Saturday, January 30, 2016

#Saturday Review - Blood In Her Veins by Faith Hunter (Collection of 19 Stories & Novellas) Urban Fantasy

Series: Jane Yellowrock
Format: Paperback, 560 pages
Release Date: February 02, 2016
Publisher: ROC
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter presents a comprehensive collection of stories starring everyone’s favorite “smart, sexy, and ruthless”* shapeshifting skinwalker...
 
In this must-have collection of stories, experience nineteen thrilling adventures from the world of vampire-hunter Jane Yellowrock, including many fan favorites and two all-new novellas. Read about the first time Jane put the pedal to the metal in “The Early Years,” and the last thing a werewolf will ever see as Jane delivers justice in “Beneath a Bloody Moon.” Get a searing look into the pasts of some of the series’ best-loved characters: Beast in “WeSa and the Lumber King,” Rick LaFleur in “Cat Tats,” and Molly Everhart Trueblood in “Haints.” 
 
In the brand-new “Cat Fight,” the witches and vampires of Bayou, Oiseau, are at war over a magical talisman—and Jane must figure out how to keep the mysterious artifact out of the covetous hands of the Master of New Orleans. And in the never-before-published “Bound No More,” Jane welcomes a visit from Molly and her daughter, Angie, who is about to prove she’s the most powerful witch in Everhart history....
 
From the Big Easy to the bad bayou, from the open road to a vampire’s lair—with Jane Yellowrock, it’s always a given: have stakes, will travel.




Blood In Her Veins is an amazing collection of 19 new and not so new stories from Faith Hunter which takes place in the Jane Yellowrock universe. I dare say that this book took me longer to read than usual because I was a bit occupied with life's crap. For a book filled with short, and not so short stories, this is a must read for anyone who has enjoyed reading Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series. It is totally worth the time it takes to sift through all 19 stories.

I absolutely loved seeing Jane through the eyes of certain secondary characters that have been there from the very beginning with Jane and Beast. I love the fact that Hunter and her publisher put this book together for her readers. I adore authors who give back to readers. There are SEVEN stories that take place before Skinwalker, and each should be read in order so that you can follow along with Jane's growth as a character, and her decision to add Eli and Alex Younger to her family core.

I will be doing a brief summary of each of the 19 stories. I will tell you who is the narrator, and when the story actually takes place. I have absolutely ZERO intention of spoiling anything for my loyal readers. So, enjoy!

*Note* The first SEVEN stories take place before Skinwalker, Jane Yellowrock # 1. 

1. "Wesa and the Lumber King" - The shortest story of the entire anthology. It features Beast, and takes place in a period called the Hunger Times. Does exactly what it is intended to do. Whet your pallet, and now you can move on to the next story.

2. "The Early Years" - Short story featuring Jane. We've never really gone back to when Jane was at the children's home she spent 6 years at. Readers know that Jane was found in the woods when she was Twelve. This story shows Jane at Eighteen leaving the home for the final time.

3. "Snafu" - Jane has passed her Private Investigators class, has her concealed carry gun license, and now is time to intern with a real life PI to get the experience she needs to go out on her own.  

4. "Cat Tats" - Rick LaFleur aka Ricky Bo, makes his first appearance. It's a basic story showing how Ricky got his cat tattoos when he was captive of a Vampire named Isleen and a witch named Loraine. 

5. "Kits" - Jane meets her soon to be best friend Molly Everhart Trueblood as they hunt for rogue vampires. This is the first time we meet Molly's sisters and understand how badass Jane really is when she goes after the vampires and tries to save those they took.

6. "Haint(s)" - Molly is the primary character, and Jane is the secondary character as they team up with Detective Paul Braxton to rid a home of a powerful haunting. Molly's husband Big Evan also plays a major role in this story. 

7. "Signatures of the Dead" - Back to Molly being primary character, and Jane being secondary character. This story has been told before, but it also is the final story that takes place in North Carolina since Jane will soon be traveling to New Orleans. This is one of the best stories in the book.

8. "First Sight" - Readers first introduction to Bruiser, and what he thought of Jane when they first met. It's rather short, but does what it needs to do. Technically, the story takes place during Skinwalker, and before Blood Cross and Mercy Blade Jane# 2 and #3.

