Book: By a Thread
Author: Jennifer Estep
Article Type: Audiobook Review
Author
Goodreads / Library Thing
About the book: When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.
Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun.
But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First Thought When Finished: Entirely too much repetition early in the story was distracting but the story itself (once past the repetition) was really strong!
Story Thoughts:
“You’re mine,” “Not his. Mine. Only mine. Always mine.”― Jennifer Estep Owen to Gin, By a Thread
By a Thread was all about relationships and tying up loose ends. For long time fans of the series, I feel like this is our payoff book. We get to see Gin getting right with the people in her life. I LOVED this part of the story and really felt like Gin (and us readers) deserved this story. I marked down the story part because the first 3 chapters felt like a book review of the story up to this point. Each book seems to add more repetition and character introduction. I just feel that it was entirely to distracting. If you are a new to the series though, I am guessing you can pick it up with this book and not miss a thing because it is told to you.
Character Thoughts: I love the characters in this series. They are strong, dependable, fun, and won’t let you down. I could wax on for hours about them but I have done that in the past. Another remarkable entry where characters are concerned and most of my favorites made an appearance.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Lauren Fortgang at a running time of 11 hrs and 1 min
Lauren did excellent again. I love this series in audio format. Her voice for Gin is perfect both in pacing and attitude. I highly suggest this series in audio. Her male voices are also pretty good, especially Finn. She is dead on with him.
Final Thought: I am about to start Widow’s Web and I am hoping for a little less repetition in the beginning!
Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup) and Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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Tanya
Twitter: ReadingAddicted
I loved that quote by Owen, but like someone above me said, he has been caught being an ASS! I hope he redeems himself!
Felicia
That was me 🙂 I have already read Widow’s Web and yep he is an ASS in that book. It will take a lot for me to love him again if she chooses to redeem him.
Mariana
I liked this book because of the relationship part and how it changed Bria and Gin. Plus Owen is his awesome self again.
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I loved the changes between Bria and Gin. I think it was a long time coming and just seemed to be needed for the series to go forward. Owen–you know he was simply awesome in this book. GRR GRR on the next book LOl
Jennifer
Twitter: TheBookNympho
I love this series and the narration is awesome. I agree that some of the books can have too much retelling of the back story but I think that’s because I’ve listened to them back to back. Someone that has not read a book in a while might need it.
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I think I notice more when I back to back them. That is more on me than her though in this one the first two chapters were a little worse than normal. However, Widow’s Web it was more integrated and very cool!
aurian
Twitter: xAurianx
I agree, there is a lot of repetition in those books, but I still enjoy them very much. I have some catching up to do!
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I love Gin! I am now officially caught up as I finished Widow’s Web yesterday. 🙂
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Twitter: mellhay
I’ve heard there is a lot of repetition in the books. I’ve gotten through the first and need to get back to the series. Maybe take a break between the books? So the repetition doesn’t get to you?
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I would say take a small break between the books just because of that. She really did it much better in the next book (which I just finished) so hopefully that is how it goes from that point on 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
Hmm I think I have like book one of the series..LOL Awesome review and I do like that you get all the loose threads wrapped up! I notice you are reading Grave Intentions….are you liking it?
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I just finished Grave Intentions and I thought it was super cute. I am hoping it is a series 🙂 only because I really like series LOL
blodeuedd
Repetition sucks. Same thing when I watched tv, I hate the previously on
Felicia S. (
Yep! The next book though it was much better 🙂 I actually could barely tell that she was filling in the backstory.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Twitter: BooksThings
She has taken the criticism of repetition and is trying to balance it.
I enjoyed this one because of Donovan getting his just desserts. And OWEN! Couldn’t you just swoon? Hey, don’t you dare… you have Finn! 😉
Felicia S. (
I finished Widow’s Web last night and she did much better in that one 🙂 I was actually impressed. Oh and with that in mind you can most def have Owen the ASS! Yep that is my new name for him till he gets back in my good graces never mind Gins LOL
Melissa (Books and Things)
Twitter: BooksThings
Okay, true, but in THIS book, he’s swoony. LOL
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
True DAT!
Heidi
Believe it or not, I finally set aside time for this series this summer. I am looking forward to it. I know what you mean about repetition it drives me nuts but I guess it has to be done….
Felicia S. (
When you read them back to back it is a little more noticeable. It does have to be done though 🙂
Mary
Twitter: MaryBrebner
Yeah, I read a bunch of these in a row and had to stop because of all the rehashing. Of course, I picked back up after a break because I do adore this series but that got really annoying!
Felicia S. (
I have got the next one from Edelweiss but I think I am going to wait for the audio. I think that will give me enough time inbetween. I think you are right about the back to back making it more obvious 🙂
Amy
Twitter: bookgoonie
Urgh! I hate too much recap. It should probably say, “if familiar with the back story skip to chapter 4.” I do love the books that sprinkle it in as needed.
Felicia
Twitter: thegeekyblogger
I just finished Widow’s Web (the next one) and the recap was much more sprinkled. It was so much better that way 😉