Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Estep (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 26, 2013 | Series: Elemental Assassin

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me— Gin Blanco, aka the Spider—it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’s priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A raw, gritty, and compelling walk on the wild side..." (Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author)

"[A] raw, broken, ruthless heroine who remains decent and honorable at her core..." (Smash Attack Reads)

"A raw, gritty, and compelling walk on the wild side…" (Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author)

About the Author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider’s Revenge, “Thread of Death,” By a Thread, Widow’s Web, Deadly Sting, and "Parlor Tricks" (in the Carniepunk anthology) are the other titles in her Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. She also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. For more on Jennifer and her books, visit her at JenniferEstep.com and @Jennifer_Estep.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (March 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451688997
• ISBN-13: 978-1451688993
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 3.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket. Books in the series are SPIDER'S BITE, WEB OF LIES, VENOM, TANGLED THREADS, SPIDER'S REVENGE, BY A THREAD, and WIDOW'S WEB. THREAD OF DEATH, an e-novella, is also available.

HAINTS AND HOBWEBS: AN ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SHORT STORY can be found in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE.

DEADLY STING, the eighth book, is set to be released on March 26, 2013.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington.

Books in the series are TOUCH OF FROST, KISS OF FROST, and DARK FROST. CRIMSON FROST, the fourth book, is set to be released on Dec. 24, 2012.

FIRST FROST, a prequel e-story to the series, is available as a download. HALLOWEEN FROST, an e-short story, is available in the ENTANGLED e-anthology.

Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series. Books in the superhero-themed series are KARMA GIRL, HOT MAMA, JINX, and NIGHTINGALE. A KARMA GIRL CHRISTMAS, an e-story, is also available.

Excerpts, free short stories, and more information on Jennifer's books can be found at http://www.jenniferestep.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#54 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#61 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#74 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#93 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#54 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#61 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#74 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#93 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Owen fail March 26, 2013

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

I still love you, Jennifer Estep. And I still love the Elemental Assassin series. But Owen... I feel like my longstanding and overwhelming love for Owen Grayson has suffered irreparable damage with this book. Which makes me both a little bit angry --and sad.

The following will contain spoilers for anyone who has not already read Widow's Web.

As the story begins, Owen and Gin are still apart, as he deals with the fact that she killed his ex-fiance. Nevermind the fact that Selina tried to kill his sister. Nevermind the fact that she was going to kill Gin and was obsessed with the idea of getting him back. Oh yeah --and let's not forget her big evil plan to kill all those folks with her big revenge plot. But still, he's off "thinking about things." For three months now. Gin is hurting (which I hate) but she is trying to soldier on.

Finn gets the bright idea to drag Gin to a huge party to showcase all of Mab Monroe's treasures at an art museum. He even talks her into getting a fancy new dress. But nothing is ever simple for Gin. First of all, Owen is there. With a date. Then the party turns into a huge hold-up as a group of giants plot to steal Mab's fortune for themselves. And Gin must find a way to take them all down before any harm comes to her loved ones who have been taken hostage. Kind of like Die Hard. In a red dress.

As always, the action was great. I love that Jennifer Estep is always coming up with new ways for Gin to kill people. While many of the last books focused on her ice magic, this book was more focused on the stone. There were tons of cool fight sequences and big stuff with Jonah MacAllister. Plus --a great setup for where the series is likely headed next.

If you're anything like me, however, what you really care about is what's happening with Owen. Sadly, this was the only part of the story that I didn't enjoy. Owen was one of my favorite characters in a series filled with amazing characters. He came around on the heels of weenie-toad Donovan Caine, who made Gin feel damaged and unworthy --and he loved her for who she is. He accepted her. And now, HE is making Gin feel small. And alone. He is indecisive. He is a wuss. And a stupid-head. And honestly, no matter what happens in future books, I question whether I can ever see him the same way again. Scratch that. I know I can't.... which really stinks.

Where do they end up? You'll have to read the book, of course. I will tell you, though, that it is not a fun ride. At least, it wasn't for me.

This all leaves me with mixed feelings at the end of the book. The parts that weren't about Owen were everything I have come to love about the series. I liked the plot, the villain, and the growing overall arc. But the romance.... fail.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Felt like a Novella March 29, 2013

By GypsyReader

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Not a lot here. Gin attends a museum exhibit opening and kills a bunch of people.

There's Owen drama. Unsatisfying Owen drama. I'm very disappointed in this thread and expect more from my hero characters.

We only get to glimpses of the rest of the characters we love. And since they add so much to the world in this series their absence was strongly felt.

Then there's the plot. Is Ms. Estep under the impression we love Gin because she kills so much? We love her despite that. This book was the equivalent of a B movie action flick with lots of explosions and a shoestring plot.

Honestly the series has just lost focus and been a collection of random tales since Mab was killed.

And now there is the threat of Mab heir. REALLY? That was the best you could come up with?

Sad.

Honestly the cover is the best thing about this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing March 31, 2013

By Mobius

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Die Hard meets Gin Blanco. That is essentially what this story was about. There is a heist planned at a museum all the guests become hostages including (Of Course) our beloved Owen, Eva, Finn, and Phillip. Gin must then execute a daring rescue attempt. This book was boring and predictable. Nothing was resolved other than all the main characters got out alive. It seemed like the book was a place holder leading up to the next book in order to introduce the next big bad Monroe ( now know as the mysterious M.M. Monroe)oh and it turned out MacAllister was behind the heist because he embezzled money from Mab (now isn't that a surprise to everyone???), and didn't want the next big bad Monroe to find out. Gin made sure that everyone knew he was behind it. That's it that seriously the entire book in a nutshell.

I will read the next one simply because I am hoping the book will be up to the author's normal high standards but I am returning this one.