Mercy Blade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel

I get tired reading about romantic vampires, be they with fangs, sparkling, tattooed, or preordained to meet their mates. Don't get me wrong, I still paranormal romance, but what happened to the dark vampire, the charismatic, blood sucking vamp, that doesn't fall in love with the female lead and go off softly into the sunset?
That's one why I am totally enthralled by Faith Hunter's Urban Fantasy series with Jane Yellowrock. Jane was introduced in Skinwalker, a Cherokee Skinwalker, apparently the last of her kind. If that wasn't bad enough, Jane actually is more than a Skinwalker. Black magic in her past bound her to the soul of another, a panther known simply as beast.
Another is Hunter's remaining true to natural laws, placing this Urban Fantasy as completely possible, a parallel reality to our own.
In Mercy Blade, we pick up where Jane left off with her boyfriend, undercover cop Rick. They make an interesting couple, Rick can't share work stories anymore than Jane can. Rick investigates the paranormal, Jane is a Vampire Hunter, killing rogues for the Master Of the City in New Orleans. If that weren't enough, Rick is not aware that Jane is a shape shifter. Common interests, including their motorcycles, makes it work this early in their relationship.
The story leads back into the dark world of the paranormal community. The weres are coming out of the closet, a black Wereleopard shifts on national television, giving Jane some possible clues to her own background.
Unfortunately, the Werewolves and the Vampires in New Orleans have a longtime dispute. Although they have stayed out of the city, the Werewolves take up a long run grudge against Leo, the MOC, and crash the Vamp/Were meeting. They were not invited.
Murder, mayhem, and new characters are introduced. What is the Mercy Blade, and what does he have to do with vampires and saving them from the madness of dolore? Jane has to decide if Rick is just undercover again, playing around on her, or if she needs to save him. There are other men interested in Jane, not just what she is. But as Beast says, big cats don't mate for life.

The paranormals in Hunter's universe have long memories. Jane's may even be longer.
As usual, more clues are scattered as to Jane's past, and new lines are opened for future books. As with other favorite books in this genre, if there are any real issues with the book is that it takes too long to wait for the next.

Count me another disappointed reader of this book. Like the other three starred reviews, I found the plot unnecessarily complicated with the author reeling from one suspect to another and way too many plot threads. I also found the Christianity angle confusing. Jane, a kick-ass killer, is concerned that she is sinning by sleeping with her lover out-of-wedlock? She did say the Bible saw all sins as equal, but her being overly concerned about the sex and lying instead of the killing was a little strange.

There were a lot of unanswered questions in the book, and the ending was very unsatisfying. In fact, without the last chapter, I probably would have given the book a four-starred review--confused plot and all. But I like to finish a book, even if is part of a series, without a a major issue being thrown in the last few paragraphs. And it was enough to spoil my enjoyment of the entire novel.

Also this book took a dark turn with Jane remembering an horrific part of her past. I found it very disturbing.

aaaaarrrggghh! Ok...I'm a huge fan of Jane Yellowrock, and the auther did a great job with the ending of this book...although I think there should be a law that if you have such a good cliffhanger that you have the next one in the series out in no longer than 2 months!

This was the 3rd book in the Jane series, and I've enjoyed all of them...they keep getting better and better.

what's up with Evangeline?! Boy I hope the next book gives her a come-uppins!!

Oh, this series just gets better and better. One of my favorites series continues with another well written book. Faith Hunter just has a way of keeping me on my toes as I read and try to guess where the story is going. I didn't see most of this coming. I really didn't see the end of the book coming and now I can't wait for the next one. Oh, the waiting that will have to be endured! I can't get enough of Jane and Beast, one of my favorite characters. I'm also very intrigued by Leo. I just can't wait to see what happens next.

Well Jane kept her ultra violent ways in this book and I loved it :) I think this series is getting better with each book and although she has a tendency to spend most of the time in the buildup there is not a lot of waste taking care of closing the cases here other than a personal one that was left hanging for a teaser to the next book (which I will pre-order as soon as I can). Another 5 Star effort for Faith Hunter and hope I don't have to wait too long for book 4.

