Venom in the Veins

Title: Venom in the Veins

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 17

Publisher: self-published

ISBN: 9780986188565

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I'm a fan of this series.  I tend to be a fan of Jennifer Estep's work in general (though I had trouble getting into the Bigtime series).  So I did enjoy this book.  Just not as much as some past books in the series.

Gin has been trying to get information on The Circle and her parents.  In the meantime, a friend's life is threatened and she is going to get to the bottom of it.  In the meantime, someone from her past comes out of the woodwork and she finds herself in a sticky situation, with memories that haunt her reappearing in her dreams.  There is a hook at the end, so while the main storyline for this book is wrapped up, the overall arc story is hanging in suspense.

I look forward to the next book and more of Gin and her friends/family.

Snared

Title: Snared

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 16

ISBN: 9781501142277

Length: 371

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love the series and author.

Comments:

I enjoyed this book as usual, but there were a couple things that struck me as obvious that Gin doesn't realize until MUCH later on, causing her unnecessary trouble.  That is not to say I expected all of what happened.  And as usual Gin is involved in some really close calls with death, only to be picked up by friends and not always expected allies.  Of course I'll be continuing to read the series and learn more about Gin's struggles to track down the Circle (the new group of powerful and extremely covert bad guys)... with the help of her friends and family.

Unraveled

Title: Unraveled

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 15

ISBN: 9781501142215

Length: 373 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love the series and author.

Comments:

Gin and crew leave Ashland for a western-themed resort.  Which is interesting and kind of fun to have this new setting.  But going gives Gin a bad feeling from the start, and it seems her worries are right on track.  Though really, she needed to come, because it places her in a position to take care of a nasty enemy and gather information on the ever mysterious "Circle" (the most recent dangerous bad guys Gin needs to roust).

I eagerly await more elemental assassin books (and novellas) in the future.  Nice Guys Bite (Bk 15.5) is due out in December (I'm telling myself that isn't too long a wait) and Snared is due out in April.

Unwanted

Title: Unwanted

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Star

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 14.5

ISBN: 9781501142291

Obtained: Library ebook copy

Why this book?:

First I LOVE this series.  Second, who wouldn't want Finn's thoughts on the drama that took place in book 14, Bitter Bite?

Comments:

I can't say too much without spoiling some of what happened in Bitter Bite.  Suffice it to say Finn feels very down about previous events, and is having an identity crisis.  But events happen, and he discovers a little violence (in the name of helping someone) is a good way to perk up, burn off some of the negative energy/emotions, and find a way to move along in life.

Bright Blaze of Magic

Title: Bright Blaze of Magic

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Kensington

Series: Black Blade, Bk 3

ISBN: 9781617738296

Obtained: Library ebook copy

Why this book?:

Love the author and series.  Thieves!

Comments:

I loved this book (of course).  Lila is a great character who (as I've come to expect of Jennifer Estep's protagonists) has excellent problem solving skills and will do what it takes to protect family and friends.  Devon, Felix, Deah, and the rest are also great.  There is darkness and evil, and then there are those who stand up to it.

So anyway, while there is potential for future books (please, let there be more!), this rather felt like the end of a trilogy rather than the 3rd book in a longer series.  Hopefully, it was just the end of a story arc.  That's certainly happened in the Elemental Assassin series.  Not that I wish more craziness for Lila, but I don't want it to be over!

A compilation of SOME of the randomness I've recorded about my reading over the past several months

Title: A Silent Voice aka Koe no Katachi

Author: Yoshitoki Oima [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: A Silent Voice, Vol. 1

ISBN: 9781632360564

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it on Wowbrary.  The description sounded intriguing.

Comments:

So this first volume is primarily back story as to what happened in 6 years earlier between Shoya and Shoko, prior to Shoko transferring to another school.  I was a little too interested in what comes next, so in addition to requesting the library purchase the next several volumes, I also looked up the overall story arc.  I now know what is supposed to happen in general terms.  Hopefully that doesn't ruin the rest for me.

Update: I haven't read any more yet, but they won't be ruined when I do, because I've already forgotten what I looked up.

Title: Indexing

Author: Seanan McGuire [Website Bio 1][Website Bio 2][Website Bio 3][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: 47North

Series: Indexing, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781477809600

Length: 404 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading a bit by this author.  While I was waiting on more from the October Daye and InCryptid series, I decided to read this.

