Venom: Elemental Assassin, Book 3

I'm beginning to like this series much better than I did at first. The writing isn't quite as repetitive as the first two books. I like the love interest Owen so much better than Donavan, especially considering our heroine. I'm waiting to find out what has happened to Sophia, because that sounds like it will be an interesting story. The story keep referring to how Gin is getting stronger with her elemental magic, what I don't understand is why she doesn't work/ practice with it more to hone her skills. I do realize this is not her main means of assassination, that she prefers her "silver stone knives", but consider who she wants to kill, you would think she would perfect all means available to her.

Very much like the Stackhouse series, the main character is no sookie much rougher and fierce. however if you enjoyed true blood you will like this series. Fun and easy fare.

Got a question for you... what color are Gin's eyes? What are her knives made of? What is on her palms? I could go on with examples of descriptions that are repeated, over and over and over. And I'm not talking about repetition between books, but within this one book. Eyes aren't just eyes, they are violet or grey or blue or cold or hard or... well, they were never staring... but they were glazed in death I believe.

Most active eyes I've ever experienced, in this series, really.

That being said... if you can get over the repeated descriptions and Estep's penchant for listing things in threes ("chest, back, buttocks", "rape, torture, kill" and so on), this story was actually the best of the three. The pseudo-love angst from book 2 is just hinted at here, and Gin actually manages to kill someone(s) almost as planned and not by accident or by sheer luck. Almost as if she were a real assassin. Not quite, but almost.

I liked the "romance" in this installment - at least the guy this time is reasonable. And I liked the link to Gin's past. And the killing, murder and mayhem that runs through the whole book, with various victims, but always involving Gin in some manner.

There isn't much sex, and what there is was added to the end - but the non-stop action sort of explains that... hard to stop for some loving when you have a giant or two to kill.

This book was like another book 1 in that it was the beginning of very important issues that will be dealt with in the future--New war, new relationship, new family, new friendship etc. This book is a really good set up for the next books in the series.

Book 3 picks up where book 2 ended. The narrator continues to weave this suspenseful tale as Elliott Slater was still being a terror and Mab Monroe was still letting her flunkies bully everyone. Elliott came and beat up Gin at her night school (Ashland Community College). He threatened her life and the people around her. Obviously he doesn't know Gin Blanco, because the Spider doesn't let anyone push her around or hurt the ones she loves. So Gin Blanco and Elliott Slater finally have their showdown--a prelude to the war with Mab Monroe.

On another note, Gin has to rescue Rosalyn and make some decisions regarding Owen Grayson. We finally get some very important events that shaped the life of the successful business man and they make sense now. I like the direction this story is going and I can't wait to hear Tangled threads.

Thanks to this book I now am waiting for the next like a crack addict needing a fix. Great story, good ending, interesting additions to the cast. The final battle wasn't as impressive as the on from Web of Lies, but like the 2nd book it served to change things just enough to make you want more. Looking forward to book 4.

This series is fantastic and the narration could not be more perfect. Venom was my favorite so far. I can't wait for the next book!

very entertaining couldn't put it down all 3 books enthralling. keeps you hanging on every word. Jennifer Estep knows what she is doing. cant wait for the rest of them to be published. NOT TILL 2011 NNNNOOOOOO to far away

I rank Venom one of my favorite so far.

Yes, I could not stop listen I wanted to listen to all 12hours at one time. Great story

I think this series has wonderful plots, but the telling of the details too often repeats the SAME OLD THING! Way too much violet eyes, and grey eyes and heartbeats that count in increments of 10 get stale. Still, I do recommend it for passing the time. Not my favorite author by a long shot, but like I said the plots are just fun. So much potential to be exciting, but the repetitive phrases really bog down the forward motion of the story.

****Review will contain mild spoilers if you are not update on the series.****

Ok the awesomeness of this series just gets better with each book. Each book in the Elemental Assassins series has its own plot with a bigger picture plot surrounding the murder of Gin’s mother and older sister. Things keep building as Gin finds out more about that night and about her later handler, Flecter.

Gin is still mourning her handler and foster father, Fletcher. She is also having a hard time with her love life. But as one douche bag leaves town; another HOTTER and more suited for Gin, guy comes along.

“I don’t judge you for what you’ve done, Gin. Why are you judging me for another man’s mistakes? Because Donovan Caine did make a mistake,” Owen said in a soft voice. “Letting someone like you go.”

By the time Venom ends I can’t see a more perfect guy for Gin than Owen.

Gin just can’t seem to stay retired from the assassin gig. But instead of getting paid for her skills she is using them as a service to the good people of Ashland.

“I’m just wondering how exactly I went from being the Spider to the Robin f**king Hood of the greater Ashland area... Instead of stealing from the rich, I’m stabbing them to death for the poor.”

Gin and gang has their hands full trying to help Rosyln Phillips with a stalker problem. The stalker in question is Elliot Slater, Mab Monroe’s head of security. Gin has no problem planning a way to kill the giant, since we start out Venom with Slater beating the crap out of Gin on the college campus. How can that be? Gin decides to go along with the beating as not to give away her cover as Gin Blanco.

Gin spends a great deal of Venom protecting her cover in order to get closer to Mab Monroe and figuring out a way to take her out for killing her family all those years ago.

Speaking of family, Gin finally gets to meet her baby sister that she thought died with her other sister and mother on that dark night. Gin and baby sister Bria are on different sides of the law but are more alike than either would have guessed.

Venom is full of action, mystery and a healthy dose of dark humor and snark. I love the world and characters that Jennifer Estep has built. It’s been a while since a series has grabbed me the way this one has.

And now that I’m done with this review and can now start Tangled Threads!