It has been over 7 years since I last read an Elemental Assassin book, which honestly really shocked me. However, picking it up gave me no issues just jumping right back into the story. These characters are all so well built out that it was so easy for me to come back to them. In the later books, I feel like Estep did a better job of less recapping and also continuity between the books. This one jumps off right where Unraveled left. Snared focuses on a missing woman and Gin and Co's race to find her. It's full of all the things you expect from Gin and her family and friends. Lots of kickassery and we are still unweaving the conspiracy of The Circle. Excited to continue on and get more information.

I’ve been a longtime fan of the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep but took a short break because when a series gets so long, it starts to feel a little stale. But that break did me some good because, coming back to the Elemental Assassin series, book sixteen felt like there was a breath of new life in the series. While this book can stand alone, there are many flashbacks that will make a lot more sense if you’ve been following the series all along.

Gin Blanco is an assassin who has some elemental magic to help her complete her jobs. She’s an assassin with a bit of a do-gooder streak. She’s super loyal to her friends and family, will do anything for them, will drop everything at the drop of a hat, they only have to ask. Throughout the series, she’s collected a close group of friends that she calls upon to help finish whatever job she’s taken, which usually somehow is connected to the mystery of her mother’s death when Gin was a child. In most of the books, she ends up facing against another individual with elemental magic for a grand showdown that gets more spectacular with each installment in the series. This one takes a slightly different track.

In Snared, Gin is asked to find a missing girl, the sister of an acquaintance. She’s willing to help even though she’s in the middle of tracking down members of The Circle, those she blames for her mother’s death. In many of the books in this series, Gin seems to be running around just racking up a body count, and don’t get me wrong, she does in this book as well, but it’s more as the mystery was ending than throughout. I’ve said it in other reviews of this series, at times, it can get a little gory, and this book is no exception, but I mostly can get past that.

I was delighted with the slight changes that happened in Snared. I also am excited about the advancement of the overarching plot. Snared is action-packed, but fair warning, there may be some trigger moments dealing with kidnapping, torture, and a serial killer. If you’ve not read this series and you’re looking for a good urban fantasy (with a touch of romance, but not much), I’d really suggest starting at the beginning of Gin’s story with Spider’s Bite and enjoy the ride.

This is one of our most popular series so popular that patrons never return it. Its actioned packed and always leaves you wanting more

5 Stars!
Another top-notch, engaging read by the very talented Jennifer Estep. I'm infatuated by this world and these characters and always look forward to the next installment. Keep them coming!

I got really tired of the phrase repetition and cannot finish this series. I love the concept, but this feels like it needs some serious editing for flow.

Gin's search for information about the Circle heats up in Snared. A very interesting part of the book includes the little droplets of information that are revealed regarding Gin's mom, Eira Snow. Her connections to those in the Circle are starting to become known to Gin and they aren't exactly on the side of good. Especially troubling is the connection between Eira and Hugh Tucker. One of the most violent participants in the Circle, it's hard to fathom Eira having anything to do with him or his lifestyle.

As the information gathering continues, Gin gets involved in the case of a missing woman. She's the sister of an acquaintance and Gin feels compelled to help. As she begins to unravel the mystery of the missing woman, she learns that other young women of similar description have been going missing and found dead. She doesn't hold out hope that the young woman she's trying to locate is still alive, but she needs to stop the chain of murders. Little does Gin know that this search will take her right into the middle of Circle business and she may not live to take them down.

Snared is another fantastic installment of the Elemental Assassin series. There is a lot of action and suspense in Snared. The twists and turns come out of nowhere and there are many surprise moments. My heart was pounding and I was on the edge of my seat through a good portion of the book. I found myself totally engrossed in the novel and read it pretty quickly.

There is just something about this series that keeps me coming back. The entire series has pulled me in and kept me engaged from the very beginning. These are the types of books that have me longing for the next one. They are written with vivid descriptions and genuine feelings, allowing the reader to become totally immersed in this world. The world building continues and we learn a bit more about Gin's mother.Even after 16 novels in this series, Jennifer Estep knows how to keep the stories engaging and interesting. I'm a huge fan of the entire series.

This was an interesting change from the standard Elemental Assassin books.

Gin's still looking for answers about the Circle. There's not much forward progression on that overall story arc, just a little more flashes of the past and Gin's mom.

This story involves Gin and the scoobies hunting for a serial killer. Definitely a nice break from the same old same old. Looking forward to where the series continues.

*Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Thank you for this book. I did not realize that it was part of a series that I have not read. I started reading it, but quickly realized that there is a lot of background that I do not know that is rather necessary. I didn't finish the book and won't post a review.I will see if the library has the series. Thank you.

