69) Unraveled by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city’s most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn’t done me a lick of good in learning more about “the Circle”. Despite my continued investigations, the trail’s gone as cold as the coming winter.

So when Finnegan Lane, my foster brother, gets word of a surprising inheritance, we figure why not skip town for someplace less dangerous for a few days? That place: Bullet Pointe, a fancy hotel resort complex plus Old West theme park that Finn now owns lock, stock, and barrel. At first, all the struttin’ cowboys and sassy saloon girls are just hokey fun. But add in some shady coincidences and Circle assassins lurking all around, and vacationing becomes wilder—and deadlier—than any of us expected.

Good thing this assassin brought plenty of knives to the gunfight …

My Thoughts :

It is a great week in the reading world because the newest installment in the Elemental Assassin Series was released.  Unraveled is the 15th book in the series and there can be no way that this series will ever get boring.  I don't think I could ever give any book in this series a bad review.  This has got to be one of my all time favourites and I don't think I ever want to see this one end.  Ever.

Another installment filled with the characters I have come to know so well and love.  Once more there is a great plot with the on-going story developing, twisting, evolving and making progress.  Gin has been through so much and her strength and determination continue to leave me in admiration of her even if she is only a character in a book.

The story this time around focused on the revelations made in the previous book and even though Gin gets that little bit closer to finding out the truth, once again it is snatched away from her.  She does get some answers but there are always more questions.  However the progression isn't boring or annoying. You just find yourself even more invested in Gin's future as well as all the others who are along for the ride.

Jennifer Estep does it again.  She really can't stop this series from being amazing.  I dread the day it will end and only take comfort in the fact that I can then finally read the whole series again.  Yes I could do that now but it isn't done yet.  It isn't over.  It won't be over until the assassin of Ashland puts away those knives forever.  Hopefully it will a while.

One of the best Paranormal Urban Fantasy series out there.  Unique, exciting and compelling this is a must read, a pre-order and a devour in one sitting kind of series.  I look forward to the next installment and anymore that come along.  I also can't wait for anything else this author releases.  She has a talent and style that I can't get enough of.

38) Unwanted by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.

But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.

Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes...

My Thoughts :

Unwanted is a novella set in the Elemental Assassin series and is told from Finn's perspective.  This short story picks up things from where Bitter Bite ended and releases in July.  Due to the wait for everyone else to read this I won't go into too many plot details.  I don't want to spoil anything!

What really stood out in this novella is that Jennifer Estep is a great storyteller.  After the events in Bitter Bite we would have usually just moved on to the next full length book with Gin taking the reins as always.  However here we have a wonderful, if somewhat slightly depressing, short story about how Finn is dealing with everything he went through.  This is a delight for readers of the series and offers a chance to see how Finn is coping.

It takes a great author to write a short story that doesn't feel rushed or low on details and Jennifer Estep manages this without a doubt.  There is good balance of information in Unwanted and there of course there is a good plot.  I was hooked from the moment I started reading and the story progressed at a nice and steady pace with the emotions and mystery building up until the very end.  Then just when you think things are over there is a nice little twist in the tale.

Any fans of the series will love Unwanted even if it is a little bleak at times.  It is a pleasure to read about Finn from his perspective but he isn't his usual happy go lucky self that readers of the series will be used to.  However there is all the usual action and excitement there with a nice interesting continuation of the story.

Well worth reading and definitely a must read for anyone following the series.  Missing this short story most likely won't make a difference in the whole scheme of things but it definitely has some interesting tidbits that will surely come up in the next full length Elemental Assassin's book.  A quick read to curl up on a nice day this Summer.

32) Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…


My Thoughts :

Jennifer Estep has done it again!  Another amazing story!  I continue to be in constant awe of the original and exciting books that this author keeps coming up with.  There are so many Paranormal Urban Fantasy writers out there who are dredging up the same old ideas but Jennifer Estep continues to make up her own worlds with original and compelling magical aspects.

