Unraveled by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway
Unraveled
Elemental Assassin series – Book #15
by Jennifer Estep
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository
Description:
After the shocking revelations of the previous book, Bitter Bite, the world of Ashland’s become even more sinister, and Gin Blanco (aka Ashland’s most fearsome assassin, the Spider) no longer knows who—or what—she can count on. Only one thing is for certain: danger and new enemies await Gin in Unraveled, Book 15 in the New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that RT Book Reviews calls “unbeatable entertainment!”
What could go wrong when you’re trying to unravel a decades-old conspiracy?
As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city’s most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn’t done me a lick of good in learning more about “the Circle”. Despite my continued investigations, the trail’s gone as cold as the coming winter.
So when Finnegan Lane, my foster brother, gets word of a surprising inheritance, we figure why not skip town for someplace less dangerous for a few days? That place: Bullet Pointe, a fancy hotel resort complex plus Old West theme park that Finn now owns lock, stock, and barrel. At first, all the struttin’ cowboys and sassy saloon girls are just hokey fun. But add in some shady coincidences and Circle assassins lurking all around, and vacationing becomes wilder—and deadlier—than any of us expected.
Good thing this assassin brought plenty of knives to the gunfight …
Barb’s Review:
Unraveled by Jennifer Estep is the 15th book in her fantastic Elemental Assassin series. This series is one of my top favorites, as I always wait impatiently for the next book. Jennifer Estep, also one of my top favorites, continues to bring us wonderful exciting stories that flow very well, and one of the best kick-ass heroines in Gin Blanco (Spider). Unraveled continues this trend with another wonderful exciting action packed story.
Gin recently discovered that another powerful enemy has been secretly been running things for years in Ashland, and her mother may have been part of the Circle. Unraveled starts with Gin trying to find information that will tell her who and what is the Circle? Unable to find any information, a frustrated Gin decides to take a needed break and go with Fin to a wild west theme park, which he recently inherited from his deceased mother. When Gin, Fin, Bria and Owen arrive at the park, it doesn’t take long to see something is amiss, and perhaps they have walked into a trap. When she sees Tucker, the current villain and part of the Circle, Gin knows their lives are in danger.
What follows is an exciting adventure, where there are giants and sharpshooters that are part of the west theme park, and their enemies. In the middle of this is the mystery of the million dollar missing gems that Fin’s mother hid somewhere in the park. The villains are hoping to get Gin to find the gems, and then kill the four of them. Will Gin and the gang be able to escape the heavily guarded park? Will Gin find out who are the members of the Circle?
During her stay at the park, Gin does have flashbacks to when she was a child, and she remembers when she first saw Tucker and many of the evil villains that Gin has faced over the years. Gin learns more about her mother, and the Circle. Nice touch by Estep, giving us a look at the early years. I also enjoyed the part when they ate at the barbeque restaurant in the theme park, which paled in comparison to Gin’s Pork Pit. I would like to visit her place. 🙂
In true Gin Blanco fashion, never ever underestimate the Spider, as she faces insurmountable odds to save herself and her friends. As always, it is so awesome to watch the Spider in action. As we race to finish, the action is mind blowing, filled with action,danger , magic, and almost impossible feats. Once again, Fletcher leaves a clue that Gin finally figures out, that will give them more information on the Circle, which will continue into the next book..Snared.
Jennifer Estep once again gives us a wonderful exciting action filled story. If you have not started this series, you are missing out on a wonderful author and a fantastic heroine. I suggest you start Elemental Assassin now.
Sandy’s Review:
UNRAVELED is the fifteenth installment in Jennifer Estep’s adult, contemporary ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN paranormal, urban fantasy series focusing on Gin Blanco aka The Spider –the reigning Queen of the paranormal Underworld of Ashland. UNRAVELED picks up immediately after the events of Bitter Bite and Finn’s novella Unwanted.
NOTE: If you have NOT read BITTER BITE or UNWANTED there may be some spoilers in my review
Told from first person point of view (Gin Blanco) UNRAVELED follows Gin and her intrepid group of crime fighting family and friends –Gin’s significant other Owen Grayson; her sister Bria Coolidge; and Gin’s foster brother and Bria’s boyfriend Finnegan Lane- as they embark on a well deserved vacation that Gin suspects will be more dangerous than fun.
Upon the recent death of Deidre Shaw (Bitter Bite), Finnegan Lane learned he had inherited a ‘Western’ theme park and resort known as Bullet Pointe, and with it the potential for millions of dollar in missing gems. What ensues is the search for the ‘fabled’ diamonds, and the numerous attempts against our heroine’s life. Gin has been targeted by the secret society of assassins known as the Circle, and Bullet Pointe is the perfect location for the Circle to trap The Spider and her closest friends. As Finn and the others try to locate the missing gemstones, Gin finds herself on the run when the others are taken hostage and Gin is targeted for assassination.
Throughout the story, there are a number of dreams and flashbacks focusing on Gin’s mother Eira Snow. New details are emerging about Gin’s younger years, and her mother’s possible association with the Circle assassins. Fletcher Lane’s cryptic message left behind in the bank’s safety-deposit box has Finn and Gin scratching their heads hoping for some other type of clue.
There is a large ensemble cast of characters including Owen, Bria, and Finn, as well as Gin’s assistant Silvio Sanchez, ice elemental Lorelei Parker, and Owen’s best friend Phillip Kincaid. The requisite evil has many faces including vampire Hugh Tucker, and fire elemental Roxy Wyatt. Lawyer Jonah McAllister makes a cameo appearance as he prepares for his upcoming hearing, and he himself becomes the target of the infamous Circle.
UNRAVELED and Bitter Bite mark the beginning of a new story line arc in Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. Unlike a number of the other story lines in the series, the action is limited, and the violence is not as graphic or one-sided. The premise is entertaining, while the author focused on the past and the cycle of events that comes full circle to present day. The characters are colorful and eclectic although Finn, Bria and Owen’s roles are more subdued than in the past couple of stories. And as with most Urban Fantasy story lines and series, the romance is secondary to the main premise although we do get some limited Gin and Owen time allowing for a glimpse into their revitalized relationship. UNRAVELED is a delightful and imaginative read.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Jennifer is graciously offering FOUR giveaways to FOUR (4) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe:
* A paper copy of UNRAVELED & the first 3 books of her Black Blade series to one lucky commenter.
* A paper copy of UNRAVELED to Three (3) lucky commenters.
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8. Giveaway runs from August 29 – September 2, 2016
