Fantasy Aficionados discussion

This thread is for the buddy read of the Jane Yellowrock series. The first book in the series was Skinwalker (June BotM).

Please mark all spoilers! If anyone complains of spoilers, that post will be deleted if the poster does not edit it upon request.

How to mark Spoilers
< spoiler>text goes here< /spoiler>

- Make sure to remove the spaces between the brackets and you get:

(view spoiler)[text goes here (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to other people's thoughts on the series, as not many people I know have read them. I think Jane is the sort of heroine that would appeal to Kate Daniels fans.

I have the series (waiting impatiently for the next to be out) and just recently re-read the series as I did a re-read of Skinwalker for the June read. I'd enjoy going back again and being able to discuss the series.

I have to admit I am not a particular fan of most urban fantasy with vampires or werewolves. Too many of them have vampire/human 'romances' which involve way too much blood for me to consider those connections a good relationship and I also find too many werewolf themes focus on very 'wolf-like' pack behavior, which again tends to make me uncomfortable with a werewolf/human romance.

I think the fact that the Jane Yellowrock series focuses more on the skinwalker theme rather than werewolf, with a different mindset, makes this series more agreeable to me. I'm also very certain that I prefer the somewhat distant relationship Jane maintains with the vampires than the romance so many authors seem to feel obligatory.

I'd like to join the buddy read. I think I have already read the whole series twice, but it would be fun to have people to discuss it with.

As already wrote in the Skinwalker discussion, this book has a some similarities few with Mercedes Thompson both Jane Yellowrock and Mercedes Thompson are part First Nations (Native American), are not sure about their exact linage, and are a type of shape shifter and practice martial arts. At first I must admit I felt it was a kind of Mercy Thompson rip off, but in the end Jane Yellowrock won me over! She is quite her own character and Faith Hunter has a very amusing writing style.

Sharon wrote: "I have the series (waiting impatiently for the next to be out) and just recently re-read the series as I did a re-read of Skinwalker for the June read. I'd enjoy going back again and being able to ..."

I am like that too Sharon. I am sick of vampire sex and don't want to read about it!I am so glad there is none of it in this series!

Jalilah wrote: "I am sick of vampire sex and don't want to read about it!I am so glad there is none of it in this series!"

I am definitely not one of the vampire-aficionado readers. I only have one book in which one of the main characters is a vampire and that is Sunshine which has a vampire/human relationship but a very different one, with no sex involved.

The only series I follow with vampires other than the Jane Yellowrock series is the Liam and Figg series by Stephany Simmons and honestly, who can resist a chubby, geeky vampire complete with pocket protector, who apologizes when his fangs show.

I've just never understood the attraction ...

The style of the book feels so different, and the personalities, that the Mercy comparison never bothered me that much. Mercy can be such a "go along to get along" kind of person but be subversive underneath, while Jane tends to be very upfront, like when she antagonized Leo the first time she met him, or Bruiser, or even Rick. I liked that about her.

The vamp thing certainly becomes more and more of an issue. Jalilah, have you started book two yet?

Sharon, I loved Sunshine! I did find the ending somewhat inconclusive. It felt like there was supposed to be sequel that never came. It also left me with a craving for cinnamon rolls!
Carol, I have ordered Blood Cross from the library but am # 3 in the cue.

Jalilah wrote: "Sharon, I loved Sunshine! I did find the ending somewhat inconclusive. It felt like there was supposed to be sequel that never came. It also left me with a craving for cinnamon rolls!
..."

I have a feeling the author set it up so she could if she wanted to ... she rarely does more than one book about anything and the book she published after "The Blue Sword" was actually a 'pre-quel' ... took place generations earlier. I'd sure like to see a sequel to Sunshine ...

And yes, cinnamon rolls are a problem reading Sunshine ... but the recipe I really, really would like to find is the one for Death by Chocolate!

