
Sharpest Sting
Elemental Assassin, Book 18
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Lauren Fortgang
-
By:
-
Jennifer Estep
About this listen
The truth won’t set me free - but it will probably get me killed....
As Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, I’m used to having a target on my back. But ever since I started investigating the secret society known as the Circle, that target seems bigger than ever.
Still, I’m trying to relax and enjoy the events leading up to my friends’ wedding when I learn that an old enemy has returned to Ashland. And that’s the just beginning of my latest nightmare. Soon, I have Circle goons watching my every move, but I have no choice but to continue searching for a key piece of evidence against the evil group.
The deeper I dig, the more horrifying secrets I uncover, and the more dangerous things become for me and my friends. Just when I think I finally have a handle on things, a shocking revelation shatters my heart and leaves me with an ugly realization - that betrayal is the sharpest sting of all....
©2019 Jennifer Estep (P)2020 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Spider's Bite
- Elemental Assassin, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
-
-
Only because...
- By Alex on 06-06-11
By: Jennifer Estep
-
A Sense of Danger
- Section 47, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Helen Laser, Grant Cartwright
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m an analyst for Section 47, a secret government agency that tracks terrorists, criminals, and other paramortal bad guys who want to unleash their abilities on an unsuspecting mortal world. I have a magical form of synesthesia that senses danger and uncovers lies - making me a stealthy operative. I’m trudging through another day when one of Section’s cleaners - assassins - takes an interest in me. I don’t need my synesthesia to realize that he is extremely dangerous.
-
-
meh
- By CLL on 01-17-21
By: Jennifer Estep
-
Only Bad Options
- Galactic Bonds, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research-and-development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me. I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.
-
-
Interesting, but enough to continue the series?
- By G. Fitz on 02-01-23
By: Jennifer Estep
-
Cold Burn of Magic
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America". Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power. I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
-
-
A lot of similarities to Elemental Assassin
- By DarthVal on 12-14-15
By: Jennifer Estep
-
WeSa and the Lumber King
- A Jane Yellowrock Story
- By: Faith Hunter
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beast, with Jane Yellowrock in the background of her mind, observes the lumber camp of white men who are destroying her hunting grounds. She decides to take revenge on the leader of the lumberjacks.
-
-
Not important to the over all series
- By CRAZY4PEANUTBUTTER on 05-26-15
By: Faith Hunter
-
Magical Midlife Madness
- Leveling Up
- By: K.F. Breene
- Narrated by: Nicole Poole
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Happily Ever After" wasn't supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of 20 years packs up and heads for greener pastures, and my son heads away to college, that's exactly what my midlife becomes. A do-over. This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at 40 I'm ready to carve my own path. Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills.
-
-
NOoOOooo! It's Over
- By Taryn Sikes on 02-29-20
By: K.F. Breene
-
Spider's Bite
- Elemental Assassin, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
-
-
Only because...
- By Alex on 06-06-11
By: Jennifer Estep
-
A Sense of Danger
- Section 47, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Helen Laser, Grant Cartwright
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My name is Charlotte Locke, and I’m an analyst for Section 47, a secret government agency that tracks terrorists, criminals, and other paramortal bad guys who want to unleash their abilities on an unsuspecting mortal world. I have a magical form of synesthesia that senses danger and uncovers lies - making me a stealthy operative. I’m trudging through another day when one of Section’s cleaners - assassins - takes an interest in me. I don’t need my synesthesia to realize that he is extremely dangerous.
-
-
meh
- By CLL on 01-17-21
By: Jennifer Estep
-
Only Bad Options
- Galactic Bonds, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research-and-development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me. I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.
-
-
Interesting, but enough to continue the series?
