By a Thread (Elemental Assassin)
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Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
After the final confrontation between assassin and revenger Gin Blanco and crime Mab Monroe at the end of Spider's Revenge, this story represents a bit of a change in direction for the Elemental Assassin series. The book opens shortly after Gin's defeat of Monroe and she has become somewhat notorious with her double identity becoming known. This has had an unfortunate effect, because a bit like gunslingers of old, Gin is now being targeted by wannabe assassins looking to make a name for themselves as well as Mab's former associates looking for revenge. She's getting pretty tired of all the killing - so when her friend Finn Lane suggests that she should take a holiday, Gin eventually agrees.
Gin and her recently rediscovered sister, police Detective Bria Coolidge, set off first (to Bria's former town), with Finn and Gin's boyfriend Owen Grayson intending to join them after business a day later. Inevitably, this turns into something of a busman's holiday. Gin and Bria soon discover that Bria's best friend, Callie, is being harassed and intimidated by thugs working for a local crime lord - a vampire with a penchant for elemental blood.
I'd been looking forward to this book and read it in one go this morning. It's enjoyable but occasionally a bit patchy. There are lots of relationship issues here for Gin: boyfriend, sister, other people in her sister's life who had been there during the time Gin hadn't; and these at times encroach on scenes where Gin needs to keep a cool, clear head. And the 'shock revelation' surrounding the identity of Callie's fiance might as well have been written in BIG NEON LETTERS at the outset of the book, it was that clearly signposted. Though I generally approve the resolution of the relationship-oriented plot lines, some of them do perhaps feel a bit contrived. As ever, there's plenty of action and, now that Mab's gone, the development of a continuing story arc involving the insidious reach of Jonah MacAllister is firmly established.
Includes a teaser from the next book in the series, Widow's Web.
Gin and her recently rediscovered sister, police Detective Bria Coolidge, set off first (to Bria's former town), with Finn and Gin's boyfriend Owen Grayson intending to join them after business a day later. Inevitably, this turns into something of a busman's holiday. Gin and Bria soon discover that Bria's best friend, Callie, is being harassed and intimidated by thugs working for a local crime lord - a vampire with a penchant for elemental blood.
I'd been looking forward to this book and read it in one go this morning. It's enjoyable but occasionally a bit patchy. There are lots of relationship issues here for Gin: boyfriend, sister, other people in her sister's life who had been there during the time Gin hadn't; and these at times encroach on scenes where Gin needs to keep a cool, clear head. And the 'shock revelation' surrounding the identity of Callie's fiance might as well have been written in BIG NEON LETTERS at the outset of the book, it was that clearly signposted. Though I generally approve the resolution of the relationship-oriented plot lines, some of them do perhaps feel a bit contrived. As ever, there's plenty of action and, now that Mab's gone, the development of a continuing story arc involving the insidious reach of Jonah MacAllister is firmly established.
Includes a teaser from the next book in the series, Widow's Web.
Format:Kindle Edition
Jennifer Estep just keeps delivering action-filled stories in her Elemental series which keeps me on the edge of my seat and my eyes glued to the pages. I just can't get enough of the familiar cast of characters nor the plots unraveled. What also becomes a recurring issue is the rehashing of information from the previous novels in the beginning. Now I understand readers who pick up a random book in this series will appreciate the additional information given. I, as an invested reader in this series however, it becomes a bump in an otherwise fast paced story.
With By A Thread I was wondering where Jennifer Estep was going to take Gin Blanco now that the overall story arc got its conclusion. I was taken to Blue Marsh where Gin took a vacation with her family. There, trouble was cooking and Gin got a quick taste of it on her first day. I absolutely revel in the villains Jennifer Estep brings to life. The sadistic nature of the villain made my blood boil and got me that much more invested in the fights against him. The high octane action that ranged from knife, to gun, to hand to hand combat and elemental magic, amps up the chills and thrills I experienced while reading. The suspense also showcased the strong bond Gin, Bria, Owen and Finn share.
I love Gin in how tough she is, how she fights and kills without any scruples. But I love it even more how it is counterbalanced by her inner monologues which show her own insecurities in the emotional department. Her growth in accepting herself and falling in love shows her more vulnerable side and deepens her characterization. Owen is down-to-earth, sexy and so in to Gin you don't doubt his feelings for one second. Owen is hot hero stuff!! There are a few beach scenes that brought a whole new kind of sexy to this series! I also liked the return of Donovan. There was still unfinished business between them and of course I whooped as there was personal justice for Gin.
The Elemental series equals Gin Blanco but it also makes me think of Bria and their sisterly trials and tribulations. The one that can always make me laugh out loud is the adoptive brother of Gin, the highly quotable, Finnegan Lane. Sophie and Jo-Jo conclude this group, when danger comes calling you would want these two fantastic dwarfs at your side!! They are the core ingredients that make the stories one to savor. Their animated dialogues laced with humor and sarcastic bantering breathes the love and connection they share. It's like returning to a family you love to hang out with.
The plot raises the stakes, the love burns fierce, the action is spine tingling good and both major and minor characters are well-developed, dynamic and intense. Jennifer Estep delivers another rip roaring, action filled episode in the elemental series!
