(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.
There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

*2.5 stars*

While this wasn't as bad as the previous book, it certainly didn't reach any heights for me. There were a number of reasons for that but, I need to say from the start that there was still plenty of Gin and the gang in this book. I still enjoyed revisiting most of these characters...

Where did it go wrong? A few things: Owen was probably the worst "love interest" I have ever come across. He had done immeasurable harm to Gin over a number of books - and they carried on like nothing had happened. Does that really strike me a likely trait of Gin? Does that marry against the personality we have watched grow over the last ten books? Heck, no!!! I found that irritating beyond belief.
Bria was certainly weird in this book. Not sure about the multiple character changes in this book - one minute she is fine with Gin being an assassin, the next she is whining about it, acting disgusted and betrayed. Then even has the temerity to tell Gin to let the case go...I didn't get that at all.
Finally, this book (and series) seems to have people seeing "romance" - but for the life of me, I don't see it. As I read somewhere, Gin and Owen could be brother and sister (if they didn't have sex, of course) - no chemistry, no spark, no sense that this is a relationship beyond good friends.

There are better books in the series...but at least this is better than the previous one...


Paul
ARH