9. "Blood, Fangs, and Going Furry" - Another story from Ricky "I'm a freaking MORON" LaFleur as he faces his first full moon. Sorry folks, but I just can't stand Rick. I truly hope that Faith doesn't twist the series so that Jane returns to his side. 

10. "Dance Master" - Bruisers POV after he calls Jane to investigate a problem with an unknown vampires. Perhaps a peek at things to come in future stories. Story takes place right before Jane # 4, Raven Cursed

11. "Golden Delicious" - Back to Rick's POV. Basic story about his time at the PsyLED learning to be a team with werewolf Brute, and grindylow Pea and finding out that there is more to meet the eye test at the school. Readers also get a very interesting peek at Soul, who up to now, we had no clue what she was, or how powerful she can be.

12. "Cajun With Fangs" - Jane finds herself in a small town called Bayou Oiseau after Bitsa breaks down. For those taking notes, the story actually takes place after Raven Cursed and before Death's Rival Jane # 5. Jane faces an interesting dilemma in a town where witches and vampires are on the cusp of war and have been left behind by Leo, the Master of New Orleans. This story is another take on Romeo (vampire) and Juliet (witch) falling in love, having an unexpected baby, and facing the consequences thanks to Jane's intervention. Oh, and don't drool all over yourselves when Faith talks about the yummy Cajun food. Oh, my GOD!

13. "The Devil's Left Boot" - Everhart twin sisters Elizabeth, who barely survived in Blood Trade, and Bodacia being asked by their one time nemesis to locate her mother. Jane is a secondary character in this story. I've read this story before, but it still gives readers a look into how others see and feel about Jane. You should read this story because as secondary characters, Liz and Cia finally understand how much Jane went through in Blood Trade Jane # 6.   

14. "Beneath a Bloody Moon" - Jane and the Younger Brothers, Alex and Eli, travel to Houma, Louisiana where werewolves are causing a whole lot of trouble. Story takes place after "The Devil's Left Boot" and before Black Arts Jane # 7. If you skip over this story, then you will end up skipping over the next one as well since they are pretty much joined at the hip.

15. "Black Water" - Jane travels back to Chauvin, Louisiana after receiving a call from tertiary characters that showed up in story number 14. This time around it is to deal with human filth who call her out for her actions in killing a certain female werewolf in the story above. Sarge, who appeared in story 14, and PP return along with a new character named Christabel. Christabel is still an unknown to me expect that she is very, very powerful. Would love to see Jane revisit this character again soon.

16. "Off the Grid" Story takes place before Broken Soul, Jane # 8. Leo sends Jane to Tennessee to help rescue a vampire who has been taken by a vile cult leader. This is where she meets a new character named Nell Nicholson Ingram who has been living off the grid since escaping above named vile Cult. Nell will be featured in a new series called Soulwood coming August 2016. This is just a taste of what is to come. Don't get excited because you don't know what Nell is. I think that is the entire point of this story. 

17. "Not All as It Seems" Featuring Molly and her daughter Angelina, aka Angie Baby, Jane's goddaughter who is probably more scarier than her mother. Molly gets a visit from Clan Shaddock looking for a teapot that has sentimental value for Lincoln Shaddock. 

18. "Cat Fight" - Featuring Jane, this story takes place right before Dark Heir, Jane # 9. Jane and the Younger Brothers, along with Edmund Hartley return to Bayou Oiseau where trouble is once again brewing between the witches, and vampires who call the small town home. This IS the longest of all the stories in this entire collection. After reading THIS story, I have a whole lot of questions about Edmund and what he is really up to. Maybe we'll learn more in Shadow Rights, Jane # 10

19. "Bound No More" This is the final story in the collection. Molly and Angie Baby travel to New Orleans to visit Jane and attend a vampire/witch parlay that is being watched by everyone. Do I dare say that I have scary thoughts about Angie and her future after reading this story? Holy Cats, Yes! The story is about a powerful arcenciel, being of light, who homes in on Molly. There is so much to be said about this book, but you must read the book to find out!

If you've made it this far in my review/summary, bless your little hearts and thank you from the bottom of mine!  



No comments:

Post a Comment