Liviania’s review of Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3) by Jennifer Estep
Urban fantasy released by Pocket 28 Sept 10
Venom is the second book I read recently that I thought was the end of a trilogy instead of just the third in an ongoing series. It made me sad when I realized the ongoing plot would not be resolved, although Jennifer Estep did bring several threads of the story to a satisfying conclusion. Of course, it also means I get to enjoy more books with these characters. I do like Gin Blanco, since she plows through angst quickly.
Gin now knows who killed her parents and needs to face down Ashland’s underworld to avenge them. First up is Mab’s right-hand giant Elliot Slater, who is pursuing Gin’s mildly friendly acquaintance Roslyn Phillips against her will. He makes for a truly disgusting and threatening villain, which is good. (With an assassin for a heroine, the bad guys have to be really bad.) I wish Gin could go after the head honcho immediately, but I might’ve been more content if I hadn’t thought Venom was the last book of the Elemental Assassin series.
Donovan Caine is officially out of the picture. Owen Grayson, however, is eager to replace him in Gin’s life. Heroine Gin may have retired from the assassin business, but pro bono cases just keep cropping up. As a cop, Donovan couldn’t deal, but Owen knows the criminal side of life. He owns the kind of weapons that impress Gin. I like that Gin is willing to move on while she’s still recovering from the break-up. She’s got a bit of a gooey center, but she is the kind of person who deals brusquely with emotional pain. Plus, I like how he attracts Gin. She knows little about him, but she’s kind of interested just because he’s clearly interested. It’s understandable to want to be around a guy who makes you feel especially desirable.
On the family vengeance front, Bria – Gin’s long lost younger sister – has just transferred to Ashland. She’s looking for whoever killed her mother and sisters too, but she became a cop. I liked her level-headedness. She remains a bit unknown though, since Gin refuses to get close. I really, really wished Gin would reveal their relationship like Finn (her adopted brother) encouraged. It’s one of those things that you know is going to bite her in the ass when it finally comes out.
While Bria remains somewhat enigmatic, Venom does reveal more about secondary characters who have been around since Spider’s Bite. Gin learns more about Sophia and Jo-Jo Deveraux, the dwarf sisters who clean up her messes and heal her wounds respectively. I liked learning about Sophia, because I think she’s one of Estep’s most creative touches in the series. Who hasn’t wondered what happens to all those bodies urban fantasy protagonists leave lying around?
Venom might not have been the end, but it looks like there are more interesting things to come. Gin’s secondary powers are developing now that she’s more comfortable with her magic, and developing a relationship with her sister might be on the horizon. I hope Gin doesn’t take forever to get her vengeance, but Estep’s series is not spinning its wheels yet. I’m also excited that Estep has a young adult series coming out in 2011.
Grade: B
Summary:
What kind of assassin works pro bono?
It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.
Read an excerpt here.
Other books in this series:
