By a Thread (Elemental Assassin) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Estep (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 28, 2012 | Series: Elemental Assassin

The sixth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series featuring Gin Blanco, who by day owns a Tennessee BBQ joint, and by night is a tough female assassin known as the Spider.

I never thought I’d need a vacation from being an assassin….

My name is Gin Blanco, and I’m the assassin the Spider. All the Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning for me and trying to make a name for themselves by taking out the Spider. So I think it’s a good idea to get out of Ashland for a while until things cool down.

So I’m headed south to a swanky beach town, along with my baby sister, Bria, for a weekend of fun in the sun. But when an old friend of Bria’s is threatened by a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. But this time, not even my own Ice and Stone power may be enough to save me from coming home in a pine box…

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gin Blanco is one of the most intriguing heroines on the scene. . . . If you have not gotten on the Gin bandwagon yet, do so today!” —RT Book Reviews

“This series kicked off with a bang, and the action hasn’t let up since.” —Fresh Fiction

About the Author

Jennifer Estep is a 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, and Spider’s Revenge are the other books in her red-hot Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. Jennifer also writes a young adult urban fantasy series and a paranormal romance series. For more on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at JenniferEstep.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (February 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451651767
• ISBN-13: 978-1451651768
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,758 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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#44 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#66 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#69 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#77 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#44 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#66 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#69 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#77 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loads of Action & Twists, None of The Long Recaps February 28, 2012

By anne-marie

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The aftermath begins with a nice quiet getaway where no one's trying to assassinate the assassin. At least, that was the idea.

Retirement shouldn't be so much work, especially after you kill the reining kingpin of the local criminal underworld. But infamy has it's irony, since doing the deed has made the autruistic assassin Ashville's biggest attraction. Miscreants and minions alike are all vying for position in the villainous vortex that Mab Monroe's death created. And all the lowlife sociopathic scumbags seem to think playing squash the Spider will win them the coveted criminal crown.

It seems like there's no better time for a vacation. Hey, even assassin's need a little R&R. Gin's not only physically battle wary but emotionally too. Things aren't going so well with baby sis Bria. Blanco's hoping a little time together will help quell some of the sisterly animosity that's been building. But Bria isn't making it easy. She wants to take the opportunity to reconnect with her best friend Callie, who is eerily similar to Gin, from her hair, eyes, occupation, and taste in men. Gin puts her jealousy aside though when she learns that Callie is being bullied into selling her restaurant and land to the local real estate developer. Unfortunately he's an old vampire with a taste for strong powerful women and the sanguine savant has his sights set on Gin.

I couldn't put this book down. By A Thread had a great pace, lots of action and twists none of the long recaps. It was an unexpected move to transplant these much loved characters to a different locale, but it paid off by adding some new challenges for the characters and making everything feel fresh and new without straying from the series' bones. The story lines were great, Fin stole the show whenever he was around. I loved the backstory about Fletcher and his little tips that kept coming to Gin's mind. This book was tough for Estep's heroine in a different way. I imagine work would be welcomed if vacations are typically this brutal physically, mentally, and emotionally.

By A Thread is probably the best Elemental Assassin installment yet. Normally you're lucky to get a chapter or two to close out a series, Estep is giving us two books. I love her sense of timing, she doesn't end a book where I expect her to, instead closing out the main series thread in the last book and using By A Thread to take care of a few lingering plot points. Estep switches up her writing style a little bit in this one, abandoning her usual long recaps and instead sprinkled short asides throughout the book at appropriate moments for brief reminders. I didn't mind the recaps before but the change made a huge difference in the flow of the book. She also addresses many of the various relationship issues while getting her main character to refocus and regroup.

