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The Scarlet Jane Files #1
Blood Night
She longs for revenge, and she’ll do anything to get it.
Desperate to slay the monster that killed her mother, Scarlet is faced with a life-changing choice: to let the strange man who arrives in her hospital room erase her memories, or accept his offer to join an elite agency that not only helps maintain order over the Supernatural world, but trains super-soldiers—called Hunters—to help combat them.
For Scarlet, there is no hesitation. She will give anything to avenge her mother—even if it means risking her life to do so.
Desperate to slay the monster that killed her mother, Scarlet is faced with a life-changing choice: to let the strange man who arrives in her hospital room erase her memories, or accept his offer to join an elite agency that not only helps maintain order over the Supernatural world, but trains super-soldiers—called Hunters—to help combat them.
For Scarlet, there is no hesitation. She will give anything to avenge her mother—even if it means risking her life to do so.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2017
41 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Kody Boye
127 books273 followersKody Boye has always been drawn to escape into other worlds. Now primarily a young adult fiction author, he made his debut in the Yellow Mama webzine at the age of fourteen with the publication of "[A] Prom Queen's Revenge," and sold his debut novel, Sunrise, to Library of the Living Dead Press at eighteen.
Since then, he has authored several young adult novels across multiple speculative fiction genres. His works include The Beautiful Ones, The Red Wolf Saga, and the When They Came trilogy.
When not writing, Kody enjoys reading YA novels, playing video games, and relaxing with his three cats. He currently lives and writes in Southeastern Idaho.
Since then, he has authored several young adult novels across multiple speculative fiction genres. His works include The Beautiful Ones, The Red Wolf Saga, and the When They Came trilogy.
When not writing, Kody enjoys reading YA novels, playing video games, and relaxing with his three cats. He currently lives and writes in Southeastern Idaho.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2020
BLOOD NIGHT is a novel I just finished and felt the need to immediately write a review for. I started my love of urban fantasy back when it wasn't terribly well defined with 1993's GUILTY PLEASURES by Laurel K. Hamilton. Since then, I've read literally hundreds of novels with just as many protagonists. Some of them have been a bit repetitive with very similar variants on the same sort sort of heroine or hero. I'm pleased to say that The Scarlet Jane Files differentiates itself and I'm not only fond of this book but ready to read the entirety of the series.
The premise is the titular Scarlet Jane's transformation from ordinary high school student to badass monster hunter. A successful basketball player in high school with a bright future ahead of her, Scarlet's life takes a horrible turn when her mother is murdered by a vampire. Recruited by a secret organization that normally wipes the memories of all people who encounter the supernatural, she is put through a punishing series of tests in order to see if she's got what it takes to be a Hunter.
Scarlet is a wonderful heroine who is determined but believable in her quest for revenge. She's not a naturally violent person and it's hard for her to embrace the ruthlessness required of her. Most of the story is about her pushing herself past what she believes is possible as well as accepting it will require her to cast aside every friend or relationship in her life. It's a fairly dark plotline despite her plucky nature and I found it also the more solid for it. I also appreciated the heroine is a woman of color. Kody also gets points for the fact that he avoids the obvious romance he could have gone with--Scarlet wants revenge, not a boyfriend.
This is a solid work of urban fantasy and I think readers who love the genre will enjoy it. I felt the actual confrontation at the end was a bit on the weak side due to the vampire ("Sanguine") not having much of a personality but this is the only complaint I have about an otherwise entertaining story.
The premise is the titular Scarlet Jane's transformation from ordinary high school student to badass monster hunter. A successful basketball player in high school with a bright future ahead of her, Scarlet's life takes a horrible turn when her mother is murdered by a vampire. Recruited by a secret organization that normally wipes the memories of all people who encounter the supernatural, she is put through a punishing series of tests in order to see if she's got what it takes to be a Hunter.
Scarlet is a wonderful heroine who is determined but believable in her quest for revenge. She's not a naturally violent person and it's hard for her to embrace the ruthlessness required of her. Most of the story is about her pushing herself past what she believes is possible as well as accepting it will require her to cast aside every friend or relationship in her life. It's a fairly dark plotline despite her plucky nature and I found it also the more solid for it. I also appreciated the heroine is a woman of color. Kody also gets points for the fact that he avoids the obvious romance he could have gone with--Scarlet wants revenge, not a boyfriend.
This is a solid work of urban fantasy and I think readers who love the genre will enjoy it. I felt the actual confrontation at the end was a bit on the weak side due to the vampire ("Sanguine") not having much of a personality but this is the only complaint I have about an otherwise entertaining story.
August 22, 2020
3.5 stars
For Scarlet Jane Brown life was simple: play basketball, win the Nationals and get into a good college. But all that comes crashing down when she arrives home to find her mother being drained of blood by a vampire. Later she wakes up in a hospital where a mysterious guy, Shadow, gives her an ultimatum: either her memories will be wiped or she joins an elite agency that trains super-soldiers, Hunters, to maintain order over the Supernatural world.
The choice is easy for Scarlet, she will do everything in her power to avenge her mother's death and slay the vampire that killed her. And so begins her training to become a Hunter where she is faced with Supernatural creatures, sword fights and hard tasks to prove her worth.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book and it was very intriguing. I liked Scarlet and her character development is really well done. She grows a lot throughout the book and I loved that. I also loved how this handles the topic of grief.
I wish a bit more would have happened in this book other than mostly training but I understand that this is more of an introduction to the rest of the series. I'm not sure but I have an inkling that some romance between Scarlet and Shadow could happen later, I don't know maybe I'm completely wrong but I'm all here for it though if that's the case but I'm glad nothing happens in this one as Scarlet is still grieving her mom and trying to adjust to her new life.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and it went by pretty fast.
"The simple act of letting go was empowering - like conquering the highest mountain in the world or diving to the deepest depths of the ocean."
For Scarlet Jane Brown life was simple: play basketball, win the Nationals and get into a good college. But all that comes crashing down when she arrives home to find her mother being drained of blood by a vampire. Later she wakes up in a hospital where a mysterious guy, Shadow, gives her an ultimatum: either her memories will be wiped or she joins an elite agency that trains super-soldiers, Hunters, to maintain order over the Supernatural world.
The choice is easy for Scarlet, she will do everything in her power to avenge her mother's death and slay the vampire that killed her. And so begins her training to become a Hunter where she is faced with Supernatural creatures, sword fights and hard tasks to prove her worth.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book and it was very intriguing. I liked Scarlet and her character development is really well done. She grows a lot throughout the book and I loved that. I also loved how this handles the topic of grief.
I wish a bit more would have happened in this book other than mostly training but I understand that this is more of an introduction to the rest of the series. I'm not sure but I have an inkling that some romance between Scarlet and Shadow could happen later, I don't know maybe I'm completely wrong but I'm all here for it though if that's the case but I'm glad nothing happens in this one as Scarlet is still grieving her mom and trying to adjust to her new life.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and it went by pretty fast.
"The simple act of letting go was empowering - like conquering the highest mountain in the world or diving to the deepest depths of the ocean."
September 5, 2017
Not bad
The premise of the story is interesting. I thought it could have been fleshed out a bit more but I did enjoy it. The author does need to be more careful with his word usage however. For example he used the word bare many times when he should have used bear. Other than small mistakes such as that he did quite well. I will be reading the next book in the series.
The premise of the story is interesting. I thought it could have been fleshed out a bit more but I did enjoy it. The author does need to be more careful with his word usage however. For example he used the word bare many times when he should have used bear. Other than small mistakes such as that he did quite well. I will be reading the next book in the series.
January 4, 2021
Overall: A good read
Great job on making the story flow from victim to warrior but felt a little more detail should have gone into explaining how she transitioned from high school student to a badass monster hunter. And what was with this super secret anti-monster society having to shop at Goodwill and Dollar Tree? Not really buying that.
Great job on making the story flow from victim to warrior but felt a little more detail should have gone into explaining how she transitioned from high school student to a badass monster hunter. And what was with this super secret anti-monster society having to shop at Goodwill and Dollar Tree? Not really buying that.
January 5, 2021
Not sure how to comment on this story. It was weird and very out there, full of violence and fey creatures; very current kind of writing. But Scarlet wasn't believable, sorry, and this book seriously needs a good editor: every use of "whom" was incorrect.
October 27, 2017
Quite enjoyable urban fantasy read!
April 20, 2018
Scarlet
I love the development of this character. She went from a typical high schooler to woman thrown into an unknown world ready to avenge.
I love the development of this character. She went from a typical high schooler to woman thrown into an unknown world ready to avenge.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews