By a Thread

Elemental Assassin, Book 6

By: Jennifer Estep

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

"When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation. Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis, Mab Monroe, a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco.

"So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all.

"Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently."

©2012 Jennifer Estep (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gin Blanco is one of the most intriguing heroines on the scene.... If you have not gotten on the Gin bandwagon yet, do so today!” ( RT Book Reviews)

Another Wow

A little more into the character relationships than previous books. It reads like it might be a pivotal book in the series..but I haven't looked at the website to see if the series will be ending anytime soon.

You should have put a ring on it.

Regrets, regrets. Gin and Bria decide to take a vacation and revisit Bria"s old hometown. Upon arrival they find Bria's best friend is being harrassed by the local vampire kingpin. He wants her to sell her restaurant to him so he can proceed with his plans for a mega resort/casino. And surprise,surprise Callie is engaged to Gin's Donovan Caine. Well, Donovan is still the same a-hole and doesn't want Gin to use her special skills to help Callie out. Gin may have met het match in the evil vampire Randall. When Randall sends his goons to deal with Gin and Bria, it's game on. Donovan still wants Gin but can't admit it. In the end he tells her how he feels but it's to late. Gin has found her true man in Owen. Plenty of action in this one. We see Gin doubt herself and make mistakes that may cost her her life. I was really into this one and it held my attention from beginning to end.

Surprisingly wicked!

Gin gets better and better every time. And gets her back side handed to her on a silver stone platter. She really takes a lickin' this time around. But really takes the cake is the ending with Donovan. I'd smack him down a peg or two as well. Owen is Gin's perfect soul mate. However, I think things are about to change. "Luck, that capricious bitch'"

Excitement with a capital E!

What did you love best about By a Thread?

The Spider keeps the pace moving, Her thoughts and actions keep you listening for the next twist or turn of events!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Spider is true to her character and human. The reader truly helps you feel her jealous moments as well as her anguish over the love that would never be. Then she is over it!

Which scene was your favorite?

The best scene for me is when she finally walks away from the Detective, letting him go back to his bride to be while she goes to embrace her lover who makes the best weapons for her!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The emotional content of the reading is well balanced, no real unpredictable extremes.

Any additional comments?

Great series!

Another Winner

Wow, I never thought I would enjoy a book about assassins but I tell you what the Spider is not a typical assassin and she will pull you into her web as well, and you might just agree with her methods. In a world were the weak are crushed by the power struggles of the rich and cruel its not so hard to understand why Gin is the way she is and how hard it is for her to ride the line.

Enjoyable as always

As a whole this series has been a great group of books to listen to, not to serious, but yet not to fluffy either. This chapter begins with Gin going on vacation because on the up comers in Ashland want to make their name by killing The Spider, but instead they just keep dying. Gin takes Bria with her and they meet up with Callie (Bria's BFF) and found out a local power player is pushing in on her and in fact is putting Callie in danger. As Bria and Gin watch a few of the power player (who happens to be a powerful vampire) threaten Callie. Gin is going to help with her "Spider" skills as only The Spider can but in walks Det. Donavan Caine with his looks and smell but also with his accusing gaze and words. Thus, begins the story and action of By a Thread. By a Thread, for me, was a quick enjoyable listen in which Jennifer Estep was able to tie up loose ends in the relationship between Gin and Donavan. Gin's shutting down of Donavan at the end of the story allows Estep the ability to progress the relationship between not only Gin and Owen but Gin and Bria because Gin lays it all out in the open when she talks with both Donavan and Bria at the end of the story. I did find a sense "WHAT" when listening to the first encounter Gin has with the vampire and how she just walks in to a trap that had to be shocking her "spidey" sense. But as always she quickly uses her wits and comes out beaten and weak but ready for revenge. If you enjoy easy listening or reading books and enjoy urban fantasy with a little to no romance sex scenes then you should enjoy listening/reading By a Thread.

LOVE this!

What did you love best about By a Thread?

Gin Blanco!! She's great. I love her character, the people she has around her. Her background. She's a very likable character!

What was one of the most memorable moments of By a Thread?

When Gin was dumped in the swamp and made her way back.

Which character – as performed by Lauren Fortgang – was your favorite?

Gin, definitely!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the wife expressed that she would give up everything for her sister. Touching.

Any additional comments?

Love this series! Keep 'em coming!

LilyElement Book Reviews - By a Thread

Any additional comments?

Gin Blanco returns in book six of the Elemental Assassin series. After killing Mab Monroe, her cover as The Spider has been blown and she has all the wannabe thugs out to get her in attempts to prove themselves. Talk about annoying, you'd think her taking out a big villain would cause people to not try messing with her. Anyway, she desperately needs a vacation due to all the pesky people. Her and Bria hit the road and head back to Bria's old stomping grounds. They meet up with Bria's BFF, only to find out that Callie, Bria's BFF is being threatened to sell her restaurant or else a vampire will do something bad like torch the place and kill her.

Gin and Bria are having pretty bad tension in this book. I've noticed similarities between Bria and Donovan in the past and knew he'd make a reappearance sometime soon. Much to my surprise, he actually reappears in this book as Callie's fiance. Gin basically has to deal with Donovan's bs while trying to kill the vampire that is out to get Callie. As per norm, there is a lot of plotting, fighting, and a big blow out near the end. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and will be getting the next one in the near future. If you're a fan of Urban Fantasy, I highly suggest this series.

Again another excellent story.

For me Jennifer Estep never fails to deliver a good story in the spider series. Her joyce of using the very talented Lauren Fortgang gives the Audible version a great deal of depth.
Lauren's wide range of voices, dialects, and flawless delivery is amazing and she pulls the listener quickly into the story.
So absolutely five stars.

Excellent!

Would you listen to By a Thread again? Why?

Yes. I love The Assassin series, but listening to it gave it more personality.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gin. She is so fiesty and sassy and I love strong women characters that can kick butt like she does. She's also real in her insecurities and relationships and takes ownership of her mistakes. Finn would be a close second. He makes me laugh.

What about Lauren Fortgang’s performance did you like?

She brought the characters to life with the right amount of southern accent and warmth....or evilness. Whichever the case may be.