REVIEW and GIVEAWAY: Venom by Jennifer Estep

 
ISBN 9781439148013

Series: Elemental Assassin, Book 3

Genre: Urban Fantasy

(c) September 2010, Simon and Schuster
Jennifer Estep's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Book Depository (print)

Jennifer Estep's third book in her Elemental Assassin series flows and sweeps you up into Gin's adventures without effort, immersing you into her heroine's world until you couldn't bear to tear yourself away and you couldn't help but sigh when you reached the last page. Because you want more.

Gin Blanco is the renowned assassin the Spider, but she has already retired from the profession. Unfortunately, her previous hits caught up with her, and she was beaten near to death in the campus grounds where she was taking up courses in night school. Coming face to face with her family's murderer (the wealthy and powerful Fire Elemental Mab Monroe) made Gin resolve to avenge her mother's and older sister's deaths. Add to that the complication of teaching a certain giant some much-needed lessons, discovering that her baby sister Bria was still alive and a new love interest in the form of one hunky businessman called Owen Grayson, Gin didn't have time enough to draw a deep breath before she was plunged once again into another action-packed, spine-tingling adventure.

Gin is really Genevieve Snow, an Elemental who could control both Ice and Stone, something rare. Most elementals could only control one element, but Gin inherited Ice from her mother and Stone from her father. She may be an assassin, but Gin is not the stereotypical cold and ruthless person that comes to mind when one learns of the nature of her profession. No, Gin has heart, and she values good friends and family. She also lives by her own code of honor. She pays her dues, and even gives more than what is required of her. For justice, to protect the weak and to teach the villainous giant that his lawless ways were over. Oh, and if this meant shaking the foundation of Mab Monroe's empire, so much the better. Not only that, but Gin is also one mean cook. Now, what man couldn't help but fall for her?

But Gin has been hurt in the past by Detective Donovan Caine who couldn't accept that she was an assassin, whose own code/morals couldn't align with hers. Nothing wrong with that, but it just meant that should they continue on, nothing good would come of their relationship. So the detective left. And now there was Owen, a prominent businessman whose reputation could be hurt by associating with her. Gin's past experience and logical thinking made her cautious and wary about giving her heart to the keeping of another, especially someone who didn't know all there was to know about Gin Blanco--the assassin Spider and the elemental who was on Mab Monroe's hit list. Sex? Heck, yes. Love? Wait and see.

Then there was her sister, crusading detective Bria Coolidge. Much as Gin aches to know her and build a sisterly relationship, she was afraid of how Bria would see, and consequently treat, her. Could Bria accept that Gin was an assassin? Or would she have the same reaction as Detective Caine?

Like in most urban fantasies, the romance--or almost-romance--took a backseat, with the heroine's crusading and avenging ways in the forefront, complete with action and suspense, mayhem and murder. Oh, and broken bones, battered faces, and tons and tons of healing magic.

I also find the titles to be very clever. Spider's Bite, Web of Lies, Venom and Tangled Threads (Book 4). Note how each refers to some aspect of the spider, who represents--or is--Gin.

If you've enjoyed Spider's Bite (review) and Web of Lies (review), be sure to get this book! Venom is also a stand-alone book that anyone who wants to start Gin's story here can do so without feeling as though you've missed anything. Ms. Estep gave a brief overview of Gin's background where needed, such that I didn't feel there was an information dump anywhere in the story. Though I found some of Gin's thoughts repetitive at times, it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

Note: This book was provided courtesy of the publisher/author.


Book Summary: 

What kind of assassin works pro bono?

It's hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most.

To the public, I'm Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland's best barbecue joint. To my friends, I'm the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab's right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I'll take my chances. Then there's Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland's finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I'm a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

The first two books in the series:

Buy Spider's Bite.
Buy Web of Lies.

Jennifer Estep will be dropping by the blog from September 13 to 15, so if you've any comments or questions for her, now would be the time to ask.

Time for the awesome giveaway!

Jennifer is giving away a copy of Venom to one lucky commenter! US/Canada only, no P.O. Boxes.

How to Enter (Basic Requirement):

Comment here or in the next posts (until September 15) by:

1. Asking Jennifer any question, or

2. Answering this question: If you were given the choice to possess one of the major elemental powers (Air, Fire, Ice and Stone), which would you choose? Why?

Note: No question/answer = no chance to win 

Additional Chances to Win: 

1. Each time you spread news of this contest (via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, your blog, etc) earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement.

2. Follow us! Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Good Reads. Each "follow" earns you one point. (Old followers are automatically entered.) 

Contest Duration: September 13 to 15, 1159 pm EST 

Contest Winner Announcement: September 16 

The winner will be selected via Randomizer.org. Please send your name and mailing address to caroletrr(@)gmail.com, so be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If we don't receive the email within twenty-four hours, a new winner will be chosen.