Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Unraveled by Jennifer Estep


After the shocking revelations of the previous book, Bitter Bite, the world of Ashland’s become even more sinister, and Gin Blanco (aka Ashland’s most fearsome assassin, the Spider) no longer knows who—or what—she can count on. Only one thing is for certain: danger and new enemies await Gin in Unraveled.

What could go wrong when you’re trying to unravel a decades-old conspiracy?

As the current queen of the Ashland underworld, you would think that I, Gin Blanco, would know all about some secret society controlling things from behind the scenes. I might be the Spider, the city’s most fearsome assassin, but all my Ice and Stone elemental magic hasn’t done me a lick of good in learning more about “the Circle”. Despite my continued investigations, the trail’s gone as cold as the coming winter.

So when Finnegan Lane, my foster brother, gets word of a surprising inheritance, we figure why not skip town for someplace less dangerous for a few days? That place: Bullet Pointe, a fancy hotel resort complex plus Old West theme park that Finn now owns lock, stock, and barrel. At first, all the struttin’ cowboys and sassy saloon girls are just hokey fun. But add in some shady coincidences and Circle assassins lurking all around, and vacationing becomes wilder—and deadlier—than any of us expected.

Good thing this assassin brought plenty of knives to the gunfight…

Add to Goodreads


Book 15
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆
4 Adventurous Stars.

I won't deny I'm a fangirl of Jennifer Estep, so my review is obviously written with a favorable bent. Unraveled is the 15th installment of the Environmental Assassin series. Obviously Unraveled cannot be read as a standalone. With some Urban Fantasy series, you can jump right in if you'd missed a book or two, but not this one. Unraveled begins exactly where Bitter Bite ended. So, if you aren't caught up, back up and get to reading.

Finn receives an inheritance out of the blue, and this trips Gin's spidey-sense. An Old West theme park and hotel of all things. Our sarcastic badass assassin doesn't trust the situation, feeling it's a trap. Still leery of recent events, Gin goes with Finn, along with others, to check out the place. Which takes the group out of Ashland to Bullet Pointe.

To avoid spoilers, I won't rehash events because I want you to read them, and enjoy them, for yourself.

The Environmental Assassin series is one of the more consistent series I've read. The writing style doesn't change, but Estep does her best to keep the storyline fluidly moving forward and the premise fresh to avoid a wash-repeat feel. The author isn't phoning it in by writing yet another book in a long series. Each book truly is a vital part of the whole.

However, Unraveled had the feel of a turning point in the series, as it shifts in a new direction to keep the series ever-changing.

Entertaining, filled with magic and mayhem, Gin's still kicking butt and taking names after 15 novels and a long list of short stories. I had many unexpected laughs, as the setting was hilarious, especially for the daughter of a guy who is obsessed with the Wild West. Certain elements had me thinking of my own father, and laughing my butt off. But it didn't come off as cheesy. Gin is a serious assassin, after all. But the environment did lighten the darker air of the storyline.

My only complaint was the action – I'll use a video game analogy. The villains were like noobs, and Gin was born with a controller in her hand, able to beat the programmers at their own game. There were no heart-stopping moments where I feared for our beloved characters. But, on the flip side, it was semi-comforting, as I didn't feel frustrated or experience heart palpitations.

Obviously I recommend Unraveled to Estep fans. But, if you've come across my review and are curious if you should begin the series, I do highly recommend it if you're an Urban Fantasy fan. True Urban Fantasy. Not a romance or lusty story hiding beneath a UF premise. The Environmental Assassin series is classic Urban Fantasy, with a slight thread of romance and heat riding way beneath the surface, but it takes a backseat to the action, adventure, familial and friendship bond, and magic.


Also Available in the Elemental Assassin Series

Book 14.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Unwanted post.



Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

Her Elemental Assassin series follows the life and times of Gin “the Spider” Blanco, a barbecue restaurant owner who also happens to be an assassin with magical control over the elements of Ice and Stone.

The Mythos Academy series focuses on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. She studies at Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors.

Her Bigtime paranormal romance books feature sexy superheroes, evil ubervillains, and smart, sassy gals looking for love.

Estep’s new Black Blade series is about 17-year-old thief Lila Merriweather, who has a Talent for sight, along with the ability to take magic others used against her to boost her own powers. She tries not to get involved with the Families who control much of the town, but ends up in the middle of a potential turf war.

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


https://www.netgalley.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Unraveled (Elemental Assassin #15) by Jennifer Estep to read and review.

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