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veraann's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. There was a minor annoyance with recaps or reexplaining things that took things word for word from the first book, but not enough to detract me from the characters or story. Took a little bit for me to get into the book, but once I did I was hooked. I think Gin is a great character and can't wait to see what happens next for her. I got to see more from some of the sidekicks in the story and their character build really came out nicely here. Definitely keeps me wanting to continue the series.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Second in the urban fantasy Elemental Assassin series set in Ashland, Tennessee.
My Take
The one issue I have is Gin's inability to accept Donovan's morals. I understand her frustration as I want them to be together as well, but I do admire his resolve to deal with his unwanted attraction to Gin — I suspect that he'll be back…even when he does keep slipping up…or is that in? Why is she being so stubborn about this? I can understand where Estep didn't want to figure out a more subtle struggle between them, but it would have been better if she had. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to reading about Owen's assault.
More cooking from our little assassin: a chicken salad of celery, apples, raisins, lemon zest, and a sour cream-mayo dressing on sourdough bread. Yum.
The Story
Yup, Gin's been retired for several months now. And, oh man, is she bored! Nothing to do but work the restaurant by day and go to school at night. So when the opportunity arises for a bit more excitement, Gin's in. A dwarf mine owner is threatening old friends of Fletcher, the son of one of Mab Monroe's henchmen tried to rob the Pork Pit — and Gin's pressing charges, and there's a new entry in the get-into-Gin's-bed sweepstakes. Oh yeah, nothing boring here.
The Cover and Title
Liked the cover as well although, since Gin is in the mine, she should have been dressed for Mab's party…
Web of Lies as a title doesn't make any sense to me. Yeah, okay, Web could stand for Gin's nickname, Spider. It could refer to the web of connections throughout the city of Ashland. The Lies part, well, everyone in Ashland lies on a daily basis to survive but there are no real lies there because, deep down, everyone knows what everyone else really is. Well, okay, there is an exception. Extremely few people know that Gin is an assassin, a retired assassin running the Pork Pit, a barbecue restaurant she inherited from Fletcher Lane, her killer mentor.
My Take
The one issue I have is Gin's inability to accept Donovan's morals. I understand her frustration as I want them to be together as well, but I do admire his resolve to deal with his unwanted attraction to Gin — I suspect that he'll be back…even when he does keep slipping up…or is that in? Why is she being so stubborn about this? I can understand where Estep didn't want to figure out a more subtle struggle between them, but it would have been better if she had. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to reading about Owen's assault.
More cooking from our little assassin: a chicken salad of celery, apples, raisins, lemon zest, and a sour cream-mayo dressing on sourdough bread. Yum.
The Story
Yup, Gin's been retired for several months now. And, oh man, is she bored! Nothing to do but work the restaurant by day and go to school at night. So when the opportunity arises for a bit more excitement, Gin's in. A dwarf mine owner is threatening old friends of Fletcher, the son of one of Mab Monroe's henchmen tried to rob the Pork Pit — and Gin's pressing charges, and there's a new entry in the get-into-Gin's-bed sweepstakes. Oh yeah, nothing boring here.
The Cover and Title
Liked the cover as well although, since Gin is in the mine, she should have been dressed for Mab's party…
Web of Lies as a title doesn't make any sense to me. Yeah, okay, Web could stand for Gin's nickname, Spider. It could refer to the web of connections throughout the city of Ashland. The Lies part, well, everyone in Ashland lies on a daily basis to survive but there are no real lies there because, deep down, everyone knows what everyone else really is. Well, okay, there is an exception. Extremely few people know that Gin is an assassin, a retired assassin running the Pork Pit, a barbecue restaurant she inherited from Fletcher Lane, her killer mentor.
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Gin the assassin plus has retired. She is living the life at the Pork Pit till somebody starts shooting at her customers. She rushes into danger, mysteries and lot's of broken bones while trying to solve her customers attempted murder. Her friends stand with her doing what needs to be done. One she is interested in turns away and another perhaps better choice appears.
Great action, I was glad to see one of the characters leave. I really look forward to the next installment in the series.
Great action, I was glad to see one of the characters leave. I really look forward to the next installment in the series.
geezenstack444's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the first book, but I couldn't even finish this one. I wanted to like this book so badly, but it was a huge disappointment.
annabell_hrs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
***4.5***
What can I say about this book? It is a lot of fun, with a great cast and great supporting characters. It was just as sharp and enjoyable as the first one. And I can't wait to see what Gin does next.
Only one thing kept this from being 5 stars for me: Donovan freaking Caine.