I am now enjoying Blood Cross. I should point out that I am not usually an avid reader of these types of Urban fantasy series. I often prefer the YA Urban because the sex and violence are not as graphic. I can enjoy a good love story or sex scene in a book, but I don’t need to read about every single detail.
I have not continued on with many of the Adult Urban Fantasy series. With some, (like the Anita Blake books), I only got as far the first few chapters, others (like Cal Leandros ) I finished the first book, but had no desire to continue on to the next one . Up to now the only series that I liked enough to read all the books were Mercedes Thompson by Patricia Briggs and the Darkfever series by Karen Marie Moning. (The Newford series by Charles De Lint does not count because it is a series of books taking place in the same universe but each book is a standalone novel and De Lint is not really in that category anyway.)
The Jane Yellowrock is not necessarily going to become one of my all time favourites that I will read time and time again. It does not touch or move me in a deep way or anything, but there are many things I like about it. It is a lot fun, relatively light withour being trashy and highly entertaining.
I also like Jane, even though some of the things I like about her might actually be beast’s attributes. I like the fact that she is strong and tough but can also be feminine, even girly. I like the beast too.
I am fascinated by First Nations (Native American) mythology, in particular shape shifters and skin walkers so this also makes the series appealing to me.
Finally even though I’ve never taken a martial arts class in my life, never even held a real gun or for that matter, gotten into a physical fight, believe it or not, I have a few things in common with Jane! Like her, I am also a tea snob and both of us love to dance! I am a Middle Eastern (Belly) dancer and I also like salsa dancing. Perhaps these things helped to endear her to me!

I just finished Blood Cross and in the mood to go on to Mercy Blade as soon as possible! This is a fun summer read! I have some questions for those of you who have read the entire series:

Do any of you have a favourite book in this series?

in your opinion does this series get better with each book?
or are there some that are not as strong?

Jalilah, I've read them all, and I think the writing gets better with every book, though Blood Cross is probably my least favorite of the books. The story arc continues to develop through the books, and it will be fun to discuss that when we have all finished them.

To me, parts of the last book Raven Cursed weren't as strong, and I started to be troubled by a resemblance to a certain other author. But I'll wait till you are there, Jalilah. :) Did you find Blood Cross confusing at all? I think the last quarter was troublesome for me. I have an odd reaction to her books; I usually love Jane but find that as a character, she seems to do what Faith needs her to do in each book, so I feel she changes a lot or decisions don't make sense in the context of her history.

I love this series, but sometimes the recaps can get to be a little too repetitive. Trust your readers to have read the previous books, huh? They almost seem copy/pasted, the words are so very similar. This might annoy me more than usual because I've read the first three books in five days, so it's fresh in my mind.

Yes, Katie, I noticed that too, but then I also read the first three books back to back over a matter of days. I just skimmed those paragraphs, figuring they were reminders for readers who had more of a gap between books, or read things out of order.

The other very repetitious thing I've noticed especially now with the re-reads is the very detailed description of her preparations when she goes out 'hunting' ... her clothing, her weapons ... and the same for when she changes into Beast.

The first few times it is a necessary part of the story but the full description each and every time is repetitious by the end of the first book and is borderline annoying by the third.

I think I agree with Carol that Raven Cursed might be the weakest of the series in some ways but it is also leading into what seems to be a somewhat different direction.

I think this next book (due out in October) will be the 'make or break' for me with the series. I got the first book as a free download and liked it so well I bought the next three ... started at $1.99 I think for the second ... the last one was $4.99. I see that the starting price for the next book is $7.99, which puts it at the low end of my "auto buy" authors I've been reading for years ... Mercedes Lackey, Lois Bujold, John Sandford ... so I will have to really like the way the series is going to continue with it. For me, the $6 to $9 range is where some of the series get weeded out. They have to remain very strong and 're-readable' or I just don't continue.

I have a handful of 'regular' authors who are more hit and miss and with those authors I will read a new book first, before I decide whether to buy ... and buying is always, for me, whether it is a book I will want to keep to re-read or not.

The detailed descriptions of Jane's preparations for hunting are reminiscent of scenes in the Iliad, where there are detailed descriptions of a warrior putting on his armor, and preparing for battle. It was an element of bardic tradition.

Carol, I found the end of Blood Cross totally confusing and had to re-read it! I was feeling kind of silly and am relieved I am not the only one!

I don’t mind the re-caps as they help me keep track of everything that has happened.

I definitely liked Skinwalker better than Blood Cross. I am only a few chapters into Mercy Blade but already like it better.

One problem I have with most Urban Fantasy books of this kind, including Jane Yellowrock is all the violence and gore. I get tired of the main character getting beaten up multiple times in each story. I usually need to take a break and read something else in-between. In the case of the Jane Yellowrock series, Faith Hunter manages to balance out all the dark by adding lighter elements.
I find it hilarious the way Beast always wants her to “mate"!

The author manages to walk the tightrope between Jane's personality and Beast's personality very well ... sometimes one, sometimes the other dominant and the occasional joint effort.

I think this view of a skinwalker is one of the strongest points of the series for me ... I've not been a big fan of werewolves/weres in general but this particular presentation of a skinwalker seems to work well for me.

