Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin #14
400 p.
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2/23/16
Source: Author, Publisher and NetGalley for review

Which is stronger: blood ties or a battle-tested friendship? 

It’s not easy being queen bee of an underworld abuzz with crooks and killers. Wielding my potent Ice and Stone elemental magic will only get me so far—my real secret is my tight-knit makeshift family, a motley crew of cops and criminals, dwarves and playboys. My foster brother Finnegan Lane is my right-hand man, but when his suddenly not-dead relative comes back into the picture, I’m the one on the outside looking in.

It’s funny how life works: one minute your best friend is rock-steady, and the next he’s doe-eyed and buying into this whole loving-relative routine to the point of ignoring you. I’d like to be happy for Finn, I really would. But all of my instincts are telling me that beneath the syrupy sweet demeanor and old-fashioned charm, this sudden interloper is planning something. The whole shtick leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This person might have avoided the grave once, but I’ll put anyone who hurts Finn in the ground—for good.

My thoughts:

I love this series and I couldn't wait for this addition to the series. One where Finn becomes center in Gin's world. His momma comes back into his life and he must deal with the consequences of that action no matter if it is good or bad. Okay, that is as spoilery as I'll get and it was said in the blurb. As for the rest I'll try not to spoil anything else.

For me this one is about family. Ones we are born to and ones we make for ourselves. It is those ties that define who we are (both good and bad) and who we want to become. Sometimes it is a role model we emulate and sometimes it is an example we make sure we do not become. Because of this dynamic we can easily become involved in this storyline.

This one really kept my interest from the get go, but then I'm a huge fan of Finn. He always has Gin's back and I love the sibling camaraderie they both share. There is another story arc brewing and this one already has my attention and speculation. The book does not end in a cliffie, but does leave the door wide open for what is to come. I think we will get more of Gin's backstory in the works ahead. At least I hope this is the case.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is a great addition to this series. While you probably could read this one without reading the other books in the series I do not recommend it. You need that established feeling of who they are to each other to encompass the fullness of this story. Plus I think you'd miss out on too much and this series and there is too much progression that you would miss. I highly recommend this series to those that really love UF.