Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Estep (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 28, 2010

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Estep has really hit her stride with the gritty and compelling Elemental Assassin series. She surrounds her fascinating and complex heroine with a cadre of supporting players, each of whom are intriguing in their own right. Brisk pacing and knife-edged danger make this an exciting page-turner. Kudos to Estep, who is rapidly heading toward the top of the urban fantasy genre!"

- Romantic Times Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars

"Gin is an assassin to die for."

- Adrian Phoenix, author of Etched in Bone

" A raw, gritty, compelling walk on the wild side, one that had me hooked from the first page."

- New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh, on SPIDER'S BITE

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439148015
• ISBN-13: 978-1439148013
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,212 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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#58 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#64 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#79 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#98 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#58 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#64 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#79 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#98 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 74 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars An Infuriatingly Incompetent Assassin. November 7, 2010

By J. D Wenzel

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I've given this series as much of my time as I could. I was thoroughly intrigued by the ideas that Estep's stories held within their confines. The first book was a wonderful read. Even if some of her writing quirks were a little irritating I could ignore them for the characters, the story, and the otherwise wonderfully crafted prose. And then I moved onto the second book and those quirks were more prevalent as I read. It's very repetitive, even obnoxious. I ignored those things and continued reading and as it came to a close I was excited to see her FINALLY using her elemental powers.

Now, here we are with the third installment. Estep still feels the need to remind us of things in that incredibly redundant style. The Spider's mentor was Fletcher Lane; she's got 5 silverstone knives on her person: one at the small of her back, two up her sleeves, and two in her boots. She palms the silverstone knives, she throws the silverstone knives, and she slashes the giant's throat with a silverstone knife as if we had forgotten that they were made out of silverstone. This is only a minor gripe, but when Estep does it with just about everything, the type of coffee Finnegan drinks (and why), the silverstone spider rune scars in her palms, the way someone is going to "get dead", and it just grates on you. After two full novels of it, well, it's obnoxious to say the least.

On top of that, nothing has really changed, she's supposedly the most powerful elemental JoJo had ever seen, and yet...she simply refuses to logically use her powers. She fears growing too dependent on them, which is a legitimate worry, but she's supposed to be the city's best assassin is she not? Why then would she not TRAIN those powers so when she finally NEEDED them they would be there and ready for her? In my mind her mentor would have broken this flaw in her character during her training, but I could ignore that too. It's when she simply refuses to use her powers in TANDEM with her obvious physical prowess when everything is on the line that I really just can't wrap my mind around. SPOILER ALERT: During the final showdown with Mab's right hand, instead of imbuing herself with the stone skin AND attacking him she only thinks to use it at the very last moment, like she's totally unaware that the man's a giant and could kill her with one blow. You would think that she would USE the stoneskin to protect her from the brunt of the damage, wouldn't you? She only uses the stone magic to strengthen her skin when she's weaponless and has nothing left to fall back on. Okay, that's fine, but not what a competent assassin would have done. Then when she's being pummeled by the giant she only thinks to use her recently unblocked ice magic to make a crude ice dagger? Really? She's this powerful Ice and Stone Elemental and she can only do two things with those powers? Why didn't she blast him with ice to freeze him? Why didn't she do as JoJo suggested and used her ice to slow him for a millisecond at a time? At the very least she could have created some sort of ice-slick when he charged her, causing him to slip. Why didn't she do any number of things? Instead of being this cold assassin, the best assassin in the city, she's just an incompetent that happens to be handy with knives.

It's just infuriating because we are TOLD time and time again that she is so powerful. Nothing so far has SHOWN me that she really is an incredible assassin (aside from the stellar opening of book one). We're three books in and the greatest display of power comes at the end of book two, and that wasn't really an intentional use of her power, she was backed into a corner and she reacted. Where is the calm, cool logic that an assassin is supposed to have? How on earth is she supposed to be a match for the most powerful fire elemental in the last 500 years if she's not even a match for a giant without any elemental powers? I understand that she's supposed to GROW into the powers and become this formidable opponent for the woman who controls the city, but so far I've not seen any real PROOF that the Spider can do anything the author boasts. In fact, all I can see is wasted potential.

I love the emotionally conflicted character; I love the very southern Finnegan Lane, and Sophia and JoJo. Estep shows off a flair for crafting words and creating beautiful, believable imagery, but it's brought low by her compulsive need to qualify nouns with adjectives at every turn. We know it's a silverstone knife, Estep, just because we've moved onto the next paragraph doesn't mean we've forgotten. The premise of this entire series had such great potential, it's unfortunate that it's been executed so poorly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling, fun and super addictive don't start this book unless you intend to finish it immediately! September 28, 2010

By Bookaholics Reviewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3) by Jennifer Estep
Paranormal Romance- Sept. 28th, 2010
5 stars

I can't believe it but this series only gets better!! Gin is the coolest assassin ever. This latest installment holds nothing back as Gin rushes headlong into: another mission, a missing sister and repeated attempts on her life.

