By a Thread (Elemental Assassin, #6)

by Jennifer Estep

After destroying her nemesis Mab Monroe, retired assassin Gin Blanco heads south with her baby sister Bria for a weekend in the sun. But Gin is called out of retirement when a powerful vampire threatens an old friend of Bria's, and to complicate matters, Gin's old lover Detective Donovan Caine has reappeared.

• ISBN10: 1451651767
• ISBN13: 9781451651768
• Publish Date: 28 February 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

I was worried about the plot of By a Thread in the beginning. Gin and Bria take off on a vacation to Bria's old hometown, where they learn that her best friend is being harassed by a big businessman who wants her restaurant. Sound familiar? It's the same basic plot as Web of Lies! Since Gin will do anything for her sister, and can't stand to see someone bullied, Gin offers her services to Callie. Pro bono, of course. Luckily, the plot similarities stop there. This job is a mess from the beginning, since everyone knows that Gin is (not so) secretly the Spider. And her opponent is a vampire, who can absorb elemental magic by drinking elemental blood. He might be even tougher than Mab Monroe.

I ended up really liking By a Thread, even though it started off with a sense of deja vu. Once it was clear that Gin couldn't use her usual tricks to take out the vampire, things got exciting and tense. She may be able to control two elements, but he can use all four if he has the right blood donors! While I'm definitely on Gin's side, it was nice to see her knocked down a notch, since she's starting to get a bit cocky.

There also a nice surprise in By a Thread: a blast from the past! Someone who has hurt Gin in previous books happens to be engaged to Callie, and is determined to help her his way. I was shocked and pleased by his presence! I had some high expectations for how this situation could play out and I was not disappointed! Well, I kind of was, since I wanted one thing to happen, but it didn't. But then again, I was glad that it didn't, since that would be a mess. But still, I loved this little side conflict.

In the end, By a Thread is another great addition to the series. It shows that just because Gin's greatest enemy is out the way, she's not safe. Everyone knows who she is, so she can't rely on her "human" identity to get her places anymore. Plus, it's obvious that she still has at least one major enemy that she needs to take out. I hope she gets him!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[littleread1]

I love that Gin is able to put some personal issues behind her in this one. I was laughing and mentally high-fiving her all over the place. There have been a few people I wouldn't have minded punching in the stomach myself. *grins*

[Melanie]

I really enjoyed this book. Some of the repetitive sayings that have annoyed me in other books are not as prevalent in this book. It is good to see Gin out of Ashland. Bria had some issues, but pulls through in the end. It looks like the Finn and Bria thing is working out well. Gin and Owen are closer than ever. Great story.