fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsDeadly Sting by Jennifer Estep urban fantasy book reviewsDeadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Deadly Sting is the eighth book in Jennifer Estep’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN series. Anyone who has made it to this point in the series probably doesn’t care what I have to say about it, so I’ll make this short.

Gin and Owen are taking a break from each other after the events of the last book, Widow’s Web, so Gin accompanies Finn to a fancy party at an art museum on an island where Mab Monroe’s stuff will be on display for all the wealthy folks in Ashland to see. Soon after she arrives, she encounters two big problems. One is that she discovers Mab had a couple of Gin’s family’s runes in her possession! Gin wants them back. The other problem is that Owen is at the party with another woman. How distressing!

While Gin’s sulking in the bathroom, a group of giants murders a woman who looks like Gin and takes all the guests hostage. Gin has to work behind the scenes to foil the giants’ plans and save her friends (and actually some enemies, too). This involves a vault, a couple of bombs, a bridge, and Owen’s Elemental metal magic.

Deadly Sting is kind of fun because it’s different from the type of plot we usually see in one of the ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN books. A museum heist is a nice change of scenery and pace. I also enjoyed the flashbacks that told us about some of Gin’s training with Fletcher Lane when she was a teenager. There was an especially cute episode involving a Pomeranian named Peaches.

fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsStill, though, the excessive recapping and repetitive language is here as usual, as are some of those overly familiar elements such as the high-society party (there is one of these in every single book so far, I think). There are a few plot problems, too (again, as usual). Stupid bad guys who telegraph their intentions and don’t kill Gin when they have a chance. Bria (Gin’s police detective sister) acting more like an assassin than a policewoman. Gin not taking some opportunities that she should have taken to stop the bad guys. And why, why, why doesn’t Gin ever have her cell phone when she needs it? We know she has one but it’s never around at crucial times.

I’m afraid that many readers will be upset about Owen. He just doesn’t come across well in Deadly Sting or the previous book, Widow’s Web. His new behavior seems totally out of character for him. Obviously, Estep is trying to introduce some more romantic tension, but I doubt that it will sit well with most of her fans. However, the final scene of the novel is touching and will certainly encourage readers to pick up the next book, Heart of Venom. There’s also an e-novella called Kiss of Venom that takes place between this book and Heart of Venom. It’s told from Owen’s point of view. The audio versions narrated by Lauren Fortgang continue to be excellent productions.

Elemental Assassin — (2010- ) Publisher: “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.

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  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.