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

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin
Voted as our 2017 series read

Members are welcome to read as few or as many books within this series as they'd like. The series read will run from 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2017 ~ 1 book a month. You may list and track your books here, use the group challenge, or both. It's up to you. **For instructions on how to set up a challenge-specific shelf, see Lauren's post. This challenge will be open 1/1/2017.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the books as you read. I ask that you use spoiler tags to avoid spoiling something for someone who hasn't yet read the book.

Jennifer has listed the series reading order on her website, which includes short stories.

Reading Order (per Jennifer Estep's Website)
Books in the series are: Spider’s Bite #1 / Web of Lies #2 / Venom #3 / Tangled Threads #4 / Spider’s Revenge #5 / By a Thread #6 / Widow’s Web #7 / Deadly Sting #8 / Heart of Venom #9 / The Spider #10 / Poison Promise #11 / Black Widow #12 / Spider’s Trap #13 / Bitter Bite #14 / Unraveled #15 / Snared #16

E-novellas and short stories in the series are: Haints and Hobwebs stand-alone / Thread of Death #5.5 / Parlor Tricks stand-alone / Kiss of Venom #8.5 / Unwanted #14.5 / Nice Guys Bite #15.5



(Fandom Wiki Series Discussion)

[Sam]

This should be fun. I've already read the first three, so I'll be able to comment right away and then possibly finish/catch up in the series over the rest of the year.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sounds good, Sam! I've only read book one, so I may try to join in on this one as well.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I'm in. This has been on my TBR for ages. :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I'm up to #10, but I think there are a couple of freebies I haven't read also.

[Raquel (Rocki)]

This will be good to finish I am on book 10 as well but I haven't read some of the freebies and none of the novella's

[Beth The Vampire]

Cool! Looking forward to reading the series. Like a lot of you it has been on my TBR for ages. Book Depository here I come!!

[Lauren]

I'm up to #7 - hope this will give me incentive to continue.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yay! Glad y'all will join us!

[Moondance]

I am so behind in this series. Perhaps a chance to catch up?

[Hectaizani]

I haven't read any of the series and it sounds so good. This will be my first series read-along with the group.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Definitely, Cheryl! Welcome, Sarra! :)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

The first 3 short stories occur before book #1. They are on Jennifer Estep's website (10 min reads):
http://www.jenniferestep.com/short-st...
(Be warned the stories are not in chronological order on the page but she does include the time line for each story.) The order is Poison, Web of Deceit and Spider's Bargain.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Thanks Loriidae.

I knew they were there, just hadn't got around to reading them. The order is appreciated :)

[Elaine]

Loriidae wrote: "The first 3 short stories occur before book #1. They are on Jennifer Estep's website (10 min reads):
http://www.jenniferestep.com/short-st...
(Be warned the stories are not in chr..."

Brilliant, thanks Loriidae!

I'm looking forward to starting this in January.
The books are on Scribd for anyone who's a member.

[Dee]

I'm up for this, i'll be starting from the beginning.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Welcome all! Remember to create your series challenge shelf, if you'd like the challenge box on the group's home page to track your challenge progress for ya. Instructions on how to do that are included, for those who need it.

[Elaine]

Looking forward to giving this series a try!

[Mette]

I have read the first 10 so far and love this series so I'm going to join this challenge. it looks fun and I still need to read the rest of the series and the small stories. I'm also thinking about starting from the beginning again and re-reading them.

[Cheryl]

Its been on my TBR pile for ages and I was planning on reading the series this year. So count me in!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Glad you'll join us, Elaine, Mette & Cheryl!

[Elaine]

Thanks, Steph!

Loriidae wrote: "The first 3 short stories occur before book #1. They are on Jennifer Estep's website (10 min reads):
http://www.jenniferestep.com/short-st...
(Be warned the stories are not in chr..."

Is it ok to read the short stories before the first book or is there spoilers?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I've not read them myself, so hopefully someone who has can answer that for ya.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Lady Elaine of the Elder Fey wrote: "Thanks, Steph!

Loriidae wrote: "The first 3 short stories occur before book #1. They are on Jennifer Estep's website (10 min reads):
http://www.jenniferestep.com/short-st...
(Be ..."