- By G. Fitz on 02-01-23
By: Jennifer Estep
-
Cold Burn of Magic
- By: Jennifer Estep
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America". Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power. I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
-
-
A lot of similarities to Elemental Assassin
- By DarthVal on 12-14-15
By: Jennifer Estep
-
WeSa and the Lumber King
- A Jane Yellowrock Story
- By: Faith Hunter
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beast, with Jane Yellowrock in the background of her mind, observes the lumber camp of white men who are destroying her hunting grounds. She decides to take revenge on the leader of the lumberjacks.
-
-
Not important to the over all series
- By CRAZY4PEANUTBUTTER on 05-26-15
By: Faith Hunter
-
Magical Midlife Madness
- Leveling Up
- By: K.F. Breene
- Narrated by: Nicole Poole
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Happily Ever After" wasn't supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of 20 years packs up and heads for greener pastures, and my son heads away to college, that's exactly what my midlife becomes. A do-over. This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at 40 I'm ready to carve my own path. Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills.
-
-
NOoOOooo! It's Over
- By Taryn Sikes on 02-29-20
By: K.F. Breene
-
Wild Hunger
- Heirs of Chicagoland Series, Book 1
- By: Chloe Neill
- Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman
- Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill's spinoff to the New York Times best-selling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run. As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king.
-
-
Rated PG 13 for violence; no intimacy!
- By V from Kansas on 03-05-19
By: Chloe Neill
-
Magic Tides & Magic Claims
- Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
- By: Ilona Andrews
- Narrated by: Hillary Huber, Michael Glenn
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ilona Andrews, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series, invites you to a fresh start for Kate, Curran and Conlan, in a long novella and a short novel. The places and faces may be different, but they’ve brought some familiar friends and all the special brand of chaos they create!
-
-
great story; terrible narration
- By Romi Hill on 07-14-23
By: Ilona Andrews
-
Robert
- A Forty Proof Novella
- By: Shannon Mayer
- Narrated by: Jake Bordeaux
- Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1876, we were called to Savannah, Georgia to help with an infestation of demons. If we'd known what we, my wife Evangeline, and I, were walking into, we'd have run the other way. As it was, we shared tea with a vampire and stepped into a battle we did not understand until it was too late.
-
-
Great novella to compliment the series
- By Ros B on 04-19-25
By: Shannon Mayer
-
Clean Sweep
- By: Ilona Andrews
- Narrated by: Renee Raudman
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast.
-
-
Story was good, narrator did not fit.
- By Letitia on 11-18-15
By: Ilona Andrews
-
Dead Witch Walking
- Hollows, Book 1
- By: Kim Harrison
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party...and to feed. Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining - and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized. A bounty hunter and a witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead...or undead.
-
-
Good story but main character is annoying
- By Cory Bickett on 07-02-20
By: Kim Harrison
-
Rosemary and Rue
- An October Daye Novel, Book 1
- By: Seanan McGuire
- Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The world of Faerie never disappeared: it merely went into hiding, continuing to exist parallel to our own. Secrecy is the key to Faerie’s survival—but no secret can be kept forever, and when the fae and mortal worlds collide, changelings are born. Half-human, half-fae, outsiders from birth, these second-class children of Faerie spend their lives fighting for the respect of their immortal relations.
-
-
Missed Matched Pair
- By G Reinhardt on 11-26-11
By: Seanan McGuire
-
Oath Sworn
- Jacky Leon, Book 1
- By: K.N. Banet
- Narrated by: Savannah Gilmore
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fact that she’s a werecat is just something she’s had to live with Alone in her territory, she’s lived a secretive life for six years: under the radar, avoiding her past and the baggage that comes with it. Trouble finds Jacky, though, in the form of an 11-year-old girl and a werewolf turf war just outside her borders. Forced to honor an ancient treaty and the Laws of the supernatural world, Jacky swears an oath to protect Carey Everson, the human daughter of a local werewolf Alpha from Dallas.
-
-
Jacky Leon is up there with Mercy Thompson
- By E on 05-15-20
By: K.N. Banet
-
Blood of the Earth
- Soulwood, Book 1
- By: Faith Hunter
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her. Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell's doorstep.
