Mercy Blade - Jane Yellowrock Bk #3 - Faith Hunter

     After an all too brief vacation for Jane/Beast with Rick, they are all called back to New Orleans because the weres of the world have come out of the supernatural closet.  With this development the vampire Master of the City, Leo, needs Jane to run an errand for him.  Leo needs Jane to go out to a bar in the boonies to tell a certain someone that he's Persona non Grata in New Orleans.  
     When she gets there she finds nothing but werewolves so, certainly the message must pertain to the alpha of the group.  Jane's luck holds true and he's not interested in hearing any message, just in killing the messenger.  Not even Beast in all of her bravado is speaking up in Jane's mind that she can take all of the werewolves since by quick count it's 12-20 weres to one. The door to the bar locks and Jane/Beast must fight their way out knowing that their death is sure to come, but just as a werewolf is coming for her throat a man with swords resembling Zorro comes out of nowhere to save her.  One of the hardest fights Jane/Beast has ever been in ensues and only through the stranger's help do they prevail.
     Having passed out at the end of the struggle she wakes up in the arms of the stranger who saved her.  He explains that his name is Girrard and that he was once Leo's misericorde, also know as a Mercy Blade, a sacred position charged with killing the offspring of vampires who have gone insane.  However, Jane doesn't know the real reason he's now returned after all these years, but she's sure that this is the man that Leo's message was meant for.  The man who just saved her life.
     Mercy Blade is a Jane Yellowrock novel of multiple plots that all intertwine into one.  I'd like to say amazingly so, and it would be for any other writer, but Ms. Hunter is a favourite of mine so, actually just sit back and enjoy the roller-coaster ride.  Character development seems to be key in Mercy Blade.  Not only for Jane/Beast, but for Bruiser, Girrard, Leo and Evangelina.  Yes, there are still your old favourite aspects from Skinwalker and Blood Cross here (with the exception of one for me) it's just like getting to know old friends even better.
     What's the one, you ask?  Well, the aspect that first drew me in with Skinwalker being one shapechanger book out of 40 that came out that year was how it was written.  Two souls in one body.  Beast and Jane.  When one was Alpha, the other was beta.  That meant that when one drove the bus the other had to sit in the back and could offer suggestions, but the driver didn't have to listen.  In Mercy Blade there's only one stand-out moment where Beast takes the reins and Jane has sit in the back.  In the three books those are some of the best conversations, between Beast and Jane, and some of the most revealing about the two.  I hope that the forthcoming book, Raven Cursed, includes more of these talks between the two.
     All in all, Mercy Blade was a stellar book with the introduction of what's sure to be an important character in the Jane/Beast universe.  My question is, will Raven Cursed happen in North Carolina or New Orleans?  Can't wait to find out!

Mercy Blade receives a 3.5 Stars out of 4

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Blood Cross - Jane Yellowrock Bk #2 - Faith Hunter

Picking up a few weeks after the events of Skinwalker, we find vampire bounty hunter and skinwalker, Jane Yellowrock receiving visitors. Jane's best friend and earth witch, Molly is there with her two children, Angelina and Little Evan. Together they are riding out the tail end of a hurricane at Jane's rental property in New Orleans. Molly is a powerful earth witch, but all of her wards are down because the storm was playing merry-hob with them.

The hurricane begins to let up and Molly and Jane decide to put the kids down for a little nap. Being the only one who stays awake, Jane begins to prowl the house because she can feel something's off. Suddenly, Jane smells smoke and races outside to see what the origin is. She skids to a halt in front of Leo Pellissier, leader of the vampire council of New Orleans and four of his blood children in her front yard. He's there to kill her because he believes Jane killed his only son and heir, and he intends to use fire to do it.

Even though Jane's original contract with the vampire council has expired it was extended so that the part Cherokee all skinwalker Jane could take care of the problem. Some rogue master is making scions and setting them free without the ten years needed to "cure" them. Young vampires generally must spend a decade chained up before they regain enough of the sanity needed to be let out into society again. This new master is skipping that step and basically releasing what amounts to be paranormal strength, fangs and hunger upon the streets of New Orleans. Jane's job is to find this rogue and end him along with any other children he has made.

