• Widow's Web

  • Elemental Assassin, Book 7
  • By: Jennifer Estep
  • Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
  • Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,520 ratings)

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Widow's Web  By  cover art

Widow's Web

By: Jennifer Estep
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
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Publisher's summary

I used to murder people for money, but lately it’s become more of a survival technique. Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town anyway. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

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

What listeners say about Widow's Web

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not worth my credit

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the growth of the author and the story line started out interesting. I only heard sloppy, sloppy, sloppy twice. The story seemed to flow much better then the previous books in the series. Then all the sudden it was a personality swap with the characters that we've come to know and I was at a total loss of enjoying the rest of the story. At this point I'm not even interested in a next book at all.I understand angst and drama needed to add to a story but come on... We've been through this stuff before with Donovan. Owen, what the heck happened! And Gin, how can I root for a character that is so spineless with her personal life.... And the constant calling Owen her lover, made me want to puke.

What was most disappointing about Jennifer Estep’s story?

That she seemed to forget her characters personalities or she choose for them to be spineless and mindless shells of what they were or could be.

Any additional comments?

Am I being harsh? Maybe... but after 6 books, you come to know and expect more from a story then a tough as nails assassin, moping around and questioning herself for protecting those she loves by doing the job she believes is right then crying over a man that betrays her completely. Then we are left with her hoping that time heals this man and brings him back.. WTH?!?

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Be prepared to be put through the emotional ringer

Jennifer Estep definitely has a knack for creating characters; from her phenomenal heroine, to her lovable sidekicks, to her downright devious villains, I can’t help but be impressed every time I step into her world. That and I simply can not put her books down! Widow’s Web was no different except for the fact that I was mildly scared to turn the pages; not because I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy the story but because I feared for Gin and Owen’s relationship. That’s how involved I am in this series. Their struggles actually take an emotional toll on me. If that’s not the definition of a great author then I don’t know what is!

I find myself oddly fascinated by Estep’s antagonists; even if some of them are only present for one book, the amount of detail and thought that goes into them is simply remarkable. On the surface, Salina Dubois appears to be merely an ex-girlfriend trying to rekindle an old flame. However, as the story progresses it becomes obvious that there’s so much more to her than meets the eye. By the end I was in awe of her cruelty and cunningness; she definitely gives Gin a run for her money (in more ways than one)! I loved the way that Estep gradually widened this character’s scope until the big picture was revealed. Practically every chapter ends on a cliffhanger which had me constantly saying “I’ll just read one more…” and you all know how that goes. Now I’m stuck waiting until March for Deadly Sting. Ooh, the pain!

There’s trouble in paradise between Gin and Owen which honestly, was to be expected. Had their relationship bliss gone on for too many books I would have been disappointed. Yes I love them to death and yes I want them to get their happily ever after but they haven’t been tested nearly enough yet for them to have reached that point. This is Urban Fantasy people, there’s no such thing as easy! Grayson’s attitude was tiresome but understandable; love is blind and this book does a great job of illustrating that. I was impressed with Gin’s level of maturity and patience given the situation, in her shoes I would have turned into a jealous, sniveling mess. I think that Owen will eventually come to his senses and I’m more than willing to wait for that day; I just hope that he doesn’t take too long because he might end up being too little too late.

Finn really proved himself to me in this installment. For the past several books he’s been taking on a more active role in the assassin business and he really brought his A-game this time around. His character has morphed into so much more than just the ladies man that he started out as. Gin asked some very difficult things of him in Widow’s Web and he never hesitated. Not once. Like Blanco, he does what needs to be done regardless of who it pisses off and I love him for it. Especially now after everything that went down between Gin and Owen; it helps to lessen the blow knowing that Finn has her back.

I skipped over my usual go-to review criteria like the plot, pacing and writing because the awesomeness of these elements are a given seeing how this is an Elemental Assassin book but rest assured, they’re just as good this seventh time around. Be prepared to be put through the emotional ringer with Widow’s Web but take heart, Jennifer Estep will make it up to us. I have faith.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Gin has crappy taste in men!!

