Web of Lies by J. Estep

JEstep-Web of LiesSpider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep has been one of my favorite reads this year. So, I was really excited when I had the chance to read the next novel in the elemental assassin series, Web of Lies.

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.

In Spider’s Bite there was a pretty big cliff hanger at the end. One that had me thinking that in Web of Lies it would be going in that direction. That’s why I was kind of surprised when it only barely touched on that subject. Gin gives good reasoning for it. So, I’m not saying that the direction of the story doesn’t make sense. Just that it was unexpected. The rest of the story was as interesting and action packed as ever, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Whereas Gin’s profession was the main focus in the first book, in this one there is a lot of focus on Gin’s relationships.  On how protective and loyal she is to those she considers her family. You get to see that there is more beneath the surface of this self proclaimed cold and emotionless killer than you first thought. For me, this definitely made me feel like I knew the characters more, and has me invested in their outcomes.

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep is another great addition to the Urban Fantasy genre. It kept me immersed in Gin’s world like not many books can, and kept me on my toes with every revelation. If you like a book that has great character’s and is packed full of action than this series is definitely for you.

Read order:
Spider’s Bite
Web of Lies
Venom
Tangled Threads
Spider’s Revenge
By a Thread (February 2012)

Also reviewed by: SciFiChick, Books and Things, Magical Musings