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)

I loved the book, but the series...

I love strong woman characters. The narrator is very good. I have listened to the first four books, one after the other. The main problem is that the author repeats herself every book: the same descriptions, always explaining events of the previous books. I'll probably buy the fifth book of the series.

I've found my new favorite series

Absolutely loved this book! I will be getting the next one as soon as I can!

Urban Fantasy with Bite

Spider's Bite is a solid start to the Elemental Assassin series. It's a solid urban fantasy book as well. Interesting characters, a romance (that I'm not sold on), mysterious characters, and a unique magic system. Story wise, Gin is an assassin known as the spider who is encouraged to do one last job before vacation. Some things happen and she's wrapped up in who hired her, who's trying to kill her and why. Worth mentioning is the sexy police detective Donovan Cain who she has a crush on, though there's not a whole lot developing this attraction. It's a fun book and we enjoyed it and will give the series another go.

From a narration standpoint, Lauren Fortgang does a good job gathering that southern accent, but I'm glad I don't live in the south, as the tone was a bit draining on the ears, not enough to make it less than a 3-star, but not that sweet Amanda Ronconi voice either.

We'll be seeing more of Gin and company in the future.

Fantastic Read

Gin Blanco is one of the best characters that I've come across. She is TOUGH, FUNNY AND VUNERABLE. At first glance, you may think she is just another assassin, but keep listening and you will find out what a complex character she is. She will fight to protect the people she loves, or will die trying. Finnegan Lane is pure heaven in the book. He adds a comedic balance to Gin's hard core edge. The characters are great - and you will be on the edge of your seat listening to what happens next.

Jennifer Estep has started an absolutely wonderful series.

MORE GIN

A strong main character is important to me. I want someone who doesn't whine to much, has a great sense of humor, and a real kick ass attitude. Gin fits that to the nth degree. I love her southern charm, her matter of fact attitude, her intuition and passion.

I will DEFINITELY continue this series.

Entertaining

What did you like best about Spider's Bite? What did you like least?

I liked that the assassin was a woman that was tough but feminine.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jennifer Estep? Why or why not?

Yes I'd try another book because I'd like to see how the story is continued.

What does Lauren Fortgang bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The female aspect

Was Spider's Bite worth the listening time?

Yes it was

Hottest baddest Chick since Buffy!

What did you love best about Spider's Bite?

I love her honesty. She is not a tongue bitter. She is the woman many would like to be but can't. She's sexy, smart, tough, emotional, and just COLD BLOODED! Be her friend and you'll be set for life. Hate to be her enemy.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was raw and full of emotion. Even though it has a supernatural feel to it is believable. You can relate to the story and have to keep going. I love the beginning of the book when she finds Fletcher and saves Fin. She was cunning and resourceful till the end. Also Candy her whorish alter ego is born. Love it!

What does Lauren Fortgang bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lauren Fortgang brought Gin Blanco to life. In a way she is Gin Blanco! I can't put her voice on anyone else because Fortgang makes it real. True southern swagger! She talks the correct emotion into the story. In telling the story she is always in the correct mood. I have heard some books that when it is action they are dry, humor dry, romance dry. Fortgang tells the story and puts you in the world of Ashland. I'm not just listening I'm there along for the ride.

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

I did cry because I could feel Gins loss. What was once probably a good life with her mother and sisters to living on the streets alone eating trash to being the hard core Amazon she became. Cold on the outside but full of love and emotion on the inside. She has true desires and real hobbies and dreams. I find myself cooking when I listen to the book. And yes the cumin does add that kick to the sauce. So thank you for that tip. Truly amazing!

Any additional comments?

I heard of Jennifer Estep a couple years ago. I had seen the display at a Barnes and nobles. I read the jacket to one of her books and was interested in checking it out. It took another year to get into just getting the books. Another to read the first one. The first line got me hooked. I listen to the series at least 3 time a month. That's about 5 days of non stop Blanco! I love it. Can't wait to get book ten and eleven. My mouth is watering for it.

Can't wait to get to Book 2

Where does Spider's Bite rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5 out of 200

What does Lauren Fortgang bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved what Ms Fortgang brought to the characters. Because of her sweet, slow, soft intonation, the Spider, a brutal assassin, never comes across as ''the bad guy''.
Even before hearing her back story she is the one tugging our heart strings. Each character is easily recognizable which is always a determining factor in my enjoyment. I recently listened to a book in which this wasn't so and I found just how important it is, I was in a constant state of confusion because I didn't know who was saying what. It will never be a problem with Fortgang as a narrator

Any additional comments?

I recommend this audio book to anyone interested in urban fantasy, in fact I suggest it be the next book you listen to.

Some minor irritations.

This was a reasonable book I found Lauren Fortgang easy to listen to with a story that needed a good reader to help it along, I like a few other people have issues with the Colour of eyes coming into the story all the time.

Another issue I have is one that I have been finding in a lot of books in the past couple of years, and that is we have a strong female lead that is supposed to be the best at whatever they are destined to do, and yet they go all weak at the knees and wet in the nether regions at the first sign of the male sidekick, I don't mind some romance development or even sex in my books hell I am a man after all!

What I am starting to dislike is the mommy porn storyline "I want feel his throbbing member rubbing against me" type of thing, if we have a strong female lead then I would expect her to not have fantasy's in her head but just go get what she wants, maybe it just me though.

The story apart from my previous two complaints was good I found it to be all in all a decent listen I will be getting the next in the series and hope that it keeps up the good points and eases down on the bad. :-)

A Must Listen

Other than Gin Blanco being an elemental assassin I didn’t know what to expect with Spider’s Bite. Before, I only got as far as the psych ward scene and then I would close the book, but it was the narration and the performance that Lauren Fortgang put on that made it impossible for me to do away with this story.

Spider’s Bite had so many perspectives – without stepping away from the story being in Gin’s point of view – and subtle twists that while there weren’t any big twist and turns and surprises waiting around every corner, the story kept you engaged and intrigued enough to continue on without the desire to stop or take a break.

The world being built wasn’t done in the traditional sense of where you’re told how things are done through the eyes of one of the main characters, but instead Jennifer Estep allowed the story she was telling to do that for her. By putting Gin through certain situations and allowing her to react to them it’s plain as day what the world these characters live through is all about. Basically, we’re able to see the world as Gin Blanco sees it, and I don’t think that being introduced to the Elemental Assassin world could’ve been as fun and colorful otherwise.