Anyone who has been following this series will be eager to read this third installment.  The cover is spectacular and the blurb doesn't give too much away but believe me this one is more action packed that both the books before it. It is also quite dark with a lot of death and destruction.  Things come to a head and you won't believe what happens.

I don't want to give anything away so I will keep this review short.  Read all of Jennifer Estep's books, including this series.  Don't let the term Young Adult put you off in anyway.  These maybe youngsters but they are living and fighting in an adult world.  If you love the paranormal then you will be blown away by the wonderful new monsters and magic that the author has dreamt up for this series.  Each book adds more depth and this third book is no exception!

A wonderful author with a great grasp on what excitement and adventure should be and how they can be made even more special with the right characters and unusual twists.  I can't wait for her next book and anymore after that, in this series or any of her others or even something new!

19) Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Which is stronger: blood ties or a battle-tested friendship?

It’s not easy being queen bee of an underworld abuzz with crooks and killers. Wielding my potent Ice and Stone elemental magic will only get me so far—my real secret is my tight-knit makeshift family, a motley crew of cops and criminals, dwarves and playboys. My foster brother Finnegan Lane is my right-hand man, but when his suddenly not-dead relative comes back into the picture, I’m the one on the outside looking in.

It’s funny how life works: one minute your best friend is rock-steady, and the next he’s doe-eyed and buying into this whole loving-relative routine to the point of ignoring you. I’d like to be happy for Finn, I really would. But all of my instincts are telling me that beneath the syrupy sweet demeanor and old-fashioned charm, this sudden interloper is planning something. The whole shtick leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This person might have avoided the grave once, but I’ll put anyone who hurts Finn in the ground—for good.

My Thoughts :

Keep them coming!  The Elemental Assassin series continues to entertain with book number fourteen, Bitter Bite.  I knew that this would be good, all the books in this series are!  What I wasn't expecting was such nice twists and turns.  After all this time the author keeps on surprising me and keeping me hooked.

I don't want to give anything away because this book doesn't release till this coming week but I know that all you fans out there will be happy with this latest installment.  There is everything you have come to know and love whether it be the action, the mystery, the characters or the plot.  Things are just getting uglier and more dangerous in Ashland and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Original and addictive, this has got to be one of my favourite, if not my all time favourite, series.  I love Gin, the other characters and the ongoing story.  There is so much depth to the whole series that I really get pulled in to the whole situation.  It is like I am there with Gin, the description and emotions just grab hold and don't let go until the last word.

This series continues to entertain and amaze me.  Another five star read from an author who writes an absolutely wonderful story and has never disappointed me.   Looking forward to more Gin and anything else this author publishes.  She is certainly one of the best Paranormal Urban Fantasy authors who manages to offer something very unique to the genre.

105) Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...

My Thoughts :

The second part in the Black Blaze series is already out and it's another amazing read from exceptional Paranormal Urban Fantasy author Jennifer Estep.  Cold Burn of Magic, the debut in the series, was a spectacular read and this sequel only builds on the original and well thought out world of magic that the writer has created.   This isn't her first rodeo and I hope it won't be her last.  So many unique ideas have come from this author and she is really keeping the genre alive.

While this sequel had a different feel to it was still a gripping read.  The change in pace was to be expected with Lila no longer living on the streets and stealing for a living but the change was in no way detrimental to the storyline.  In fact it made it stronger than before with so many other aspects of the world coming to light and expanding the already ingenious idea beyond the expected.  Nothing new as far as Jennifer Estep's work is concerned but I am still left in wonder of her 'talents' each time.

With everything that came to light in Dark Heart of Magic there will certainly be a third installment and it is definitely going to be an eye-opener.  Some of the information regarding Lila's family was a shocker but there are other bits and pieces that I think we are still not privy to.  There is so many directions the story could follow and I can't wait to see what happens.

