I quite like the stories of Gin Bianco. They are fairly straightforward adventure/action stories in a world where vampires, dwarfs, giants (okay, I have to say that the giants are not really so gigantesque) and elementals roam the streets among ordinary people in the town of Ashland. The latter being a rather crime infested place. 
 Gin is indeed a bad--s which is one of the things that I like. No messing about, straight to the point which usually means someone is about to die. My only real complaint about Gin is her fear of relying on her powers. Usually she sticks to her trusted knifes which has a tendency to turn rather messy. She is an Elemental Assassin after all so he would really have liked some more elemental fireworks displays. 
 The story in this book is okay. It is a completed story with a decent beginning, middle and end. At the same time it fits within the overall story arc and brings Gin one step further towards her inevitable (I would think) confrontation with Mab. Her newfound sister also have a role in the story of course. I have to say that the rather disorganized and bungled attempt at the river boat was a wee bit laughable though. Not the way of a professional assassin. 
 Some readers have complained about the fact that the author is constantly repeating know facts. I have to agree to this. There is a bit too much repetition. It is like it is assumed that we have not read the previous books. It is not enough to put me off though...yet. 
 Personally I found this book good entertainment. A straightforward and easy read.