I like it, too. It's two spirits or souls sharing one body, instead of one person whose personality might change some when they shift, but they still stay basically the same person. Jane and Beast are more different even than two people would be. They are different types of creature, with different "cultures," different instincts, different values and different ideas about how things "should" be.

I think the author does a very good job with the light touch of occasional guilt on the part of Jane ... for taking over Beast and ignoring her for many years ... and Beast's occasional resentments and irritations as well. A very 'realistic' view, I think, of what would happen in a case like this.

I agree Casceil and Sharon that the Beast-Jane together in one body aspect makes the story very interesting. Hunter does a great job at this!
That is interesting about the Iliad, Casceil!

I just finished Mercy Blade.
Faith Hunter’s writing is not only captivating, but very sensual. Her lush descriptions of New Orleans, as well Jane’s other actions when she is not fighting, like her tea drinking, dressing, dancing, flirting and wisecracks balance out a lot of the graphic descriptions of violence, which for my taste,are very intense. That being said, if this series were to be filmed, I probably would not want to watch it. There would be too much blood!

I love the fact that Jane is a Shape-shifter and the aspect that she also shares the her body with the soul of a mountain lion makes her all the more fascinating for me. I just like Jane, period. She is tough but also has a big heart. I love the Cherokee culture and missed Aggie Owlfeather in this book!

What I don’t like in this series is all the vampire politics. I wish Faith Hunter would come up with something else. I have mentioned this already, but the vampires in this series remind a lot of the ones in the Sookie Stackhouse series in the sense that they are also rich and powerful and constantly fighting for more power and territory. (Otherwise the two series are otherwise very different). I read that the Anita Blake series is also similar in that way. Since I never read more than a few chapters of it, for all I know Charlaine Harris was copying Laurell K. Hamilton!

I just hope Jane does NOT have a sexual relationship with a vampire!

Oh and one other thing that bothers me...it is mentioned in every book that the public came to know about vampires when “Marilyn Monroe tried to turn John F Kennedy, however in Blood Cross it is mentioned that it was not possible to photograph vampires until digital photography was invented. If so, how was Marilyn Monroe filmed and how did she manage to shoot so many films during the day?
In my opinion that part was not well thought out!

Interesting observation about Marilyn Monroe. I had not put the timing together, but you're right. This appears to be a continuity error.

Wow, thoughtful catch, Jalilah.

I agree, one of the aspects I love about the series is the Cherokee culture and exploration of Jane's heritage. Her interactions with Aggie are very interesting, both with action and with Jane's internal state.

Jalilah wrote: "I just hope Jane does not have a sexual relationship with a vampire!"

I'm with you on this one. This specific thing is one of the main reasons I tend to *not* read most of the vampire books being written. I simply find the vast majority of vampire/human sexual relationships very distasteful (if you will excuse the phrase) as I cannot find anything entertaining about sex that involves blood and coercion of any kind.

I am much more comfortable with Jane's relationship with them ... work for them, accept contracts to kill them but don't sleep with them.

I feel the same way Sharon!
Now that I’ve finished Raven Cursed I just have to wait impatiently for the next installment!
That being said I only gave this book 3 stars because of the writing. While Hunter is great at creating atmosphere, and building characters, at least Jane’s character, I found her story telling to be confusing at times. It is not one of those books where everything comes together and makes sense in the end. There are a lot of things that seem like inconsistencies to me and they drive me crazy! Besides the Marilyn Monroe one that I mentioned already, I think I have found a few more.
Some of the descriptions of characters who were in the other books are too repetitive and unnecessary. On the other hand there are other characters that were only introduced once but whom then reappeared later,but by then I’d forgotten who they were! I felt let down by: (view spoiler)[having to read at the beginning of the book that Jane and Rick had already met after his kidnapping only to be given no information about their last meeting! I also found it unbelievable that Jane would simply ignore the situation that started with Evangelina in Mercy Blade and let things get so out of hand. Jane is naturally very cautious and it just seemed out of character (hide spoiler)]

I believe some of this is explained in Cat Tales. Have you all read it? It is not in the library or the books stores here :(
In spite of this I will continue to read this series!
As I‘ve already mentioned, Faith Hunter creates a very sensual ambience that I enjoy and I really like Jane. I think she is my favourite Urban Fantasy character!

Does any one else find the style confusing at times?
How about the creation myths? Are they believable for you?
Do you like Rick? How about Bruiser?
What do you like most in this series?
What do you like the least?
What are your other favourite Urban Fantasy series?

Ok I want to join! No one ever reads with me!!

Is anyone reading Book 2 right now or will begin?

A number of us already read it and always look forward to discussing impressions with other people... :)

Then I need to get it together and hurry up. Thanks.

