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yodamom's review
5.0
My life is hard for Gin and Finn. Giants, not just regular ones, nasty super fast killer giants want to kill them. Gin gets beaten and beaten some more. Mab watches and lingers putting everything Gin holds dear in even more danger. A person from Gin's past resurfaces and she is on Mab's hit list. An old truth is exposed and many horrible secrets emerge.
Wonderful action, dark brutality and a start of a love story. I am anxious to get to the next book.
Wonderful action, dark brutality and a start of a love story. I am anxious to get to the next book.
annabell_hrs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
vikingwolf's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gin is still reeling from being abandoned by Donovan in such a brutal manner when she takes a savage beating at the hands of Elliot Slater, Mab Monroe's enforcer, who was persuaded to beat her by the angry Jonah McAllister, trying to get information from Gin about the murder of his son. So when Gin discovers that Finn's friend Roslyn is being stalked by Elliot, and will probably end up raped and murdered like the giant's other victims, it's time for her to do the world a favour and get rid of the pervert and thug. But finding a way to beat the super strong giant without alerting Mab Monroe that she is next might prove tricky.
Gin is still struggling with the knowledge that Donovan can't bear to be in the same town as her, and is so disgusted by his relationship with her that he gets a transfer to an unknown city to keep his morals intact. The new Detective replacing her is her long lost sister Bria who has no idea that Gin is anything other than a local businesswoman. Meeting for the first time at the scene of her beating by Elliot, Gin feels vulnerable but can't bear to have Bria feel the same disappointment in her. Finn, of course, is attracted to Bria which only complicates matters. Gin has her own admirer in local man Owen, but is still too bruised by her heartache to look at another man.
Finn is worried about local club owner Roslyn, who is being stalked by Elliot and forced into dates with him. Seeing the vampire so vulnerable and scared makes Gin feel guilty as it was Roslyn that helped her into Mab's party where Jake died, and being questioned about it by Elliot is what started his obsession with Roslyn. Gin decides that it's time to take out the giant especially when she realises that Mab has told Elliot to get rid of Bria. Gin is not going to lose her sister again, especially when she hasn't had a chance to get to know her as an adult. Getting close to Elliot is going to be a problem and fate has a habit of making life difficult for Gin.
This series is keeping up a good standard so far. I wasn't sure what to think about Donovan suddenly leaving town as I expected him and Gin to be together as a couple. I do like seeing the vulnerable side to her that the end of their relationship brings but I don't think we've seen the last of the detective. It looks like Owen might be the new love interest for Gin. I don't know what I think about him yet to be honest, as we haven't seen too much of him. I'll reserve judgement. The same goes for the Bria introduction, which was a bit surprising but she looks like an honest cop so we'll see what happens when she figures out who Gin is.
I was disappointed that Fletcher was killed in book one as his character was so interesting but I'm pleased to see that he is still featuring through flashback thoughts and dreams that Gin is having. I love the somewhat smarmy and vain Finn who is the opposite to his assassin father. The supporting characters of Jo-Jo, Sophia, Xavier and Roslyn are so well written that you look forward to seeing them in each book in some capacity. The bad guys in the series fascinate me too-slimy Jonah, psychos in the form of Mab and Elliot. I'm also curious about the character of Phillip Kincaid, gambling underworld master, whose floating casino appears in this book.
The characters are well developed, making you care about what happens to them. There is the right about of description about the scenes and characters to tell you what is happening without drowning you in pointless details. There is a good mix of humour, action and tension, good interaction between the characters and a rapid pace to the story. This is urban fantasy at its best.
Gin is still struggling with the knowledge that Donovan can't bear to be in the same town as her, and is so disgusted by his relationship with her that he gets a transfer to an unknown city to keep his morals intact. The new Detective replacing her is her long lost sister Bria who has no idea that Gin is anything other than a local businesswoman. Meeting for the first time at the scene of her beating by Elliot, Gin feels vulnerable but can't bear to have Bria feel the same disappointment in her. Finn, of course, is attracted to Bria which only complicates matters. Gin has her own admirer in local man Owen, but is still too bruised by her heartache to look at another man.
Finn is worried about local club owner Roslyn, who is being stalked by Elliot and forced into dates with him. Seeing the vampire so vulnerable and scared makes Gin feel guilty as it was Roslyn that helped her into Mab's party where Jake died, and being questioned about it by Elliot is what started his obsession with Roslyn. Gin decides that it's time to take out the giant especially when she realises that Mab has told Elliot to get rid of Bria. Gin is not going to lose her sister again, especially when she hasn't had a chance to get to know her as an adult. Getting close to Elliot is going to be a problem and fate has a habit of making life difficult for Gin.