As far as I am aware there are no spoilers for the first 3 stories that are set chronologically before book 1 (I haven't read book 1) but from Estep's website:

"Poison
This short story takes place when Gin is a teenager and is told from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, Gin’s foster brother.

Web of Deceit
This short story takes place when Gin is a teenager. It’s told from the point of view of Fletcher Lane, Gin’s assassin mentor, and focuses on Gin’s first solo job as the assassin the Spider.

Spider’s Bargain
This short story takes place before the events of Spider’s Bite, the first book in the Elemental Assassin series. In Spider’s Bargain, Gin Blanco takes on a corrupt cop, but only one of them will be left standing in the end."

The other shorts are after book 1.

[Moondance]

Loriidae wrote: "Lady Elaine of the Elder Fey wrote: "Thanks, Steph!

Loriidae wrote: "The first 3 short stories occur before book #1. They are on Jennifer Estep's website (10 min reads):
http://www.jenniferestep...."

Thank you for the info, Loriidae. I read them today to prep for the series. The first few books will be a re-read for me.

[Michelle]

I am in haven't read these yet

[Vivian]

Just read the short stories, didn't know they were on the website so thanks! No outright spoilers but I feel like they would be more enjoyable after getting to know the characters a little better.

[CassieCruel]

I'll jump in at book 10?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

You're welcome to jump in at any time, Cassie Cruel.

[CassieCruel]

Awesome!! Thank you

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Up to chapter 11. Bit bloodier than I expected, not sure why, she is an assassin after all. The mystery is just beginning to heat up. Enjoying the writing style.

[[deleted user]]

I'll join you all for this. I haven't started this series yet. This is a good time to start it, I guess.

[Moondance]

I finished rereading book 1. It has been about 5 years since I read it. There were things that I didn't remember. I'll post a review when I get to my computer.

[Daffodil]

I've read the first 14 and have Unraveled sitting on my TBR. I'll be interested to see what others think of the series.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I'm going to have to re-read #1 also. I read it in 2010 and don't remember much, only that I stopped there and didn't continue on.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Finished. A good start to the series - (view spoiler)[enjoyed the whole star-crossed lovers scenario - loved how she used the stones to test for intruders and to track - also enjoyed Donovan Caine (I liked that he stuck to his morals - and I can understand doing something in the heat of the moment and hating yourself/feel guilty afterwards) - looking forward to what a retired assassin does (hide spoiler)] Having recently finished Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews) It was a nice change to have a simpler world.

[Eldarwen]

Just got this in the mail! :-D How I love my book packages *squee*

Not sure yet if I'll read it right away or see if I can fit it into one of the first shelf calls :-)

Thanks Loriidae for the heads-up about the short stories!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Book packages are the best! :D

[Sam]

The first book, Spider's Bite, has a nice world set up. I enjoy meeting Gin, Finn and Fletcher. It's strange to be rooting for the assassin, but I was. I think there is a lot more to Gin than she realizes and I look forward to her discovering it.

[Angie ☯]

Going to give the first book a try, before committing to the series.

But I have to say, I read the summary and it had me at "My name is Gin, and I kill people." ☺ Plus, it is set in my part of the country. I think I will probably be adding another series to my list!!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Yay!

[Elaine]

I started last night. Really enjoying it.

[Cheryl]

I've finished the first book and loved it. Looking forward to see where the series go. Here is my review (spoiler free) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Hectaizani]

I'm really happy that I decided to join you. The first book was really good. It's dark, and scary, and funny, and poignant. I have a review on my bookshelf, but it's not 100% spoiler-free because I give my opinion of the possible romantic angle.

[Elaine]

Just finished Loved it!!

[Angie ☯]

Angie ☯ wrote: "Going to give the first book a try, before committing to the series.

But I have to say, I read the summary and it had me at "My name is Gin, and I kill people." ☺ Plus, it is set in my part of the country..."

Update - finished the 1st book - really liked it!

My (spoiler free) review

[Beth The Vampire]

I was actually really surprised by this book. I love Gin, I think she is fantastic! Great pick everyone.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Glad you enjoyed it Beth the Vampire :)

[Kim]

I'm in and ready to start - it's also my Free Space pick in BSB. I love when I get to read a book that works for more than one challenge!!

[Elaine]

Hope you enjoy it Kim.