Copied over from my blog. Yes I was so scatterbrained with excitement that it went like this ...

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Is it a rule that the highest star value a book can get is 5? I sure hope not cause this book was a 10.

This is definitely the best of the series. Yes, I loved the other two but this was on a whole different level. The action was nearly non stop and the ending ... I'm FUMING ... It's a good fuming.

I usually do a Good Point/Bad Point but everything in this book was amazing. Evie (Molly's sister) will throw you for a loop and you will be PISSED but still love everything.

I can't even give a proper review because I'm just trembling with excitement.

Maybe I should calm down and start again?

NO ... Ok ... There's more action in this than the last two, the 'who did what' is way more intricate ... There's more chocolate in this book *cheeky smile* in the form of the Mercy Blade ... Jane is like ...

Ok there's a part where she's basically just gone Beastial in human form and her voice drops an octave and just ... Amazingness happens.

I JUST CAN'T TALK/TYPE RIGHT NOW.

Bottom line, I LOVE this series and I really loved this book!! I won't go through the storyline since others have; I just want to give it the 5 stars it deserves! I mean really, this book even has a Grindylow! Who knew!;) The main characters really evolved from the beginning to the end of this book....some more than others!! So I can't wait to see what happens next!

Jane the ancient skinwalker has stepped into a hornets nest when she accepts a job from the Master of the City to provide security for a meeting of Cat Were's for a parley. There are so many security dangers, Jane thinks she has most covered. Wrong, the political and back stabbing para community has so many dark shadows to throw at her she may never figure it out. Her current love interest is missing and her lust interest is circling her big time. She is captured by magics that confuse her thoughts and feelings, everything is different and lives depend on her clearing them up. Many new and dangerous creatures step into her story and some great myths to go with them. Poor Jane my heart bleed for her. What a story, filled with action and intense mysteries. I loved all of the story. When is the next one, I was left with a light cliffhanger.

Jane the ancient skinwalker has stepped into a hornets nest when she accepts a job from the Master of the City to provide security for a meeting of Cat Were's for a parley. There are so many security dangers, Jane thinks she has most covered. Wrong, the political and back stabbing para community has so many dark shadows to throw at her she may never figure it out. Her current love interest is missing and her lust interest is circling her big time. She is captured by magics that confuse her thoughts and feelings, everything is different and lives depend on her clearing them up. Many new and dangerous creatures step into her story and some great myths to go with them. Poor Jane my heart bleed for her. What a story, filled with action and intense mysteries. I loved all of the story. When is the next one, I was left with a light cliffhanger.

Hi,

It's a great story, fast pace and entertaining. It revolves around Jane Yellowrock 95% of the time so character development is all about her. I thought this would turn me off from the book but the story itself is good enough for me to still give it 5 stars, also getting to know Legs is fun.

Thanks Faith Hunter - For a great read.

Another beautifully written book that offers it's readers an escape into a world of fantasy with well rounded characters and a setting that is all to familiar to people who know and love New Orleans. Bravo.

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker--and a vampire killer for hire. But lately she's found herself taking blood money from the very vampires she used to hunt...

Things are heating up in the Big Easy. Weres have announced their existence to the world, and revived the bitter tensions that run between them and their old enemies: vampires. As a trusted employee of Leo Pellissier, Blood Master of the City, Jane finds herself caught in the cross fire.

When Jane is attacked by a pack of marauding werewolves, she is thankful for the help of a mysterious stranger named Girrard. He explains that he used to be Leo's "Mercy Blade," a sacred position charged with killing vampires who have gone insane. What Jane doesn't know is why this powerful assassin left New Orleans--or, more troubling, why he's now returned. It's definitely not to make Jane's life easier...