With By A Thread I was wondering where Jennifer Estep was going to take Gin Blanco now that the overall story arc got its conclusion. I was taken to Blue Marsh where Gin took a vacation with her family. There, trouble was cooking and Gin got a quick taste of it on her first day. I absolutely revel in the villains Jennifer Estep brings to life. The sadistic nature of the villain made my blood boil and got me that much more invested in the fights against him. The high octane action that ranged from knife, to gun, to hand to hand combat and elemental magic, amps up the chills and thrills I experienced while reading. The suspense also showcased the strong bond Gin, Bria, Owen and Finn share.
I love Gin in how tough she is, how she fights and kills without any scruples. But I love it even more how it is counterbalanced by her inner monologues which show her own insecurities in the emotional department. Her growth in accepting herself and falling in love shows her more vulnerable side and deepens her characterization. Owen is down-to-earth, sexy and so in to Gin you don't doubt his feelings for one second. Owen is hot hero stuff!! There are a few beach scenes that brought a whole new kind of sexy to this series! I also liked the return of Donovan. There was still unfinished business between them and of course I whooped as there was personal justice for Gin.
The Elemental series equals Gin Blanco but it also makes me think of Bria and their sisterly trials and tribulations. The one that can always make me laugh out loud is the adoptive brother of Gin, the highly quotable, Finnegan Lane. Sophie and Jo-Jo conclude this group, when danger comes calling you would want these two fantastic dwarfs at your side!! They are the core ingredients that make the stories one to savor. Their animated dialogues laced with humor and sarcastic bantering breathes the love and connection they share. It's like returning to a family you love to hang out with.
The plot raises the stakes, the love burns fierce, the action is spine tingling good and both major and minor characters are well-developed, dynamic and intense. Jennifer Estep delivers another rip roaring, action filled episode in the elemental series!
Format:Kindle Edition
I have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with this series right now. I used to absolutely adore Gin as a character, back when she was broken and vulnerable, a cold-blooded assassin that just wanted to be loved. She was such a dichotomy and her very existence as a "heroine" when she, you know, kills people for a living, I found very provocative and interesting to read. She was like a one woman moral dilemma. And I especially loved her ability to always triumph over every horrific trial thrown her way. When she pulled herself out of that collapsed underground cave system using just her own brute strength and determination, I was like, "you freaking well go, girlfriend! Hooyah!"
But for whatever reason, I seem to have fallen out of love with her in this book. What I once saw as a justified sense of achievement is starting to come across as arrogance and smugness. The return of the original source of her vulnerability, Donovan Douche-bag Caine, only served to highlight these changes in Gin. I admit my stomach did flip flops when he walked onto the page, and I did enjoy those scenes, but then he started annoying the crap out of me, too. Again. I also really didn't find his actions towards the end in keeping with his character at all. I found that whole thing totally unbelievable.
My favourite thing about this series at the moment, and for the last two or three books, is Owen Grayson. He is a fantastic character and I love the history of how he and Gin met. I wish more time was devoted to him and I think he was incredibly patient with Gin in this book.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy the storyline this time at all. I really couldn't have cared less about the bad guy or the damsels in distress, and I found the plot extremely slow and dull. And also very familiar. If it were me, I think I would have wrapped this baby up in the last book when that plot arc ran its course.
Another thing to note is that the repetitiveness is still there. Yes, the recapping has been lessened greatly due to the fact that the plot arc from the first 5 books is over so no need to go into all that again. But the actual writing is still repetitive. If I see the words "chicory coffee" or "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" one more time, I may just throw a fit.
I don't think I will be buying any more of this series in the future. I'm going to go ahead and pretend it ended with Spider's Revenge, and I would still recommend those first five books to UF lovers, but for now, for me, it's bye bye Gin Blanco.
2.5 Stars
But for whatever reason, I seem to have fallen out of love with her in this book. What I once saw as a justified sense of achievement is starting to come across as arrogance and smugness. The return of the original source of her vulnerability, Donovan Douche-bag Caine, only served to highlight these changes in Gin. I admit my stomach did flip flops when he walked onto the page, and I did enjoy those scenes, but then he started annoying the crap out of me, too. Again. I also really didn't find his actions towards the end in keeping with his character at all. I found that whole thing totally unbelievable.
My favourite thing about this series at the moment, and for the last two or three books, is Owen Grayson. He is a fantastic character and I love the history of how he and Gin met. I wish more time was devoted to him and I think he was incredibly patient with Gin in this book.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy the storyline this time at all. I really couldn't have cared less about the bad guy or the damsels in distress, and I found the plot extremely slow and dull. And also very familiar. If it were me, I think I would have wrapped this baby up in the last book when that plot arc ran its course.
Another thing to note is that the repetitiveness is still there. Yes, the recapping has been lessened greatly due to the fact that the plot arc from the first 5 books is over so no need to go into all that again. But the actual writing is still repetitive. If I see the words "chicory coffee" or "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" one more time, I may just throw a fit.
I don't think I will be buying any more of this series in the future. I'm going to go ahead and pretend it ended with Spider's Revenge, and I would still recommend those first five books to UF lovers, but for now, for me, it's bye bye Gin Blanco.
2.5 Stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing 6th book
I really like the Elemental series I always look forward to a new book coming out. I have given a 5 star rating to all of the previous 5 books however this is not the case with By... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Claire's Book Corner
4.5 - Pleasurable Read
For first time readers---> you COULD possibly read this as a stand alone, because there is one thing Ms Estep does well and that is recap some of the past events that are pertinent... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dianne E. Socci-Tetro
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