Comments:

Took me 1 or 2 "chapters" (it was originally a Kindle serial) to really get into it, but it's a pretty fascinating concept that fairy tales are these negative types that you can be stuck in if your life has certain similarities or like characteristics or events.  I look forward to reading the next one, Indexing: Reflections.

Update: Thoughts on  Indexing: Reflections have already been posted because I wasn't paying attention...

Title: Roadside Magic

Author: Lilith Saintcrow [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Lili St. Crow

Publisher: Orbit

Series: Gallow and Ragged, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780316277877

Length: 315 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've enjoyed this author's work in the past, and read the first book in this series.

Comments:

I'm not always good with Faerie stories.  I've been reading more lately, but they can be difficult for me.  This is one whose world is especially troublesome for me, because I start to feel "trapped" if you will in all the bad events and "surrounded" by all these characters who are horrible and don't allow the primary characters, Gallow and Ragged, to escape.

 I found myself especially frustrated, because I was not even given the relief of the story ending.  Rather than individual stories that are resolved by the end (even if their is still a larger arcing story in progress), as I have come to expect of series, this ser ...

Update: I literally left that mid-word.   I think I was about to say more about it being cliffhanger, or no real ending.  But I'm not sure.

Title: Say I Love You. aka Suki tte Ii na yo.


Author: Kanae Hazuki [MyAnimeList]

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Series: Say I Love You. Volumes 1 - 5

ISBN:
9781612626024
9781612626031
9781612626048
9781612626055
9781612626062

Obtained: Library Copy

Why these books?:

Comments:

I never recorded comments at the time of reading this.  So by memory: This series almost crosses into too much for me (content-wise), but I found myself curious about the "what next"?  Unfortunately, by the time the rest of the series came in for me (I had to put them on hold), I was out of the country.  I lost that push, but I'll still follow up eventually.

Title: Grave Visions

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780451416575

Length: 331 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Have enjoyed the rest of the series.

Comments:

It's about time!  I read it within a day of it finally coming in, and was eagerly awaiting the latest release date before that.  Hope the next one is a bit more timely.

Update: Short but sweet, right?

Title: The Obsession

Author: Nora Roberts [Website] [Facebook] aka Eleanor Marie Robertson Aufem-Brinke Wilder aka J. D. Robb aka Sarah Hardesty aka Jill March

Publisher: Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399175169

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

New NR, need I say more?

Comments:

Great, intense intro.  Good characters... they fall within NR template.  I guessed the bad guy with the first murder.

Update: Again with the short clip.  But better than nothing.

Title: Bitter Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 14

ISBN: 9781501111273

Length: 374 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love this series.

Comments:

Oh, Finn!!!! This one had me very grumbly.  Poor Gin.


Update: This one is brief because otherwise I'd be rambling nonstop spoilers.

Catching Up (Kinda/Sorta?)

I've been reading like crazy, and I can't keep up with myself.

Re-reading Tessa Dare's Any Duchess Will Do prompted me to re-read the other book I obtained by her at the 2014 ALA Annual Convention (that I had read but not posted about), Romancing the Duke (1st in the Castles Ever After series).

Then I went back to catch up some with the earlier Spindle Cove books that I had never read.  So I got on OverDrive and read A Night to Surrender. But the library didn't already have the rest on ebook yet, so while I was waiting for my request to go through, I read the Stud Club books...
     1. One Dance with a Duke
     2. Twice Tempted by a Rogue
     3. Three Nights with a Scoundrel

     Then I read Once Upon a Winter's Eve, A Week to Be Wicked, and A Lady By Midnight in ebook format.

Mix in some ILL print books by Annie Bellet that I intend to go over in a different post (Pack of Lies and Hunting Season)

And a slew of Seanan McGuire books...

     From the InCryptid series (all in ebook format):
     1. Discount Armageddon 
     2. Midnight Blue-Light Special 
     3. Half-Off Ragnarok 
     4. Pocket Apocalypse

     And a print copy of Indexing that the library already owned.

     (Note: I've read all titles currently available in the October Daye series in 2015.  Apparently I never posted them, because "Seanan McGuire" is a new tag.)

I'm waiting for the library to get in The Twenty-Sided Sorceress:  Justice Calling; Murder of Crows; Pack of Lies; Hunting Season; Heartache; Thicker Than Blood; Magic to the Bone which I guess is supposed to come out in June and to purchase Reflections (next in the Indexing series and released this month) so I went on to read (and just finished) Jennifer Estep's Cold Burn of Magic (ebook).

