Review: Tangled Threads

Jennifer Estep
Urban Fantasy
384 pages
Elemental Assassins #4
Chapter 1
Pocket Books


Synopsis:

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.
But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .


Review:
One of my favorite things about Jennifer Estep's books are how quickly and easily the stories flow.  I mention this because, I was reading Tangled Threads on my ipad, so I had no idea where I was in relation to the end of the book, and all of a sudden it was over.  It's a fast ride.  She's created these characters that draw you in, and then drafts these plots that start up rather quickly, and are filled with adventure and mystery, and just don't stop. It's such a good time.


In this Elemental Assassins edition, Gin is more confident and sure of herself, and it's making me remember all the reasons I enjoyed her character so much to begin with.  Long gone are the days of her feeling insecure because of some man who won't accept her for who she is... I won't even mention his name.  She's solely focused on her goal of taking down Mab Monroe and it doesn't seem like she's going to let much stand in her way. Although, I'm ready for Gin and Mab to have some real face to face time again... it's been too long.  Gin's also closer to actually letting someone new -enter Owen Grayson- into her life, so this book spotlights more of his character.  And I for one love what his character does to for Gin. I just want more. 


The overall plot is still slightly predictable, but there were a few twists revealed that had my jaw on the floor.  I didn't see them coming, and you won't either.  The twists are well placed, and added intrigue back into the overall series for me.  It left me wanting to know all of this series' mysteries and how all the pieces fit together.  I can't wait to see how it all goes down.


Bottom Line: This series remains fun and exciting and good to the last page. 


3.5 stars