Always a fan of this series, this latest one looks to be setting up the next arc - identifying the Circle and bringing it down to its knees. All along, the end goal for Gin has been to destroy Mab who killer her mother. But what if, Mab was only the tool and the order was by someone else? In the past couple of books, these are the hints dropped by Ms. Estep. In this one, it is more or less confirmed. But how to find this shadowy organization that no one knows?

Gin seems lost in this book. She still has not exactly come into her own as the Queen of the underworld. She is an assassin who works best behind the scenes. With everyone knowing who she is, she hasn't adjusted. It will be interesting to see how she adjusts to this role because about three books into it, she still hasn't figured it out and is terrible at it.

I'm mixed about Gin as a character. She is lovable and deadly. She's loyal and a kick ass. There is not much she wouldn't do for those she loves. She is also ruthless when she needs to put down a problem. She's the quintessential troubleshooter. When you want the SWAT team to come in and help save you, she's the one you call. But from a strategic leadership perspective? She is terrible. She doesn't think strategically nor is she skilled at being a leader perspective. People will follow her, but she isn't a criminal mastermind. This is where I feel Gin's character has lost its way and I'm not sure how Ms. Estep is going to pull this one out of the whole. She is no Captain Picard. She is better as his Number One. This is why Gin is struggling in every book and getting her ass handed to her. She is blundering around like a bull in a China shop. It's hard to watch her do it.

Now this may be the purpose of the book to show Gin in this manner. I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying, it's hard to watch a shining star be placed in a role which they can not succeed due to lack of skill sets matching. Hopefully in the next book, we'll see less of Gin bumbling and more of Gin getting into the groove. Either she needs to accept she's the Queen of the underworld and behave accordingly or she needs to hand it off.

I have made no secret that I love this series and recommend it to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy as much as I do. But I am constantly amazed at how Ms. Estep keeps coming up with the sick and twisted characters she does. Probably says something about me that I love it so much lol. But the main bad guy in this one is truly one sick twisted freak.

We also have the whole gang back in this one. I love that about her books. Even though most are not blood kin they are kin that were chosen and that type of family is usually the best to have. We also find out more about Gin's mama and see snippets of her past. And as in real life we learn in this book that most folks aren't truly good or evil they sort of walk the grey line. Makes for more interesting lives and books.

On one hand I am hoping that we find out about the circle soon and that Gin kills them all but on the other I hope that doesn't mean the end of this series. Either way I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. I give this book 5 stars and I was given it in exchange for consideration of a review which in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

Gin Blanco always keeps me on the edge of my seat and this book was no exception. The stories are never dull and I always am surprised by the endings and Ms. Estep's imaginative world building. This one, however, had a new feeling.

Remember the conspiracy theories that go around saying that there's a group of uber wealthy people who control the world? That's what's going on in Gin's world. The Circle supposedly rules everything in Ashland's underworld. Trying to determine who was at the head of this mysterious group was difficult but for Gin, not impossible. Working through the underlings, though, is tiresome.

When she overhears a conversation between two Circle members, Gin finds out about a relationship between her mother Eira Snow and one of Gin's enemies--the vampire assassin Hugh Tucker. Trying to understand how and why that could be true gave her a hell of a problem.

Between attempts on her life and her mission to find the members of the Circle, Gin's searching for a missing girl who might be the key to finding a serial killer who's shopping for victims on the streets of Ashville. Like everything else in her life, however, searching for this killer brought her to his attention. Can she save the missing girl without becoming the next victim?

Taut suspense, clever world-building, and tight relationships create another successful episode in this delightful series. Stay tuned for the next because I'm dying to find out who the Circle's leader is, aren't you? Thanks, Jennifer Estep!

Loved this book! Gin's story just gets more intriguing with each book.

This is one of my most favorite on-going Urban Fantasies at book number 16. The excitement is always there when I hear that
there is another one due for release and I nearly always devour it in one sitting. I think I'm especially fond of the later books as they have a lot more backstory in them. This occurs through Gin's flashbacks. This is a series that must be read in order to appreciate the subtle changes in Gin. The growth that she has made from a vicious assassin to a more caring sister and lover (though still an assassin) has been fun to watch. It's rather like peeling back the layers on an onion. I do wish that there was a bit more involvement with Owen in the story-line rather than just a helping hand in Gin's latest escapade. I know that the books where Finn was more of a major character than a secondary one were much more interesting. If you've not read any of this series and love action packed Urban Fantasy, you are really missing the ride of a life time. As a lover of series binge reading or TV watching, I almost wish I had this series in front of me to indulge in.