While I wait for my request for the ebook Dark Heart of Magic to be approved and become available, I'll be catching up with Estep's Mythos books, beginning with where I left off, Crimson Frost.  I don't remember all the story line, but I'm sure I'll recall over the 4 books remaining in the series.

Spider's Trap

Title: Spider's Trap

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fanatsy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 13

ISBN: 9781501105173

Length: 372 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love this series!

Comments:

Gin has another enemy after her, but this time she doesn't know who.  Living constantly on alert and worrying about friends/family seems to be wearing on her as time goes on.  I continue to love this series, enjoyed this book, and look forward to book 13, Bitter Bite.

Black Widow

Title: Black Widow

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 12

ISBN: 9781476774541

Length: 357 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a big fan of this series.

Comments:

Once again I was tense through much of this book.  It was pretty consistently high danger.  The exception being some of the description, which I tend to skim over (I'm not a very visual reader - I "hear" more than "see" when I read.)  There are flashbacks, which I'm not a fan of, but as long as they remain about events that I haven't already read are acceptable.  And they were relevant to the story.  Which is...

Gin's world is constantly changing as she faces each new bad dude, and her conflict with MM Monroe will bring even more change.  The late big bad Mab's daughter has finally chosen to strike out at Gin.  She isn't so direct as her mother, and her maneuvering seems to hit all the harder because of it.  But Gin isn't one to just back down.

I can't wait to read the next book, Spider's Trap, due out July 2015.

Poison Promise

Title: Poison Promise

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 11

ISBN: 9781476771502

Length: 389 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I love this series. I was about to read the most recent book when I realized I hadn't read this one.

Comments:

As usual with the Elemental Assassin books, I enjoyed Poison Promise.  Though I don't know that "enjoy" is the right word as I'm caught up with tension waiting to see how Gin will work things out for most of the story.  There are so many factors that I do enjoy however. 

1) It is an assassin story, and I have a thing for thief and assassin stories. 

2) The characters are great. 
    a) Gin, who is conflicted, but I can't help but like.  Her loyalty to her friends and family is fabulous.  Her resilience is something to behold. 
    b) Owen, who is like a rock for her now.  I think I may be half in love with him myself. 
    c) Finn who is so funny and another constant for Gin. 
    d) Etc. (and there are several others)

3) Despite the tension, there is always humor in these books.  As I read I'll find myself grinning at some line or other.  Unfortunately, when I repeat it aloud the line usually doesn't sound as funny, so the humor obviously has a lot to do with context.

4) The hook.  I don't know that this is a good thing when I have to wait for the next book, but for books like this one, where I have the next one ready to go, it is very good.  I'm not a fan of cliffhangers, per se.  But the individual story has been resolved.  You have that satisfaction.  It's the overall arc that keeps things moving from one book to the next.

Needless to say I am eager to begin book 12 in the series, Black Widow.

The Spider

Title: The Spider

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 10

ISBN: 9781451689013

Length: 381 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I love the Elemental Assassin series.

Comments:

This is just short of being a prequel, with the introduction and conclusion coming after book 9.

Gin tells Owen a story from her past.  One that shows all the attitude of the invincible and infallible that youth can possess.  And that shows the fall her hubris brought, and the lessons learned that helped make Gin who Gin is  The story is also a who's who of several characters seen throughout the story.  Making connections that the reader might never have seen and explaining how some characters met others.

I'm not a big fan of jumping back in time like that, even if it is a new story.  Especially because I could see where Gin was blinded LONG before she discovered the truth.  Even, apparently, before Fletcher (Gin's mentor, still alive in this past scene) saw the way of things.  But it was okay, and I was happy to see things with Owen are still going okay (in those little bits I saw of him).

I look forward to book 11, Poison Promise.

Heart of Venom

Title: Heart of Venom

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 9

ISBN: 9781451689006

Length: 354

Obtained: Library Copy

Why this book?:

It was the next in the series, and I love the series.

Comments:

Oh, boy.  This one had my stomach in knots from near the beginning.  The bad guys actions were not only horrible (Kidnapping, Torture, Rape, Murder), but against a character that I know from past books.  Not to mention this character is part of Gin's "family" and therefore the emotion came from her character as well.  So as seems to be normal for this series, I found myself rushing through to see what happens next and having to slow myself down and back up so I didn't miss important details.

I continue to look forward to the next book, The Spider... even though it appears to be Gin's origin story and takes place before these.  ::grumble::

Update: I wrote this two weeks ago and forgot to post it!!!  So sorry.