Jane knows she cannot do this alone. She sets out with some local vigilantes, her witch friend Molly and her police detective friend Rick to end the dead bodies that begin stacking up around New Orleans again. To everyone's surprise except Jane it becomes apparent that it isn't just one lone vampire master who is doing this. It goes deeper then that. When loyalties run in millenia who amongst the vampires can Jane trust?

I truly do love the world that Faith Hunter has created with Jane Yellowrock. In Blood Cross she continues to walk the tightrope between amazing writing and doing what has come before. It would be so easy for her to fall off into derivative nonsense with her protagonist being a six foot tall, beautiful, shape shifting "Valkyrie" on a Harley, but Ms. Hunter never does. Not one part of this story takes you out of it by ringing false.

Just like in Skinwalker, Blood Cross has another stand out voice with Jane's other known as Beast. The parts of the book with Beast are funny and believable. When Beast is sitting alpha she has an inner monologue that makes it known that she considers Jane the interloper and that she should actually be in control most of the time.

Begin your year by picking up Blood Cross. Actually, if you haven't yet get the whole story beginning in the Strange Brew anthology (what I call Jane Yellowrock Bk #.5) and Skinwalker - Jane Yellowrock Bk #1. Blood Cross is a paranormal thriller that deserves to be read.

Blood Cross receives a classic rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

Please Support This Site and Pick Up a Copy Here: Blood Cross - Jane Yellowrock Bk #2 - Faith Hunter.

Make sure to stop by Ms. Hunter's Website.

Best of Paranormal/Urban Fantasy - 2009

Going to do something different here. Since everyone's doing their "end of the year lists," I thought I'd post what I thought were the best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy books of 2009. Some I had the chance to review, some not, but they are all GREAT books! Now, I fully expect some of you to disagree wholeheartedly. If you do, please comment and tell me where you think I went wrong. Here goes, starting with #10.

10. Vanished (Greywalker, Book 4) (August 2009) - Kat Richardson – Ms. Richardson continues to get better and better with each book, and Vanished is her best to date. If this series is new to you I recommend picking up all the title to follow her hero Harper Blaine.








9. Night's Cold Kiss: A Dark Brethren Novel (August 2009) – Tracey O’Hara – I love it when first time authors hit it out of the park and Ms. O’Hara definitely hit a home run with this one. She did this by doing my favourite thing and bringing something new to the Urban Fantasy genre. The struggles that Antoinette Petrescu goes through and how she changes from start to finish are nothing short of amazing.






8. Street Magic (Black London Bk. 1) (June 2009) - Caitlin Kittredge – The story of Pete Caldecott and Jack Winters. This is one of those titles where the story grabs you by the throat (or more sensitive bits) and refuses to let go. Great Read.








7. Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, Book 2) (August 2009) - Patricia Briggs – The story of Charles Cornick (Alpha Werewolf) and his mate Anna Latham (Omega Werewolf) continues to grow and get better with each story. Ms. Briggs has set this in her Mercy Thompson universe, so it’s given her a chance to further expound on werewolf culture and society.







6. City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4) (June 2009) -Vicki Pettersson – Joanna Archer is still trying to correct her mistake that’s left her Changeling damaged in a most heinous way. With the introduction of Midheaven and finding a way for her character to get out of Las Vegas, not to mention the emotional gut-wrenching scenes….this book will suck you in. Check out my review here.






5. Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Book 17) (June 2009) – Laurell K. Hamilton – This is how I missed my Anita Blake stories. Being in a thrill ride from start to finish. I mean the book starts with a decapitated head being sent to her. Great stuff showing that Ms. Hamilton is definitely back a the top of her game.








4. Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) (July 2009) – Faith Hunter – Doing something I’ve never read before by almost having her character Jane have multiple personalities. Well, Jane does, Beast lives inside of her and gets to be Alpha when Jane shifts. Using Cherokee folklore and expounding on it is a great ride. Highly recommended. Please check out my review here.







