Black Widow (Elemental Assassin)

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Where BLACK WIDOW excels is going far beyond my expectations of a Elemental Assassin book. The series has felt repetitive at times though I keep coming back for me as I adore Gin and every other character that crosses paths with her good guy or bad. What BLACK WIDOW has done is take a series I've become comfortable with in regards to how the plot is going to go and flip it on its head. There is a game changer at the end of this book that I adore and can't wait to see in the next book.

Future expectations aside this book is excellent in its forward momentum towards that game changer moment. Here we get Gin who is wrapped up in a web and not one of her own making. I kind of enjoyed seeing Gin get tangled up and confused by the M.M. Monroe just because I knew it would be a truly epic moment when Gin is able to escape that web and defeat Monroe. I really felt bad for what happened to Gin and her family and friends as M.M. Monroe is so very calculating and evil. One of the things that Gin has that Monroe doesn't is her friends who are there fore her more than ever in BLACK WIDOW. M.M. Monroe is nothing like Mab and I was grateful that this wasn't Mab 2.o and M.M. actually puts Mab to shame in being utterly diabolical.

Everything that I adore about this series is right here and more so in BLACK WIDOW. There's expertly crafted fights, banter, and suspense that continued to keep me on the edge of my seat. I can't recommend this book enough and love being on the roller coaster ride that is Gin Blanco life.

Reviewed by Annie and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
Mab Monroe is gone, but another threat has risen up in its place. They say evil has many faces and this time, Gin is faced with M.M. Monroe, someone who is willing to do anything and everything necessary in order to take her out.

Upon reading the blurb, I wondered how similar the book would be to previous ones we’ve seen already in the series. A lot of the bad guys have been very well done, the latest being some of my favorites so I wondered how well Estep could take an existing idea and morph it into something that’s new and exciting for readers. In the end, I think she accomplishes this well.

This book doesn’t start out as full throttle as the previous books have been, but that doesn’t mean that the stakes aren’t high. For the first time, it looks like someone has been able to make the first jab at Gin that has her really taking a step back to assess her threat. Some incredible – and I mean incredible! – things happen in this book, but to prevent any spoilers, I think you need to read it for yourself and experience the whirlwind action that Estep manages to infuse in all of her books. After reading a Elemental Assassin book, I always feel empowered and willing to go kick ass in my own world (though probably not as cool as how Gin does). Estep has really stepped up her game. BLACK WIDOW casts a whole new web of problems for Gin and her friends. I’m eager to see where Estep takes this series next!

*ARC provided by publisher

As long as Ms. Estep keeps writing the Elemental Assassin series, I will continue to buy it. Having said that, I always enjoy catching up with Gin and the gang and generally don't go in anymore with any particular expectation. This installment starts off extremely slow for me with oodles and oodles of recap which was downright annoying, but once you get past the first couple of chapters, things start to pick up nicely.

This show down is between Gin and Mab's daughter, the elusive MM Monroe or Madeline, who's come to town to take over the underworld with the surprise of all surprises, she's stronger than Mab and doesn't underestimate Gin's power going into it. The story tracks the categorical breakdown of life as Gin knows it through problem after problem with all her loved ones down to Bria losing her job on the police force to the total destruction of the pork pit, but no matter how good the plan to eliminate the Spider, Gin proves craftier than normal and turns the tables in a great finale with a surprise ending.

This was an interesting installment since you know what's going to happen almost every step of the way. When Madeline's original plan doesn't pan out the way she wants, it puts Gin in the driver's seat with her sister, Finn, Owen, Sophie, Ros and everyone else riding shotgun. The whole gang is in on the action and the send off doesn't disappoint.

BLACK WIDOW is the twelfth book in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep. This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Everything is status quo, but Gin Blanco can't get past the feeling that Madeline Monroe is up to something, and the crap is going to hit the fan. Soon. Gin has been stalking MMM's venues and watching her house, but what Madeline plans and when those plans will occur is anyone's guess. To save her friends and family, Gin has to stay on top of Madeline's plans, and stop them before everything as she knows it is no more.

In the past, Gin had always relied on her reflexes, strength, training and elemental abilities to overcome her enemies. In BLACK WIDOW must fight smart with smart because MMM chooses to battle Gin with legalese. No hordes of giants and skilled assassins. Just the law. And the personal ruin of those closest to her.

I keep expecting the other shoe to drop and for the next book in the series to flop. That did not occur with BLACK WIDOW. Jennifer Estep is still going strong.

