Venom by Jennifer Estep (Elemental Assassin #3)
Urban Fantasy
September 28, 2010
Paperback, 416 Pages
Pocket
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “And what happens if you’re wrong?” Finn asked.
My stomach tightened, and I stared out into the darkness. “Then I’ll fuck him once, and when we’re done, I’ll stab him where he lies.”
”That’s hard core, Gin,” Finn replied. “Very hard core. Kind of kinky too.”
Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, is a retired assassin, but that doesn’t mean she keeps out of trouble. In the previous book, Gin killed Jonah McAllister’s son, but for good reason. He had threatened to torture and rape her. But now Jonah wants the person responsible to pay. Jonah is the lawyer for Ashland’s powerful fire elemental, Mab Monroe. Gin, a stone elemental herself has had it out for Mab after she learned Mab killed her family many years ago. Mab doesn’t know Gin is an elemental, one that can control either fire, air, stone or ice – and Gin is just fine with keeping her secret.
But before she can take out Mab, she has other problems to deal with. Her acquaintance Rosyln, a vampire, is being stalked and harassed by the giant Elliot Slater. Although Gin is trying to leave the assassin business behind, she can’t help but interfere when someone innocent is being wronged. Jumping back into action, Gin decides to help Roslyn out – and it just so happens Elliot works for Mab. Taking him out, will be a hit against her biggest enemy. With the help of her best friend Finn, and the dwarf sister Sophia and Jo-Jo, Gin goes against a very formidable foe.
Venom continues this wonderful world Jennifer Estep has created and gives us lots of answers that have been dangling from the first two books, but also gives us plenty of new things to chew on. My favorite thing about this series is our heroine Gin. If you wrong her she will kill you and not have an ounce of regret in the morning. If you treat her well, or if you’ve been wronged, there is not a single thing that will stop her from helping you. She is loyal, sarcastic and lethal. Venom continues Gin’s journey for answers about her family’s murder when she was a teenager. Ultimately setting up for the epic battle between Gin and Mab in a future book.
While I have waxed on about my love for Gin in previous reviews, I must hit on the supporting characters. First, Finnegan Lane. Oh Finn, whom acts like a brother towards Gin. Finn has the same kind of attitude that Gin has, except he focuses on having sex with lots and lots of women instead of the killing part. But, he has no regrets about his actions, just like Gin. They are a great team and his character really adds so much to these books.
We also really get to know Owen Grayson in this book. We first meet him in the previous book, Web of Lies, where Owen becomes a love interest for Gin. Before this book, I was a little hurt that the uber sexy Donovan Caine left Gin because he couldn’t deal with the fact that she is a criminal. I was very interested to learn more about Owen – and I have to say he surprises me in a very good way. Owen is a smexy, smexy hunk of a man and I hope he sticks around for awhile.
Sometimes I wanted to strap seven guns to Gin instead of her armload of knives she carries around. Gin is very comfortable with knives supplementing her elemental powers, but sometimes she would get into situations where I thought a bullet to the face might be easier than slashing a throat. Otherwise, I think the action in this book is really done well. Jennifer Estep holds nothing back and that makes this dark world really stand out. This book is an excellent addition to this series and book four, Tangled Threads is going on my “I want it now!!!” list.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recent Reviews:
All Things Urban Fantasy – 4/5
Fiction Vixen – 5/5
Rex Robot Reviews – 4.5/5
Wicked Little Pixie – 4.5/5
This series includes:
Spider’s Bite
Web of Lies
Venom
Tangled Thread – April 26th
Great Review Mandi! I'm glad Owen is super smexy…he seemed to have that potential in the last book! lol And I love Finn!!! Can't wait to read this!
I was really happy with Owen in this one…he is a good match for Gin.
I enjoyed reading your review Mandi! I liked Donovan Caine but personally can't get enough of Gin and Owen together, and the things he revealed to her, oh yeah, I heart Owen even more now :) I just love this world and the characters in it!
Great review Mandi. TEAM OWEN!!!! I swear these books get better and better with each installment.
I need to start this series pronto!
Great review! I thought Venom was a wonderful addition to the series.
Owen is super smexy and I love that we found out that Gin is a lot more like Fletcher than anyone realized previously.
This was one of those books that just grabs your attention and doesn't let up and I can't wait to see how things shake out for the sisters in Tangled Threads!
Thank you for the review.
I'm loving this series!
All the best,
RKCharron
Tangled Threads is most definitely on my "I want this now" list too! I agree completely with your review, I adored Owen and can't wait to read more with him:)
Hi Mandi,
I must say I'm not the UF biggest fan. I need a strong romance and lots of charming characters in my books. So far The Chicagoland Vampires series is the only one that made it to my keppers shelf. The first Kat/Bones book was a DNF and Unholy Ghosts took me 10 days… What do you think, should I give Jennifer Estep a try?
Leontine- I love Owen!! I didn't think I would (no idea why) but I do! I do!!
Tori – they do..this one was SO good!!
Patti – You will adore this series :)
Christine – I love that Fletcher still plays such a strong role in each book although he is not with us anymore. It was great to get into Gin's past in this one.
RK Charron – Thanks!
Jenny – I know..I want it so bad! ;)
Dani – I would say there is more romance in Cat/Bones than in this series – there is sex – but it is def UF. There is not really a HEA at the end of the book. But if you like Chicagoland – there is similar sexual tension.
I did enjoy Finn in book 1 and would love to see more of him ;)
Great Review! I am waiting for Venom to arrive at my door.
Another awesome review! Again I smack myself for not starting this series yet. Hmmm I think a marathon reading of this series is in order.
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
*proudly displays her Team Owen t-shirt*
YAY! I am so with you on the love for Finn, he just completely shined in this book! I cannot waaaaaaait for Tangled Threads, whoo boy!
TEAM OWEN!!! :D
Arghhh…
I didn't read your review for fear of spoilers.
I intend to read 'Web of Lies' and 'Venom' back-to-back. Your 4.5 rating has me all jittery and excited!
I agree, the next book is definitely on my "want it now" list. I love Finn so much. I want more Finn time!!