Review - Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3) by Jennifer Estep (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: September 28th, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1439148013
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in Elemental Assassin series (contracted for five books)
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

This series just keeps getting better and better.  I loved the first two Elemental Assassin books and was eager to read the third.  I preordered it and am so glad that I did; it was the best book in the series so far.  This is the third book in the Elemental Assassin series; there are five books on contract for this series.  The 4th, titled Tangled Threads, will be out on April 26th of 2011.

Gin is getting more deeplu involved with Mab, the Fire Elemental who controls all of Ashland.  It's not like she's trying to get involved but when Finn asks her to help protect Roslyn (the vamp who runs Northern Exposrure) from Mab's, literally giant, head of security Slater Gin is ready to help just because of how bad Roslyn is being abused.  Now she's taken on a case pro bono, again...  Then she finds out that her sister, Bria, (who she recently found out is still alive) is a tough as nails honest cop who just transferred in to Ashland.  That's when things get more personal.   When she finds out Mab has asked Slater to take out Bria ...well there is really only one acceptable solution to Slater the giant. With the delicious and dangerous Owen Grayson lending Gin a hand from the sidelines...well...let's just say Gin is finding life more exciting than it was before she retired from being an assassin.

This was a absolutely stellar book.  The writing was spot-on, the dialogue witty, the plot complex and engaging.  This book was sooo hard to put down.  I was torn between wanted to devour the thing in one sitting and wanting make it last because I know the next book doesn't come out until April of next year!  We see more of Gin's emotional side than ever before; she is still tough as nails and I love that she still prefers her weapons over her magic.

The addition of Bria is wonderful; Bria is like the light to Gin's dark...Bria is the kick-ass righteousness of the law, where Gin the kick-ass righteousness of the underworld.  The complexity of the relationship these two sisters have is amazing.  Now let's talk about Owen Grayson.  He is such a wonderful love interst for Gin.  He is a darker character than you are originally led to think, and he matches Gin in so many ways.  I was happy to see he plays a major part in this book and hope he features in future books; he is just such an awesome character.

As usual the banter between characters is witty, fun, and clever.  I loved where Estep is taking the plot and can't wait to see Gin take on Mab head to head in the next book.  I loved where Gin's character ended up at the end of the book and am just so excited to read this book.

Overall, this was hands down the best book in what has been a wonderful series.  If you liked the previous books you will love this one!  I recommend this series if you like urban fantasy series with tough women, with complex plots that are engaging, and just a tad of romance.  For example is you like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin, or Dorina Basarab series by Karen Chance you will love this series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge Book List
- The 100+ Book Reading Challenge