Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed Nell and her discoveries. Discoveries about her magic, about the world (her introduction to hotels was awesome), about the woman she is and wants to be outside the cult, about her family and recognizing that all things are not completely good or completely bad and that's all right.
I'm looking forward to her progress and her adventures. Nell may be one of the most real characters I've ever read for all that she has magic.
I'm looking forward to her progress and her adventures. Nell may be one of the most real characters I've ever read for all that she has magic.
I LOVE Nell! I decided I'd better catch up on the Soulwood series in preparation for Cold Reign coming out in a week or so. Why didn't I read this sooner?! There are so many great characters to love in this new series...Occam, Tandy... we have previously met Rick and Paka (who I still don't love) and Pea. I also love how Faith Hunter always weaves the church and faith into her stories. Granted, this one was more of a cult, but she still had a lot to teach us about religion, faith and family bonds. "Real religion is about love and redemption and healing, not putting people down, segregating them into smaller...groups so they can be controlled." As usual, we get a lot of fantasy (urban fantasy) thrown in with a thriller/mystery and lots of relationships. I love the growth and self awareness Nell experienced in this first book and have no doubt that there will be a lot more in the next one.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. There is so incredibly much to unpack with this read. This novel addresses cultism, blind faith in authority, female empowerment, gender equality, violence against women, and in my mind most importantly how all of the above intersect and build of one another.
Nell, as a lead character, works so well for me because she isn't your typical "strong female lead" found in most modern fiction. Her struggles for independence are real, and have fatal consequences that are realistic even though this is a work of fantasy. Nell's biggest risk isn't being discovered by the government, or losing a romantic interest; no. The biggest risk in Nell's life is being captured by a misogynistic, sadist, and violent cult that she escaped from in her youth. I found these stakes to much more worthy of my attention as a reader that the more typical tropes found in urban fantasy.
The dynamic with her family, revealed closer to the end of the novel, was particularly enthralling for me. It was refreshing in it's surprise factor. I didn't see it coming and felt it added an emotional element to the conclusion that was missing beforehand.
This is a tale of strength. And all of it's various incarnations. From the persecuted, and abused womenfolk of the cult, to the young men in the cult who bide their time to avenge and protect, to Nell who comes into her own surrounded by those she can't trust because she has been so mistreated.
I loved this read, and recommend it to those looking for a read with teeth that will keep you up to the wee hours of the morning.
Nell, as a lead character, works so well for me because she isn't your typical "strong female lead" found in most modern fiction. Her struggles for independence are real, and have fatal consequences that are realistic even though this is a work of fantasy. Nell's biggest risk isn't being discovered by the government, or losing a romantic interest; no. The biggest risk in Nell's life is being captured by a misogynistic, sadist, and violent cult that she escaped from in her youth. I found these stakes to much more worthy of my attention as a reader that the more typical tropes found in urban fantasy.
The dynamic with her family, revealed closer to the end of the novel, was particularly enthralling for me. It was refreshing in it's surprise factor. I didn't see it coming and felt it added an emotional element to the conclusion that was missing beforehand.
This is a tale of strength. And all of it's various incarnations. From the persecuted, and abused womenfolk of the cult, to the young men in the cult who bide their time to avenge and protect, to Nell who comes into her own surrounded by those she can't trust because she has been so mistreated.
I loved this read, and recommend it to those looking for a read with teeth that will keep you up to the wee hours of the morning.
Blood of the Earth
4 Stars
Exiled from a religious cult, Nell Ingram lives off the grid and uses her uncanny connection to the woods as protection. Now, after meeting Jane Yellowrock, Nell is approached by Rick LaFleur, an agent with PsyLED, the government agency responsible for policing paranormals, with a request for help in solving a series of abductions possibly connected to Nell's old church. Forced out of isolation, Nell joins the PsyLED team, but in order to stop the malign agenda unfolding, she will have to confront the deepest and darkest fears of her past.
Series note: This is a spin-off of the Jane Yellowrock series and slots in after the events of book #10 Shadow Rites. While it is not strictly necessary to read Jane's books prior, they do provide background information that will provide the reader with a better understanding and appreciation for Hunter's world building and the crossover characters.
For readers of Jane Yellowrock, Rick LaFleur will be a familiar, if not particularly welcome, face. That said, the concern that his character would impair my appreciation for the story were completely unfounded for three reasons. First, because he is not a love interest for Nell, which prevents the angst that characterizes his relationship with Jane; second, because Hunter manages to evoke a measure of sympathy for his situation, and third because Nell has her own special way of putting him in his place.