Only exhaustion could keep me from continuing By A Thread. I literally devoured pages like they were specials at the Pork Pit. And with Estep hitting such an amazing stride, I'm hoping this series gets a much needed extension after Widow's Web.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars By a Thread February 28, 2012

By RandiTS

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Out of the past few books, I think this one has be my favorite! I have read where some reviewers were concerned that the series might be over or that it wouldn't be as good without Mab but quite frankly, although I love the series, I was tired of Mab and ready for that storyline to be over and Ms Estep did not disappoint in "By a Thread".

Things are tense over at The Pork Pit. Finn thinks it's time for Gin to take a vacation or, more clearly, for "The Spider" to take a vacation. And, since he keeps saying that rather loudly, annoying Gin while she has a knife in her hand, freaking out the elderly customers, he may have a point. After taking out the trash, and two more want to be assassins in the alley (they all want to "be the one who kills the spider") she agrees - besides, it would be a great time to work on her relationship with Bria.

And on that note, I personally dislike Bria. Yes, she lost her family but then was raised in a foster home with a wonderful set of parents. She had a happy childhood, raised on the beach, close friends, etc.. and is so judgemental of Gin that I just want to backhand her. I haven't liked her since Gin found her and my feelings didn't change throughout the book.

Bria and Gin leave early for Blue Marsh for the long weekend with Finn and Owen planning on coming down the next day to meet them. Bria actually grew up in Blue Marsh and is very excited to see Callie, her best friend, while they are there.

Unfortunately, Gin doesn't get her vacation - a Vampire wants the land that Callie's business is on so that he can build a casino and expand his resort - she is the last holdout of the other property owners - and sends in some thugs to threaten her the while Gin and Bria are eating dinner. Gin, of course, can't stand to see someone abused, even if she is jealous of the relationship between Bria and Callie, and steps into the situation. And guess who Callie is engaged to?? None other than Donovan so now we have two "better than you" characters to deal with - don't worry, the law can protect her - yep, we all know how well that works out..

While there is a lot of action in the story, I felt the main story line was actually the personal growth of Gin and it was a wonderful thing to watch her grow as a person. Some of the pages/scenes, I had to go back and read over several times just to savor the feelings that they invoked - some with smiles, some with smirks, and some with tears.

And Owen.. oh Owen... I have always liked his character but sometimes felt that he let Gin push him around too much. In this book though, we get to fall in love with him and truly learn what a strong person that he is - and has to be - to be Gin's perfect man.

I read the entire book in one sitting (seriously - the kids thought it was a treat to have breakfast - ok, cereal - for supper!) and can't wait for the next book in the series!

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Unforgivable Stupidity March 8, 2012

By Josh

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've read all of the Elemental Assassin books. Each had its flaws, but they were still entertaining. Gin Blanco is an assassin of supposedly incredible skill and power. In past books Gin has made some big, potentially deadly mistakes. She's not the brightest person around, but you expect some street smarts and survival instinct. You expect her to grow and learn from her experiences.

Gin walks into a situation that's obviously extremely dangerous. She's cocky, but that's to be expected. She's blatantly warned by her target's wife to stay away, and it's clear that this woman knows more than she's letting on. Gin sees the warning bells going off, but just ignores her. Then as she's talking to her target, it becomes extremely obvious that he knows exactly who she is. More warning bells and she realizes it's a trap, but she just blunders along. Then she's led into a room with her target, who is obviously deadly, along with 7 of his giant goons. Now the trap is sprung. Does Gin finally go on the defensive, even a little bit? She has magic that might help her. Does she use it? No, while they're talking, she just tries to casually wander over toward him so she can stab him. That's her whole plan, to slowly and casually approach the guy during a conversation. A person this stupid couldn't survive a casual stroll through a bad neighborhood.

This book took all of Gin's street smarts, everything she's ever had to learn and endure, and threw them out. We're left with an assassin with the survival instincts of a 10-year-old, and the intellect of an 8-year-old, at best. She should have died, plain and simple.

I don't believe that Jennifer Estep put any thought into this book at all. I doubt I'll ever read another of her books.