Sharpest Sting (Elemental Assassin #18)

It was about mid August when I was tweeting the author, Jennifer Estep, telling her how I had caught up on the Elemental Assassin series earlier in the year and I was now really starting to feel those withdrawals. Little did I know that two days later she was going to be sending out the ARCs for this book. I was not expecting to get my Gin fix so fast, but hey, I am not complaining! Lol. This book was totally worth the wait! It was just amazing!

One of my favorite things about this book was Liam Carter and his incessant flirting with Silvio. I loved it! And I really liked Liam! Silvios still unsure about the guy, especially considering what happened in Nice Guys Bite. Yikes. Its fair that hes cautious around the guy, but I just loved how Liam kept flirting with him anyway and Silvio was almost indignant about it even though deep down he actually kinda liked it. Lol. I just loved every scene they were in together!

—
All right. Have a seat. What do you want for lunch?
Instead of heading to the back corner booth hed sat in yesterday, Liam strolled over and plopped down on the stool next to Silvio. Oh, I can think of a few things, he drawled.
—

OMG STOP! I cannot take the cuteness!! I just love this so much! Excuse me while I try to not hyperventilate. Lol.

Besides these two lovebirds, there was also some weird flirting going on between two other characters that Bria perfectly described as passive-aggressive flirting. And omg that is so right! It was the weirdest thing ever, yet kinda cute and fun and I kinda liked it? Lol. Im really interested to see where this… relationship goes.

I also really loved Lorelei in this one! I mean, I already liked her, but she was awesome in this! Badass and feisty and… I just really enjoyed her presence.

One character that has really surprised me is Tucker. As the books go by, I find myself hating Tucker less and less, actually. I was very curious to find out more about him and what the heck his deal is anyway, and this book we finally find out some interesting stuff about him! We finally get a glimpse into things and what hes playing at. We finally see his true colors. And then theres Uncle Mason… he… I just cant form the words to describe this guy. He is awful… just the worst! He is heartless and cold and I just hate him!

But this book was just so good! This is my favorite series, so you shouldnt be surprised. Lol. Not only was it action-packed and emotional (it made me cry! Look, were 18 books in and you bet Im emotionally invested in these characters. My poor Gin! ), but we got a ton of revelations about Uncle Mason, Gins dad, some stuff with Fletcher, and finally Tucker! So many things have surfaced and theyre all starting to make sense now! Its insane! Mason is vicious and I am just wondering how things will move forward from here because damn! That ending? Things are not going well for Gin and her friends. But I have faith in her! She is smart and she will beat him! I just can’t wait to see how!

This book is more like a part 2 of Venom In The Veins. No major badguy bites the dust. Estep allows Emory Slater and Mason to win the day with ridiculously engineered stupidity. Blanco’s magic is effectively neutered to make Mason seem as if he has mountains of magic. The last big fight scene sees Blanco as a shrapnel catcher for Mason as she whines and cries inside her head about how weak and pitiful she is. When we’ve seen her ice cube people’s heads, glacierize an entire mountain top, cover an entire lake with 6 inches thick ice sheet, explode and sling rocks and bricks with her stone magic, and even make a granite statue move, twist, crack, and spear a giant. So why did Estep make Blanco so puney and weak? Also, Tucker saves Gin’s life, AGAIN!! This book is not worth your time or money. The only, and i mean ONLY, saving grace is the very last chapter when we find out Blanco has slipped a spy inside Mason’s crew and she finds where Fletcher hid all the money. Thats it. This book should have been a novella because it is severely lacking compared to Estep’s previous installments.

Gin and her friends are getting ready for the wedding of two of their friends – Mallory and Stuart. Gin is also spending her spare time searching for more evidence against the Circle. Some of the latest evidence comes to her directly from the Circle. And it involves betrayal that hits close to home.

Soon, the goons from the Circle are watching her every move. Will things be resolved before the wedding? Will her friends stay safe? Will Gin survive this betrayal mentally and physically?

Just when I think Jennifer Estep can’t top herself, she does. I ended up giving this addition to the Elemental Assassin series 4 out of 5 stars. It’s good and twisty. There is danger to everyone who knows her. I raced through the book. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. We learn more about the past of her family and of her mentor Fletcher. What was buried in the past just won’t stay there. And her future is even more uncertain.

If you’ve been following the Elemental Assassin series, this is a must-read. While you might read it as a standalone, I wouldn’t recommend it. It would be better to start earlier in the series to see just what is at stake and the interplay of characters. If you haven ‘t been reading the series, but enjoy good urban fantasy, then definitely check the series out. It’s not really a cliffhanger, but there is a serious loose end. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Gin and the gang are finally getting some answers as to The Circle. All roads point to Gin and Brias family being prominent members of this infamous group that has been running the Ashland underground from the shadows.
Now Uncle Mason has decided to put Gin to work getting him some answers to something stolen from him.

Gin doesnt want to work for her Uncle but she has finally run into an elemental stronger than her. So the Spider has to use every resource and friend available to keep alive in this family duel.

We got some answers as to Gins fathers death. We also learned more about The Circle. This book was clearly a set up for a bigger showdown but it definitely got my attention. Uncle Mason seems to be the real deal, as bad as Mab Monroe. I look forward to finding out what hes really after.

I enjoyed this as the story moved forward whereas at times it feels a bit static and samey. There are the usual issues of the spider getting out of life and death scenarios and friends having to save her but here there was an actual back up plan.

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