Nell's character is very intriguing due both to her fascinating abilities, which walk a fine line between good and evil, and to her background as a former cult member. The description of the God's Cloud of Glory Church are both thought-provoking and infuriating. On the one hand, their despicable treatment of women makes the blood boil, but on the other, the sense of family and community is very appealing. It is the mark of an excellent storyteller that Hunter succeeds in merging the two so skillfully.
The abduction plot appears straightforward at first, yet it becomes more complex as the details emerge and there are several compelling twists and turns as well as numerous action packed scene to make for a very satisfying read.
In terms of the writing, several reviewers have mentioned Nell's "church speak" as being distracting. For me, this was not an issue as Khristine Hvam's narration of the audiobook in gripping and immersive. Nevertheless, there is a certain amount of repetitive description that is problematic, and it feels as if Hunter had a page quota to fulfill.
In sum, Blood of the Earth is a fascinating beginning to the Soulwood series and I'm eager to see the direction in which Hunter takes her exceedingly intelligent, resourceful and spirited new heroine.
4 Stars
Exiled from a religious cult, Nell Ingram lives off the grid and uses her uncanny connection to the woods as protection. Now, after meeting Jane Yellowrock, Nell is approached by Rick LaFleur, an agent with PsyLED, the government agency responsible for policing paranormals, with a request for help in solving a series of abductions possibly connected to Nell's old church. Forced out of isolation, Nell joins the PsyLED team, but in order to stop the malign agenda unfolding, she will have to confront the deepest and darkest fears of her past.
Series note: This is a spin-off of the Jane Yellowrock series and slots in after the events of book #10 Shadow Rites. While it is not strictly necessary to read Jane's books prior, they do provide background information that will provide the reader with a better understanding and appreciation for Hunter's world building and the crossover characters.
For readers of Jane Yellowrock, Rick LaFleur will be a familiar, if not particularly welcome, face. That said, the concern that his character would impair my appreciation for the story were completely unfounded for three reasons. First, because he is not a love interest for Nell, which prevents the angst that characterizes his relationship with Jane; second, because Hunter manages to evoke a measure of sympathy for his situation, and third because Nell has her own special way of putting him in his place.
Nell's character is very intriguing due both to her fascinating abilities, which walk a fine line between good and evil, and to her background as a former cult member. The description of the God's Cloud of Glory Church are both thought-provoking and infuriating. On the one hand, their despicable treatment of women makes the blood boil, but on the other, the sense of family and community is very appealing. It is the mark of an excellent storyteller that Hunter succeeds in merging the two so skillfully.
The abduction plot appears straightforward at first, yet it becomes more complex as the details emerge and there are several compelling twists and turns as well as numerous action packed scene to make for a very satisfying read.
In terms of the writing, several reviewers have mentioned Nell's "church speak" as being distracting. For me, this was not an issue as Khristine Hvam's narration of the audiobook in gripping and immersive. Nevertheless, there is a certain amount of repetitive description that is problematic, and it feels as if Hunter had a page quota to fulfill.
In sum, Blood of the Earth is a fascinating beginning to the Soulwood series and I'm eager to see the direction in which Hunter takes her exceedingly intelligent, resourceful and spirited new heroine.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started off strong but was too long, could have benefitted from more editing.
Great start to a new series
I've read all of the Jane Yellowrock series, whose world Soulwood is set in, so I feel like I have a decent feel for Ms Hunter's writing style. I almost gave up on Jane early on because of the overly descriptive sections of the books, but I liked the characters, especially Rick LeFleur who is now in Soulwood's world, so I stuck it out and the descriptions became shorter and a little less often. Apparently the overly descriptive style is how Ms Hunter builds her worlds, because those extremely long, overly done descriptions were back in Blood of the Earth. At one point I noticed one descriptive paragraph was longer than the page of my kindle. I'm going to stick it out with this series, hoping that it does as Jane's did and evens out, because Nell is just too interesting to give up on this early in the game!!
I've read all of the Jane Yellowrock series, whose world Soulwood is set in, so I feel like I have a decent feel for Ms Hunter's writing style. I almost gave up on Jane early on because of the overly descriptive sections of the books, but I liked the characters, especially Rick LeFleur who is now in Soulwood's world, so I stuck it out and the descriptions became shorter and a little less often. Apparently the overly descriptive style is how Ms Hunter builds her worlds, because those extremely long, overly done descriptions were back in Blood of the Earth. At one point I noticed one descriptive paragraph was longer than the page of my kindle. I'm going to stick it out with this series, hoping that it does as Jane's did and evens out, because Nell is just too interesting to give up on this early in the game!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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:
Complicated