Promises To Keep

It's always great when you wait for a book in a series you love, then have it exceed all your expectations. Poison Promise, the eleventh book in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep, is one of my all time favorites in a series that continues to excel at pulse-pounding action, unique dangers, and providing a strong, badass female lead.

Probably my favorite cover in the series.

In the eleventh novel of the series, Gin Blanco's life becomes complicated once more when one of her waitresses is witness to a brutal drug-related murder. It isn't too surprising when Gin's cop sister Bria becomes involved, but Bria's hunt for the drug kingpin proves personal, and her blind rage could lead her down a road she won't survive. So of course Gin will keep Bria safe by protecting her from a sadistic vampire with a scientific mind, but Gin finds herself in more trouble than ever, since the vampire isn't the only one watching Gin from the shadows... Warning: The following review contains spoilers for this book and the following one.

One of Estep's strongest points as an author is her ability to keep the Elemental Assassin series fresh and original. That remains more true than ever with Poison Promise. Yes, Gin faces a vampire again, but he is so much more different than the last vampire she endured. He's more brutal and perhaps far more dangerous than one who simply bites his victims. The story was intense and well thought out, keeping me pinned to the pages and hoping that Gin would survive her latest battle. And honestly, given how the big boss battle went, I wasn't totally sure she would. It's one of those fights that will stick in my head for a long time.

Bria had a decent amount of development too, going back and forth with Gin about how differently they approach bad situations. I was shocked to see a whole other side of her, though it was nice to see a darker side to her.

Gin of course, is as strong as ever. Tough, sexy, utterly ruthless against her enemies, and fiercely protective of her loved ones. It should make the following books very interesting, since us fangirls finally learn who the mysterious M.M.M. is. Some of us had already guessed, but Estep has left us with some other unfortunate but wonderful surprises, all of which mean more trouble for Gin and Co. than they may be prepared to handle.

I love the Elemental Assassin series. I always have. Every book amplifies that love and inspires me as an author. I've already done a review of Estep's last novel, The Spider, and will continue to do so, since Gin's web of troubles is only beginning to weave, and she's not meant to be a fly.

Amy