In Snared, book sixteen of the Elemental Assassin series, fearsome elemental assassin and Ashland’s underworld queen Gin Blanco’s hunt for information on the the shadowy group of criminal elites responsible for the death of her mother gets derailed by a sister’s desperate plea to find her missing sibling. Never one to do anything halfway, Gin throws all her resources, including her mixed group of talented and connected friends and family members, into searching for any trace of the missing young woman. Each piece of uncovered evidence brings them closer and closer to a sinister and disturbing realization – real evil exists in Ashland and there’s a body count to prove it.

Similar to other books in the series, Gin once again seems to have forgotten a lot of things from her past, including important people and events, only for the memories to surface at opportune times in the plot when she sleeps (or slips into unconsciousness) in the midst of stressful situations. This happens on three separate occasions in this book alone – although, to be fair, it’s the same event being remembered, just a little bit more being recalled each time. At this point I think maybe Gin could benefit from a brain scan – or maybe a visit to a hypnotherapist. She’s just missing too many chunks of time here; this can’t be normal?

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I loved the Criminal Minds vibe with the pursuit of a vicious serial killer, desperately piecing together clues, and racing against the clock to save the latest victim. On the other hand, the plot felt a little predictable and the clues were a little too heavy handed and obvious. But then again, even though I pretty much had it figured out from early on, Estep is such a talented writer that I enjoyed the investigation, takedown, and detailed descriptions of Gin “nobody’s-victim” Blanco being a BAMF.

Overall, Snared wasn’t my favorite book of the Elemental Assassin series so far, but I still really liked it. From the tone of this book, the author seems to be heading in a darker direction and Gin’s focus, always intense, is starting to border on obsession. I’m curious to see where Estep is going with this new Circle storyline and continue to have faith in her ability to spin an intricate web of new villains and interesting plotlines.

Book 16 in the Elemental Assassin series gets underway with Gin beginning her revenge against the Circle. However, with a friend in need, the story quickly turns to a race against time as we search for a missing girl. The search gets personal when a victim is found with Gin’s rune marked on her hands.

We are used to blood and violence in this series, but a sick serial killer is new. It was interesting to see how everyone reacts different to a serial versus all the other killing normally done in Ashland. Of course, the things we know the killer does to the victims does add quite a bit of creep factor.

I had the killer figured out pretty early so I was a little frustrated with Gin when she was off. The adrenaline that this series causes in me, and especially the time crunch we were under to save this girl had me yelling at Gin to “THINK”.

I had issues with Gin’s dreams in Snared. I’m not sure if it is my memory of the dreams from previous books that caused it or not. It felt like the dreams are conflicting with each other. Things that happened in previous dreams not matching up with the dreams in Snared. I was really surprised by what the dreams revealed about Tucker in this book. There seems to be a lot to Tucker’s character that makes you look at him a certain way. I don’t know what to think of him now. He’s manipulative and scary, but there is more. But is that more enough to keep him from killing Gin? It’s so hard to say. I’m very conflicted about him.

As I have grown to expect with every Elemental Assassin book, I was completely taken in by the adrenaline rush we are given. Snared is fast paced and we fly from conflict to conflict just biting our nails to see who will be killed next and if Gin is going to survive this time. I always know in the back of my brain that she will survive, but man, when she is in the midst of the fight, the author always seems to bring Gin to that spot of “will she or won’t she” survive. In the moment of reading, you are sucked in and even knowing she’ll survive, you can’t help but fight the anxiety. It always has me flipping pages at record speed trying to keep up with the action.

The Circle will continue to be our overall arc as we didn’t get too much more to go on in Snared. After Tucker’s warning, Gin is reminded that she not only is planning her search and destroy of the Circle members, but she has a responsibility to her loved ones too. I’m excited to see what her next steps are going to be and who the next baddie up for battle is.

I really do love this series. This is the 16th book in this series and I'm still enjoying it. I didn't start with book one but more in the middle of the series and then went back to read and catch up and have not been disappointed yet. Gin is back and trying to figure out exactly what the Circle is. A friend comes in with a missing sister and asks Gin to help. As she searches, with very little actual hope of recovering the girl, Gin finds darker and more sinister things than she anticipated.
I loved being back with Gin, Bri, Owen, Fin and all the others. This book went faster for me than the previous ones but I think that was because I was so into it. I read it in one sitting and completely enjoyed it. The overlapping stories and the memories always intrigue me because I like seeing the flashes of memories and how they give her information for the current case. I really feel like I'm invested in these characters and hope they win in the end!
4/5. I will read this series to the end just because of the wonderful characters.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Another great installment in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. I’ve got to say, I’m digging the new series arc.