If you are looking for a Dark Urban Fantasy with a dash of romance, the Elemental Assassin Series is for you. Start with the first book, you won't regret it. Although the author does a good job at refreshing memories of previous novels in the series, the book is best if read as part of the series.

I was super excited when Netgalley gave me a copy of Black Widow for review. I'm a fan of the series and was so happy I didn't have to wait until Black Widow was released.

I'm not going to add anything to the story line than the blurb provides. There's a couple of surprises in this book and I don't want to give them away. I don't even want to mention how the story unfolds because I think it's unpredictable. What happens and how Gin handles it is really interesting and different and it all fits within the context of this world.

This book primarily features Gin, the crew shows up in a couple of scenes, but it's really just Gin and it worked for me even though I like all the secondary characters and usually enjoy them playing larger roles.

I think new readers to the series could pick this up and enjoy it, the plot line is easy to follow and the characters'motivations are easily understood. However, series followers will (as always) get more out of it by understanding the relationships and back history, etc.

I think Black Widow is my favorite of the series so far.

Gin Blanco returns in book 12 of the Elemental Assassin series. This time around Gin is dealing with M. M. Monroe, the daughter of Mab Monroe who was one of the big bad villains in the previous books. I didn't think I would dislike any of the villains as much as Mab, but I do believe her daughter takes the cake. Mab was a lot more straightforward, she didn't mess around she just did what she wanted by brute force with her fire magic. Madeline on the other hand is more cunning, she likes toying with her prey and Gin is squarely in her line of sight, and so are her friends. Madeline manages to attack everything Gin holds dear, her friends, family, the Pork Pit (her restaurant), and of course Gin. How Gin would manage to outwit and defeat Madeline, I wasn't sure but I knew it would be a big battle.

I do believe Black Widow is probably my favorite book in the series yet. Gin's character continues to grow, the villains aren't the same old boring ones used over and over. I'm finally catching up to where the series is currently. Now I have to wait for the next book, which luckily comes out this year (July 2015), This is a great Urban Fantasy series, and I highly recommend it.

Gin Blanco 'Spider' is back. This time though her enemy seemed innocuous enough, and very subtle, it is hard for Gin to read, assess or fight this battle. We all know she does not do subtle. Madeline is the daughter of Mab, Gin's arch enenmy that she just killed. Madeline spun a web of intrigue, like a black widow spider, to get Gin through her friends by creating problems for them. Then she swung into action. Before Gin could blink, thinks had started to unravel for her.

Spider is not known as the 'assasin' for nothing. Of course she cheated death, and rose from the ashes like a phoenix. All her friends are also present in this latest book, including her long time boyfriend, Owen,(they need to take their relationship to the next step though). That's a story for another time, I guess. They are trying to stay alive here. Anywho, Gin did prevail, but of course there was a slight twist at the end. Another enemy in the making??? We shall see in the next book.

Long story short? I love this latest instalment. It was action packed, not explosive, but Jennifer Estep delivered.

***A copy of this book was provided by the publishers through NetGalley for my free and honest review***

Read/Listened for Fun (Paperback/Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 5.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thoughts when Finished: Black Widow by Jennifer Estep was another strong entry in Elemental Assassins series. The characters are still as bad*ss as ever. Also, I really dug the different way that this all "played" out in the end. MM was not my favorite villain in the series but I think she maybe was the craftiest. I was just happy that it appears Bria is finally ok with her sister (let's hope cause if not I am taking Finn back).

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang /Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Once a series goes into automatic listen (which this is for me) I sound a bit like a broken record. However, let me state this again: Lauren nails Gin and Gang with the sass, brass, and southern of a narrator who just might really be an elemental assassin! She is that convincing :) So just listen to it already!

Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! reviews

Another wonderful Gin Blanco adventure, of course I loved it! This time Gin goes up against a master of manipulation named M.M. Monroe. It seems that Gin isn’t the only target, all of her friends and family begin to have troubles in their lives, until finally Gin is caught in such a web of trouble it doesn’t seem like she’ll ever make it out. Seeing her whole life crumbling around her doesn’t stop her from doing everything she can to prevent the machinations of her enemy to ruin her friend’s lives, or hers. Once more Gin fights against overwhelming odds, but she never gives up and I love to see how she manages to come out on the other side, stronger and wiser than before. We had all of the usual characters in this episode, and it’s always a plus to see my favorites and how they rally around Gin when she needs them. As always, I’m looking forward to the next book, to see what will challenge Gin next.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had been meaning to check out this series for a long time and when I saw that I could get the most recent installment from Netgalley I jumped at the chance and I am very glad that I did. There was enough explanation of past events for newcomers (except it wasn't entirely clear to me why Mab even tried to kill Gin and her family until near the end of this book) that you didn't have to read the previous books to understand what was going on, but I will check out the others in the future since I enjoyed the fast pace and butt-kicking of Gin Blanco (aka the Spider). Gin's new Monroe nemesis came off as a weak elemental at first since she was sneakily going about getting rid of Gin, but it became pretty obvious she was actually very strong. Definitely enjoyed this book and will be back for more. The only thing I didn't like was the references to building webs ad nauseam. It was a bit eye-roll inducing.