If you have already had the pleasure of reading any of Jennifer Estep's books then you will know how gifted she is.  So make sure you check out this series as soon as possible.  If you haven't already tried this author then I highly suggest you do.  There is very little out there lately that really makes me swoon and go wow but this author always does.  Oh and don't be put off by this series YA status.  This is adult enough for everyone and manages to outshine some of those 'adult' books I have read recently.

74) Spider's Trap by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Keep your friends close but your enemies within stabbing distance.

One important lesson I’ve learned in the assassination business is that to be the best you have to roll with the punches. Now that I’m queen of Ashland’s underworld—by default, not by choice—a lot more punches are being thrown my way. But I suppose that’s the price of victory for taking down some of the underworld’s top dogs. Good thing I have my Ice and Stone magic to help me survive my volatile new position. Just when I think things are finally settling down, someone tries to murder me during a hush-hush underworld meeting. But the real surprise is how strangely familiar my shadowy assailant seems to be.

My job is to maintain order among killers, crooks, and thieves, and soon I’m embroiled in a bloody game where the ability to keep secrets could be the greatest superpower of all. My enemies have all sharpened their knives and laid their traps, waiting for me to fall. But this Spider weaves her own webs of death…

My Thoughts :

I have arachnophobia but there is one Spider I love!  Gin Blanco.  Lately I find myself leaning more and more towards cozy mysteries but the Elemental Assassin series always manages to pull me back into the world of Paranormal Urban Fantasy and remind me why I ever read anything in the genre in the first place.

Spider's Trap is the thirteenth installment and definitely not an unlucky number for the author.  She once again managed to excite and entertain me with another addictive story that I couldn't face putting down for even a minute.  Jennifer Estep is on a winning streak and after all this time she is still writing stories that thrill and please.

There is everything inside Spider's Trap that fans have come to expect and adore.  Fights, traps, plans and lots of physical hurt.  The only question is who, what and why?  Once again those questions are answered and they are nowhere near the same as the previous twelve books.  This series continues to be original and surprising.

Jennifer Estep has trapped me in her web of amazing world building and exceptional story telling long ago and as the story keeps going I become even more addicted.  The twists and turns the on-going story takes just flow along so smoothly.  I can't help but feel invested in Gin's life and the lives of the other characters that have all made such an impact on reading enjoyment.  The final chapter promises more to come and I can't wait for the next book.  The last chapter also made me sigh in relief as I realise there is still more of Gin to come.

Once again I can only keep recommending this series.  Jennifer Estep is definitely one of my top three favourite authors and The Elemental Assassin Series is in my top three favourite reads.  One day this series will come to an end but until it does I will keep on pre-ordering or begging for ARC's.  This is a must read series and not to be missed.  Oh and when it does end I will be reading this series over and over again.  It is just too good to only read once.

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47) Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

My Thoughts :

I love Jennifer Estep's books and can't get enough of her wonderful stories.  This new Young Adult series had an ok blurb but a boring cover and I wondered if this was going to be the first bad book of the bunch.  However within a few pages I knew that this was going to be another hit!

Jennifer Estep has outdone herself again by inventing yet another amazing concept that broadens the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre.  A new twist on the usual paranormal talents and some nice fantasy additions make this first in a new series really stand out.  Forget the Young adult label and concentrate on another set of great characters who all have a compelling story to tell.  A tale of magic and family feuds. A story that follows a strong and clever young lady who can kick-ass with the best of them.

I won't go into details as far as the plot is concerned because I don't want to spoil things for anyone who is waiting for this new release which hits the shelves next week.  However I will say that there is some romance, a lot of action and a nice new paranormal community involved in Cold Burn of Magic.  Of course there is a subtle nod to the other locations of Estep's books and maybe one day they will all get together for a story or two.

Cold Burn of Magic is just a confirmation that this author is one, if not the best, in the genre.  The new ideas and different angles jump from the story and grab you and don't let go till the end.  There is everything that you have come to expect from this author and then some in the first of the Black Blade books and I can't wait for more.