This series is keeping up a good standard so far. I wasn't sure what to think about Donovan suddenly leaving town as I expected him and Gin to be together as a couple. I do like seeing the vulnerable side to her that the end of their relationship brings but I don't think we've seen the last of the detective. It looks like Owen might be the new love interest for Gin. I don't know what I think about him yet to be honest, as we haven't seen too much of him. I'll reserve judgement. The same goes for the Bria introduction, which was a bit surprising but she looks like an honest cop so we'll see what happens when she figures out who Gin is.
I was disappointed that Fletcher was killed in book one as his character was so interesting but I'm pleased to see that he is still featuring through flashback thoughts and dreams that Gin is having. I love the somewhat smarmy and vain Finn who is the opposite to his assassin father. The supporting characters of Jo-Jo, Sophia, Xavier and Roslyn are so well written that you look forward to seeing them in each book in some capacity. The bad guys in the series fascinate me too-slimy Jonah, psychos in the form of Mab and Elliot. I'm also curious about the character of Phillip Kincaid, gambling underworld master, whose floating casino appears in this book.
The characters are well developed, making you care about what happens to them. There is the right about of description about the scenes and characters to tell you what is happening without drowning you in pointless details. There is a good mix of humour, action and tension, good interaction between the characters and a rapid pace to the story. This is urban fantasy at its best.
hectaizani's review
3.0
Venom is the third in the Elemental Assassin series. I felt like it gave us some new details about Gin's background, introduced a few new characters, updated a few previously seen characters, and moved the story forward.
The repetition is getting a little awkward. I think that we all know by now that Gin carries five silverstone knives and exactly where she stashes them by now. The flashback backstory is also getting to the skippable point. Not enough new details, same old trauma.
I liked this book well enough but not enough to give it more than three stars.
The repetition is getting a little awkward. I think that we all know by now that Gin carries five silverstone knives and exactly where she stashes them by now. The flashback backstory is also getting to the skippable point. Not enough new details, same old trauma.
I liked this book well enough but not enough to give it more than three stars.
samrushingbooks's review
5.0
These books are getting better and better. You get to see plot threads started in the first book weaving together now and it is giving an idea of future plots and scenarios. Gin has finally declared war on Mab after all these years, and she has found a guy who is way better than Donovan Caine as a love interest. Seriously, I can't wait for a lot more interaction with Own Grayson. I am also looking forward to seeing how things progress between Gin and Detective Bria Coolidge, Gin's long-lost baby sister. I'm glad I have the next four books waiting on my bookshelves.
bookwyrmknits's review
I think I remember now why I paused this series all those years ago... there's a lot of blood and violence in the first couple chapters of this book, and a quick skim through the rest of it shows that there's a lot more to come. I know that the "assassin" in the series title should probably indicate that this would be a violent book, but this one just goes way beyond my preferences for blood and violence these days. The characters are fun, but not enough to keep my interest among all the blood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
readersretreat's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love this book of this series it was a amazing read
brokenchell's review
5.0
As always Jennifer Estep delivers. It's getting a lil trickier for Gin these days and way more pro bono work that she anticipated, but there is nothing Gin wont do for her loved ones. And who knows maybe even get a prince in shining armor... Just another day in the life of The Spider.
beastreader's review
4.0
Gin is semi retired from living her life as the “Spider”. A deadly assassin. This doesn’t keep Gin out of trouble. Mab is still on the hunt for Spider. What Mab doesn’t know is that Gin is living right under her nose. Mab is lucky that Gin is just waiting for the perfect moment to eliminate Mab.
When Roslyn comes to Gin in need of her assistance. One of Mab’s henchmen, Elliot Slater is after Roslyn. After Roslyn comes to Gin; Gin realizes that it is about time that she do less talking and more butt kicking.
Venom is the third elemental assassin book. To truly enjoy this series to the fullest then I would suggest that you read these books in order, starting with Spider’s Bite. I was already a fan of Ms. Estep before Spider’s Bite but I became an even bigger fan after reading Venom. Gin is one tough cookie. She takes a licking but keeps on ticking. If you ever cross Gin’s bad side, you better count your lucky stars that she kills you quickly. I like the elemental magic that Gin and Mab possess. I really like this series. Jennifer Estep is an urban fan’s dream. Venom is toxic but ooh so good!
When Roslyn comes to Gin in need of her assistance. One of Mab’s henchmen, Elliot Slater is after Roslyn. After Roslyn comes to Gin; Gin realizes that it is about time that she do less talking and more butt kicking.
Venom is the third elemental assassin book. To truly enjoy this series to the fullest then I would suggest that you read these books in order, starting with Spider’s Bite. I was already a fan of Ms. Estep before Spider’s Bite but I became an even bigger fan after reading Venom. Gin is one tough cookie. She takes a licking but keeps on ticking. If you ever cross Gin’s bad side, you better count your lucky stars that she kills you quickly. I like the elemental magic that Gin and Mab possess. I really like this series. Jennifer Estep is an urban fan’s dream. Venom is toxic but ooh so good!
sanschmi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0