UNWANTED (Elemental Assassin 14.5) by Jennifer Estep-a dual review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 18, 2016
The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella–from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.
The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.
But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.
Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes…
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Sandy’s Review
NOTE: If you have not read BITTER BITE, there may be some spoilers in my review.
REVIEW: UNWANTED is a novella by Jennifer Estep that focuses on the aftermath and fallout from the events of BITTER BITE (Elemental Assassin #14) wherein Finnegan Lane’s past comes back from the dead seeking retribution, leaving a path of destruction and death in its wake.
Told from first person point of view (Finnegan Lane) UNWANTED follows Finnegan and his growing guilt in the days and weeks after several co-workers were murdered doing their job. Although not directly responsible for the massacre and ensuing death, Finn compounds his grief and guilt with each funeral having to face the employees and their family knowing most of them place the blame squarely on his shoulders. When a threat of a different nature touches upon one of the survivors, Finn makes it his responsibility to mete out justice, ending the threat-once and for all.
UNWANTED takes a quick look at the man we have grown to love. Although we still know very little about Finnegan’s life with Fletcher Lane, UNWANTED reveals some of the thought processes and his need to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. The premise helps to close up some lose ends in the aftermath of a dark and dangerous time; the characters are an eclectic mix of good and bad.
Barb’s Review
Unwanted by Jennifer Estep is 14.5 of her wonderful Elemental Assassin series. This novella is different, as it is told in Finn’s POV. Finn is Gin Blanco’s foster brother. Unwanted picks up right after Bitter Bite left off. Finn is depressed and feeling guilty about his behavior in not trusting Gin, when he allowed his mother to set a trap for him, thereby causing deaths and Bank issues that are still trying to be resolved. Those in the bank, where he works, do not talk to him, as they blame him for everything.
When he has to attend a funeral of one of the banks employees, he overhears a bookie threatening the family of the deceased. Though everyone does not want any help from him, Finn is determined to intervene and help. Finn will snap out of his self imposed lethargy, as he has to face 3 giants, who plan on hurting the wife and child of the deceased. Finn will not go to Gin, as he can feel his old self rising to the challenge. It was great to see Finn battle the villains, and I also enjoyed reading this in his pov. Finn’s boss also helped the way to get those blaming Finn straight by telling them he was tortured during the fiasco with his mother. This was a face paced short story, which is always difficult to write reviews. If you are a fan of this series, it is a fun read that you will enjoy. If you have not read this series, do not start with this book. Go back to beginning and learn all about Gin Blanco, one of the best kick-ass heroines.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