Something about the relationship subplot with him felt off this entire book. It felt, to me, like the author knew he wasn't the one for Gin, but wasn't entirely sure how to go about ending things. So he was ... I don't know. Inconsistent. There was one point where they finally have THE conversation about his partner. Caine finally understands that Gin doesn't just murder indiscriminately; that in fact, the people she kills deserve it. She's a vigilante. And hell, Caine even says that had he known what his partner had done, he'd probably had offed him himself. So great, right? He's finally coming to understand Gin's not a monster.
But no.
He says there is still a problem. He just can't decide what it is. He blows some smoke about guilt, and that's the end of the conversation.
Which left me wondering: what just happened here?
I know a lot of people seem to come away from this book hating Caine. I don't hate him. I get it. I get why someone who considers themselves an upstanding person - and a cop! - would have serious trouble coming to terms with his attraction to an assassin. I get that as a cop, he is seriously opposed to vigilantism. For the most part, I can accept that. What I can't accept is that he can't even articulate it. It is weird, to me, that he just hems and haws and stutters and looks guilty... bangs Gin, and then goes right back to the beginning.
But what was unforgivable, to me, is when he turned his back on her at the mine. Honestly, that struck me as so wrong, so inconsistent, that it was out of character. It felt like the author was looking for a final break between then, and this was it. But that's not Caine. Caine is having trouble accepting Gin because he's too much of a Boy Scout. He wouldn't turn away and leave her when she's clearly injured. Hell, in the first book, we saw him wanting to chase after Gin and Chucky C, because he was concerned for her safety. And Gin's conclusion that he was relieved when he thought she was dead? Too much. I get that Estep was trying to clear the way for Owen Grayson in the minds and hearts of her readers (having him right there, though... also too much), but she can do that without slash-and-burning the character. I know I had already written Caine off as a real possibility (hell, a book ago!). But she built him into being a guy who thinks the world is black and white. There are right choices, and there are wrong choices. And he has to leave Gin because his affection for her is causing him to stray into the realm he has clearly delineated as wrong. That's fair. Then to go with "and he's an asshole too!" was unnecessary.
Anyway. I loved the book. Loved the story. Can't wait to see where it goes next. But am using mental white-out on the whole Donovan Caine arc, because I found it to be a disappointing thread in an otherwise excellent story.
Looking forward to the third!
What can I say about this book? It is a lot of fun, with a great cast and great supporting characters. It was just as sharp and enjoyable as the first one. And I can't wait to see what Gin does next.
Only one thing kept this from being 5 stars for me: Donovan freaking Caine.
Something about the relationship subplot with him felt off this entire book. It felt, to me, like the author knew he wasn't the one for Gin, but wasn't entirely sure how to go about ending things. So he was ... I don't know. Inconsistent. There was one point where they finally have THE conversation about his partner. Caine finally understands that Gin doesn't just murder indiscriminately; that in fact, the people she kills deserve it. She's a vigilante. And hell, Caine even says that had he known what his partner had done, he'd probably had offed him himself. So great, right? He's finally coming to understand Gin's not a monster.
But no.
He says there is still a problem. He just can't decide what it is. He blows some smoke about guilt, and that's the end of the conversation.
Which left me wondering: what just happened here?
I know a lot of people seem to come away from this book hating Caine. I don't hate him. I get it. I get why someone who considers themselves an upstanding person - and a cop! - would have serious trouble coming to terms with his attraction to an assassin. I get that as a cop, he is seriously opposed to vigilantism. For the most part, I can accept that. What I can't accept is that he can't even articulate it. It is weird, to me, that he just hems and haws and stutters and looks guilty... bangs Gin, and then goes right back to the beginning.
But what was unforgivable, to me, is when he turned his back on her at the mine. Honestly, that struck me as so wrong, so inconsistent, that it was out of character. It felt like the author was looking for a final break between then, and this was it. But that's not Caine. Caine is having trouble accepting Gin because he's too much of a Boy Scout. He wouldn't turn away and leave her when she's clearly injured. Hell, in the first book, we saw him wanting to chase after Gin and Chucky C, because he was concerned for her safety. And Gin's conclusion that he was relieved when he thought she was dead? Too much. I get that Estep was trying to clear the way for Owen Grayson in the minds and hearts of her readers (having him right there, though... also too much), but she can do that without slash-and-burning the character. I know I had already written Caine off as a real possibility (hell, a book ago!). But she built him into being a guy who thinks the world is black and white. There are right choices, and there are wrong choices. And he has to leave Gin because his affection for her is causing him to stray into the realm he has clearly delineated as wrong. That's fair. Then to go with "and he's an asshole too!" was unnecessary.
