laurenjodi's review
4.0
Venom
4 Stars
Fantastic world building, appealing characters and an engrossing storyline.
The ongoing story arc is developing slowly but surely toward the inevitable showdown between Gin and Mab Monroe, and the gripping revelations regarding Gin's family and the reasons for their deaths make this conflict all the more interesting. In terms of the book specific plot, Elliot Slater is a truly despicable yet formidable villain and the manner in which he is ultimately dispatched makes for exciting listening - it is both poetic and just that.
On the romance front, Donovan Caine has thankfully made an exit and one can only hope that it will be permanent. Now Gin can focus her attentions on a much more deserving, and seriously sexy, Owen Grayson.
The exceptional character development is a highlight of the book. Gin is growing as a person and coming to realize that she is not alone in the world - she not only has a makeshift family in the form of Finnegan Lane and the Deveraux sisters, whose loyalty and faith in Gin is inspiring, but has also found her long-lost sister, Bria, and it will be interesting to see where their relationship goes. Gin is also allowing herself to grow closer to Owen although there is still a long way to go before she trusts him completely.
The one aspect of Gin's characterization that does need work is the use of her elemental powers, which remain underdeveloped within the story line. She has both stone and ice magic but refrains from using them to their best effect, and this distracts from the action scenes as the reader is constantly waiting for her to finally put them to good use.
All in all, the Elemental Assassin series is thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to Gin and company's next adventure in Tangled Threads.
4 Stars
Fantastic world building, appealing characters and an engrossing storyline.
The ongoing story arc is developing slowly but surely toward the inevitable showdown between Gin and Mab Monroe, and the gripping revelations regarding Gin's family and the reasons for their deaths make this conflict all the more interesting. In terms of the book specific plot, Elliot Slater is a truly despicable yet formidable villain and the manner in which he is ultimately dispatched makes for exciting listening - it is both poetic and just that
Spoiler
Roslyn gets to blow him awayOn the romance front, Donovan Caine has thankfully made an exit and one can only hope that it will be permanent. Now Gin can focus her attentions on a much more deserving, and seriously sexy, Owen Grayson.
The exceptional character development is a highlight of the book. Gin is growing as a person and coming to realize that she is not alone in the world - she not only has a makeshift family in the form of Finnegan Lane and the Deveraux sisters, whose loyalty and faith in Gin is inspiring, but has also found her long-lost sister, Bria, and it will be interesting to see where their relationship goes. Gin is also allowing herself to grow closer to Owen although there is still a long way to go before she trusts him completely.
The one aspect of Gin's characterization that does need work is the use of her elemental powers, which remain underdeveloped within the story line. She has both stone and ice magic but refrains from using them to their best effect, and this distracts from the action scenes as the reader is constantly waiting for her to finally put them to good use.
All in all, the Elemental Assassin series is thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to Gin and company's next adventure in Tangled Threads.
lynseyisreading's review
4.0
Another great story from Estep. I think this is the best one so far, although I did love book two...hmm, nope, this is my favourite! Mainly because of all the goings on in her love life :D
Gin attempts to take on a pretty formidable bad guy in this book. In going into it, she's pretty sure she's going to lose, but does that stop her from trying? Oh hells no! That's what I like about Gin - she's so fearless. She's also kind of wondering how on earth she went from being a feared and ruthless hired killer, to being everybody's favourite friendly neighbourhood assassin, working for any old sob story, but she's just sort of rolling with it. She does have a new, and much more personal, vendetta she's working on over the course of these books as well, which sounds very interesting thus far.
Good stuff! 5 stars! ★★★★★
Gin attempts to take on a pretty formidable bad guy in this book. In going into it, she's pretty sure she's going to lose, but does that stop her from trying? Oh hells no! That's what I like about Gin - she's so fearless. She's also kind of wondering how on earth she went from being a feared and ruthless hired killer, to being everybody's favourite friendly neighbourhood assassin, working for any old sob story, but she's just sort of rolling with it. She does have a new, and much more personal, vendetta she's working on over the course of these books as well, which sounds very interesting thus far.
