Widow's Web

Elemental Assassin, Book 7

By: Jennifer Estep

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

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.

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?!?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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".

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!

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!

My favorite book of the series since Spider's Bite

I really do love the Elemental Assassin books, I've listened to this series a few times. I was actually counting down for the release of Widow's Web, so you might say my expectations were set pretty high. Widow's Web blew me away! To me this book ranks up as high as the first in the series, Spider's Bite. I never wanted to press pause and I stayed up majority of the night cleaning my house just to listen to the book "a little longer."

I really enjoyed the older character's that Jennifer Estep used and went into more depth with. Also the new character's she added couldn't have been more perfect for Widow's Web. The best part of the book is that I find myself so invested in the story and character's she's created. I listen to this and just can't stop thinking about how I want to be as kick ass as Gin Blanco! I love how cool and calm she always is, and you find yourself cheering for her to get her "happy ending."

I highly recommend the entire Elemental Assassin series but especially this particular book, Widow's Web.

Not for the cold hearted

Our heroine and retired assassin Gin meets her coldest enemy yet - her boyfriend's ex-fiancee...

Unfortunately, the plot is lukewarm at best and the final fight scene irritating (cos the way to win is obvious).

I love, love, love these books .... But this is by far the poorest of the series. You have to add it to your collection though, if you're a fan like me.:-)

Great cheese

I really enjoy the spider series of books sure they are alittle cheesy with some awful one liners but they are good old fashion fun in my opinion

Good storyline

I really like this series. The only thing that I find really annoying is that there is a lot of recapping to let people know why this and that happened.

Only for spider fans

For a series of books that started so well the last two have been rather flat, when you off a long running bad guy, girl in this case and then replace it with monter of the week you tend to get bored, I hope that the next outing shows growth and not more of the same or that will be my last.