Review: Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep

Title: Web of Lies
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 05/25/10
Summary:

Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I'm Gin Blanco.

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man... dead or alive.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Although I wished Gin would've looked a bit more into the bomb that was dropped at the end of Spider's Bite, I can understand her hesitance. Hopefully this plotline will be expanded on in the third novel, Venom. Besides this point, the plot drew me in immediately. Every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly, and yet so many things completely surprised me. It was very interesting to see more of the elemental powers that Gin and other citizens of Ashland possess.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
Web of Lies was like a roller coaster: you speed through a bunch of twists and turns, and once you're finished you can't wait to do it again. The novel itself encompassed less than a week, but it was a completely believable timeline. Even when Gin took a step back and baked a delicious cobbler, the story didn't slow down. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire four hundred pages, and just couldn't get enough.

Characters: 5 Stars
Gin really showed some growth in this novel. After a stint of retirement, she takes a case out of morals instead of money. It's always good to be reassured that a tough-as-nails heroine has feelings and morals. Finnegan makes a great sidekick to Gin, although I'm sure he would be pissed to be referred to as a sidekick. He brought just the right amount of humor to the story. There were also a lot of new characters, both good and evil, and we got to know all of them pretty well. I was a little disappointed in Donovan, but I don't think this is the last we've seen of the good cop.

Cover: 4.5 Star
This series has been blessed with a fantastic cover artist. At first, I was confused by the brown background image, especially after Spider's Bite had such specific details added in. But once I finished the book and gave the cover another look, I was enlightened and realized the background image was from a crucial part of the book. I also love that the cover model has Gin's spider rune scars on her palms, and her silverstone knife. It actually feels like Gin is on the cover, and not just a model that can pass for her.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this book from the author and also bought a copy of this book for my own enjoyment.

In My Mailbox (35)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Bought:

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Spells by Aprilynna Pike

Used Trade-In:

Staying Dead by Laura Gilman

Won:

Embers by Laura Bickle [Thanks Book Smugglers]

And on a non-book related note, I bought season 2 of Trueblood! And got a $5 giftcard for purchasing Definitely Dead (or any other Charlaine Harris novel) with it.

Review: Stormwalker by Allyson James

Title: Stormwalker
Author: Allyson James
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 05/04/10
Summary:

Janet Begay is a Stormwalker, capable of wielding the raw elemental power of nature, a power that threatens to overwhelm her. Only her lover, Mick, is able to calm the storm within her-even as their passion reaches unimaginable heights of ecstasy.

But when an Arizona police chief's daughter is taken by a paranormal evil, they find themselves venturing where no human can survive-for only together can they overcome the greatest danger they've ever faced.

Plot: 5 Stars
Besides Janet's stormwalking powers, which were unique, there was a whole slew of lore and paranormal creatures in this novel. Between skinwalkers, shapeshifters, dragons, and nightwalkers (a twist on the average vampire), there was never a dull moment. Plus, the idea of the Beneath and the different realities or dimensions that exist were an interesting twist. I hope we get to learn about them more in future novels. The mystery element within the novel and how it connected to Janet was integrated into the paranormal aspects quite well. Although I had figured out certain elements, others caught me completely by surprise.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This was one of those books that sucked me in immediately and didn't let go. I often fall victim to was I call the 200 page boredom. This is where I'll lose interest in a book around two thirds of the way through because there's a lull in the action right before the climax/resolution at the end. This novel didn't have that at all. It was nonstop action and adventure and mystery from beginning to end. Some of the end scenes could've been elaborated on a bit more because a few details were a bit rushed and confusing, but other than that the pacing was perfect.

Characters: 5 Stars
Janet is one of my favorite new heroines. I haven't liked a main character as much as I enjoyed reading about her in a long time. And her stormwalking powers were so interesting and unique. What I liked most is that she wasn't all-powerful; she couldn't always control her powers and was left feeling hungover afterwards. Mick took a bit longer to come around to, but once I got to know him a little better, I found that I liked his character and his motivations. And the detective was one of those characters you love to hate. He was always there to stir the pot and bring a little more mayhem to the story.

Cover: 5 Star
I absolutely loved this cover. The cover model looked like she could possibly be of Navajo descent, like the main character, Janet. Plus, it's a full body shot of the cover model, which I haven't seen all that often. And it really works. It gives off an air of confidence and don't-mess-with-me that really fit Janet. I also liked the simplicity of the lightning bolt in the background. It gives a hint as to what she can do as a stormwalker and draws you in.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: When Blood Calls
Author: J.K. Beck
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: 08/31/10
Summary:

Sara Constantine is one of the country’s most tenacious prosecuting attorneys -- and she’s just secured a well-earned promotion. At first she’s thrilled. Then she finds out her new job involves prosecuting vampires and werewolves. And nothing prepares Sara for the shock she receives when she meets the first defendant she’ll be trying to put away: Lucius Dragos, the sexy stranger with whom she recently shared an explosive night of ecstasy.

When Lucius Dragos kisses the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the bar, he’s only hoping to blend into the crowd and avoid the perceptive gaze of the man he’s following... and planning to kill. But what starts as a simple kiss to secure his cover ignites into a fierce hunger that leads to an all-consuming passion. Charged with murder, Luke knows Sara will do whatever it takes to see him locked away -- unless he can convince her that he’s not the monster she thinks he is. And that might mean making the greatest sacrifice a vampire can make.

When Pleasure Rules and When Wicked Craves will be released on 09/28/10 and 10/26/10.

Teaser Tuesday (32)

This weekly book blog meme is hosted by Misb at Should be Reading.

Here are the rules:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
- Share the title & author too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Title: Web of Lies
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 05/25/10

So I pulled off my glove, put my hand on the granite, and listened to its vibrations. Slow, steady, solid, just like the rock itself. There was also a sense it was guarding something, protecting something important, valuable. Tobias Dawson's secrets, whatever they might be. -- pg. 211