Where to Start Reading Elemental Assassin
For the best experience, readers should start their journey with the first full-length novel, Spider's Bite (2010). While there are prequel short stories like Spider's Bargain, beginning with the first novel introduces the corrupt city of Ashland, the magic system, and Gin's complex history with the perfect amount of suspense and world-building. Reading the series in chronological order—integrating the short stories and novellas between the main novels—provides the richest character development and helps fill in the gaps between major plot arcs.
Elemental Assassin Chronological Reading Order
If you want to experience every piece of Gin Blanco's story in the exact sequence the events occur, follow this comprehensive chronological path. This list weaves the short stories, standalone scenes, and novellas directly into the main sequence of the 19 core novels:
- Poison (Short Story, 2010) – A short story told from the perspective of Gin's foster brother, Finnegan Lane.
- Web of Deceit (Short Story, 2010) – A brief scene told from Fletcher Lane's perspective, providing early insight into Gin's mentor.
- Spider's Bargain (Novella #0.5, 2010) – A prequel story set before the events of the first novel, detailing Gin's assassin training and her relationship with Fletcher.
- Spider's Bite (Book 1, 2010) – The official entry point where Gin is double-crossed by a client, setting off a quest for revenge.
- Web of Death (Short Story #1.5, 2010) – A short story set immediately after the events of Spider's Bite.
- Web of Lies (Book 2, 2010) – Gin tries to live a quieter life running the Pork Pit barbecue restaurant, but trouble finds her.
- Wasted (Short Story #2.5, 2010) – A quick tale set between Web of Lies and Venom, from Finn's POV.
- Venom (Book 3, 2010) – Gin's past begins to catch up with her as family secrets emerge.
- Tangled Dreams (Short Story #3.5, 2010) – A short story focusing on the secondary characters Jo-Jo and Sophia Deveraux.
- Tangled Schemes (Short Story #3.6, 2010) – Told from Bria Coolidge's perspective, bridging the gap between Spider's Bite and Tangled Threads.
- Tangled Threads (Book 4, 2011) – Gin struggles to keep a low profile while dealing with new threats in Ashland.
- Spider’s Nemesis (Short Story #4.2, 2011) – A flashback story exploring the history of Mab Monroe, ending during the events of Tangled Threads.
- Haints and Hobwebs (Novella #4.5, 2018) – A ghostly story set after the events of Tangled Threads, originally published in 2012.
- Spider's Revenge (Book 5, 2011) – The climax of the first major story arc where Gin faces her ultimate nemesis, Mab Monroe.
- Thread of Death (Novella #5.5, 2012) – Explores the emotional and political fallout in the aftermath of Spider's Revenge.
- By a Thread (Book 6, 2012) – The start of a new story arc as Gin deals with the power vacuum left in Ashland.
- Widow's Web (Book 7, 2012) – Gin is forced to navigate the high-society side of Ashland's criminal underworld.
- Deadly Sting (Book 8, 2013) – Gin confronts a target who has a surprising connection to her partner, Owen Grayson.
- Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (Novella #8.1, 2013) – A fun side story set at a magical carnival, featuring Gin Blanco.
- Kiss of Venom (Novella #8.5, 2013) – A bridging novella set shortly before the events of the ninth book.
- Heart of Venom (Book 9, 2013) – Gin faces off against a deadly new adversary.
- The Spider (Book 10, 2013) – Gin must defend her title and her life as other assassins target her.
- Poison Promise (Book 11, 2014) – Gin confronts a sinister drug ring distributing a dangerous substance.
- Black Widow (Book 12, 2014) – Gin goes undercover to protect her loved ones.
- Spider's Trap (Book 13, 2015) – The stakes rise as a new syndicate makes a play for control.
- Bitter Bite (Book 14, 2016) – Personal betrayals threaten to tear Gin's inner circle apart.
- Unwanted (Novella #14.5, 2016) – Told from Finnegan Lane's perspective, dealing with the direct aftermath of the shocking events in Bitter Bite.
- Unraveled (Book 15, 2016) – Gin pieces her life back together while facing a deadly new elemental threat.
- Nice Guys Bite (Novella #15.5, 2016) – Told from Silvio Sanchez's perspective as he goes on a date that quickly goes sideways.
- Snared (Book 16, 2017) – Gin deals with the growing threat of the Circle, a shadowy cabal.
- Venom in the Veins (Book 17, 2018) – The war against the Circle intensifies.
- Winter’s Web (Novella #17.5, 2019) – Gin and Owen's trip to a Renaissance Faire turns deadly.
- Sharpest Sting (Book 18, 2019) – Major secrets about the Circle and Gin's family are revealed.
- Last Strand (Book 19, 2021) – The final core novel that concludes the overarching battle against the Circle.
- Heart Stings (Novella #19.5, 2023) – A companion novella focusing on Lorelei Parker, set after Last Strand.
- Spider and Frost (Novella #19.75, 2023) – A special crossover novella featuring Gin Blanco and Gwen Frost from the Mythos Academy series.
Elemental Assassin Publication Order
If you prefer to read the books exactly as they were released to the public, follow the publication order. While the main novels were released consecutively, Jennifer Estep frequently published companion short stories and novellas in anthologies or as digital standalones. Reading in publication order allows you to experience the world growing over time, though some short stories may flash back to earlier points in the timeline.
The Stings and Stones Collection
In 2023, Jennifer Estep published Stings and Stones, a comprehensive collection that compiles ten previously released short stories along with the crossover novella Spider and Frost. This collection is a convenient way for physical book collectors to read the shorter works, as many of them were previously only available as digital singles or in multi-author anthologies like Carniepunk or The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance.
What to Know Before You Start
Ashland is a corrupt Southern metropolis where magic is divided into elements—air, fire, ice, and stone—wielded by elementals alongside giants, dwarves, and vampires. Gin Blanco is unique because she controls both ice and stone, which she uses in combination with her deadly assassin training. The series features a major narrative shift after Book 5, which concludes the primary vengeance arc against Mab Monroe. From Book 6 onward, Gin takes on a leadership role in the underworld, eventually leading to a high-stakes conflict with the secret society known as the Circle.