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Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin Series Book 8) Kindle Edition

by Jennifer Estep (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 688 ratings
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The eighth hotly anticipated book in the Elemental Assassin series by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep: it’s Gin Blanco's party—and you’ll cry if she wants you to.

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me— Gin Blanco, aka the Spider—it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’s priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.
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  1. Book 8 of 19
    Elemental Assassin
  2. Print length
    404 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Pocket Books
  6. Publication date
    March 26, 2013
  7. File size
    6136 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] raw, broken, ruthless heroine who remains decent and honorable at her core..." (Smash Attack Reads)

"A raw, gritty, and compelling walk on the wild side…" (Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author )

About the Author

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. Spider’s Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider’s Revenge, By a Thread, Widow’s Web, Deadly Sting, Heart of Venom, The Spider, Poison Promise, Black Widow, Spider’s Trap, Bitter Bite, Unraveled, and Snared, along with the e-shorts Thread of Death, Parlor Tricks, Kiss of Venom, Unwanted, and Nice Guys Bite are the other works in her red-hot Elemental Assassinurban fantasy series. Jennifer is also the author of the Black Blade and Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtimeparanormal romance series. For more on Jennifer and her books, visit her at JenniferEstep.com and @Jennifer_Estep.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008J2G20I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pocket Books (March 26, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6136 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 404 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 688 ratings

About the author

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Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep

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Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-jennifer/newsletter/.

FOLLOW JENNIFER ONLINE:

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yyj59omw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_estep_author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39lCyX6

BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y4dm3zso

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y638q98k

Jennifer's blog: https://tinyurl.com/2dj4afb

Jennifer's newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-jennifer/newsletter/

Happy reading, everyone! 😎

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
688 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Douglas C. Meeks
5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody Does Revenge Better Than Gin 5 Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
Gin just can't seem to have a quiet night out, she has been on a "break" from the love of her life and then to get pulled into a gala event by her brother was going to life her spirits ....... Yea, that's gonna happen.

This may be one of the better books in the series but that statement almost has no meaning in this series since pretty much every book seems like it may be just a bit better than the last in some way. This time is no exception, you get to see Gin at her skillful assassin best and emotional lows. Nothing about this night will go as planned and the fact that bad guys decided to pick tonight to do something stupid is one of those bad decisions you get to only make one time.

The fact that Ms Estep can make you feel that anyone including Gin can be killed in this book just stands as a testament to her writing ability. You feel certain that Gin has to survive so there can be a next book ..... right? She somehow injects the stress, emotion and angst into these books that keep people like me coming back for more. This novel has several twists and turns plus keeping you second guessing as to the motivations of a lot of the things that happen.

Gin is in great form and she is MAD, so as usual, that means somebody (or a lot of somebodies) are going to have a really bad day. Loved this book and it is at least 4.5/5 Stars, maybe more if you love violent heroines and maybe a bit less if it offends you but Gin is the ultimate bad-a$$ you want to avoid and NEVER threaten anyone she cares about, it could be fatal. This is the 8th book in this series and it shows no signs of getting stale, predictable or boring.
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Zeenakwon
4.0 out of 5 stars Red is definitely your color Gin!
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
Synopsis: Gin Blanco hates fancy dresses. But at the insistence of her foster brother Finn, she goes to a ritzy museum exhibition of the late Mab Monroe's possessions. But as all of Gin's adventures go, mayhem and murder follow her and her red dress is a perfect fit for all the blood...

Review: Oh, Gin. It took you 8 books to figure out that red was your color? Another adventure in the Gin Blanco series, and as usual it is followed by non stop action that keeps us wanting the next book.

Some say the books are formulaic, but to me, it's a formula that WORKS. I am never bored in the fictional corrupt town of Ashland. Majority of the story takes place in the museum, and we get a play by play narration from Gin's point of view. Gin kills as Gin does, she fights for those she loves, and she follows her own code of morals. It takes urban fantasy and assassin procedural and mixes it up into a dark story that I would love to see on TV someday!