I never grabbed this one. My poor TBR...

Kenya wrote: "Ok I want to join! No one ever reads with me!!"

No problem Kenya! I've read all 4 books but like Carol, would love to read about your impressions!
Mrs Joseph, you too!

I've read all four as well but need to at least skim the last two again before the new one comes out October 2nd. Can't wait!

I've read them all, but I am also up for any fuirther discussion. As Sharon points out, I should review before Oct. 2.

Jalilah wrote: "Does any one else find the style confusing at times?
How about the creation myths? Are they believable for you?
Do you like Rick? How about Bruiser?
What do you like most in this series?
What do you like the least?
What are your other favourite Urban Fantasy series?"
Nice questions, Jalilah!
--Yes, I find the style confusing. I can't quite put my finger on it, except to say that I think Faith might be trying to appeal to too many different kinds of readers. She's very active on the 'net and her site, does lots of snippets and teasers, etc. I think that might lead to a process that's influenced by outside feedback too soon.
--I love her creation myths and the the Native American backstory. As I mentioned above, its one of my favorite things about this series.
--Regarding love interests...I think they both have a nice multi-dimensional aspect to them. I get that Jane would eventually be turned off by Bruiser's allegiance to a vamp master, but he seems to be the more emotionally mature. I dislike that Rick appears to be a player; even worse if he is just doing it for his undercover work. For me, its even harder to respect him in the second book.
--Honestly, what I like least is the romance angle. I like my urban fantasy to be heavy on the external conflict and less on the emotional/sexual conflict.
--Favorite urban fantasy? Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels and Ben Aaronvich's Peter Grant series.

Carol wrote: "Honestly, what I like least is the romance angle. I like my urban fantasy to be heavy on the external conflict and less on the emotional/sexual conflict."

I'm pretty much with you here. I don't mind some romance, but when the romance turns into a major emotional conflict along with all the angst, many authors seem to let it overwhelm the actual storyline. I'm too old to deal with angst ... either in real life or in books!

Just finished the newest book in the Jane Yellowrock series . For me this is one of the best books in the series, pretty much equal to the first book, which hooked me solidly on the series.

Lots more detail about Jane's history and I see a much more mature, rational Jane starting to appear as well. No backing off on the action, just more thinking beforehand. She's still definitely "Jane" but her character is developing more depth.

Now I really can't wait for the next one.

I've just started the new one. I'm glad to hear its going to be good.

Really, Sharon? That is so good to hear--after the last, I had said to myself that it might be time to stop buying the series. Now you've got me interested again, as I think we share some of the same book interests.

that's good to know Sharon!
Now I have to decide if I want to read the new one right away, or go back and re-read all the other ones first!

I would say that depends on how well you remember the others. If you have read the most recent one since it came out, you probably remember it well enough to just plunge in to the new one.

Carol wrote: "That is so good to hear--after the last, I had said to myself that it might be time to stop buying the series. Now you've got me interested again, as I think we share some of the same book interests. "

I think we had some of the same complaints about the books between Skinwalker and this one ... too much romance, too much angst and a tendency to jump from one big, bloody confrontation to the next.

There's plenty of action still, Jane is still definitely Jane, but there was definitely a trend toward more planning/thinking and less of the solo attack thing going on. There was also very little romance going on and no 'relationship angst'to speak of.

Jane is still definitely Jane, but there was definitely a trend toward more planning/thinking and less of the solo attack thing going on. There was also very little romance going on and no 'relationship angst'to speak of.

YAY!

I'm about a third of the way through the new book, and so far Jane's description is very accurate.

Sharon wrote: "Just finished the newest book in the Jane Yellowrock series . For me this is one of the best books in the series, pretty much equal to the first book, which hooked..."

I finished the book last night, and I agree with Sharon's assessment. This book had much more in the way of character development than most of the earlier books in the series. Characters that "developed" included not only Jane and Beast, but also Bruiser, and Rick, and Pellisier, and, in a way, Sabina. There are new characters who show great potential. At the end of the book, I had the sense that the next book may strike out in a new direction. I can't wait for the next book.

I can't wait! Unfortunately my local library does not have to newest one so I'll have to buy it. My bookshelves are already full, but I like this series enough I don't mind buying it.
Not to go too off topic but I am just curious, Sharon and Carol did I understand this correctly, did you read it in a day?

I have not read it yet~ they typically are fast reads for me.

Ah..okay
They are fast reads for me too, but the only time I have to read is a little in the morning with my tea and again before I go to sleep, so it still takes me a bit longer than a day!