Audio Review: Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep

Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep
Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Series: Elemental Assassin #5
Published by Audible
Published on: September 27, 2011
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hrs 51 min
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased

Amazon | Book Depo 

Old habits die hard for assassins. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very, very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen.

Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters Mab hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second.

Good thing I’ve got my powerful Ice and Stone magic—and my irresistible lover, Owen Grayson—to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a good chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me . . . no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

*** MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS ***

The showdown between Mab Monroe and Gin Blanco has been a long time coming; five books worth in fact but Spider’s Revenge makes the wait worthwhile. Jennifer Estep doesn’t waste any time and jumps right into the thick of things, she then proceeds to keep readers on edge, biting their nails up until the final pages with several close calls but not to worry, the Spider always gets her man woman.

I’ve been dishing out nothing but the highest of praise for the Elemental Assassin series ever since I read the first book back in September and this fifth installment will be no different. Aside from a few minor annoyances, namely Estep’s need to constantly recap characters’ and previous books’ happenings, Spider’s Revenge met all of my expectations and then some. Readers get to see a more fallible side to the fearless assassin which is to be expected when everything she holds dear is on the line. Emotions equal mistakes and in this installment we see Blanco’s infamous patience slip on several occasions. Granted, it must be hard to not get twitchy when you have your arch nemesis in your crossbow scope but it was interesting to see Gin’s calm demeanor crack.

For me, the gravy of these books have been Estep’s riveting first person POV writing style and the non-stop action; never in a million years did I ever expect to find myself balling my eyes out but I did. Twice. The first instance was when all of Gin’s friends rallied around her and adamantly refused to let her take on Mab alone. Blanco selfishly helped all of these people and when the going gets tough, they have her back. I loved watching the realization dawn on her that she’s no longer alone in her corner; it brought tears to my eyes. It really did. The second instance was her near death encounter with her mentor, Fletcher Lane. Even though this character has been deceased since Spider’s Bite, he’s been a constant presence in Gin’s life and I was overjoyed that she got the chance to ask him all of her burning questions. What I wouldn’t give for the same chance.

This novel really felt like a conclusion but thankfully it’s not; I don’t think that I’ll be ready to say goodbye to Gin Blanco anytime soon. The main and secondary plot lines come full circle is a neat symmetrical way including ending the book the same way that it all began. Many truths are unveiled including the facts about Sophia and her mangled voice. This tidbit alone makes this novel a worthwhile read in my opinion. Well that and the fact that Gin finally owns up to her feelings for Owen Grayson. Spider’s Revenge is a picture perfect ending that I won’t soon forget. I’m beyond anxious to begin the next chapter in Gin’s life, By a Thread.

Books in this series:
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My Review

Recommendation:	If you like snarky, deadly heroines and need a new addiction; the Elemental Assassin series is perfect for you.
Like this, like that:	The Shaede Assassin series by Amanda Bonilla, the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost and the Unbound series by Rachel Vincent.

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