Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Tangle Threads is the fourth book in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. She has created a no holds barred heroine with Gin Blanco, a former assassin called “The Spider” who wants revenge against the woman who destroyed her entire world when she was barely a teenager.
Gin is consumed by revenge to take down Mab Monroe, a powerful, psychotic woman who lives for terrorizing those who are weak. Mab is known as a fire elemental, while Gin has all the elements at her disposal, but prefers to keep with the basics such as knives to get the job done. Only when Gin has killed Mab can she can move on.
Gin, along with her dedicated step-brother Finn, a slick, rich ladies man who drinks enough coffee to float away, are stalking Mab with ruthless intent, waiting for the right moment to strike. But, Mab has a vast amount of resources at her disposal and can fight fire with fire. Mab hires deadly assassin, Electra La Fleur, to find her mysterious enemy and eliminate her. Electra is a worthy adversary for Gin.
Gin has a whole slew of problems to deal with, as well as finding the time to celebrate Christmas without becoming too bloodied or bruised. When a little girl is taken by Mab as collateral for an unpaid debt, Gin must try and save her. The rescue will be dangerous, but it’s all part of the game, for Gin is ready to take down Mab by any means necessary in a battle Ashland will never forget.
Estep’s Elemental Assassin series is, in one word, explosive. There’s so much rip-roaring action, great dialogue and some eye-popping twists and turns in Tangled Threads. Ms. Estep is slowly tying up a few loose ends, and the ending is, in a way, bittersweet but welcomed, opening new paths for some of the characters.
If you’re not reading the Elemental Assassin books, you’re really missing out. Jennifer Estep has really hit her stride with Tangled Threads, and is one book that exceeded all my expectations and then some.
Do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to Gin and this amazing world Jennifer Estep has created.
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Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (April 26, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1439192634