Review: Snared (Elemental Assassin #16) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Snared

Series: Elemental Assassin #16

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6) | Widow's Web (#7) | Deadly Sting (#8) | Heart of Venom (#9) | The Spider (#10) | Poison Promise (#11) | Black Widow (#12) | Spider's Trap (#13) | Bitter Bite (#14) | Unraveled (#15)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5) | Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (#8.1) | Kiss of Venom (#8.5) | Unwanted (#14.5) | Nice Guys Bite (#15.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: April 2017

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Irony 101—The Spider herself snared in someone else’s web...

Another week, another few clues trickling in about the Circle, the mysterious group that supposedly runs the city’s underworld. Gathering intel on my hidden enemies is a painstaking process, but a more immediate mystery has popped up on my radar: a missing girl.

My search for the girl begins on the mean streets of Ashland, but with all the killers and crooks in this city, I’m not holding out much hope that she’s still alive.

A series of clues leads me down an increasingly dark, dangerous path, and I realize that the missing girl is really just the first thread in this web of evil. As an assassin, I’m used to facing down the worst of the worst, but nothing prepares me for this new, terrifying enemy—one who strikes from the shadows and is determined to make me the next victim.

My rating: ★★★★★
Ever since Gin found out about them, the Circle has been kind of elusive. But not anymore because Gin is finally finding some info on them and things are happening! But on top of that, someone has hired Gin for a job. Typically someone hires Gin to assassinate someone, obviously, but not this time. Oh no, a girl has gone missing and one of Gin’s acquaintances has hired her to find the girl. I really liked this because it was pretty different from other Elemental Assassin stories—it almost had this sort of mystery vibe to it.

This book in particular was very relatable to me because Jade is the one who approaches Gin to help her find the girl... the girl who just so happens to be her sister.

Jade’s mouth tightened, and her chin lifted. “I don’t care who you have to hurt or what you have to do to them. I’ll stand right by your side and hand you the damn knives myself if it means getting my sister back.”

It is just so sweet! And I totally get it! I’m an older sister myself and I love my siblings so much! I would do anything to keep them safe. And now I’m getting teary-eyed, so that’s great.


Anyway, it turned out that Jade’s sister was kidnapped by some guy that’s part of the Circle... it just all comes around, doesn’t it? Lol. Well, this guy had been doing this for years! You guys, we had a serial killer on our hands! A serial killer in Ashland! Omg! First of all, I found it hilarious that Gin and friends were shocked at this detail. Gin is literally a serial killer herself... just a different sort of way. Lol. Second, I thought it was really cool! I love this serial killer stuff and them finding the killer before he strikes again. I like to watch police procedural now and then Criminal Minds in particular is my favorite. I just really loved this aspect.

But amusement aside, this whole ordeal was pretty horrific for Gin. She was actually captured by the guy and literally transformed into his ideal girl. It was SO messed up!

I felt violated in a way that I never had before.
I wasn't Gin Blanco right now. I wasn't the assassin the Spider. I wasn't even a person anymore. I was a canvas, a doll, a plaything, primped and painted to Damian Rivera’s exact specifications.

But yeah, Gin is on the case because she is the BEST. You all know how much I love Gin—she is like my most favorite heroine ever! She's an assassin, but she is just such a good, kind person! I love her! I also love how sassy she is.

“Are you sure you're okay, Gin?” Owen asked, his gaze dropping to the bloodstains on my clothes.
“I’m fine.” I grinned. “Most of it’s not even my blood.”

But badass Gin is also amazing! These books always have really great fights, and man do they get vicious... I love it! It’s not like those idiots don’t deserve it. Lol.


I’m always so excited when it’s the climax and we’re at last fight in the book and Gin finds herself in a real tough situation. She’s stuck, but she somehow always finds the will and the way to fight her way out. I love seeing her fight and use her magic in new, interesting ways to get herself out of these situations. She’s so smart and badass and I just love her!

And I also just adore all the characters and the way they interact. I love Gin and Finn and their sibling relationship and their funny banter. But I also just like how supportive and protective they are of each other. And then Owen and Gin... Best couple ever! They are just so cute together and I love them! Owen is just the sweetest— he prepared a super nice date with Gin since they've all been busy with all this Circle stuff. He is the best!

I also like how these characters are super cool around dead bodies. Lol.

“Why did I get elected to move the dead guys?” Finn sniped, reluctantly stripping off his jacket and rolling up his shirtsleeves. “My suit is way more expensive than Silvio’s.”
“I heard that,” Silvio said, still sitting on the floor and going through loose papers.
“I meant you to,” Finn snarked back.

Speaking of Circle stuff, this Tucker character, what’s his deal?! I’m really interested to find out more about him because we find out some stuff about him that just... wow. There’s more to this and I want to know what that is!

If there was one thing that I knew about Tucker, it was that he always had a reason for his actions, no matter how twisted they were.

And even if they make no sense, because a lot of them don't. What is his deal?!

So yeah, I loved this book! I adore the characters, the action is always great, and the story is always intriguing. I really loved the ending with all the girls chatting and studying... it was so heartwarming! Every one of those girls was pretty much saved from some horror by Gin at one point or another. I loved it! Also, I swear this book had a Jason Voorhees reference, which I appreciate because I am a huge horror movie fan! Lol. Anyway, this book was awesome and everyone should read this series. Lol.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