3. Tempest Rising (Jane True Bk. 1) (November 2009) - Nicole Peeler – I completely meant what I wrote in my review of this: It is a Gem of a first novel. Plus, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a supernatural that almost no one has ever written about before. With a fast paced story it leaves you wanting the sequel Tracking the Tempest as soon as you finish. Also the greatest cover to grace the shelves this year. Please check out my full review here.






2. White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows, Book 7) – Kim Harrison – Still heartbroken over the death of her lover Kisten six months previous, Rachel vows to find out who did it. Considering she was there and cannot remember that’s a bit of a stumbling block, but it’s coming back to her. With the help of her Vampire partner Ivy and Pixie partner Jenks she’s going to get to the bottom of it if it kills her. Kim Harrison never disappoints.






1. Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)(February 2009) – Patricia Briggs – Finally Patricia Briggs gets moved into hardbound. Mercy trying her very best to maneuver in both Vampire and Werewolf politics finds out that’s easier said then done. In one of those worlds were most of the “monsters” have come out Ms. Briggs does an awesome job of keeping her world as realistic as possible. Truly, my favourite book of 2009.






My Honourable Mentions for this year, in no particular order this time, are:

Mark of the Demon (My Review's here) - Diana Rowland

Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) - Ilona Andrews











Darkness Calls (Check out my review here) - Marjorie Liu











The Better Part of Darkness - Kelly Gay (review forthcoming)











Blood Kin (Blood Lines Bk. 3)(Check out my review here) - Maria Lima











Demon Mistress (Otherworld)(Check out my review here) - Yasmine Galenorn











Frostbitten (Women of the Otherworld, Book 10) - Kelley Armstrong

All of these novels are well worth your time and money. There’s nothing but standouts here. I do not think one of the books mentioned in this post will disappoint.

Strange Brew - P.N. Elrod

In the pages of Strange Brew, edited by PN Elrod, you'll find stories from some of the hottest stars in the Urban Fantasy galaxy. Generally anthologies are a bit hard for me to review, but Strange Brew works really well together. The editing has to play a part since the stories are a bit longer than short stories, but not long enough to be Novellas. Whatever magic Elrod did, these stories flow well and you'll feel a satisfying ending with all of them.

First up is Patricia Briggs (love me some Patty Briggs novels), author of the fabulous Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series. Her contribution is Seeing Eye where we meet a blind witch named Moira. Moira lost her sight against the Samhain coven. When a werewolf to help find his bother that he believes was abducted by the same coven, Moira has a personal stake in helping him contacts her.

This is the first time that I know of that Ms. Briggs has let a witch take the spotlight in one of her stories. Generally shapeshifters wind up ruling the stories with other supernaturals being secondary characters. The mythos she begins to create around witches seems to be a vibrant as her world of shapeshifters.

If this is the beginning of Ms Briggs further expanding her universe I can't wait for a full novel. Fans of Patty Briggs won't be disappointed and I believe new fans will be intrigued enough to pick up her other series.

Next up is Jim Butcher's Last Call starring his PI, Harry Dresden. Being Harry he just wants to be left alone and get a pint at a pub. Finding scattered, unconscious people throughout the pub makes Harry reconsider that drink. Especially when a spell is found on the beer. Harry and his favourite police officer, Karrin Murphy must stop this tainted beer getting out to the public at large.

Mr Butcher writes his PI Wizard Harry Dresden with his usual aplomb. Someone is messing with two of Harry's favourite things, his beer and his pub. Not exactly Mr. Butcher's best, but enjoyable for it's length.

Rachel Caine brings us, Death Warmed Over. Holly Caldwell is a necromancer, a resurrection with, able to bring back the dead. She's asked to bring back the witch Andrew Toland who gives his life during the zombie war. This will be the second time Holly has raised Andrew. It becomes more difficult when she realises she might just be in love with this dead man, but to help stop the person killing resurrection witches, he will be needed.

