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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Loved the continuation of Jane Yellowrock's world and our new main character. Can't wait to see where this series goes.
***I received this book for free from Let's Talk! Promotions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’ll admit it’s been a while since I read one of Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock books, and I’m certainly at least three or four books behind on the series, so I was a little worried about my ability to dive into the Soulwood series, which launched with Blood of the Earth just this week, given that it’s a spinoff. But while there were lots of mentions of the original series and even a few crossover characters, I needn’t have worried, because I was hooked within a chapter or two of reading it.
What really sold me on this book was the main character, Nell Ingram, who’d left the cult she’d been born into, but stayed right next door so she could be there for her family if she needed them. If that doesn’t spell out strength of character, then I don’t know what does. Because while Nell keeps herself isolated, she still makes very careful, very conscious decisions for herself, and when the choice comes to let people into her life and at the same time help others or to stay out of it and stay safe, she makes the right choice—and a brave one, considering it may mean going against the people she’s known and lived with for most of her life.
Assembled around this superhero of a character (who, by the way, has some sick, sick magic—and I mean that in a good way) is a highly skilled team of fellow badasses. Rick LaFleur I knew from the Jane Yellowrock series, but I feel like I actually would’ve enjoyed being introduced to him for the first time in this book. I’m struggling not to talk about the others here, because I really enjoyed meeting them and if you decide to pick up a copy for yourself (and you should), I hope you enjoy it too. But let me just say that these supporting characters have the promise to carry Nell and the reader through many more books in this series—not that Nell needs it, but I love how she blossoms with their friendship (and more-than-friendship, in one character’s case).
From start to finish, this book is packed with action, with moments of humor and even some observations into human nature thrown in. More, I felt that with everything going on politically and culturally in the world and especially in the United States, people may find this hits a little close to home. Fortunately, love and reason win the day, and the author sneaks in a few surprises that remind us that even though we’re seeing this world through Nell’s eyes, Nell doesn’t always see or know anything, even though she’s remarkably perceptive.
That being said, I can’t wait for book 2, because I think I love Nell even more than I did Jane. So I’m very glad the next release is scheduled within the next few months!
I’ll admit it’s been a while since I read one of Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock books, and I’m certainly at least three or four books behind on the series, so I was a little worried about my ability to dive into the Soulwood series, which launched with Blood of the Earth just this week, given that it’s a spinoff. But while there were lots of mentions of the original series and even a few crossover characters, I needn’t have worried, because I was hooked within a chapter or two of reading it.
What really sold me on this book was the main character, Nell Ingram, who’d left the cult she’d been born into, but stayed right next door so she could be there for her family if she needed them. If that doesn’t spell out strength of character, then I don’t know what does. Because while Nell keeps herself isolated, she still makes very careful, very conscious decisions for herself, and when the choice comes to let people into her life and at the same time help others or to stay out of it and stay safe, she makes the right choice—and a brave one, considering it may mean going against the people she’s known and lived with for most of her life.
Assembled around this superhero of a character (who, by the way, has some sick, sick magic—and I mean that in a good way) is a highly skilled team of fellow badasses. Rick LaFleur I knew from the Jane Yellowrock series, but I feel like I actually would’ve enjoyed being introduced to him for the first time in this book. I’m struggling not to talk about the others here, because I really enjoyed meeting them and if you decide to pick up a copy for yourself (and you should), I hope you enjoy it too. But let me just say that these supporting characters have the promise to carry Nell and the reader through many more books in this series—not that Nell needs it, but I love how she blossoms with their friendship (and more-than-friendship, in one character’s case).
From start to finish, this book is packed with action, with moments of humor and even some observations into human nature thrown in. More, I felt that with everything going on politically and culturally in the world and especially in the United States, people may find this hits a little close to home. Fortunately, love and reason win the day, and the author sneaks in a few surprises that remind us that even though we’re seeing this world through Nell’s eyes, Nell doesn’t always see or know anything, even though she’s remarkably perceptive.
That being said, I can’t wait for book 2, because I think I love Nell even more than I did Jane. So I’m very glad the next release is scheduled within the next few months!
I wasn't expecting to like this book/series much, so it took a while to start reading it and to get into it once started. Now I regret that it took me so long!
Recommend for those who have read Jane Yellowrock's series - even if you didn't like Nell - she might just grow on you.
Recommend for those who have read Jane Yellowrock's series - even if you didn't like Nell - she might just grow on you.
Re-read 26th June 2023
Re-read 31st October 2018
Ok...that was pretty amazing. I enjoyed it so much I’m starting on book 2 straight away.
Re-read 31st October 2018
Ok...that was pretty amazing. I enjoyed it so much I’m starting on book 2 straight away.
Great start to what will be a great series! I was a bit hesitant about this spinoff as there were so many other characters in the Jane Yellowrock series that seemed to be begging for their own books but Nell didn't disappoint! Smart quick witted and so much room for the character to grow. Now the wait for the next in the series...
This book doesn’t require a lot of thinking but it’s pretty good entertainment. It should have been shorter; there’s a bit too much repetitive pontification happening, and I’m still salty about the mistreatment of Rick (SO much better than Bruiser. Blech!) but otherwise it was decent and I liked Nell.
A good one! Not sure if I would have enjoyed it if I hadn't already read the Jane Yellowrock series, tho.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced