Blood Cross by Faith Hunter
A few short weeks after Skinwalker ends, Jane Yellowrock is in trouble again. Leo Pellissier, the leader of New Orleans’ vampires, is mad with grief after the recent events, and in his madness, he blames Jane for his losses. And this time it’s not just Jane who’s in danger. Her witch best friend, Molly, and Molly’s two children are staying with Jane now, and Leo’s grudge could cost them their lives.
As if this weren’t enough trouble for one girl (and one Beast), there’s an even more dangerous vampire on the loose, and he or she is kidnapping witch children for nefarious purposes. This vampire’s deeds threaten to upset the balance of power among the city’s vampires and start a cataclysmic war.
And so, Faith Hunter plunges the reader into another harrowing episode of Jane’s life, filled with action and written in thick, detail-rich prose. (When I say detail-rich, I mean it; I considered taking notes at one point in order to keep the vampire factions straight in my mind.) Along the way, Jane learns more about her Cherokee background, the tangled history of the vampire clans and the witch covens, and the genesis of the very first vampires. I think these revelations of history were actually my favorite parts of Blood Cross! I enjoyed the present-day action, but every time Hunter delved into supernatural history and how it fit in with “real” history and religious lore, I was riveted.
There was a bit too much deus ex machina in the climactic fight, but I did enjoy the resolution of the romantic subplot, and the reason Jane chose as she did.
Blood Cross isn’t perfect, but it’s cemented my belief that Hunter is an urban fantasy writer to watch.
Jane Yellowrock — (2009-2016) Publisher: First in a brand new series from the author of the rogue mage novels Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind — a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps…
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You are right on the money. This book was soooo very good. It has put Ms. Hunter squarely on my auto-buy list. That means I don’t even need to look at a synopsis before pre-ordering. My only complaint is that I need more!
Okay, I’m trying this series. Kelly’s review of Skinwalker really intrigued me. I’ll get this on my new Kindle. :teeth:
It’s really interesting and well-written. :)
Jazz I am with you, Faith is fantastic. Alas my copy is out there in Mail Purgatory so am still waiting to get my 2nd Jane Yellowrock fix…
Book 3 “Mercy Blade” is being written and Faith Hunter Enclave site has snippets up if you are interested (faithhunter.net) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)
Have you read her Rogue Mage series yet? There are 3 books out so far and if enough interest is generated (IE copies sold and reprints made) then there may be a chance of more in the future!!! 1 can hope…
jackie b central texas