First Donovan Caine has a crappy attitude, and now Owen goes from awesome to whiny and emo?? I understood his defense of Salina in the beginning of the book but by the end after hearing and witnessing all of her craziness I don't know what his problem is. Also, Gin's total acceptance and inability to stand up for herself drives me nuts. She's supposed to be this tough, strong woman but she turns into an absolute basket case with the men she sleeps with?? The storyline, excluding Owen is a good one. I hope to see more of Cooper and more of Phillip in the future. Fortgang does her usual great job on the women's voices.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • MW
  • 08-24-12

Love this series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If urban fantasy is one of your favorite genres you'll love the Elemental Assassin series. Book 7 is no exception - all of them are equally good. They have it all: fantasy, adventure, action, magic, romance, friendship, - storytelling at it's best!

What about Lauren Fortgang’s performance did you like?

Lauren Fortgang does a superb job at narrating - her voice is very clear and understandable (English is not my first language) - yet the characters are very distinct. I very much like her voice, as it is not so high pitched as some other female voices to make my ears hurt.Her voice has character and it is very pleasant to me.

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

The books of this series always take me with them completely - be it suspense, emotion, the tale itself.... very enjoyable but not too much (there are some other books I have to put aside because I can't stand the upheaval any more...)

Any additional comments?

Wonderful entertainment - highly recommended!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Awesome Urban Fantasy

I have mixed feelings about this book. I wasn't feeling the storyline in the end. It didn't feel true to the characters. Since when is Owen so blind? It just seemed hollow to me.

I still love the series but this book is my least favorite so far. I can only hope the next book gets things back on track.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Definately worth your credit!

Another great Spider adventure. I loved hating the new villain. I was disappointed in Owen's attitude in the end, but I still have hope that he will come around. All in all, I really like this series.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Paranormal and realistic!

What made the experience of listening to Widow's Web the most enjoyable?

First of all, this is a great series! Gin is such a nuanced character, she can seem both conscientious and heartless at once. The supporting characters are also well developed. And the atmosphere is so well described.
Secondly I think Lauren Fortgang does a great job narrating! All the characters has different ways of speaking. And she brings the story to life.

What other book might you compare Widow's Web to and why?

I don't think anything really can compare to the Elemental assassin series. But if i had to pick, I'd say something like the Jane Yellowrock series or the Vampire for Hire series. Because they are paranormal books with a strong female main character.

Have you listened to any of Lauren Fortgang’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to the previous books in this series. And she is as good as ever!

Any additional comments?

This is a great series, so if you haven't heard the previous books, you should start from the beginning with "Spiders Bite".

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Still with the relationship woes

After closing a five book arc, then drowning in relationship angst in book 6, this book gets a little better on the assassin-procedural side, with Gin having more deadly interludes with folks looking to knock her off the Queen of the (Assassin's) Hill. The self-contained mystery in this book (of who is killing the players in the underworld and why) also has better pacing/mayhem than previous books. Those all helped this book to flow (pun intended, considering the water elemental vibe).

But, chilling the mood are some of my issues with prior books. First, we still have relationship woes as a major conflict-plot. While Gin's personality supports her angst and lack of relationship confidence, Owen's personality makes his behavior in this book very much against type. i understand that love and loss makes folks irrational. However, Owen's steady sensibility and unwavering support of Gin is uncharacteristically thrown aside; Owen becomes this oblivious pushover who believes in a long lost love over the close friends/family who've been with him for years. It was an aggravating, non-sensical plotline.

The whole story could have been avoided with people talking to each other about misunderstanding. Or killing. Taking folks out from a distance with guns, flying stone, or ice blasts could have prevented the various dangers. How many times will Gin single handedly take on the big-bad with her silverstone knives? There are points where dozens of powerful underworld folks (and other elementals) are in danger and yet none of them band together or use their magic. It's always the Gin Blanco show, and that was fun, but not as fun as an Elementals Assemble moment could have been.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining jaunt into the world of the Spider.

Would you listen to Widow's Web again? Why?

I have already listened to this book twice. The story is solid but the narrator really brings the main character to life, nailing her rich Southern twang. For fans of narrator Marguerite Gavin, this is a must. Lauren Fortgang turns in a very memorable performance.

Have you listened to any of Lauren Fortgang’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Again, I just want to say here how awesome the narrator's performance was! Kudos, Lauren!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but not what you expected

Would you listen to Widow's Web again? Why?

It was good once but I didn't like Owen in this book. Be interesting to see where she goes
with this twist. Hope the next book comes out soon!

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