Good stuff! 5 stars! ★★★★★
dukefn99's review
4.0
Reviewed at Romancing the Book
http://www.romancing-the-book.com/2010/11/review-venom-by-jennifer-estep.html
http://www.romancing-the-book.com/2010/11/review-venom-by-jennifer-estep.html
tizi_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Bought on Audible
Actual Rating 4.25
Audio Rating 4.00
Review Posted on
What I Loved: Owen! It is nice to see a strong male, confident not to cocky, accepting lead. Jennifer knows how to write men that you can love (I will forgive her for Donovan) because Finn is also a great male lead! Though to be honest it is Gin, Sophie, and Jo-Jo that really make me love this series! The females are strong, smart, and extremely talented. They do what needs to be done and don't make excuses why they do it. The storyline in this one continued on the arc but I love how she wraps up a little a bit in each book. You can feel satisfied without having a complete resolution to all the issues.
What I Liked: I really like the good ole fashion *ss kicking that goes on in this book. It is almost like a western in the aspect that there is always one really good showdown between our tarnished leading lady and the bad guy that she is going after. I also liked getting to know Brie a little bit better and you can see some sisterly resemblance in their actions. Their way of going about things is different but the sisters have a similar sense of "for the good" running through their veins!
Complaints: A little repetitiveness, especially if you have recently read the other books in the series.
Audio Specific Review: The story was narrated by Lauren Fortgang and she does an excellent job.
Why I gave it a 4.25: Each book in this series is better than the last! I am excited to read where she goes from here :)
Who I would recommend this too: Urban Fantasy Fans
Actual Rating 4.25
Audio Rating 4.00
Review Posted on
What I Loved: Owen! It is nice to see a strong male, confident not to cocky, accepting lead. Jennifer knows how to write men that you can love (I will forgive her for Donovan) because Finn is also a great male lead! Though to be honest it is Gin, Sophie, and Jo-Jo that really make me love this series! The females are strong, smart, and extremely talented. They do what needs to be done and don't make excuses why they do it. The storyline in this one continued on the arc but I love how she wraps up a little a bit in each book. You can feel satisfied without having a complete resolution to all the issues.
What I Liked: I really like the good ole fashion *ss kicking that goes on in this book. It is almost like a western in the aspect that there is always one really good showdown between our tarnished leading lady and the bad guy that she is going after. I also liked getting to know Brie a little bit better and you can see some sisterly resemblance in their actions. Their way of going about things is different but the sisters have a similar sense of "for the good" running through their veins!
Complaints: A little repetitiveness, especially if you have recently read the other books in the series.
Audio Specific Review: The story was narrated by Lauren Fortgang and she does an excellent job.
Why I gave it a 4.25: Each book in this series is better than the last! I am excited to read where she goes from here :)
Who I would recommend this too: Urban Fantasy Fans
mrose21's review
4.0
Love this book...
Its such a great read and a great story. I want her to kill people, I want her to succeed, which is sort of wrong. How ever it is such a good story line. Loving it.
Its such a great read and a great story. I want her to kill people, I want her to succeed, which is sort of wrong. How ever it is such a good story line. Loving it.
nicole_schmid's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I found this book quite alright. However, I think it could have been shortened quite a bit. The author has a habit of repeating herself. When she just has told us that there are three giants called A, B and C (A does walks away, B is hurt, C is helping B), she then does not have to tell us that A is the one who walks away. She also has a problem just showing anything, she has to tell it. For example: The main character is in a night club/brothel and "[...] some folks weren't too particular about their privacy. Couples of two and [...] somethimes [...] more huddled close together in the club's booths. Kissing, caressing, licking, moaning. Several of the tables twitched and shook, not from the raucous music but from the people fucking on the floor underneath." I think the readership could figure out why the tables were shaking without clarification.
But I enjoyed the story and the pace of it, even if it was unnecessarily slowed down by the repetitions and unnecessary explanations I've mentioned above. I also appreciated the peek into the next novel, though I am unsure if I will buy it anytime soon.
But I enjoyed the story and the pace of it, even if it was unnecessarily slowed down by the repetitions and unnecessary explanations I've mentioned above. I also appreciated the peek into the next novel, though I am unsure if I will buy it anytime soon.
m_st's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
cornflower12's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0