This is a different take on the skinwalker. When Yellowrock transforms into her "Beast", you actually see, smell, hear, and taste what it might be like to have the ability to turn into a huge mountain lion. Ms. Hunter lets you learn as the character learns about her past. The chase is always interesting, especially when she is Beast, but her interaction with others is what makes Yellowrock interesting. She hides her insecurity of being different with a strong, kick butt attitude, but then again, if I could turn into a mountain lion, I would have an attitude too! It is a fun ride with suspense, action, and good dialog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The series continues to improve, with great action, mystery and foreshadowing. Faith Hunter has two great series rolling (Jane Yellowrock and the Rogue Mage) but I favor the shapeshifting Jane's story. The use of stones to affect mass during shifts from human to cat is especially clever. Nice touch!

Jane seemed more scattered in this book. Like the other reviewers, I had problems with the constant guilt. Why feel so much guilt with having sex with a guy when you advertize basically as a hired killer. Makes no since. Also, what's the deal with Molly's sister and her spells? It's still a good read.

Well I titled my review BUY THIS because you should do just that. Actually you should get all three books in this series. I loooooooved them and I hope she writes a lot more of the Jane Yellowrock series. Ive read her other books and I liked them a lot as well. I work in a library and I know good books. Im the proud owner of all of Stephen King's book as well as Anne Rice's. She draws a lot of comparison to Patricia Briggs but I happen to think she is a bit better. She doesnt go overboard with descriptive details like Briggs does. I stumbled upon her with the first book Skinwalker and have read everything she has done since then and before. So if you are looking for a new author then Faith Hunter is a really good one to check out.

After reading the first book in this series I basically read most of the rest back to back. It was addicting! In the first book I thought something would happen with her and Leo but was surprised by the turn of events. This was the best in the series so far and I am loving what the writer is developing! Keep them coming!

Faith Hunter doesn't disappoint with another good addition to the Jane Yellowrock books. A good book that has a few slow areas, but overall leaves you wanting more! It was a bit confusing sometimes what was going on with red herrings placed throughout the book but a few times when I thought it was an "ah-ha" moment I was proved wrong by the authors ability to misdirect me.

Overall, I have really enjoyed reading the Jane Yellowrock books and look forward to reading some more as they become available.

Shapeshifters, vampires, gods, and Jane. What more could I ask for? I tend to breeze over the romance but understand that others like that. Faith handles the plot, action, descriptions, feelings, etc, in a way that envelopes the reader in an aura of suspense, strong enough to keep him/her reading during every spare minute of the day.

This novel can only be described as RAW!!!!! Can only be compared to Mexican telenovelas or to soap operas with a bite. Seems that there are no straight-forward loyalties. Each character has his own agenda.

Again with the descriptive fluff in this book. I can't say enough how I don't care what color the curtains were or how shiny the floor was, just get to the good stuff. I was frustrated through most of the book also with Rick missing through the majority of it and the story and background history given was confusing and complicated at times. It did not really get good for me until about 80% through the book (on kindle). Spoilers ahead, do not read until you have read the book.......I was very diappointed in Rick and his sleeping around with other women, even if it was undercover, that is surely something I don't think Jane and his relationship can survive. She may still love him, and be able to forgive, but she will never be able to trust him. I realize it seemed as it some of the sex was probably forced upon him while he was in captivity, but it did not start out that way. Also, it is obvious Bruiser belongs to Leo, even though he shows his feelings for Jane, that relationship does not seem plausible either. So I see where the series is going being somewhat left hanging at the end with many questions left unanswered, and not likely to be for another year while waiting for the next book to come out. Things were just left so unresolved for me. We know little to nothing of what Rick went through or why he chose to do the things he did. The way he left Jane in the beginning without any word that he was going to be out of touch for a while was just strange for me. So my final thought on this book is that the author could have given us some answers to these questions and left out a lot of the descriptiveness of the parties, the town, etc, and still made us want to wait for the next book, given the nugget of information provided in the last sentence of the book. I feel sad for Jane and Rick, and just felt like crying at the end.