The emotions underlying this book takes center stage. Primarily, Owen and Gin's relationship. Are they back together? Are they done forever? Those questions are addressed, and it's unclear if they were resolved or not. But I am hopeful for their future. I appreciate that their relationship isn't bogged down by cliches of love triangles and "fated mate" syndrome. They have genuine relationship issues. Insecurities, confusion, and lack of knowledge on how to move forward.

Owen frustrated me in this book. I understand his issues, but his issues being drawn out this long was uncharacteristic for him. I hope he returns to himself in the next book. However, the other characters were excellent, as usual. Gin stayed away from "heart broken girl" stereotypes and lived her life, despite her heartache. Gin has grown up, and contrary to her past, she is quite the well adjusted adult. A decision she made at the end of the book showed to me that she is not the "shoot first, ask later" assassin anymore. My favorite character, Finn was in top form, although he barely got enough screen time. Bria, Rosslyn, Eva, Phillip, all showed up.

The last couple of books felt like fillers after Mab's death, and the beginning of this book felt the same way. However the end of the novel gave a lot of hope for the future. The foundation was set for the following story arc. We saw resolution with Gin's conflict with Jonah McAllister, but is it the end? And is the mysterious new person, a villain? Or something else?

This book closed some ties and laid out the framework for more. This series is one of my favorites, and I enjoyed the latest story. I enjoy the simplicity of Estep's writing style, and this book does not disappoint.

Sex: kissing.
Violence: You do know this series is about an assassin, right?

Rating: 4 out of 5
Series rating: 4 out of 5

Quote: "Have I ever told you how scary it is that you think of heels in terms of their possible shiv potential?"

Next Book:  Heart of Venom (Elemental Assassin)  comes out August 27, 2013!
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Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good Addition to the series
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013
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Deadly Sting takes place about a month after the events in Widow's Web. Gin is still dealing with the after effects of killing Salina. Finn decides it would be a good idea for Gin to get out. Mab Monroe's jewelry is to be on display at Briartop, a museum in Ashland, and Finn believes it will be the perfect time for Gin to get out and dressed up. Of course nothing in Ashland can go smoothly. There are always people out to prove a point or make a buck and when the entire museum is on lockdown being held hostage by a giant, Gin knows what has to be done.

I liked the different approach to this book than the others. Deadly Sting primarily takes place over a single evening. I found that this made me read the book extremely fast. It was also a way to showcase how Gin can think on her feet. Obviously she didn't plan for the museum to be taken over, but, I guess, in her way she is always prepared for any situation and it was cool to see how she thought on her feet. In previous books, she talks about her patience and her ability to wait and sit quiet until the perfect moment to take out her target. Here, it's a little different because obviously not knowing this was going to happen, there was no planning involved beforehand. It just shows how intelligent Gin really is and kind of gives credence to the people who find Gin a threat, because she is definitely a threat to anyone who puts her or those she cares about or the innocent in harms way.

Of course the main thing a lot of people are going to read this book for is the ultimate Gin and Owen moment. You know it's going to be there. They haven't spoken or seen each other in over a month since Salina's death, but as fate would have it (or as Finn would have it) they are both at the gala. They finally talk, sort of. Upon reading this book, I think it becomes apparent that what they are going through is bigger than what they thought. It goes beyond Gin killing Salina and Owen clearly is going to need more time. But by the end they do make some leeway and I'm hopeful things will work out. But also upon reading the book, I understand that I don't want Gin to be with someone else who can't take her for all that she is and accept everything she does (cough Donovan cough). Ultimately I would like Gin to find romantic happiness. She has happiness with her friends and family and she deserves love too, even if she thinks she doesn't.

I've read a couple reviews that spoke about Gin being too closed off when it comes to expressing her emotions. I can see that. I also see, however, her family and friends not falling for the tough routine. I don't think it's hard to believe that everyone knows Gin is heartbroken and not 100 %herself. It shows that they care when they ask how she's doing even though they know she may keep it all in. This is a time when I wish we got other people's POVs because I would like to see how everyone is interacting with Owen when Gin's not around.

