Spider's Bite

Elemental Assassin, Book 1

By: Jennifer Estep

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way -- good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction... especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

©2010 Jennifer Estep (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fortgang’s captivating drawl sketches Finn’s flirty, genteel arrogance and Caine’s horrified disapproval of her. Fortgang portrays Gin’s well-hidden emotions as well as her habitual analysis of combat probabilities. The capable narration ensures that Gin comes across as an intriguing mix of battle-weary assassin, sorceress, and affectionate homebody. Fortgang also delivers the book’s wry humor with subtle elegance." ( AudioFile)

Surprise read and liking for an Assassin

It took me a few minutes to get into this. I wasn't sure about it but I'm glad I hung around. There were a couple of places where I thought it might be predictable, but was surprised with the results. The book did a nice job of detailing the scenes and making them realistic and easy to picture without being boring. Gin has a code and morals, even to the extent of not using them as excuses for being an assassin. I loved this narrator's different voices. I was especially fond of "cake walk" (you'll know it when you hear it)

I am already looking forward to the next book.

Highly recommend.

If you could sum up Spider's Bite in three words, what would they be?

Well written and entertaining .

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spider's Bite?

Gin's fight with the air elemental.

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

She performed them all beautifully.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I resented interruptions to listening, like work.

Any additional comments?

I will absolutely be getting the next book of the series.

Join this unlikely assassin

Would you listen to Spider's Bite again? Why?

This unlikely assassin is found starving in the streets, hiding from the woman who killed her family, by the assassin who turned down the job because his moral code does not allow him to kill children. She is trained as an assassin from this point, an assassin with a "moral code" who just wants to retire (having made plenty of money in her career). Her small group of magic wielding and totally human friends back up the story.

Gin Blanco is a bad ass heroine!

Damn this chick is bad ass! She’s all kinds of dangerous with sass, don’t mess with Gin she’ll stab you, literally.

Lauren Fortgang’s narration is exceptional. She immediately pulls you into the story and makes each character, male and female, shine with her interpretation and knack for southern accents! I can honestly say I think I’ve been spoiled by the awesome team of Lauren Fortgang and Jennifer Estep. I never thought I’d enjoy listening to a book this much!

Spider’s Bite introduces us to a paranormal world of elementals, vampires, dwarfs and magic. Born an elemental (beings who have the ability to manipulate the elements of air, fire, stone or ice), Gin Blanco spends her days as a part-time cook at the Pork Pit and moonlights as the infamous assassin known as the Spider. When her latest assignment ends in betrayal and the death of her mentor and handler Fletcher, Gin vows to seek revenge by finding the elemental responsible, at any cost. To get to the bottom of things Gin enlists the help of Fletcher’s son Finn, but soon finds an unlikely ally in the form of Detective Donovan Caine. Although her attraction to the handsome and brooding detective is undeniable, Gin knows getting involved with the sexy cop could have disastrous consequences for the both of them but she’s not one to play by the rules, especially when it comes to Caine.

Gin instantly became one of my top five urban fantasy heroines while reading SPIDER'S BITE. She’s smart, sassy and totally bad ass. I love her determination and non apologetic attitude, what you see is what you get with this feisty heroine and I wouldn’t want it any other way! Gin make come off as a heartless mercenary, but when it comes to family there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her own. She’s far from your perfect heroine I’d definitely put her in the tortured heroine category but there are many facets to her character I can’t wait to see.

SPIDER'S BITE is filled with some fabulous supporting characters. Finnegan Lane, Gin’s “adoptive brother” is a smart mouth and super sexy ladies man with plenty of charm and connections, I love the familiar banter between them. Gin’s friends and clean up crew, dwarven sisters Jojo and Sophia Devereaux add a touch of humor to the story.

And last but not least we have Gin’s love interest, Dectective Donovan Caine. I loved the mystery surrounding Donovan when we first meet him. He’s a little dark, tortured and brooding but I knew if anyone could break him it would be Gin. There is some scorching sexual tension between Gin and the detective that gets stronger as the story develops. I applaud Ms. Estep for turning the tables when it comes to gender roles in this story…Gin is the “bad girl” and Donovan is the good cop which is unconventional and works perfectly. When these two finally get together sparks fly and you see a softer side to their personalities. I see a long and difficult road ahead for these two, but I do have high hopes.

I’ve stepped into Gin Blanco’s fascinating supernatural world and there’s no going back. With stellar characters and a fast paced, action packed plot SPIDER'S BITE is sure to be a fan favorite among UF readers. I can go on ranting and raving about how much I enjoyed this book but I’ll let you decide for yourself. I’ve found a new feisty heroine I can’t wait to read more about…thank you Ms. Estep!

more of the same...only slower

Well, if you're even considering purchasing this book, then I assume that you know what you're in for in the urban fantasy genre. So, yes, this book delivers everything that you expect it will. Bad-ass heroine with complicated back story, love interest, revenge, murder, etc. etc. etc. Nothing you haven't seen before, but arranged in such a way as to be sufficiently interesting. The reason I couldn't give this book more stars was how horribly horribly repetitive it was. It wasn't just that it reiterated plot points, and boy did it reiterate plot points! If you find yourself drifting off and thinking about something else for a few minutes, don't worry if you missed something, it will be repeated! Just when you think the book is about to end, it goes on. For another half an hour. Not only could the overall plot use some serious editing, but trivial things were repeated too. I'm pretty sure that I get where Gin stashes her knives about her person, you don't need to give me the exact same description every time she puts her clothes on. I get the three runes that represent her family members, you don't need to give me the entire spiel every time she looks at them. Really. I get it.

The narrator did a good enough job, but she often phrased things oddly. Frequently she would put odd pauses in the middle of sentences so things come out sounding like: "...he pushed past me. Into the dimly lit room." It was odd, but at least she didn't do it all the time.

Bring on the next one!

Gin kills people. Since being orphaned at the age of 13 and left to fend for herself, she's learned to take care of herself, but not without help. Fletcher, the retired assassin and owner of the Pork Pit, pulled a lost girl in off the streets and did more than taught her a trade. He and his son, Finn, gave her a new family.

And now he's dead. Their last client double-crossed them. An air elemental, the anonymous client has killed Fletcher and tried to kill Gin and Finn in an attempt to clean up loose ends. Not to worry. Gin's cleaning up things too, and she's better at it.

I give 5's for various reasons. Couldn't put it down. Couldn't stop thinking about it later. Wanted to dive right into the next book. Cheered like a lunatic when I found out it was a series. All of these apply to Spider's Bite for me. I really wanted the love angle to work out, but the story hasn't ended yet, and there are several books to go. I couldn't be happier.

Entertainment

Good book and awesome narrator--a combination that kept me too entertained to put the ipod down. It's absolutely worth the circles under my eyes.

was i ever surprised

when i saw this book i thought ok id give it a try. was i ever surprised. not only are the characters interesting but the book almost had me enthralled. it normally takes me about a week to listen to a 10 hour book due to the driving that i do.(only listen while i drive) finished it in 2 days. could not stop listening.and no i didnt drive more then usual.very worth the listen. getting ready to get the next 2 now....cant wait

Great story, great delivery

I really enjoyed the narrator's delivery of Gin. She was a little country, a little hard and a little vulnerable in spots. It was great because it made Gin human though her occupation made me cringe. the delivery, the snarkiness and yet the wistfulness in her voice made me root for Gin and hope that she would get to the bottom of who was after her.

The secondary characters really enhanced the plot and gave Gin more personality. They smoothed the rough exterior of this assasin. I hope to hear more about her family, Donovan Caine and Fin!

An interesting start

This was a fun read. Well, not like "OMG OMG where is the next book" type book but OK. One problem was that I REALLY did not like Gin (the main character)'s love interest. He is just too self righteous ass to be someone I might like. Although I can see where he is coming from, if you find the woman whom you detest attractive, I might go on a aggressive guilt trip, too. The other problem was that I just couldn't click with Gin. Hmmm maybe I am reading too much urban fantasy with strong female leads. They all sort of start to blend together.

Anyway will read the next book.