BITTER BITE (Elemental Assassin #14) by Jennifer Estep-Dual Review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 23, 2016

Which is stronger: blood ties or a battle-tested friendship?

It’s not easy being queen bee of an underworld abuzz with crooks and killers. Wielding my potent Ice and Stone elemental magic will only get me so far—my real secret is my tight-knit makeshift family, a motley crew of cops and criminals, dwarves and playboys. My foster brother Finnegan Lane is my right-hand man, but when his suddenly not-dead relative comes back into the picture, I’m the one on the outside looking in.

It’s funny how life works: one minute your best friend is rock-steady, and the next he’s doe-eyed and buying into this whole loving-relative routine to the point of ignoring you. I’d like to be happy for Finn, I really would. But all of my instincts are telling me that beneath the syrupy sweet demeanor and old-fashioned charm, this sudden interloper is planning something. The whole shtick leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This person might have avoided the grave once, but I’ll put anyone who hurts Finn in the ground—for good.

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Sandy’s Review

 BITTER BITE is the fourteenth full length installment in Jennifer Estep’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN Urban Fantasy series focusing on the Underworld elemental assassin Gin Blanco-aka The Spider.

Told from first person point of view (Gin) BITTER BITE focuses on the return of Deirdre Shaw-Finnegan Lane’s ‘deceased’ mother, Fletcher’s ex-wife, and Gin’s next target as the underworld assassin. Deirdre is a powerful ‘Ice’ elemental but returns as a mother grieving the missed years of her son’s childhood, and his assent into Ashland’s elite bankers and grifters. What ensues is a rekindling of a relationship between Finn and Deirdre, and Gin’s not so subtle reminder to Finn and the others that Deirdre has returned at a very opportunistic time.

BITTER BITE follows Gin’s investigation into Deirdre’s return and Finn’s obvious reluctance to heed Gin’s warnings. When a botched bank robbery and jewel heist point all the fingers at Deirdre Shaw, Finn turns a blind eye to the mother he desperately wants in his life.

Jennifer Estep wraps our heroine in an icy blanket of violence, death, blood shed and mystery. Not as graphically violent as some of the earlier installments BITTER BITE once again finds ‘The Spider’ in one too many circumstances out of her control. Her constant need to do everything alone lands Gin on the precipice of life and death –yet again.

All of the series regulars including Gin’s boyfriend Owen, her sister and Finn’s girlfriend Bria play secondary and supporting roles; Jo Jo and Sophie (the magical dwarves) make cameo appearances; and Gin’s assistant Silvio’s role is broadening with every story line.

The world building traverses the past and the present, as the reader is pulled into Gin’s memories of Fletcher and Finn using letters, dreams and nightmares. Gin is the leader of the paranormal underworld of Ashland but she has very little control on the criminal element. Our heroine must constantly prove she is worthy of the title, and with each installment someone stronger begins to make life difficult for The Spider.

BITTER BITE is a revealing story line that focuses on family and betrayal; heartbreak and lies; secrets and letting go of the past-but the past doesn’t want to lie down and die. The new series arc is focusing on the past, and the reemergence of those long thought dead and gone. A fantastic series by an amazing author.

Barb’s Review:

Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep is the 14^th book in her fantastic Elemental Assassin series. I’m sure you have heard me say this many times, but I love this series, I love Gin Blanco and I love everything Jennifer Estep writes. Just saying. 🙂

Bitter Bite is another wonderful story, which picks up immediately after the last book, with Gin investigating a hidden message warning left for her to find by the now deceased Fletcher. Before Gin can find out much more about Deidre Shaw, Finn’s long dead mother, who is now alive and a very powerful ice elemental; Finn will find out before she can tell him.  To Finn’s shock, he finds out that the woman he has been dealing with for his bank, is his mother. Despite Gin’s warning, he falls totally into his mother’s charm and forgets about his family and friends.

As we have come to know and love Gin, we also know she will do all she can to protect Finn. Gin does not trust Deidre, and begins to have her investigated as well as spied upon. What Gin does discover is that Deidre has enormous powers, which she can feel, even when it is harnessed.   Almost immediately, there is a robbery attempt, which rises Gin’s suspicions even more; but at every visit, Deidre is the doting mom and nothing appears to be wrong.

But again, Gin Blanco is not your average young lady; she is the Spider, who is used to living in a dangerous and violent world. Rather than reveal any spoilers, what follows is an action packed exciting adventure that will bring Gin, Bria, Owen, Finn and all their friends into danger that will put their lives at risk. Will Finn forgive Gin? Will they all survive?

It was a wild tense last 1/3 of the book, with new revelations that will shock Gin’s world even more. Jennifer Estep once again gives us another fabulous story that continues to change the game and add on more elements that will have Gin looking into her past to discover more about about her mother and the enemies both old and new.

As I said before, I love this series. Besides such a great heroine, we have a wonderful group of characters. I loved the further bonding of Gin and Bria, as well as Gin’s relationship with Owen. In each and every book, Jennifer Estep continues to wow us and keep us totally hooked into the life of Gin Blanco…the Spider. If you have not read this series, I suggest you start it now.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.