Review: Spider's Bite

This is the first book in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep.

Book Blurb:


My name is Gin, and I kill people.

They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way -- good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction...especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

I really enjoyed this book.

Spider's Bite has a bit of a different take on magic - elementals: people who can control the elements - fire, air, stone and the like - some can even manipulate metal and electricity. These elementals live out among the regular folks - some working honest jobs and never using their abilities, others running cons - still others running the city.

How can you really police a group of people who have these extraordinary talents? How can you stop someone who has the ability to manipulate the very air around you? Especially when it appears that half of the police force is on the take.

Gin has been trained as an assassin. The very best assassin - if you can afford her fee - she can take out anyone - quickly and quietly, no muss - no fuss. She gets the job done.

But now it is personal. And Gin won't let anything or anyone stand in the way of her brand of justice.

I give Spider's Bite 4 out of 5 stars.

M