Friday 26 March 2010

Review: Spider's Bite - Jennifer Estep

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
Elemental assassin book 1

Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: 384
Published: Jan 2010

"My name is Gin, and I kill people."

My name is Gin Blanco. They call me the Spider — the most feared assassin in the South (and a part-time cook at the Pork Pit BBQ joint.) As a Stone elemental, I can hear the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet and feel the vibrations of the soaring mountains above me, though I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

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


I have read a lot of great reviews, but sadly this one was for me, ok. I never got sucked in, and sure it was a good book but it didn't manage to really grab my attention.

The concept of this world is good. Everyone knows what is out there. Some people have elemental powers, but just because of this they are not any higher up than others. Everyone has to fight their way to the top (of course if you do have the power of fire that might help.) There are also giants, dwarfs, and vampires. Many of those women tend to be hookers that high on sex and blood. Because of this mix of magic and races no one can take control over the other.

The world Gin lives in is pretty dark, but then again she is an assassin. The can see the downside to it all, the vampire hookers, the poor elementals that have gone insane and the beggars. And there is her, she gets paid to kill people. But she does have standards and kill only the bad guys, or people that is said to be bad. She is rather cool and kick-ass (oh my fav word, I can use it again.) To her help she has her handler Fletcher, a dwarf that cleans up after her, Finn an old friend and Fletcher's son. Finn I do like, he has style, even if he is a total playboy.

In this book Gin is sent to kill someone but it all goes wrong and the dead bodies are piled up and she is on the run. Here is where the love interest comes in, the last honest cop, Donovan Caine. There is an attraction there and they are both pulled in. No romance here, just animal attraction, but hey maybe it comes later.

I liked the word, I liked the action, but for me something was missing. Something to pull me in and make me want to read more. I struggled in the beginning to keep my focus so perhaps not all UF books are for me. Still don't think I didn't like it, it was ok and it was a fun ride while it lasted. You better go on and read  one of those glowing reviews and have a look at them too.


Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Kick-ass, but I do not like the little text, "her love life is killer"
Reason for Reading: My own book
Final thoughts: Ok UF


25 comments:

  1. Yeah, some books just don't do it for us, do they?

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  2. I agree with you - I love UF, but sometimes it just doesn't click...

    Sometimes I just need something extraordinary to make it stand out for me....

    Cool summary..

    E.H>

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  3. B,

    Great review. :) I completely agree.

    M

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  4. I think I'll skip this one. If you didn't like it, I certainly won't!

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  5. Hey Blodeuedd!

    Sorry that you had trouble connecting and finding that special it factor that makes you fall head first into a book like Alice falling in the rabbit hole. What a bum too because like you, I've also seen a lot of great reviews for this book. Well, I haven't been in a hurry to buy it so I'll wait it out some more and see how everyone likes book two.

    Thanks for the great review!

    Hugs, VFG

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  6. Chris
    Yes sadly some just cut it.

    EH
    I guess I had to find one that was only ok in the end. I mean I do not like all fantasy, so why would all UF be awesome, ok is good too

    Michelle
    Glda to hear I am not alone.

    Aarti
    Lol, I do think this wouldn't be your cup of tea

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  7. VFG,
    I loved what you had to say, that is so true, I sure missed that special something that made me fall into wonderland.
    But then I should haev knwo that even if people love love something, that sure doesn't mean i will

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  8. I trust your thoughts on this one!! Not going on my list anytime soon!

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  9. I have this one in my TBR. I'm hoping I'll enjoy it more than you did - I hate to be disappointed when I read a book. Sorry it didn't click for you.

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  10. Hey honey! What a great, honest review honey! Not ever book is for everyone... but at least you gave it a chance... that is what matters!
    I hope you had a great weekend!

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  11. Staci
    Oh no, now I feel bad, then again let's say the blurb scare you away ;)

    Patti
    I am sure you'll like it much more than I did. But yes I did expect more and to be blown away.

    Hi Cecile,
    Thanks, that is what I am here for. And now this was perhaps not my kind of UF, even if it was ok and all.

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  12. Sorry you didn't really enjoy this one. I've only read 1 urban fantasy book, and it wasn't my cup of tea.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  13. Oh well. I liked this one a lot but it's got a different pace to it (and we're in Gin's head a lot I think), so I can see it not clicking. :)

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  14. I very much love the UF genre but I also find that I don't like all of the UF books out there. There have been a couple of UF books that my favorite book peeps have raved about but I couldn't even finish.

    I liked Finn and Gin's banter between themselves. They had made laughing pretty good a couple of times.

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  15. Anna
    Only one? I see, well yes not everyone's cup of tea. It is like me and thriller/mysteries

    Janicu
    I remember readng your review :) I guess I thought I would like it cos everyone else did. But sometimes it just does not click as you say

    Donna
    Same with me now, I guess it had to come one day since I am so new to UF.

    Loved Finn and Gin's banter. Perhaps that it why I guess they would have hooked up instead

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  16. WooHooo, glad to see so many UF lovers!

    The Book sounds awesome!

    Hugs
    Hawk

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  17. Great review B:

    As Donna says, what floats one persons boat sinks another and that is so true of books. It does sound like this author has created an interesting world.

    Thanks for sharing. :)

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  18. Allot of killing..I dont know if this book is for me. The world of the book sounds okay, but maybe a little too weird for my taste..

    I like the word kick-ass too :)

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  19. HAWK
    People really seems to enjoy it so you should give it a go

    Lea
    It was different from what is out there, well at least that I know off. So I did enjoy that.

    Nina
    Kick-ass is the best word ever ;) Totally sums up everything

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  20. I'm sorry to hear that this book was missing something for you to enjoy it. I've seen some great reviews around for this one and I have it on my wishlist :)

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  21. Ladybug,
    Are you trying to tell me something ;) if so then yes I might be willing to part with it via bookmooch

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  22. LOL, yes maybe. Let me know if you put it out there =)

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  23. Ladybug,
    Pretty sure I will, that is if you want it, if not then I can keep it. But will let you know in May and see if you still want it then

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  24. The high point of this one for me was the stone magic.

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  25. Carol
    There I agree, the stone magic was cool

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