If you are a fan of Jennifer's work then you need to get a copy of Cold Burn of Magic as soon as possible.  The opening scenes are just the beginning of a wonderful and magical read that stands out and takes control.   Lila's attitude and strength is inspiring and I am really looking forward to finding out more about her and her past.

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126) Black Widow by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

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 :

Twelve books in already?  Doesn't time fly when you are having fun?  That's certainly the case when it comes to this series.  The Elemental Assassin series just keeps getting better and better.  How the author manages to keep things so exciting, fresh and awesome are a mystery to me but I am loving every minute of this series and have been since the beginning.

Black Widow is a story full of paranoia and legal problems.  It burns in more ways than one and there are some twists and turns that you definitely won't be expecting.  Gin once again proves how much of a bad-ass she is and puts frozen peas to the test as she once again manages to get in and out of some life threatening and very dangerous situations.

All the crew are around in this twelfth installment and they all get affected by the new Monroe in town.  The plot is, as always, genius and there is no slow quiet moment as the story unfolds and comes to an end.  The promise of more Gin Blanco and the Elementals in Ashland is the final hooray and happy moment in this book.   I can't wait to see what comes next.

If you haven't tried this series yet then you are really missing out on something special.  I have to say that this series is not only a must read but most definitely in the top three of my all time favourite series.  Jennifer Estep can keep writing about Gin as long as she wants as long as she keeps delivering amazing reads like the twelve already on the shelves.  Every new release is just another five star salute from me.  Don't miss out on this exceptional series.

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64) Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.

There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

My Thoughts :

This ARC has been on my Kindle taunting me for a couple of months and I finally caved and read it today.  Yes!  In one day!  That shows how amazing this series is.  I only managed to stop myself from reading Poison Promise straight away because there were other books that needed to be read first but I couldn't hold out any longer.  This series is the best.  There isn't any other series I can think of that can stand up to Gin and the fantastic set of friends and family she has.

Gin's story isn't a new one but it continues to impress and amaze.  Poison Promise is due out next month and it is the eleventh installment in the original and unforgettable Elemental Assassin Series.  I never need my memory jogged when I pick up a new part in the story because this series is too unusual and special to not remember.  This new addition to the series is no exception and from the get go I was, as always, captivated by the story that began to unfold.  It was hard to put down and I found myself only stopping to have lunch and then going right back.

I don't want to give away the plot but any fans of the series need not worry.  This isn't the last installment and there are some really nice wow moments.  The continuation of Gin's life as an Elemental Assassin is just as compelling as the previous installments and Poison Promise has as much action, depth and urban fantasy as all the others have before it.  Nobody will be disappointed but there are some surprises.

For anyone who hasn't read any of the books yet...well I wonder what rock you have been living under.  The Elemental Assassin series is a must read for any lovers of the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre and anyone who likes a kick-ass leading lady. I would love to be friends with Gin and the gang and with each new installment I can't help but love them even more.

My praises for Jennifer Estep can be found on each review I have written for each book she has had released.  She is a must read and pre-order author but usually I find myself begging to get a copy of the newest Gin story before it is released.  I just can't get enough.  This is a series that I will hate to see end and one I will definitely be re-reading for years to come.

As a closing note I have to wonder why this series hasn't made it onto TV or been made into a film.  Although I also have to wonder if anyone could actually do the books justice.  They are just too special.

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12) Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :


I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.

My Thoughts :

Jennifer Estep is a must read and must buy author.  All of her books have been amazing reads and I can't get enough of her imaginative and unique stories.  While her Elemental Assassin series is by far my favourite this Mythos Academy Young Adult series has also been keeping me entertained.  So it was sad to realise that this sixth installment is actually the last book in the series.  While it is sad to know that we won't be catching up with Gwen anymore I can tell you that the ending will not be a disappointment for the fans.

All the usual characters are about and there are some nice developments in this book that make you hope there will be a novella or two, maybe a spin-off, so we can see what happens next.  The location is very academy based this time around which seems fitting for the last installment.  As for the plot, well it rocked.  There wasn't anything missing and the roller coaster ride that Gwen and the reader have been on comes to an end in style.

