Review: Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep

 

(more like a 3.75. Yes, I know that sounds weird. Read on to see why.)

Spider's Bite 

(Elemental Assassin # 1)

by Jennifer Estep

“I’m the Spider. Surely you’ve heard of me.”

Gin’s assassin reputation precedes her. She is feared by many and respected by those who share the same occupation as her.

Fletcher, her mentor and middle man has a job for her that requires her to take out Gordon Giles at an opera house. The assignment should be an easy one so Gin is all in. But what should have been an easy takeout becomes much more complicated and deadly.

In order to save her own life, Gin takes steps that inevitably pull Fletcher’s son, Finn and a detective named Donovan Caine into the mix, complicating matters greatly.

Many people have recommended this series to me, stating that I’ll want to be Gin “when I grow up.” While I may not be ready to make that statement just yet, I can definitely see why Gin Blanco appeals to so many people.

First off, being an assassin doesn’t bother Gin. She doesn’t obsess over her morals. She plays to her strengths and she just happens to be a damn good killer. On the flipside, I also felt that Gin was too detached. She does show a vulnerable side to her, but I wanted to see more of that. Kicking ass is good, but it doesn’t make a character real to me if that’s all she does.

I am really looking forward to reading more about Gin and her history; learn what makes her tick, what makes her cry and what she desires most. I’m sure with the next few books in the series Gin’s character will develop more.

Spider’s Bite was a little bit like a mountain. The beginning was OK, slowly increasing in its pace. The middle half was the best, hitting its highest peak in terms of pacing and plot. But then the ending felt a little flat for me. I was hoping for something more.

There is also a romantic subplot. Gin’s got the hots for the detective and while I did enjoy their chemistry, I felt like Finn and Gin had something better. Caine was simply too restrained for my liking. He was too busy having an internal battle about right and wrong that it really hindered the romantic aspect of the book.

Overall, I’m looking forward to reading Web of Lies. I can’t wait to read more about Gin.

 

 Purchase links: Amazon