Anyway. I loved the book. Loved the story. Can't wait to see where it goes next. But am using mental white-out on the whole Donovan Caine arc, because I found it to be a disappointing thread in an otherwise excellent story.
Looking forward to the third!
hectaizani's review against another edition
4.0
Web of Lies was even better than Spider's Bite. The author has been busy filling-in backstory, doing more world-building, and improving on her characterizations.
Gin's retirement ended up short-lived but it wasn't her fault, trouble came looking for her at the Pork Pit. First, the scion of one of Ashland's most influential families threatens to rob the store and kill the customers. Of course, Gin kicks his ass, takes names and doesn't back down from the fallout. Then while she's still taking care of situation one a girl named Violet shows up asking for the Tin Man. Naturally, Gin can't let that slide, so she follows Violet around town, saves her from an assassination attempt and eventually fixes her problems in a big way.
During the course of her total badassery Gin also discovers more clues that will help her uncover her past. Meets an interesting new man, and has a little bit of closure with Donovan Caine the original star-crossed, wasn't meant-to-be love interest from the first book.
The dwarven sisters are still my favorite supporting characters. I just want to hug Sophia.
Gin's retirement ended up short-lived but it wasn't her fault, trouble came looking for her at the Pork Pit. First, the scion of one of Ashland's most influential families threatens to rob the store and kill the customers. Of course, Gin kicks his ass, takes names and doesn't back down from the fallout. Then while she's still taking care of situation one a girl named Violet shows up asking for the Tin Man. Naturally, Gin can't let that slide, so she follows Violet around town, saves her from an assassination attempt and eventually fixes her problems in a big way.
During the course of her total badassery Gin also discovers more clues that will help her uncover her past. Meets an interesting new man, and has a little bit of closure with Donovan Caine the original star-crossed, wasn't meant-to-be love interest from the first book.
The dwarven sisters are still my favorite supporting characters. I just want to hug Sophia.
redentrapy's review against another edition
5.0
I like the story it was fun but I also loved how much we got to see if gin's character. One of my problems with the first one was that she seemed 2 dimensional to me but this book the that away. Her character shows hurt and love and fear and everything in this and I felt all of it. Also I love Owen Grayson omg he's cute, he's interesting, he's sarcastic i absolutely love him. I really hope that he is a permanent character in this. The story was fun and the big finale was just wow. Gin has a scary amount of magic and i can't wait till she learns how to utilize it to its full potential. I'm also glad that she is finally going to pursue the answers to her family's murder. The scene with Mab was so good i was worried but wow.
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I'm getting majorly addicted to this series, and I have a theory that the feeling will only increase now that I've met Owen Grayson. Seriously, I did not feel that much of a good relationship connection between Donovan and Gin, so having him step aside as a romantic interest for someone who instantly snatched my interest is amazing. Donovan was just such a good moral guy that pairing him up with an assassin romantically meant one or the other would have to sacrifice a great deal of who they are to make it work.
I will also say that the food descriptions in these books just make my mouth water, even if I've just ate. I do not recommend reading any of these books on an empty stomach. Seriously. It makes me wish Gin's restaurant the Pork Pit was real so I could go and stuff myself silly. Plus, getting to run into Gin and Sophia and Finn, etc would not be a bad bonus.
Yeah...I'm going to start reading Venom (book 3) now. So glad I just ordered books 5-7 yesterday. I'm flying through these.
I will also say that the food descriptions in these books just make my mouth water, even if I've just ate. I do not recommend reading any of these books on an empty stomach. Seriously. It makes me wish Gin's restaurant the Pork Pit was real so I could go and stuff myself silly. Plus, getting to run into Gin and Sophia and Finn, etc would not be a bad bonus.
Yeah...I'm going to start reading Venom (book 3) now. So glad I just ordered books 5-7 yesterday. I'm flying through these.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gin has been studying the file that Fletcher left for her...could the fearsome Mab Monroe be the Fire elemental that murdered her family? And how can she track down her younger sister who she thought was dead? Those matters need to be shelved when an attempted robbery brings her to the attention of fearsome lawyer Jonah McAllister, and helping an old friend of Fletcher puts her at odds with a mine owner prepared to kill anyone to protect his business ambitions. Maybe she isn't quite retired yet...
Fletcher's oldest friend is in trouble-his land is needed by the greedy dwarf Tobias who runs a nearby mine and he won't take no for an answer. His grand-daughter Violet asks Gin if Fletcher is around to help, and Gin is curious enough to follow her, saving her from a rape and murder attempt. Now Gin is determined to help but the only way to stop Tobias is to kill him, which causes more problems between Gin and Donovan in their already complicated relationship. He may have forgiven her for killing his partner but hearing that the retired Gin intends to solve a problem with murder is too much for him.
