Review ~ Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep @jennifer_estep

Posted March 7, 2016 by Tanya in Reviews, Urban Fantasy / 8 Comments

Review ~ Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep @jennifer_estepBitter Bite by Jennifer Estep
Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Length: 10 hrs 19 mins
Series: Elemental Assassin #14
Published by Pocket Books on February 23, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 374
5 Stars
Amazon B&N Apple Books Audible BAM
Goodreads

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Which is stronger: blood ties or a battle-tested friendship?

It’s not easy being queen bee of an underworld abuzz with crooks and killers. Wielding my potent Ice and Stone elemental magic will only get me so far—my real secret is my tight-knit makeshift family, a motley crew of cops and criminals, dwarves and playboys. My foster brother Finnegan Lane is my right-hand man, but when his suddenly not-dead relative comes back into the picture, I’m the one on the outside looking in.

It’s funny how life works: one minute your best friend is rock-steady, and the next he’s doe-eyed and buying into this whole loving-relative routine to the point of ignoring you. I’d like to be happy for Finn, I really would. But all of my instincts are telling me that beneath the syrupy sweet demeanor and old-fashioned charm, this sudden interloper is planning something. The whole shtick leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This person might have avoided the grave once, but I’ll put anyone who hurts Finn in the ground—for good.

Jennifer Estep always keeps me hanging on the edge of my seat with an Elemental Assassin book. Situations get brought right to the edge where you just don’t know where things are going to go. Bitter Bite had us set up with a blast from the past family member for Finn. We knew deep down to trust Gin’s instincts, but this woman was winning over Finn. This new addition to Finn’s family brings that niggling in the back of your head that maybe, just maybe, she’s not the bad guy here.

However, her sweetness did start to get on my nerves right along with Gin & Bria’s. The woman needed to turn down the wattage a bit. She was definitely overplaying her role.

Gin goes to work, despite promising Finn to give Dee a chance, investigating just what the woman is after. Bits and pieces come together. Dee pulls stupid when she goes after Gin. I really felt for Gin when despite the things Dee was saying and doing to Gin, Finn continued to back his blood family. Luckily, Gin knows better and is not going to let her brother down without a fight.

All along I wonder why some situations were not as easily resolved with Gin using her ice magic. I didn’t think anyone was stronger than her, so I was surprised with what Dee was able to pull on Gin. She was holding back a bit for Finn’s benefit I guess. But when you put true family together, those powers are going to make you wish you had of stayed in bed!

We get left with some interesting facts about the Snow family and I can’t wait to read more about Gin & Bria’s history. There is so much more to their family that they didn’t realize and will be fascinating to have revealed.

Family issues are always tough to deal with. It was really sad to see Finn going through this story. Thankfully he has the crew behind him, but it is still going to sting for awhile.

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.

Divider