Killer Frost is all about tying up the loose ends and bringing things to an end.  How the author gets us there is filled with the twists and turns I have come to expect from this author.  Action, adventure and magical creatures all play their part in this final episode and the story was so good that I gulped it up in record time.

There were moments in this book that I felt everything was coming together a little too easily or even too quickly.  Despite that feeling I enjoyed this one as much as the other five books in the series and am sad that it has to come to an end.  On the other hand I am kind of glad that the author has put this one to bed.  It needed to end sometime and I appreciate that this one didn't drag out for another few books.  Kudos to the author for letting Gwen get on with her life, it couldn't have been easy.

This is a Young Adult series but any lovers of Estep's other books would be stupid to not even try this series.  Now everything is over and done with you can even pile up all six books and have a little Mythos Academy read-a-thon.  I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed with this tasty Mythical infused fantasy work of art that the author has created.  Let's hope she has another equally amazing series up her sleeve to delight us with sometime soon!

*** Killer Frost releases on the 25th of February ***

 

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155) The Spider by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

For the first time, the full origin story of Gin Blanco's transformation into the fearsome assassin known as the Spider—book ten in the red-hot Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

In a prequel tale, Gin Blanco goes through her paces on the way to become the most feared assassin in the Ashland. Her mentor, Fletcher Lane, is not going to go easy on her—if she’s going to become a fearsome killer, she has to learn to use her elemental Stone and Ice powers alongside old-fashioned human street smarts.


My Thoughts :

The Elemental Assassin Series is one of my favourite reads ever.  This is a series I pre-order and recommend to anyone who will listen.  I love everything about the books and the author has never disappointed me.  Ten books in and I am still in awe of this amazing Urban Fantasy.  Brilliant characters, thrilling storylines and great action is packed into every single book.  The concept is original and unforgettable and I never get bored of Gin and her assassin stories.

Yes I can praise this series until the cows come home but I also have to slap the publishers a little bit.  This is not the full origin story of Gin.  This is a very monumental story that has an effect on how things came about.  It isn't a prequel to the series but more of a flashback to a time where Gin was just establishing herself as an assassin.  It shows Gin making a bad decision and it coming back to haunt her.  That first moment in her assassin life that she bit off more than she could chew and made a huge mistake but managed to come back from it.  An inspirational story and one that shows the much loved character letting her guard down.

The Spider is a spectacular story that incorporates the majority of the characters the reader has come to know and love during the last nine books.  A fun and interesting look at how Gin really met everyone and how small the world of Ashland really is.  I loved every moment and could hardly put the book down until I finished it.  Just like every other Gin Blanco installment it had me hooked till the very end.

Fans beware!  This doesn't come out till next month.  Sorry!  I tried to hold out on reading this one as long as possible but I always cave in when it comes to this series.  Any avid reader of Estep's books will know that they are just irresistible and not in a cute way.  If you haven't already tried this series then you are missing out on what could actually be the best Urban Fantasy series around.  There are only a couple of other series that I could honour with this title but the Elemental Assassin series is definitely up there in my top three reads.  

 

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Jennifer Estep Contest Results!

The Jennifer Estep Contest is now closed!  

It is time to see who has won a copy of  Heart of Venom!


 Check the widget below to see if your name is showing!  Congrats is it is!  You won!  Contact me to claim your prize.

Didn't win this time?  Make sure you keep coming back and keep entering the giveaways!  For instance the new Monthly Giveaway is coming up soon.  

Also if you didn't win still make sure you read the Elemental Assassin Series!  It is amazing and you will not be disappointed!

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Jennifer Estep Contest Reminder

Jennifer Estep fans!  Have you already entered the contest to win a copy of  Heart of Venom?    Or do you already have a copy?

 I absolutely adore this series and can only highly recommend it to everyone! 

Make sure you use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway and maybe you will win a copy of the newest installment in the Elemental Assassin Series.      

Hurry up!  The contest ends in a couple of days!

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