-
-
Faith Hunter hits it out of the Park!
- By Teri on 08-03-16
By: Faith Hunter
-
Dark and Stormy Knights
- By: Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Shannon K Butcher, and others
- Narrated by: Renee Raudman, Joe Barrett, Marc Vietor, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders embarked upon a most perilous quest. They're the ultimate defenders of humanity, modern day knights who do dark deeds for all the right reasons. In this all-star collection, nine of today's hottest paranormal authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of supernatural knights that are brimming with magic mystery and mayhem.
-
-
Bought this for Dresden, loved the rest!
- By Moon River on 06-27-12
By: Ilona Andrews, and others
-
Burn for Me
- A Hidden Legacy, Book 1
- By: Ilona Andrews
- Narrated by: Renee Raudman
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career - a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile situation. Nevada isn't sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire. Then she's kidnapped by Connor "Mad" Rogan - a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers.
-
-
"Don't judge a book by it's cover" - TRUE!!!
- By Lilian on 03-23-16
By: Ilona Andrews
-
The Vow
- Black Arrowhead Series, Book 1
- By: Dannika Dark
- Narrated by: Nicole Poole
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Melody is an ambitious entrepreneur who has always loved the thrill of a new adventure, but she's about to get more than she bargained for when the only way to save her business is to secure a deal with a powerful tribal leader. Running Horse, Oklahoma, isn't on the map, and Mel is about as lost as a Shifter can get. When she unexpectedly runs into her best friend's brother, her friendly visit quickly turns treacherous.
-
-
Lakota and Melody
- By Terika on 12-07-20
By: Dannika Dark
-
Reckoning
- By: Jeaniene Frost
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 1 hr and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In New Orleans, a pair of undead serial killers is about to turn Mardi Gras into a horror show - unless the immortal hitman Bones can hunt them down first. From Jeaniene Frost comes a thrilling novella featuring characters from her New York Times bestselling Night Huntress series. Originally appeared in the anthology Unbound.
-
-
Urgh this was a frustrating read.
- By Leah on 07-03-14
By: Jeaniene Frost
What listeners say about Sharpest Sting
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer2
- 03-27-20
As always great story
In this action packed story more secrets are revealed. Gin learns the shocking identity of the head of the Circle and the reason for her parent’s deaths. All of Gin’s family and friends lives are threatened if she doesn’t complete the Circle’s leader request. Some enemies appear to be helping her, but why. Some friends appear to betray her. Must read!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 07-14-22
how have I read this and the next ?
I seam to remember this book and the next don't know how but they're both good
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Red-Haired Ash
- 08-06-24
Gin is getting closer to taking down the Circle
Well this book was nonstop suspense and action. I couldn’t put it down. Gin has been taking down the Circle for a few books now but the truth about the leader really shocks her to the core. This book was filled with more shocking revelations about her family and Fletcher. It was just a very emotional one for Gin and the gang because they are questioning everything they thought they knew about a family member.
We also finally get to see Mason in this one and how ruthless he can be. I never expected him to make the first move or to be so bold about it. His power is daunting and I am excited to see how Gin deals with taking him down. There is also some new information about Hugh Tucker which will be interesting to see how it plays out.
This one also shows how much of a mad genius Fletcher was when it came to hiding clues apparently. That man really was smart and strategic when it came to planning ahead and we are finally starting to see that Gin can also be strategic like he was. Overall, this was a wonderful addition to this series and I can’t wait to see what Gin will do next.
Also, I love all the flirting between Liam and Silvio in this one. I really hope they get their own novella.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ezinwanyi
- 07-29-20
Gin versus her Uncle & the Circle
Gin and the gang are finally getting some answers as to The Circle. All roads point to Gin and Bria’s family being prominent members of this infamous group that has been running the Ashland underground from the shadows.
