Reviewed by: Rabid Reads 
 Jennifer Estep definitely has a knack for creating characters; from her phenomenal heroine, to her lovable sidekicks, to her downright devious villains, I can't help but be impressed every time I step into her world. That and I simply can not put her books down! Widow's Web was no different except for the fact that I was mildly scared to turn the pages; not because I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the story but because I feared for Gin and Owen's relationship. That's how involved I am in this series. Their struggles actually take an emotional toll on me. If that's not the definition of a great author then I don't know what is! 
 I find myself oddly fascinated by Estep's antagonists; even if some of them are only present for one book, the amount of detail and thought that goes into them is simply remarkable. On the surface, Salina Dubois appears to be merely an ex-girlfriend trying to rekindle an old flame. However, as the story progresses it becomes obvious that there's so much more to her than meets the eye. By the end I was in awe of her cruelty and cunningness; she definitely gives Gin a run for her money (in more ways than one)! I loved the way that Estep gradually widened this character's scope until the big picture was revealed. Practically every chapter ends on a cliffhanger which had me constantly saying "I'll just read one more..." and you all know how that goes. Now I'm stuck waiting until March for Deadly Sting. Ooh, the pain! 
 There's trouble in paradise between Gin and Owen which honestly, was to be expected. Had their relationship bliss gone on for too many books I would have been disappointed. Yes I love them to death and yes I want them to get their happily ever after but they haven't been tested nearly enough yet for them to have reached that point. This is Urban Fantasy people, there's no such thing as easy! Grayson's attitude was tiresome but understandable; love is blind and this book does a great job of illustrating that. I was impressed with Gin's level of maturity and patience given the situation, in her shoes I would have turned into a jealous, sniveling mess. I think that Owen will eventually come to his senses and I'm more than willing to wait for that day; I just hope that he doesn't take too long because he might end up being too little too late. 
 Finn really proved himself to me in this installment. For the past several books he's been taking on a more active role in the assassin business and he really brought his A-game this time around. His character has morphed into so much more than just the ladies man that he started out as. Gin asked some very difficult things of him in Widow's Web and he never hesitated. Not once. Like Blanco, he does what needs to be done regardless of who it pisses off and I love him for it. Especially now after everything that went down between Gin and Owen; it helps to lessen the blow knowing that Finn has her back. 
 I skipped over my usual go-to review criteria like the plot, pacing and writing because the awesomeness of these elements are a given seeing how this is an Elemental Assassin book but rest assured, they're just as good this seventh time around. Be prepared to be put through the emotional ringer with Widow's Web but take heart, Jennifer Estep will make it up to us. I have faith.