Rachel Caine gives us an enjoyable departure from her Weather Warden series. The construction of this story, considering the pages in which it's told, is nothing short of amazing. As with Charlaine Harris' contribution, if you dig mystery mixed in with your Urban Fantasy, you will have a good time with Death Warmed Over.

One of my personal favourites of the anthology is Karen Chance's, Vegas Odds. Further expanding upon the world she's created in the Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab novels she brings us Lia the war mage. An instructor to other mages, she's taken by surprise the day her students attack her. Lia must find whoever has cast this illusion upon her students, and with the help of her Werewolf boyfriend, Cyrus, she will tear through anyone who gets in her way.

There's just something about the way Karen Chance constructs a story. Mixing solid storytelling with action packed stories seems to be her forte. Vegas Odds is no different. Like most of the stories in Strange Brew, this is a chance for most of the author's to expand on their currently existing universes. If you're someone like me who picks up the new Karen Chance whenever it appears, you need this book.

The editor herself, P.N. Elrod, brings you Hecate's Golden Eye. Jack Fleming, the vampire PI, is on the trail of a necklace in 1930's Chicago. Should be no problem for Jack and his partner Charles, right? Well, with the exception of the necklace being cursed and killing any man who touches it, it shouldn't be a problem.

Elrod seems to have fun having Jack in his 1930's setting. Actually if you've read her Jack Fleming stories before you know that she generally has a good time, but Hecate's Golden Eye seems to be a story she wanted to tell for enjoyment. A satisfying read.

Bacon, by Charlaine Harris introduces us to widowed vampire Dahlia. She wants revenge upon the person who killed her werewolf husband and asks witch Circe to help her get it. Like most of Harris's stories this is a paranormal mystery and takes the best kind of twists and turns she's famous for.

Charlaine Harris is a superb Urban Fantasist along with being an amazing mystery author. The fun of her stories is that you never know where you're going to end up. A character who seems unredeemable evil may wind up being the saviour of everyone. I think Ms. Harris needs more room to allow her stories to breathe though. Bacon comes across as choppy in points and you'll find yourself transported, very quickly, to another part of the story.

Admittedly my favourite of the bunch is Faith Hunter's Signatures of the Dead. Perhaps because we're introduced to the world of Skinwalker Jane Yellowrock and as I just reviewed Skinwalker and loved it. Signatures of the Dead is told by Jane's witch friend Molly. Molly is asked to track some rogue vamps, but finding and destroying rogues is Jane's specialty.

You will get bits and pieces of this story in the first full length Jane Yellowrock novel, Skinwalker, but Signatures of the Dead is where it all begins. This story is told from Molly's point of view, but of course, Jane is the star. Hopefully this story makes people run out to purchase Skinwalker. Jane Yellowrock is not a character to be missed.

Strange Brew delivers stand-alone stories from all of these authors. Although most are expanding upon their existing stories, Strange Brew can be read as a stand-alone. Plus, it does what I believe all of these anthologies are designed to do, gives readers an introduction to these authors if you've never read them.

Strange Brew receives a 3 out of 4 stars rating.

Please Support This Site and Pick Up a Copy Here: Strange Brew


Make sure to check out all these author's website or blogs.

Patricia Briggs Website
Jim Butcher's Website
Rachel Caine's Website
Karen Chance's Website
P.N. Elrod's Website
Charlaine Harris' Website
Faith Hunter's Website
Caittlin Kittredge's Website
Jenna Maclaine's Website

Skinwalker - Jane Yellowrock Bk 1 - Faith Hunter

Through a carefully (and skillfully) laid back story we're introduced to Jane Yellowrock. A Native American Cherokee myth comes to life, a Skinwalker. As far as she knows the only one of her kind in the world.

Part of that back story reveals that Jane almost died a year ago taking out a Blood Family. (Make sure you check out PN Elrod's anthology, Strange Brew for the full story.) She's enjoyed healing with her Witch friend Molly and her family for the past year, but it's time to get back to work, destroying rogue "Vamps."