Jennifer Estep adds a couple little twists that I'm excited to see play out in the next book(s). I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure if I would because usually when characters I like go through great upheval in their lives they become maudlin in the next book. I should have known Gin doesn't do maudlin. I can't wait until Heart of Venom is out later this year.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Gaylin Chev
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Start at the beginning - read all the books. Love the series so much.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Australia on May 19, 2017
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Great series.
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Mary Heron
5.0 out of 5 stars GIN BLANCO one of the greatest modern heroines around today
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2013
Verified Purchase
Gin is having a night off, she's come to a fancy do at the local museum, showcasing her old nemesis mab's treasures all her closest friends and family are out with her, anybody who is anybody is there, it's the hottest ticket in town. She should be on top of the world, but due to the problems in her personal life she's feeling a bit down, added to which assasin's are still trying to collect the million dollar bounty on her head, so it's good to be able to relax among friends. But nothing is ever that simple for Gin, after paying a visit to the ladies room she comes out to find the power down all the doors and windows locked and all the guests (including her friends and family) being held hostage in the main showroom by a gang who state their intention to steal all the treasure from the museum they promise the hostages will be safe if they just co-operate, but as Gin knows they have already killed that promise does not give her much hope, good job she never goes anywhere without her knives. Time for the killing to start. As always with this series this book is well potted and written with great character development and suspense, i read it in one sitting.
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Charlotte von Stein
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Eine Frau geht ihren (blutigen) Weg
Reviewed in Germany on May 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
Also erst muss ich was loswerden: ich bin ein großer Fan von Buchserien. Jedesmal, wenn ich über eine neue Reihe "stolpere", ärgere ich mich aber über eines: warum kann ich nirgendwo die Reihenfolge nachschauen?! Es gibt doch auf Amazon inzwischen zu vielen Autoren bereits eigene Seiten, in denen alle Bücher aufgeführt sind, eingeteilt nach Sprachen und Formaten. Aber leider nirgendwo ein Hinweis auf die Lesereihenfolge der Bücher, nicht mal ne Nummerierung im Titel. Das fehlt sowas von!!!

Deshalb hier mal die Reihenfolge der Elemental-Assassin-Reihe über Gin Blanco, die Auftragsmöderin (im Ruhestand):

1. Spider’s Bite
2. Web of Lies
3. Venom
4. Tangled Threads
5. Spider’s Revenge
6. By a Thread
7. Widow’s Web
8. Deadly Sting

Jetzt aber zum neuesten Buch "Deadly Sting":

Gin Blanco, ihres Zeichens ehemalige Auftragsmörderin "The Spider" und leidenschaftliche Köchin mit eigenem Barbecue-Restaurant, kommt nicht zur Ruhe. Die Funkstille zwischen ihr und ihrem Lover Owen (warum, lest Ihr am besten in Teil 7 "Widow's Web") macht ihr schwer zu schaffen. Außerdem ist der Wildwuchs an Kriminalität in Ashland stetig gestiegen, seit Gin Ashlands Verbrecherkönigin Mab Monroe zur Strecke gebracht hat und ihre Identität als "The Spider" publik geworden ist, weshalb sie das Prestige-Ziel vieler Möchtegern-Mörder ist.

Finn, ihr Pflegebruder, Sohn ihres verstorbenen Mentors, Ausbilders und Pflegevaters Fletcher, narzisstischer Modegeck und überaus erfolgreicher Finanzmakler, drängt sie zur Teilnahme am anstehenden großen Partyereignis im Briartop-Museum, um sie aus ihrem Stimmungstief zu holen. Zunächst muss aber ein Kleid her und Finn schleppt die widerwillige Gin zum Einkaufen in eine teure Boutique. Die natürlich prompt überfallen wird - und mal wieder muss Gin das Problem lösen, was gewohnt blutig endet. Diese Begebenheit bildet den Prolog zur Geschichte, deren Hauptereignisse sich an dem Party-Abend im Museum abspielen.