Venom starts out explosively as Gin is being viciously beaten by the powerful fire elemental Mab Monroe and her vicious henchmen. But Gin does not fight back. She realizes she must pretend she has no elemental skills to convince Mab that she is harmless. But the beating injures Gin near death. Her dashing friend Finn must rescue her into the capable hands of the healing air elemental Jo-Jo.

However, what Gin does not expect is the police's quick response to her assault and the new detective investigating the scene. A detective who happens to be Gin long lost sister, Bria! Now Gin must decide if she should reveal herself to her sister and how best to protect Bria from the powerful players that she is beginning to anger. Because Gin isn't just the owner of the famous restaurant the Pork Pit but also a deadly (if retired) assassin. Someone who a detective may not appreciate or accept. But soon Gin finds herself drawn into more trouble when she is asked to help a victim of a powerful stalker.

This was another thrilling novel in the Elemental series. Each book brings us closer to Gin's shady history and the mystery behind her family's devastating murders. Gin has flashbacks that key the reader into clues about their deaths. I really enjoy learning more about Gin and the author does so in a way that makes her more human and sympathetic. Gin's spunky crime fighting sister was a really pleasure to read and I longed for them to have a meaningful relationship. Finn as usual has the devilish charm and I have a sneaking suspicions there will be a love interest for him?! Also secrets are exposed concerning the dwarf Sophia and her unearthly control over her powers which only lead to more unanswered questions concerning her traumatic past.

The more the author reveals the more she cleverly keep under wraps for her next book. Argh! However, she neatly avoids leaving the reader feeling the ending of each her books are unsatisfying unresolved or the reader feeling depressingly cheated. I found myself just eagerly anticipating more!!

This series is an unusual Urban Fantasy series because while it has darker aspects the characters are neither disheartened nor cynical but ready for anything. They have a charming optimism that the reader knows they will overcome any obstacle. But what I love most is the real sense of camaraderie and warmth between the characters.

Enthralling, fun and super addictive don't start this book unless you intend to finish it immediately!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Assassins working pro bono...what's the world coming to? September 24, 2010

By Alexandra Cenni VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

At some point I'll get around to posting a round-up review post for all the short stories. Probably before Book 4: Tangled Threads comes out at least. Hopefully before the untitled Book 5 comes out. The good news is that unlike with some other books, where if you don't read the between stories you miss out on some pertinent info, not reading the side stories here just means missing out on some hijinks and information that is distributed in the book anyhow.

In my review for Web of Lies I complained (a little bitterly) that Donovan Caine, Gin's love interest and annoyingly goody-goody detective, ruined the book for me a bit because he kept preaching about morality. Or making Gin feel guilty for not being what he wanted. Or by just being in the same hemisphere as Gin and not appreciating that hey she was killing the really bad guys. And how much I loved Owen Grayson.

Estep gives me more Grayson, no Caine and lots of Spider action. I admit Gin's mopes about Caine turning out to be less than worthy of her and turning tail to escape her was...frustrating. But Owen did a really good job at distracting her. Which I approve of. He also had a rather touching backstory as to why he is persistently following Gin. It could have easily been sachrine sweet, but Estep made it just sweet enough to see the softer side of Owen without making it seem contrived to pull the heart strings. It also goes a long way to explaining some of Fletcher's apparently more altruistic tendencies (or his incredibly good foresight in regards to orphaned children).

Meanwhile the case that Finn brings to Gin to help with quickly becomes the case from hell. It goes from obsessive stalker case to obsessive stalker case linked to Mab Monroe to obsessive stalker case linked to Mab Monroe with Gin's long lost sister trying to solve it in under five minutes. And it only gets worse as time goes on and people don't trust Gin to do what she does best--kill annoyingly inconvenient people.

Along the way we learn some startling truths about what happened the night of Gin's family's butcher by Mab, some less than convenient truths about people putting their faith in you and how freaking sexy a man can be who knows his weapons (spoiler: very sexy). In short I adored this book and it was a quick enthralling read. As each complication rose I wanted to see how Gin overcame it and wanted to see how her relationship with her younger sister (Detective Bria Coolidge--she's like Donovan in her moral code however) evolved. Gin knows who she is, Bria...not so much. She knows Gin's alive, but she's looking for her older sister Genevieve Snow, not Gin Blanco aka the Spider.

I sincerely hope that the next book, Tangled Webs, has more of them bonding and the truth being outed. I think Bria is a more...forgiving person than Donovan and will understand what Gin's gone through and done in order to take down the woman who butchered their family. Oh and if you're going to declare war on a person--do it in style like Gin please.