition is not bothering me as much as it did initially. I see that there are short stories in between some of the books. I read the 3 pre-series short stories but need to look at the website for the others. I need to check out the novellas as well. I'm off to look for the next book. I want to see where Gin and Bria's relationship is headed.

[Sam]

I read Tangled Threads this week. Greatly enjoyed it. I'm glad to see that Gin's personal life is evolving. Her circle of friends keeps growing. She sure is active for someone who is retired. I hope that (view spoiler)[ Bria adjusts quickly so Gin can spend more time with her remaining family (hide spoiler)]. Looking forward to the next book. I wonder if being jammed made her Ice so powerful or if it was always going to be that way.

[Lauren]

Finally gotten around to starting after a really long hiatus. I had stalled here because (view spoiler)[I was aware of where Owen's character goes. I'll just have to power through the descriptions of his idiocy! (hide spoiler)]

Hope it's OK that I'm posting here even though its a later book in the series. If not, let me know :0)

Comments up to chapter 3:

Love the beginning - Finn always makes me smile.

Selina and Owen - (view spoiler)[I was expecting it but I'm still really disappointed in Owen. He could at least have made a pretense of rejecting her.

Based on his current behavior, I'm not sure Gin should even bother fighting for him.

It kind of annoys me that Estep seems to be going against all of Owen's previous characterization in terms of his feelings for Gin (hide spoiler)]

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Read #5 Spider’s Revenge A great finish to the story arc. I must be getting used to the repetitive writing as it didn't bother me as much this time. Looking forward to where the series goes next.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

#6 By a Thread Disappointing start, Gin is being a whiny, jealous bitch! Finding it hard to get into. Usually I fly through these.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Putting this series on hold for a while...

[Elaine]

I'm reading Venom now and I'm getting annoyed with the constant recapping. She must think we have goldfish memories!!

[Moondance]

I have completed books 6 and 7 and need to get my reviews up. Owen is no longer my book boyfriend. :-(

[Vivian]

I think the recapping and repetition decrease in the later half of the series! But yeah, I can't read too many back to back.

Moondance - I remember those dark days. It was (view spoiler)[Donovan all over again! (hide spoiler)]

[Sasha]

Moondance wrote: "I have completed books 6 and 7 and need to get my reviews up. Owen is no longer my book boyfriend. :-("

Widows Web and Deadly Sting both left me feeling confused and disappointed in Owen. It just seemed like he made this complete 180 and went from this confident, loving, and trustworthy boyfriend to a whiney, deceitful and self loathing a-hole. (view spoiler)[ when he made such a big deal about how badly Donavan treated Gin and how she deserved someone who loved and respected her then turned around and treated her the exact same way I couldn't believe it. Especially when he slipped out to meet his ex in private after she had tried to kill pretty much everyone he cared about and then did the one thing he promised Gin he'd never do by turning his back on her and just walking away. (hide spoiler)] Books 7 and 8 are my least favorite books in the whole series because of Owen.

[Sasha]

One more thing that drove me nuts in Widow's Web and left me wanting throat punch Owen (view spoiler)[ why was it Kincaid that pulled Gin out of the river and did CPR? And if the fact that Owen was so wrapped up in his own denial that he wasn't there for Gin at a time she desperately needed him wasn't bad enough he then leaves Kincaid (who Gin barely knows) to watch over her after nearly dying so he can focus on freaking Salina and "giving her a chance". (hide spoiler)] I just don't understand how Owen went from this lovable, sexy perfect match for Gin to this sad excuse of bf in only one freaking book. Ok...no more ranting lol

[Sam]

Finally finished Spider's Revenge. So glad that Gin got her revenge. The book reads as if this was the conclusion of the series but since it goes on, I guess she had more ideas? Anyway, now that book bingo is over, I should be able to get back to this series.

Just remembered: nature abhors a vacuum (view spoiler)[wonder who is replacing Mab as biggest bad guy in Ashland. (hide spoiler)]

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Sam wrote: "Finally finished Spider's Revenge. So glad that Gin got her revenge. The book reads as if this was the conclusion of the series but since it goes on, I guess she had more ideas? Anyway, now that bo..."