The son of Jonah McAllister is one of the punks who tries to rob Gin's Pork Pit. He may not be impressed by his son's lawbreaking but it doesn't stop him doing everything he can to get Gin to drop the charges against Jake. The last thing she needs is to draw the attention of Mab's lawyer when she is trying to keep a low profile in town but Gin refuses to be intimidated by anyone even if it costs her business. Jake swears revenge on Gin and she is concerned about having an unhinged Fire elemental gunning for her again.
Coming out of her short retirement means getting the usual gang involved in helping her again. Finn uses his considerable skills to get information on her new enemies, while Jo-Jo is ready to heal all her wounds as Sophia disposes of the bodies. I really love this team together. I also like seeing the interaction between Gin and Roslyn, now that Gin knows how Roslyn is partly responsible for the death of Fletcher. We also get to see more of the very scary Mab, and the whole of the party Mab is hosting makes very interesting reading. You really do have to be kind of crazy to consider taking out an associate of Mab at her own party.
I liked the use of the flashbacks and an old man's memories to build a better picture of the relationship that Gin had with Fletcher, including the jealousy that Finn once displayed towards her when his father took her in off the street. It makes me sad that the series is going to miss such a good character. I also like the way Gin can get the information through her magic, just listening to the murmur of the stone in the buildings to be able to sense what recently happened there or to get a full painful history of a house and its owners. It is so inventive and different.
The complicated relationship between Gin and Donovan rears up when he gets dragged into the case against his will. Lawbreaking is not his favourite way to pass the time but finds himself helping Gin anyway. His attraction to her is at war with his disgust for her former career and I must admit he was really bugging me by the end of the book! He doesn't treat Gin well and I understand why she gets so mad at him. There is also the added interest of a new man-Owen. He is not shy about making his interest in Gin clear and seems to have no issue with her morals-which might mean that he has few of his own. I'm not sure what I think of him yet.
This was a solid sequel in which Gin learns more about the people closest to her, uncovers secrets from the past and learns much more about her own magic.
Fletcher's oldest friend is in trouble-his land is needed by the greedy dwarf Tobias who runs a nearby mine and he won't take no for an answer. His grand-daughter Violet asks Gin if Fletcher is around to help, and Gin is curious enough to follow her, saving her from a rape and murder attempt. Now Gin is determined to help but the only way to stop Tobias is to kill him, which causes more problems between Gin and Donovan in their already complicated relationship. He may have forgiven her for killing his partner but hearing that the retired Gin intends to solve a problem with murder is too much for him.
The son of Jonah McAllister is one of the punks who tries to rob Gin's Pork Pit. He may not be impressed by his son's lawbreaking but it doesn't stop him doing everything he can to get Gin to drop the charges against Jake. The last thing she needs is to draw the attention of Mab's lawyer when she is trying to keep a low profile in town but Gin refuses to be intimidated by anyone even if it costs her business. Jake swears revenge on Gin and she is concerned about having an unhinged Fire elemental gunning for her again.
Coming out of her short retirement means getting the usual gang involved in helping her again. Finn uses his considerable skills to get information on her new enemies, while Jo-Jo is ready to heal all her wounds as Sophia disposes of the bodies. I really love this team together. I also like seeing the interaction between Gin and Roslyn, now that Gin knows how Roslyn is partly responsible for the death of Fletcher. We also get to see more of the very scary Mab, and the whole of the party Mab is hosting makes very interesting reading. You really do have to be kind of crazy to consider taking out an associate of Mab at her own party.
I liked the use of the flashbacks and an old man's memories to build a better picture of the relationship that Gin had with Fletcher, including the jealousy that Finn once displayed towards her when his father took her in off the street. It makes me sad that the series is going to miss such a good character. I also like the way Gin can get the information through her magic, just listening to the murmur of the stone in the buildings to be able to sense what recently happened there or to get a full painful history of a house and its owners. It is so inventive and different.
The complicated relationship between Gin and Donovan rears up when he gets dragged into the case against his will. Lawbreaking is not his favourite way to pass the time but finds himself helping Gin anyway. His attraction to her is at war with his disgust for her former career and I must admit he was really bugging me by the end of the book! He doesn't treat Gin well and I understand why she gets so mad at him. There is also the added interest of a new man-Owen. He is not shy about making his interest in Gin clear and seems to have no issue with her morals-which might mean that he has few of his own. I'm not sure what I think of him yet.
This was a solid sequel in which Gin learns more about the people closest to her, uncovers secrets from the past and learns much more about her own magic.