Mythos Academy series: First Frost ; Touch of Frost ; Halloween Frost ; Kiss of Frost ; Dark Frost

"First Frost" (Mythos Academy, Bk 0.5) by Jennifer Estep (ebook short)

Obtained: I checked this Kindle book out through OverDrive from the library. 

Comments:

This short is actually about the events leading up to Gwen's enrollment at Mythos Academy.  These events are referred to throughout the other books, but are given in more detail and one streaming storyline if you read this first.  I, unfortunately, had already read Touch of Frost and Kiss of Frost before I read this. 

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy, Bk 1) by Jennifer Estep (ebook)

Obtained: I checked this Kindle book out through OverDrive from the library.

Comments:

Apparently I enjoy Jennifer Estep's writing no matter what age level she's writing for.  Gwen is a great character.  More upstanding by far than the assassin Gin, but still.  She's cool, has a nifty power with perks and quirks.  It happens to be a power that appeals to my nosiness.  It doesn't matter that this is another series set in a school, partially because it works for the story.  Partially because Gwen is super close to home and can still go home to visit most days.  I zipped through this book.

"Halloween Frost" (Mythos Academy, Bk 1.5) by Jennifer Estep (ebook short)

Obtained: I purchased this from Amazon as I couldn't get it through overdrive.  Nor could I obtain a copy of the print anthology Entangled through the library or ILL.

Comments:

Very brief.  Just a quick interaction with the characters on a Halloween night of trick-or-treating.  This does not come into the books, so you can read or skip it without any problems.

Kiss of Frost (Mysthos Academy, Bk 2) by Jennifer Estep (ebook)

Obtained: I checked this Kindle book out through OverDrive from the library.

Comments:

Oh the romantic tension in this.  I had to start this immediately after reading Touch of Frost.  There's some repetition, but I get that.  Most people aren't reading these back to back.  And I thought Gwen could have clued in to a couple factors a bit sooner.  But then, I wasn't in the same tortured angst and whatnot that she was, so I can make allowances.  Otherwise, Gwen is exploring her powers and her newfound role and what all that means for her.  I enjoyed this.

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy, Bk 3) by Jennifer Estep (ebook)

Obtained: I checked this Kindle book out through OverDrive from the library.

Comments:

Things are progressing.  Gwen's been talked into going on the school trip.  She's using her powers more in the new ways she's been learning.  She's meeting new creatures that are supposed to be bad, but not taking things at face value.  She's still mired in emotional turmoil and she needed to snap out of it because she was missing things I found obvious.  Oh, and she's being stalked by a Reaper... bad news. 

I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Crimson Frost, once it becomes available (com'on, return it already! Or I might have to try the print copy.).

Deadly Sting

Title: Deadly Sting

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 8

ISBN: 9781451688993

Length: 369

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It was the next book in a series I love.

Comments:

I really love this series.  And I wasn't especially happy with how the last book ended relationship-wise, so this one bridges a gap - I hope.  But beyond that, for the actual story....

They are having a viewing of all Mab's stuff and a reading of her will.  Finnegan has convinced Gin to (very grudgingly) come.  She's collecting herself after feeling emotionally vulnerable when things go crazy, as usual.  And Gin must overcome the odds to save her friends - her family.

And of course you have some questions lingering for the next book (plenty of 'em), but nothing immediate to this book (unless you count the relationship stuff).

I'm not even going to start looking at other people's reviews for this.  I'm quite contented with mine.  I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next, Heart of Venom due out in August 2013 (I even read the excerpt, which I never do, but can't seem to resist temptation when it comes to this series.)

Widow's Web

Title: Widow's Web

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 7

ISBN: 9781451651775

Pages: 364

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I love this series overall, I really think Gin is great, and I finished it in about 4 hours...pretty much all in one sitting.

Phillip Kincaid made a big appearance in this book (he's mentioned in previous books, but not much), and it turns out I really like his character and hope to see more of him.  Gin's sister, Bria, didn't play as large a role in this one, but I was very pleased with how she's adjusting to Gin as a sister and really learning how to accept and support her.  And as for the bad guy, Salina, she does some incredibly horrible things and is totally whacked out.  So a great bad guy, really.   But Owen?  Owen, who I liked so much in the previous books?  He was incredibly frustrating (and that's an understatement) in this one.  (Want to know why?  Check out some of the reviews on Goodreads.  Some people went into incredible detail about how and why Owen's character bothered them.)