Very true Sam!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Sasha wrote: "Moondance wrote: "I have completed books 6 and 7 and need to get my reviews up. Owen is no longer my book boyfriend. :-("

Widows Web and Deadly Sting both left me feeling confused and disappointed..."

Yes, very much so although my issue with by a thread was more about Gin's attitude. I found her so whiney, and all woe is me.

I agree totally with your take on Widows web!

It was almost like a day time soap where the writers can't let any couple be happy without introducing drama just for the sake of it.

[Melissa]

Sam wrote: "Finally finished Spider's Revenge. So glad that Gin got her revenge. The book reads as if this was the conclusion of the series but since it goes on, I guess she had more ideas? Anyway..."

Spider's Revenge was where I stopped. I really don't feel any need to continue.

One of the things I disliked the most about this series was that Gin let Donovan change the way she felt about herself. Before Donovan (brief as it might be) she is portrayed as this bad ass heroine - she's the best and she knows it - confidence out the wazoo. But, as soon as he's in the picture, she's wracked w/ self doubt and worried about how he will interpret her every move. So two issues here ... 1.) I find this highly unlikely that someone with such a strong sense of self turns into a puddle of mush this easily. 2.) SHE DOESN"T EVEN KNOW HIM at first. She might respect him based on her research but there is no way a person that she doesn't even know should have this kind of power over her. Plus, their whole "relationship" is just a series of hook ups. AND when they actually work together, he spends the whole time making it clear that he basically hates her. REALLY??? She's that invested??? So invested that he's totally screwed her up emotionally forever??? Nope. Just nope.

So, if Gin's headed for the same BS w/ Owen, I think I'll just quit while I'm ahead and let her have a happy ending with him. I am completely satisfied with the closure I received in Spider's Revenge.

[Moondance]

I was extremely disappointed in Owen in Widow’s Web. He has started to redeem himself but it will take a bit more for him to return to book boyfriend status.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Melissa wrote: "Sam wrote: "Finally finished Spider's Revenge. So glad that Gin got her revenge. The book reads as if this was the conclusion of the series but since it goes on, I guess she had more ideas? Anyway...."

I totally see your point!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I know we are heartedly sick of the repetition but in widows web, JE I was annoyed by Gin's continual reference to Owen as "my lover". I thought that was really impersonal.

[Moondance]

Poison Promise and Black Widow had me holding my breath for Gin. Both had harrowing scenes that really challenged her. The bad guys seem to be getting worse. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Hectaizani]

Melissa wrote: "Sam wrote: "Finally finished Spider's Revenge. So glad that Gin got her revenge. The book reads as if this was the conclusion of the series but since it goes on, I guess she had more ideas? Anyway...."

I totally get what you're saying about Gin being portrayed as a total badass. But then she has way too many issues with the men in her life which is making it harder and harder for me to continue with the series. Fortunately (or unfortunately) since I found them all at Half Price I'm invested and will struggle on until the bitter end. Can't we have a strong, badass female protagonist who doesn't completely fall apart just because she finds a man attractive?

For instance:
In The Spider Gin is so desperate for male attention (view spoiler)[ that she is completely taken in by Sebastian. He woos her and steals her heart even though he's obviously a villain. She's so positive she's right about him she doesn't heed any of the warning signs, or listen to Fletcher or Finn. I realize she was young and somewhat naive during the events of the book, but still. (hide spoiler)]. I'd have thought after growing up on the streets and the being raised by a master assassin she'd have more street smarts than that.

[Michelle]

I fell behind in this series i still have to read the spider i just got distracted and stopped reading the series and i was ahead but i will continue on and see if i can catch up on the entire series.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I recently picked this series up again with Deadly Sting and while Owen's soul searching is getting old, I really enjoyed this one. The repetition had been dialled down and the plot was more along the lines of the earlier books. I seriously considered not continuing after the disappointment of By a Thread, however now I will keep going. Next in line is Heart of Venom

[Moondance]

I just completed Spider's Trap. I needed one more book to reach my yearly challenge. I will continue reading the series to see where it leads. One thing I always wish is that there were recipes in the book. I know that is a cozy mystery thing but Gin makes me hungry when she is cooking.

I enjoyed catching up with this series. Happy New Year to everyone.