Joint Book Review: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep

Title: Tangled Threads
Series: Elemental Assassin, Book 4
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: bought
Published: April 2011 by Pocket

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead.

Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too.

The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

J9: I have to thank you for being my Elemental Assassin pusher because Gin is one of my new favorite heroines. I love her character’s complexity and Tangled Threads brings Gin (and readers) to a pivotal place in her life.

Brianna: You are absolutely welcome. She is one of my absolute favorite heroines as well. And you're right, this is a pivotal point in Gin's life. Some big turning points happen in this book, particularly between Gin and Owen and between Gin and Bria.

J9: Yes! That is what I loved about this book, Gin’s interpersonal relationships.  Let’s start with Owen...Owen, sigh. I love Owen because unlike Donovan, he accepts Gin for her past and her present.  He doesn’t look down on Gin for the things she’s done or will do for that matter. 

Brianna: I have to admit, I wasn't exactly keen with Owen in the beginning but now he is definitely proving himself worthy of Gin. Owen does accept Gin for who she is - as Gin, owner of the Pork Pit, and as the Spider, assassin extraordinaire.

J9: Do you think Owen’s background and experience with his sister makes him understand Gin’s moral compass better than Donovan did?

Brianna: Definitely. Owen and Gin come from very similar backgrounds. They have a lot in common, especially when it comes to their family situations and Mab Monroe.

J9: Is it wrong to ask you if you like Owen better than Donovan? I know they’re two different characters but since they were both Gin’s love interests I think it’s inevitable to compare them. I always resented Donovan’s attitude about Gin and her morality so Owen’s acceptance makes me adore him as Gin’s lover.

Brianna: I think at this point in the series, the answer is given – it's Owen all the way. Donovan has a strict ethics code and certain morals that are ingrained into his personality. He cannot alter this for anyone, including Gin. Therefore he cannot accept Gin for who she is or what she does.

J9: Next up is the lovely Bria. In this book Mab has sent her assassin, LaFleur, to out-assassin Gin and Bria is in the crossfire. This felt a tad contrived to me as a way to reunite Bria and Gin but it worked because series readers had build up of them being long-lost sisters and I was ready for resolution.

Brianna: I think it totally worked, too, because Gin finally came clean with Bria. It didn't happen in the most ideal of circumstances but Gin did it when she knew it had to be done and there was no way out of it. Contrived? Maybe. But now the author has to take it from there. She will have to now pave the way for Gin and Bria to work it out and I have total faith in her (the author).

I'm just ready for the major showdown to occur. I am getting tired of waiting so I'm really hoping it happens in the next book. I feel like it's been a long time coming and I'm at the point where I'm starting to lose patience and I want to get there already.

J9: I totally agree, I am past ready for the big showdown to happen.  It’s been a good ride but now I need the resolution.  So, what did you think of LaFleur as a nemesis for Gin in this book? Was she sinister enough or did you think she was an easy henchwoman of Mab’s for Gin to defeat on her way to getting revenge on Mab?

Brianna: I think she was a good nemesis and villain for this book. She matched Gin on her skill level, which made them pretty much equal opponents. Obviously you would don't want it to be too easy for Gin and LaFleur was a good match for her. Her elemental power made her very unique and made for a very strong contender. And LaFleur was just as sinister, if not even more so, then Mab.

What do you think of the world building in this series so far. I think the author created a real dark and gritty world, yet readers are able to relate to Gin in such a way even though Gin is an assassin.

J9: I love this world building.  It gets deeper and more compelling each book.  Readers and Gin alike learn about her powers as they continue to develop so we’re given a front row on the paranormal aspects of this world.  The secondary characters showcase the variety in the world too, like the dwarf sisters, Jo-Jo and Sophia.

Brianna: You're right, it does get deeper and continues to develop with each new book in the series. And the author seems to always come up with something new and unique to add to this world.

J9: I really enjoyed Tangled Threads and give it a four-frog rating.  Are you as ready as I am for Gin to take Mab DOWN?!

J9’s Rating:

Brianna: READY! I give Tangled Threads 5 frogs.

Brianna’s Rating:

J9: Bring on Book 5, Spider’s Revenge.

Brianna: Bring it!!