The story's ending is okay, but Gin can't seem to catch a break in the relationship department.  So while her friendships are all becoming more solid than ever, she still manages to end up in a gloomy down spot.  But Gin's a fighter so you know she'll get through.  All the more reason for me to anxiously anticipate the 8th book, Deadly Sting.  Of course it doesn't help that I read the excerpt for it at the end.  I thought I'd broken myself of that horrible mistake, but temptation caught me and now I have to wait until March to finish it!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While I was exploring Jennifer Estep's website I found several (free) short stories.  The stories are from various perspectives (some Gin's, some other characters) and span years (some occurring before any of the books, some fitting between books).  I read "Spider's Bargain," "Web of Death," "Web of Deceit," "Poison," and "Wasted."  There are others that I will get back to at some point in the future... maybe before the next book to serve as a refresher.

Bouncing around genres...

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof (Piece of Cake Mystery, Bk 2) by Jacklyn Brady aka Sherry Lewis and Sammi Carter (library copy) -

I've slowed down on my cozy reading this month, but still enjoyed this dip into New Orleans and Mardi Gras culture.  Rita was crazy busy trying to keep her business going, trying to promote it, plus having a surprise visit from family, and digging into a murder case too... I know I would be overwhelmed in her position.  My only problem with her wasn't as a reader but as a blogger.  What was her problem with writing a blog post?  She acted like it was the most dreadful use of her time.  Anyway, I look forward to Arsenic and Old Cake coming out this November.

The Guardian (Dream-Hunter, Bk ) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (personal copy via paperbackswap.com) -

It's been awhile since I've read a Sherrilyn Kenyon book and I was glad to read a new (to me) one.  I started it pretty much as soon as I got it (I had to finish Cake on a Hot Tin Roof before I could really start it) and finished it soon after.  It wasn't one of my absolute favorites, but I still enjoyed it as I do pretty much all of her dark-hunter, were-hunter, dream-hunter books.

"Thread of Death" (Elemental Assassin, Bk 5.5) by Jennifer Estep (ebook short story - purchased) -

I very grudgingly bought this eBook because I had to.  Why do authors pub stuff in e-book format only?  Not cool.  (It's not so much the price, which was $1.99, as the fact that I'm keeping this series and I need it in PRINT).  Of course I enjoyed the story.  I love Gin Blanco, her "family," and the Elemental Assassin series.  In this particular story, Gin made me nervous with how much she exposed herself, but that's part of the storyline so ::shrug:: I dealt.  All the hints at future stories made me anxious to read more.  Which leads me to...

By a Thread (Elemental Assassin, Bk 6) by Jennifer Estep (personal copy - purchased at Books-A-Million) -

After a read "Thread of Death" I immediately had to read By a Thread.  Gin's exposure is causing problems so she takes a "vacation" where, of course, she runs into more trouble.  Gin, being human and therefore having the usual sorts of flaws had some issues with not necessarily arrogance, but something similar when it comes to her powers in this one.  Some scenes of this book (in part due to fore mentioned flaws) had me so on the edge of my seat that I was reading as fast as I possibly could (it took everything I had not to skim ahead) to get to a more comfortable spot.  Really.  Anyway, I guess that means it was a success.  Some other things regarding Gin's relationships (romantic and familial) that I thought were already wrapped up were double-knotted wrapped up.  I eagerly look forward to the short story (bk 6.5) "Haints and Hobwebs" and (bk 7) Widow's Web which is due out in August.

ghostgirl (Rest in Popularity) (ghostgirl, Bk 1) by Tonya Hurley (library copy) -

I checked the third book in this series out to a patron and found myself drawn by the cover.  You can't tell from the pic, but it has one of those clear plastic cutouts in the center... Anyway, the story was mostly cute and fun.  It kinda reminded me of a YA book version of the Ruby Gloom kids television show, with lessons to learn, etc.  Some of the attitudes about death did make me a little uncomfortable.  My sister's best friend died at 16 (she was hit by a train), so I kept thinking about how my sister would react to some of the offhand remarks.  And the ending was a bit abrupt.  But I will try the second book in the series, ghostgirl Homecoming, and see where the story goes.

We've more books to conquer! Onward ho!

I got some more action in my reading this week....

Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin, Bk 4) by Jennifer Estep (library copy)
AND
Spider's Revenge (Elemental Assassin, Bk 5) by Jennifer Estep (library copy)

I'll say again what I've said before (in case you missed it?)... I favor thief and assassin books.  Since it fits the latter, this series already has a head up.  But on top of that, Gin is a great character.  She can be cool and get the job done, but she has a heart, etc. underneath it all.  I really like her.  And Owen (and I am soo glad she settled into things with him) and the other characters that make up her "family" are just good characters all the way around.  That extends to the bad guys too.  There isn't any quibbling.  No "I like this character even though they're actually supposed to be the bad guy."  No.  These bad guys are straight up despicable.  There's no liking them.  I can't wait to see where the story goes from here in By a Thread.

Defiance  (Strange Angels, Bk 4) by Lili St. Crow aka Lilith Saintcrow (library copy)

I couldn't remember huge chunks of the story with such a gap in time between when I read Jealousy and Defiance.  It took me a bit to catch up and get with the program since St. Crow jumps straight into the action from the very beginning.  I liked the overall story, I especially like Ash.  He's probably my favorite character in the whole book.  I was irritated with Dru that she made this one stupid and, to me, obvious mistake (can't say more without spoilers), but overall she's getting better with her new circumstances.  Now I'm all set to read Reckoning.

Web of Lies

Title: Web of Lies

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: May 2010

ISBN: 9781439147993

Pages: 400

Series: 2nd in the Elemental Assassin series

Book Description (from back cover):

CURIOSITY IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GET ME DEAD ONE OF THESE DAYS. PROBABLY REAL SOON.

I'M GIN BLANCO. You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I'm retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren't aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coal-mining tycoon. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I'm a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn't made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man ... dead or alive.

Comments:

I can't afford to buy new books, and the library didn't have this. So I put in a purchase suggestion (pointing out that they already had the 3rd book, Venom), and voila. I could finally move on with the series. And move on I did. Like Spider's Bite, I really enjoyed Web of Lies. The characters are great, Gin included. The storyline is interesting. And I'm always hoping Gin gets through.

The only thing I didn't care for as much was Detective Donovan Caine. I kinda wished Gin would just get over him, open her eyes, and look around. Because there was a much better guy in the background. The moment he (the other guy... don't want to say too much) was introduced I thought he was perfect for her.

But the story is moving on. I already checked out Venom and read it as well (post to come).

Spider's Bite

Title: Spider's Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: February 2010

ISBN: 9781439147979

Pages: 395

Series: 1st in Elemental Assassin series

Book Description (from back cover):

My name is Gin, and I kill people.

They call me the Spider. I’m the most feared assassin in the South — when I’m not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don’t use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I’m out for revenge. And I’ll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I’m still one of the bad guys. Which is why I’m in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I’m battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction… especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

Comments:

I've heard great things about this book for the past year ... good writing, good story, good characters. And best of all? The theme is just my kind of thing. An assassin (urban) fantasy! So why did it take me so long to actually read it? I don't know. I can only be thankful that there was a copy available when I checked out the sales at the local Borders that just closed down, and that I remembered that Spider's Bite was a book I wanted to read.

I very much enjoyed reading Spider's Bite. At first, the voice reminded me a little of Simon R. Green's Nightshade series — that weary voice of someone making their way in a corrupt world. Then it kind of took on it's own voice.

I really liked Gin, assassin or no. I liked how loyal she was to he few she loved. I liked that she had here own standards that she wouldn't compromise. Despite apparently having a different woman for every night, Flinn was also a great character. He added a great sense of humor, despite a tragic loss, throughout a mostly dark story. And as for Detective Donovan Caine, well, he was a good character as well. He actually felt a bit too uptight. But if this happened in real life? I'd be just as uptight and stiff in my morals, so I'm in no position to criticize or complain.

As for the story itself... the "world" was interesting. I enjoy stories with magic based on elements (Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce come to mind), and everything seemed to fit in this place where so much is corrupt. Add to that both a tragic past for Gin and a strong emotional motivation for any current actions (if that sounds vague, it's because I don't want to give anything away)...

Then to top it all off there's a lovely surprise ending. The main drawback, for me, was when Gin was fantasizing (or more) about Donovan. But I know that isn't a detractor for most and it didn't overtake the book in any case.

I'm trying to figure out how to get my hands on the next book, Web of Lies. I can't afford to buy any more books, and the library only has the 3rd book, Venom, not Spider's Bite or Web of Lies (though I did put in a purchase request, so we'll see). My other option is to wait on PBS, and that's liable to take FOREVER.