Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
(Elemental Assassin, #2)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: paperback
Read: 10/7/2011 — 10/8/2011
In Six Words: Solid second book to the series.
Links
Jennifer Estep — Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Book Depository — Paperback
Add it to Goodreads
Book Order
1. Spider’s Bite
2. Web of Lies
3. Venom
4. Tangled Threads
5. Spider’s Revenge
6. By a Thread (Feb. 28, 2012)
Why I Started Reading This Series and General Thoughts
Like I said in my Spider’s Bite review, I’m not sure where I learned about the Elemental Assassin series — probably Felicia’s blog. I really enjoyed the first book, and I especially loved Gin’s character. The second book didn’t dazzle me quite as much as the first, but I am still in this series for the long haul, and would be even if I hadn’t picked up Web of Lies, Venom, and Tangled Threads from the library.
You Might Enjoy This Series If…
Gin is a no-nonsense character who always knows what needs to be done to get the job accomplished, even if she has to create a body pile to do it. Urban fantasy readers who enjoy their reads on the tougher and darker side will probably appreciate the Elemental Assassin series.
Warning: from this point on there will be spoilers for the first book.
Summary
Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.
I’m Gin Blanco.
You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man . . . dead or alive.
-from Goodreads
Thoughts on Book 2
Web of Lies picks up very soon after Spider’s Bite. Gin is retired from her assassin gig, but it’s more “retired” than retired. But, like the summary says, she is curious. So of course she sticks her noise into stuff that gets her into trouble. I would expect nothing less. Gin may be a cold and patient assassin, but in her own way she has heart. And her own morals.
The detective made a very big appearance in Web of Lies, but the complicated relationship between him and Gin only gets more complicated. We are also introduced to another possible love interest. Now, you know me and my intense dislike of love triangles. And I do dislike them. But I also appreciate having the story spun so that whatever happens feels appropriate and right. Despite Gin’s involvement with Donovan from the beginning of Spider’s Bite, I was never able to fully connect with him. He was successful at holding himself back, because in the end, a relationship between Gin and Donovan is rough and doomed. Thus, the introduction of someone new makes sense, especially given that he stands to give Gin what Donovan can’t. Rather than being annoyed by this, I am intrigued.
Web of Lies is also important in the series, as it slowly builds the Mab Monroe story line that will continue through the next few books. We don’t necessarily learn anything more about what happened to Gin’s family the night they died (though I want to), but we are introduced to Mab a little more, and are left wondering what the hell Mab knows and what she is up to. In that sense, the job that Gin takes in Web of Lies is not quite as important as the implications of the job as well as who it brings Gin in contact with. Web of Lies sets the stage for something more, and it is perhaps for that reason it didn’t quite dazzle me the way Spider’s Bite did. Or I was just in one of those moods.
Gin is one helluva character, and other than the continual references to eye color, the Elemental Assassin is shaping up to be one of my favorite series. I appreciate that Jennifer Estep’s writing forces me to set aside my own personal likes and dislikes (hello, slight love triangles) and simply experience the story for what it is. In other words, whatever happens makes sense and is logical for the story. When both my logic and emotions are engaged, that’s the sign of a successful series.
And before I forget: don’t read Web of Lies on an empty stomach. The descriptions of food that Gin makes (because hey, she cooks just as well as she kills) are slightly sinful.
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Felicia the Geeky Blogger December 9, 2011 at 7:20 am
Book 3 I think you will love! I remember Book 2 was a strange mix of a “bridge” book and I think really getting to know the characters that will continue through the series. I love Gin—she is probably one of my favorite UF characters of all time. I listened to them on Audio so I have this voice inside of my head (and the narrator did such a great job) that even when I re-read the first book I could hear it! I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of them. Tangled Threads was one of my favorites in the series :)
Amanda December 9, 2011 at 8:09 am
I’ve already read through Tangled Threads. The next two Fridays will be Elemental Assassin Fridays. :)
Jenny December 9, 2011 at 9:18 am
I really loved how she handled the introduction of Owen as well:) It never turned into a full on love triangle which I liked because they irritate me as well, and Donovan was so tricky as a character that it just felt right for someone else to come in to the picture since, like you said, he’s difficult to connect with. Can’t wait to see what you think of Venom!
Amanda December 9, 2011 at 4:20 pm
I think that it was also nice that Gin didn’t jump from one guy to the next. I think it felt a bit more real that way.
Sarah (saz101) December 11, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Ugh, you’re not alone in not loving Donovan… I don’t think many people do.
And Gin is a FABULOUS character… I love that she’s convinced she’s a ‘cold-hearted assassin’, but we’re watching her thaw, and just how very human she is.
So glad you liked this one! The only thing I didn’t dig was the repetition of events over and over… but I kind of hate myself, because I keep repeating how much it annoyed me XD
Amanda December 11, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Yeah. I don’t think that we were supposed to love Donovan.
The repetition bothered me more as the series went on. I’m sure I mention it more in future reviews.
Sarah (saz101) December 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Yeah, OK at first, but escalates in annoyance. I’m with you on what you said in your Venom review about it being back-to-backing the books. And I never thought of it, but I think you’re right about Donovan… I’m just so used to reading PNR and the love interest, you know, being the love interest? Hehe :D
Amanda December 18, 2011 at 8:12 pm
lol. Yeah. Usually if I don’t connect with the love interest, I assume there is a reason for it.