Gin begegnet dort Owen in Begleitung einer Frau, die ihr erstaunlich ähnlich sieht. Vor allem, weil sie genau dasselbe Kleid trägt! Was ein peinlicher Zufall ist, rettet Gin das Leben und kostet Owens Begleiterin das ihre. Denn das Museum wird von einer ganzen Horde Riesen überfallen und ausgeraubt. Doch warum haben sie so gezielt (die falsche) Gin erschossen und sonst niemanden? Und was sollen die Bomben unter den LKWs, in die die Kunstschätze verladen werden? Und welches Interesse hat die Anführerin der Räuberbande ausgerechnet an Mab Monroes Testament, das im Tresorraum des Museums aufbewahrt wird? Hier steckt wesentlich mehr dahinter und Gin ist entschlossen herauszufinden, was wirklich vorgeht und wer die Fäden im Hintergrund zieht...natürlich wie immer unter vollem Einsatz von Leib, Leben und ihren speziellen Kräften als Bändigerin von Stein- und Eismagie, wobei Owen ihr tatkräftig zur Seite steht.

Aber: werden die beiden wieder als Liebende zueinander finden?
Jennifer Estep schafft es auch ohne viel Erotik, die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Gin und Owen mit emotionaler Tiefe zu versehen, den Zweifel, die Anziehung, die Hoffnung, das Trennende, das Verbindende. Was zwischen ihnen steht, ist Gins Überzeugung, dass sie alles Nötige getan hat und wieder tun würde, um Schaden von ihren Lieben abzuhalten. Selbst wenn das bedeutet, töten zu müssen. Selbst wenn das bedeutet, dass sich ihr Liebster von ihr abwendet. Für sie gilt: lieber leben sie und hassen mich, als dass ich ihren Tod zulasse. Und danach handelt sie. Erst, wenn Owen das verdaut und akzeptiert hat, kann es eine gemeinsame Zukunft geben. Und er tut sich wahrhaftig ziemlich schwer, damit und mit sich ins Reine zu kommen. Worunter beide leiden.

Eine spannende und stimmige Fortführung der Geschichte um Gin Blanco. Obwohl sie eine knallharte Kämpferin ist, die kompromisslos und eiskalt bis zum äußersten geht, kommt sie einem nicht wie eine seelenlose Mörderin vor. Eher sieht man in Gin die Familienbeschützerin, die alle Mittel nutzt, die ihr zu Gebote stehen und dabei nicht zimperlich ist. Dass sie dabei ihre Menschlichkeit und ein gutes Herz bewahrt, macht sie uns erst recht sympathisch.

Man sollte unbedingt der Reihenfolge nach lesen, weil die Geschichten ineinander übergehen und die Ereignisse sich aus den vorhergehenden weiterentwickeln. Auch die Nebenfiguren, die Gins Familie und Freundeskreis bilden, haben alle ihre Geschichte, die einen interessanten Rahmen für Gins Erlebnisse schaffen. Auf jeden Fall ein Lesevergnügen für alle, die toughe, unabhängige Frauenfiguren mögen, vor blutigen Kämpfen nicht zurückschrecken und trotzdem eine romantische Ader und einen Hang zu Fantasy haben.

Ich freue mich schon auf den nächsten Teil!
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Zipper
4.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in Canada on June 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
I liked this book a lot better then the last one. Not so much of "my lover" this and "my lover" that. Dear god the man has a name. So yea....I don't mind a bit of romance. And I always liked this series because that's what it has...a bit. Or maybe I just breeze through the romancey bits without really paying attention. Either way I like the character of Gin. She's tough. She's smart. And she's surrounded by an awesome cast of characters. Keep the "my lover" parts away like in this book and the next book I might rate a five. (Not that my rating a book really has any merit) lol
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