Assassin Gin Blanco has come a long way over the past 16 books. She’s no longer just a killer for hire. She’s become the head of Ashland’s Underworld. Or at least the figurehead. We now know there’s a super-secret group known only as The Circle and they’re pulling all the strings, including the one that called for the deaths of Gin’s mother and sister many years ago. Let’s just say Gin is very motivated to bring them down.

Here, we see the strengthening of a friendship between Gin and small-time underworld player Jade. The thing is, Jade’s sister has gone missing and Jade turns to Gin to help track her down. The investigation uncovers a serial killer and Gin’s got to race against the clock to find the missing girl before the killer turns her into his latest victim.

You pretty much know from the beginning that there’s a tie between the Circle and the missing girl situation, but I did appreciate that it all wasn’t quite as obvious as it first seemed. Gin is her regular loyal, snarky, bad-ass self and I love her now as much as ever. I love her relationship with Owen. (And I have decided that his fall from grace several books back didn’t actually happen. At least in my mind.)

I’m very intrigued by Hugh. There’s more to this villain and I’m kind of rooting for him and Gin to get on the same team. And I’m more convinced than ever that Gin’s dad is the big bad. If it’s not him, I will fall down on the floor dead.

This is a fun, action packed series that stands-up from story to story. It’s got a couple of repetitive things (OK… specifically one) that can get under my skin, but otherwise, I really enjoy it. And I really think the circle arc is giving it a new cohesiveness that it’s lacked a little since Mab’s death. I’m already looking forward to book 17! Keep ‘em coming.

Rating: B/B+

It is getting harder and harder for me to review the books in this series as the numbers go up.

It seems as though I have already said everything I could possibly say about the characters, but I can add that they all continue to surprise me with their depth and growth. Gin is actually the fictional character I always state I would want as a friend in real life when the question is asked.

The storyline in SNARED was just as great as it's predecessors with plenty of action, drama, unique twists and many turns. Just when I think there couldn't possibly be anywhere else for the series to go, Jennifer Estep proves me wrong and I'm extremely grateful for that because I love this series and don't want it to end.

There are so many milestones I want to see Gin hit. I won't list them all, but I so want to see marriage—and of course babies—in her future. Pipe dream? Hopefully not and hopefully not for a while as once those both happen I assume the series will end. For now, I'm looking forward to book 17—ahh 17 books!!

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I can honestly say that I have never 'met' an Elemental Assassin book that I didn't like and Snared was most definitely no exception. If you've read any of my other reviews in this series, you're probably getting tired of hearing some of the same things over again. Trust me, it's not because the books are all the same, not by a long shot. It's because they all have the same elements that I love and that consistency - knowing that what's always drawn me into Gin's world is going to be there - keeps me coming back.

Things started heating up for Gin and company in Snared because she was getting close to identifying members of the Circle. She knew who a few of the key members were, which was helpful, but she really wanted to get to the top of the organization. When she's asked to help find a mob boss's missing sister, she has to change her priorities, but only for a little while.

I have to admit, I figured out who the bad guy was before Gin, but that didn't lesson the mystery. There was a lot more going on behind the scenes and one character in particular that I really want to figure out. So does Gin...

As usual, one of my favorite aspects of the Elemental Assassin books is the sense of family. It seems like that family just keeps growing and new 'members' find their way into this tight knit group in some unexpected ways. There's definitely more to come in the series and I can't wait to see what happens next because I have a feeling things are about to get even more interesting in Ashland. ;)

Review goes live on Butterfly-o-Meter Books on May 5 2017 at 00.00 am GMT+2 and will show up on Goodreads sometime later.

In a Flutter: Exciting and full of action!
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: The Ashland world is as full as ever of paranormal and fantastic elements – elementals, magic, vampires, dwarfs, and giants – and fascinating, like its power circles (and Circles xD).
Characters: Gin was her usual active, fun, independent, kickass self, strong, and determined, possessing a sense of justice that I for one loved. She did her best to make sense of the world around her, in a no-nonsense kind of way that I find charming.
Plot: I love the ongoing romance between Gin and Owen. The mystery of the Dollmaker wasa really cool tangent, and it entwined with Gin’s ongoing investigation into the Circle and her mother’s death&those guilty of it. I liked the tempo, it felt like a sort of UF thriller, serial killer and all – a lot of fun!
Writing: The 1st person, past tense narrative from Gin’s POV was a entertaining as usual.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – impulsive buy material for my UF craving.

I recommend Snared to anyone into complex UF worlds with interesting circles of power and social power dynamics, to fans of assassin stories, and to fans of serial killer mysteries, and to fans of ongoing UF romance. Basically, there’s something for everybody! xD