Now Uncle Mason has decided to put Gin to work getting him some answers to something stolen from him.
Gin doesn’t want to work for her Uncle but she has finally run into an elemental stronger than her. So the Spider has to use every resource and friend available to keep alive in this family duel.
We got some answers as to Gin’s father’s death. We also learned more about The Circle. This book was clearly a set up for a bigger showdown but it definitely got my attention. Uncle Mason seems to be the real deal, as bad as Mab Monroe. I look forward to finding out what he’s really after.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Shay
- 06-26-20
Epic
I've loved this series from the beginning. This is the 1st one out of this series that I've listened to on audio though. It DIDN'T disappoint! 💜💙
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Darci
- 06-04-21
Love them all.
I absolutely love this series. I am so excited about the next book coming out. I am now getting ready to listen to other books from this author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 06-27-20
Frustrated
Is Gin really this unimaginative? Is her ice and stone that pitiful? I know a good story needs suspense, drama and the like but Gin who is supposed to be powerful, runs out of it very quickly while her enemies seem to have an endless supply. Her enemies and friends actually think up ways to use their magic yet here is Gin 17/18 stories in, yet she still flounders using her power. Then there is the fact her enemies bring guns to the fight yet she only brings knives? What freaking assassin would leave themselves that vulnerable. I’m to the point of giving up on Gin ever growing and evolving. Plus I swear she has to be the clumsiest assassin I’ve ever read about. She calls it unlucky but I call it not paying attention. She makes such rookie mistakes for being this badass assassin. I’m not even sure how she’s managed to stay alive this long. Please for the love of my sanity and to continue reading the series let Gin show a little ingenuity and imagination. Stop repeating things every durn book that we have memorized by now because you put the same thing into every single book over and over again. I’ve loved your Gin stories and have managed to get past the annoying things mentioned above and want the series to continue but pretty, pretty please show some character growth.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nighteyes
- 09-09-21
this should have been another 3 hour novel
the book progresses the overall plot, but there is so much drawn out slow pace irrelevance.
I'd have loved the story if it had been a novel , but this just feels like a cashgrab by a author seeing the end of a successful series coming to an end trying to keep it off till a new idea strikes for a next series
Lauren does her same great job nothing much to say there :)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- 🔥 Phx17 🔥
- 10-07-22
Frustrating and flawed
Nothing happens in this book except for a long, unrealistic set up for a showdown in the next book. There’s one battle at the very end, but that was too little, too late to distract me from all the nonsense plots in The Circle story arc.
How exactly does a secret circle rule a criminal underworld that knows nothing about the circle?
What exactly does Gin do as Queen of the Underworld? (Nothing, per the last few books)
Why did Fletcher (a) keep a tons of secrets and (b) hide those secrets in a ton of random hiding spots?
Why is assassin and mob boss Gin so judgmental of her fellow criminals, as if only she gets to be
a “good” criminal, or as if she can’t comprehend how being a part of the underworld means having to act in shades of grey?
My biggest frustration: Why is Gin a complete doormat in this book?
Gin knows the identity of the Big Bad and makes zero plans to snipe, poison, or otherwise take him out.
Gin let’s herself be pushed around and wallows in pity about being betrayed (by something that’s
not actually a betrayal). She and her friends just go on with their lives and let the fight come to them.
And the one plan is a stupid one that makes no sense, except to allow the showdown to get dragged out to the next book.
The only part I enjoyed was Sylvio’s romance and the “who’s side is he on?” Tucker plot line.
This 11 hour book should have been a novella.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ZeraGirl
- 07-03-20
revelations
Well, we finally got some answers in this episode. I rated this one lower than I normally do because I disliked the way Gin was portrayed. Gin is "The Spider", kick-ass assassin, not a weakling, cowering and afraid. There were lots of revelations in this book, questions finally answered. Overall it was good with lots of action and a few surprise twist. Looking forward to the next book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful