Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Series: Elemental Assassin #9
Published by Pocket Books on August 27, 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 354
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When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out…
Gin and the gang is back! From the past we already discovered about Sophia, it was very difficult for me to see her get thrown back into the fire. Pretty much literally. She is such a great character and so important to Gin and the others.
I’m finding with each book we see a little more of Gin’s humanity. The first few books didn’t have Gin show much in the way of compassion, but as she grows into her “retirement” we see more and more of her love and devotion to her family. One thing that always surprises me is her vulnerability when it comes to her love life. In Heart of Venom we have Owen back. He is working hard to prove himself and his love to Gin. Will she be able to forget how he’s hurt her to let him back into her life?
I think Gin would have been the only one who could take on Sophia’s abductors. There were so many of them, and it needed to be someone with the cunning and nerves of steel to beat this villian. Gin is that and more. She can take on the worst of them. She is tough as nails and smart. This fight she did let her instincts take over a bit, but not enough to totally come out of her Spider persona.
I love all the characters in the Elemental Assassin series. Finn always makes me laugh, Owen makes my heart ache and the family dynamic has grown so close that all the characters really play big, important roles. I feel that Heart of Venom was really deep emotionally and physically and just loved it from start to finish.
I do have to comment on the narrator, as this was an audiobook for me. Lauren Fortgang is awesome. I love her narration of this series. Please make sure, though, to try a sample yourself first, you might not love her as much as I do, but damn, I think she does a great job.
Read for: Fun
Challenge: 2013 Audiobook Challenge
About Jennifer Estep
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. Unwanted, e-novella #14.5 in the series, will be released on July 18. Unraveled, book #15, will be released on Aug. 30.
Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. She is also the author of the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.
Jennifer’s books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Southern Living, and a variety of other publications. You can follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
About Jennifer Estep
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series for Pocket Books. Unwanted, e-novella #14.5 in the series, will be released on July 18. Unraveled, book #15, will be released on Aug. 30.
Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. She is also the author of the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.
Jennifer’s books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Southern Living, and a variety of other publications. You can follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