Gin is back and better than ever. After an action filled Poison Promise I didn't think the series could get any better but I got a big surprise. Gin is still dealing with a Monroe but this Monroe instead of just going after Gin in an elemental fight, uses the law and the people she has in her pockets to not only go after Gin but everybody she cares about. Of course Gin isn't going to sit back and take it without a fight and her friends are determined that she's not going to do it alone. After losing something she holds very dear she'll have to rebuild a certain part of her life all over again but Gin is up for the fight. I also liked the little surprise at the end and I'm looking forward to seeing if she can turn it around and break the cycle of revenge and hate. From caged fighting matches to explosions, fires, and elemental magic this one is full of the action that I love so much.

Read on November 04, 2014

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: November 25th 2014 by Pocket Books
original title Black Widow
ISBN 1476774544 (ISBN13: 9781476774541)
edition language English
URL
series Elemental Assassin #12
other editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
the store
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

There’s nothing worse than a cruel, cunning enemy with time to kill—and my murder to plan.

With wicked Fire elemental Mab Monroe long gone, you’d think I could finally catch a break. But someone’s always trying to take me down, either as Gin Blanco or my assassin alter-ago. Now along comes the Spider’s new arch-nemesis, the mysteriously named M. M. Monroe, who is gleefully working overtime to trap me in a sticky web of deceit.

The thing is, I’m not the only target. I can see through the tangled threads enough to know that every bit of bad luck my friends have been having lately is no accident—and that each unfortunate “coincidence” is just one more arrow drawing ever closer to hitting the real bulls-eye. Though new to Ashland, this M. M. Monroe is no stranger to irony, trying to get me, an assassin, framed for murder. Yet, as my enemy’s master plan is slowly revealed, I have a sinking feeling that it will take more than my powerful Ice and Stone magic to stop my whole life from going up in flames.

My Thoughts

In Poison Promise-book #11 M.M. Monroe was confirmed to be the daughter of Mab and her giant bodyguard Elliot Slater, now she is proving to be more devious than her mother as well as just as ruthless where Gin Blanco and her friends are concerned.

From the first this book was such easy reading to get consumed into that the pages flew past too fast, the down and dirty machinations employed by both M.M. Monroe as well as Gin were brilliantly executed and the final showdown was epic in it’s intensity!

Not even a minute was spent wondering if Gin would win, she is just that type of character who always finds a way to survive no matter what the cost to herself and this time was no exception.

With every new book this series just amazes and delights me, Gin Blanco-like a Timex-takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

Another cool edition to the Elemental Assassins series. So with this one, it’s the same old same old formula of Gin kicking a-- and taking down the bad guys. Of course we know she’s going to triumph in the end and how she does it was such a good read!

Don't know how to hide spoilers on an the store review, so see my profile's website link for spoilers.

As usual Estep has another in her wonderful series. Besides two grammar mistakes this is her best in the series. She has vastly improved her style, if that's possible. I like that she has added some new characters. Her imagination is incredible and apparently limitless. I recommend you start with the first book in the series. However, each book can be read alone.

Estep brings a cast of devious villains and a heroine who isn't sure which side she's playing for. Corrupt cops, money hungry drug dealers and "elementals" with the power to roast, freeze you or even heal you keep you guessing from one sentence to the other. Certainly a sci-fi/thrill ride of epic proportions.

Gin Blanco is back and facing a Black Widow (paper from Pocket by Jenifer Estep) with poison magic. M.M. Monroe is the daughter of Mab, Gin’s nemesis for the first five books of the series. Gin, known as the spider, is an assassin with both stone and ice magic. M. M attacks Gin’s family with legal papers and gets Gin arrested so the police can murder her in their dark cell where they put prisoners up against other prisoners. But sending five against the Spider isn’t enough - and she escapes only to be trapped inside her burning restaurant with police and fire trapping her inside. I’ve enjoyed all of these and am waiting eagerly for the next.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press