Tangled Threads by J. Estep

Tangled ThreadsDear Gin Blanco,

I feel like I should just come out with this. It all started with a hit, you killing that giant in the asylum after pretending to be a patient. The way you moved, the way you talked, and your general bad ass persona all but assured that I would love you. How could I not? Your powerful, modest, loyal, and a great cook to boot. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’ve officially become my literary girl crush.

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

Yeah, yeah, I wrote a love letter to the main protagonist in Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep. There are a couple reasons for it and by book four those reasons just keep getting stronger and stronger.

One such reason being the action. I gotta tell you, it’s almost as if Ms. Estep has had experience with these assassin-y moves herself. Whenever a sequence comes up, whether she’s fighting against giants or other elementals, I can almost see Gin’s silverstone knives flashing in the moonlight, almost hear the macabre gurgle of a throat being cut on the wind. Maybe I’ve watched one to many action movies, but I’m betting it has more to do with the quality of writing that is provided in all of the Elemental Assassin books and that includes Tangled Threads. It gets my blood pumping just thinking about it, and makes me want to try some kung fu moves myself.  Not that I’d actually try to go out and be an assassin, but Gin’s moves are pretty exciting.

Is that all that wins over my affections you may ask? A few good fight sequences? Absolutely not. Gin kicks ass, but she also has depth. Her past defines her personally and plays a huge role in her plans for the future. Gin’s family being murdered in front of her as a child has her constantly trying to undermine the person who is responsible, and in Tangled Threads, this is a huge focus. She’s finally actively going after this person, and actively receiving help from her growing adopted family. Finn (that ever present, lovable, man-whore of an adopted brother), Jojo and Sophia are definitely still sticking by Gin’s side and providing support when needed. And although Mr. Donovan Cain made it hard for Gin to think anyone can accept her for who she is, Owen Greyson is sticking to his guns (or knives as it were) in trying to be there for her.

Overall, what can I say that I haven’t already? By this point it’s pretty clear that I’m not only in love with Gin Blanco, but Tangled Threads as a whole. The story had me whooping with joy and screaming in outrage, just as all really good books always do. Every time I’ve been presented with the opportunity to read and review a book in the Elemental Assassin Series I always feel the need to drop whatever I’m reading at the time and dive right in. That’s the effect these books by Jennifer Estep have on me, and I think that if this pattern of awesomeness persists Gin, our love affair can safely continue. ;)

Read Order:
Spider’s Bite
Web of Lies
Venom
Tangled Threads

10 Comments

  1. You have inspired me to admit that I too have a literary girl-crush on Gin. She’s just such a cool blend of kick-ass chick and “oh honey, your tragic past tells me you need a hug but put the knife down first please”. This series is excellent.

  2. Such an awesome review! I feel the same way about these books! I read 1-4 literally non stop and absolutely fell in love with the world and characters within.

  3. I LOVEEEEE the elemental assassin series, can’t wait to read the fourth books…only a couple more weeks!!

  4. @Jennifer
    It’s a fantastic series! It’s definitely my pleasure to review your books.<3

    @everyone else
    I'm glad you guys love these books as much as I do. =D

  5. Finally, just a few more weeks before I can get my hands on this book! I’m so jealous that you’ve already gotten to read it. I absolutely love Gin (and Finn, and Owen, and JoJo and Sophia). Hmm, I think I’d better reread at least the last book, just to get ready.

  6. I just completed the audiobook and I just can’t get enough Gin. I’m so looking forward to Spider’s Revenge. If you haven’t checked out Lauren Fortgang’s reading on this series, it’s quite awesome too.

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