Hired by the first civilised Vampire she's ever met, Kathrine Fontaneau, she leaves her home in North Carolina to head to New Orleans. Fontaneau and the other Vampire ruling class want this rogue taken out, by any means necessary. Not so much because he/she/it is killing humans (and other Vampires), but because it's affecting the bottom line. Since coming out of the coffin in the 1960's, the main stream Vamps get quite a bit of their money from tourism.

Ms. Hunter does an amazing and new take on a shapeshifter. Jane is not alone inside herself, she also has to deal with Beast on a daily basis. When Jane shifts Beast is Alpha and Jane is Beta. It's almost dealt with in a Multiple Personality Disorder, but with the other her only being partially submerged, able to affect the dominate who's driving. Her talents make her the perfect vampire hunter, able to track and destroy them in both her human or animal forms.

Jane can become any animal she wishes through years of practise, but Beast prefers her own, and gets rather pissed at Jane is she shifts into another. I cannot go on enough about how well Ms. Hunter does this novel. At no time are you bored while reading Jane back story. It's parted out throughout Skinwalker in bits and pieces. You won't get hit with one big chapter basically saying, "Here's what happened before..."

Faith Hunter delivers creates someone you may think you've met before at first glance, a kick ass, no nonsense Vamp hunter. She's six feet tall and beautiful, especially when she's riding her motorcycle, Bitsa. She feels the most comfortable with her Italian shotgun, stakes, crosses and holy water about her. Do Not think Jane is only a warrior women. With Beast constantly commenting on her actions and affecting them to some degree, you'll meet someone completely new in the annals of Urban Fantasy.

I cannot wait until January 5th with the second full Jane Yellowrock novel, Blood Cross: A Jane Yellowrock Novel. You will miss out this summer is Skinwalker is not one of your purchases. It is a must have.

Obviously, and amazingly since I never do this for the first novel in a series, Skinwalker receives a Classic rating of 4 out of 4 Stars.

Please Support This Site and Pick Up a Copy Here: Skinwalker - Jane Yellowrock Bk 1 - Faith Hunter

Make sure to stop by Ms. Hunter's Website.

Bloodring - Rogue Mage Bk 1 - Faith Hunter

This debut novel from Ms Hunter (Well, under the Faith Hunter name, more can be found under her Gwen Hunter name) introduces us to Thorn St Croix, a neomage. Set in a post apocalyptic world with only one problem. The second coming has yet to show his or her face. In their stead however are angels called Seraphs who seem to run everything and are bound and determined to punish humanity for their sins.

There also happen to be many devils and demons running about making life even more miserable for the innocents. Not to mention the kylen – offspring of Seraphs and humans, and we remember how well that worked out in the Old testament - and neomages, who are sequestered in their 'havens' or enclaves. Supposedly, for their own good, but mostly because the neomages’ power could upset the delicate balance the Seraphs have in place. However, there is one unlicensed mage who lives amongst the humans, you guessed it, Thorn St Croix, and her husband has recently been abducted. Was it mentioned that the penalty for any neomage found wandering from the enclaves is death?

The kidnapping of Thorn’s husband Lucas is where everything Thorn has worked for may be destroyed. The investigator in charge of the case is a kylen by the name of Thaddeus Bartholomew. The thing is is that Thaddeus is completely ignorant of his heritage. Thorn has little choice but to help Thaddeus if she ever wishes to see her husband again.

For a first novel, plus the obvious beginning of a larger story just starting to unfold, it has very good pacing and a nice storyline. All of that on top of a break neck ending that’s really nicely pulled together it makes Bloodring very worth picking up. For the promise it makes as the first book of the trilogy if for nothing else.

This novel get’s a Good rating: 3 out of 4 Stars from me, simply for being the first in a longer story.

Please Support This Site and Pick Up a Copy Here: Bloodring

Faith Hunter is the author of many mysteries and thrillers under the name Gwen Hunter. Please check out her website.

Her next novel Skinwalker: A Jane Yellowrock Novel is due out July 7th 2009. On a personal note…She’s a real sweetie.