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inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
Four short stories in in the world of Jane Yellowrock.
In WeSa and the Lumber King, the Beast who lives inside Jane watches as her hunting grounds become prey and Jane watches as Beast gets even. It took a minute for me to figure out that Beast was referring to Jane as WeSa or bobcat. This story takes place in the early times.
In “Haints,” Jane and her best friend, witch Molly Trueblood, are hired to investigate mysterious paranormal phenomena—and the evil they find brings a new meaning to the words "haunted house." This is told from Molly’s point of view.
Signatures of the Dead was previously published in Strange Brew and tells the story of the vampire massacre that made Jane Yellowrock a household name.
And in “Cajun with Fangs,” Jane makes a new friend who turns out to have old enemies, and finds herself drawn into a vicious blood feud, fueled by dark magic and ancient grudges. It takes place shortly after Raven Cursed and before Death’s Rival.
I enjoy Jane Yellowrock and am glad to have any excuse to visit. These quick reads are a fun adventure into the mind and world of Jane Yellowrock and her friends.
In WeSa and the Lumber King, the Beast who lives inside Jane watches as her hunting grounds become prey and Jane watches as Beast gets even. It took a minute for me to figure out that Beast was referring to Jane as WeSa or bobcat. This story takes place in the early times.
In “Haints,” Jane and her best friend, witch Molly Trueblood, are hired to investigate mysterious paranormal phenomena—and the evil they find brings a new meaning to the words "haunted house." This is told from Molly’s point of view.
Signatures of the Dead was previously published in Strange Brew and tells the story of the vampire massacre that made Jane Yellowrock a household name.
And in “Cajun with Fangs,” Jane makes a new friend who turns out to have old enemies, and finds herself drawn into a vicious blood feud, fueled by dark magic and ancient grudges. It takes place shortly after Raven Cursed and before Death’s Rival.
I enjoy Jane Yellowrock and am glad to have any excuse to visit. These quick reads are a fun adventure into the mind and world of Jane Yellowrock and her friends.
graff_fuller's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Have Stakes, Will Travel is a short story collect.
1) WESA and the Lumber King - 3.5 Stars - prequel story. Meh
2) Haints - 4.5 Stars - Molly's POV.
3) Signatures of the Dead - 4 Stars - Molly's POV
4) Cajun With Fangs - 4 Stars - Jane's POV.
This was okay. I like the characters. The stories, themselves are okay, but more so because I love the relationships progressing.
I should've read it BEFORE the previous book I read in this series, but it really didn't effect it too much.
1) WESA and the Lumber King - 3.5 Stars - prequel story. Meh
2) Haints - 4.5 Stars - Molly's POV.
3) Signatures of the Dead - 4 Stars - Molly's POV
4) Cajun With Fangs - 4 Stars - Jane's POV.
This was okay. I like the characters. The stories, themselves are okay, but more so because I love the relationships progressing.
I should've read it BEFORE the previous book I read in this series, but it really didn't effect it too much.
ashbasile's review
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of stories! I liked hearing more backstories, learning more about Molly and her family (although, not much there) and even having a little wedding!
leelah's review
3.0
"WeSa and the Lumber King"
This is a short story, told from Beast's pov in Hunter's, already recognizable style. It covers an event from period of time Jane doesn't remember; when Beast was in charge.
This story doesn't add too much to a complete series, but it answers one significant question everyone who read series wondered about at some point:
Is every type of meat on Beast's plate? :)
It's too short for me to rate it on basis that would give much credence to it, so I'll stick to saying: if you are fan of Beast's pov in novels- then you'll appreciate this small addition.
*****
"Haints" - 3 stars
Told from Molly's pov.
In introduction author pointed out she is so immersed into her character that writing stories about how other characters perceive Jane proved to be a challenge. If there is one person whose experience on Jane I wanted to read about it's Molly, since she is quite possibly the person who came closest to Jane.
This story is about them working together on cleaning possessed house. Witch magic is involved and Molly's special skills of being earth witch with ability to sense dead are coming in hand.
Again, I am all for showing more witches and their magic since we know from the start they came out publicly together with vampires, which makes them if not as dangerous, than not for underestimating as well. Molly's magic is not really pretty and it affects her, but it somehow suits her personality since, at the same time, it's not invasive or combative type of magic. Molly is groomed from the beginning as this caregiver, maternal type of characters and seeing her perform something deadly would throw me out a bit. That doesn't mean she is not powerful or able to defend herself- it just means that her personality is not to go and cause trouble for anyone.
Hence, leaving Evan and Jane being badass in this whole affair fit to what we know about characters so far.
+ it was nice seeing Evan and Jane working together having Molly's best interests in mind. They are a good team.
Case on its own was interesting if a bit predictable, but seeing Jane in action through someone else's eyes accentuated that her skills doesn't just make her effective and deadly, but also graceful. I like thinking of her as deadly, badass warrior woman who is also attractive. She doesn't see herself that way often.
******
"Signatures of the Dead" - 3 stars
This is also one of stories hinted in novels, specifically in first book.
We know that Katie hired Jane because she earned reputation of taking down entire clan of rogue vampires. This is the story that covers that event.
Another one told from Molly's pov. It's connected to "Haints" since we got to know in that one all about how Molly's powers work and that they are the reason for why she is on back-call of local detective and their friend Brax.
There is a butchered family and Molly, Jane and Brax know they have to stop vamps before they get hungry again.
So, this story is important to me on some visceral level because it reminds me that Jane is not all powerful. Katie and her customers don't know beyond the results (which is, that job was done), but Jane suffered a great deal in this fight and it took a long tiem for her to recover.
It's also obvious that Everhart clan owes her for saving Carmen even though she did it for Molly. It makes more sense why sisters are ready to listen to her later on.
******
"Cajun with Fangs" - 3 stars
This story is set right after Raven Cursed and it involves Jane once again acting as Leo's enforcer and trying to handle a trouble between witches and local vamp clan in Bayou Oiseau.
It was fine, nothing memorable, more for seeing Derek and Vodka boys in action again.
My main quibble is the fact that vamps as we know them are very fickle creatures and solution seemed too easy and not what I would expect.
What I got from this story is the fact that Jane left her gig in NOLA and went on a country cruise... Hmmm, somehow I don't think Leo would let her leave even if she didn't call him regarding the situation in Bayou Oiseau.
bookfessional's review
4.0
We Sa and the Lumber King - 4.0 stars
FIRST, I'm not sure there's a more perfect example of Beast vs. Jane than this one:
Moving on.
If you're a longtime reader of Jane, you know there are periodic references to the Hunger Times. This is a (very) short story from Beast's POV as she tries to get rid of the humans destroying her natural habitat.
Beast is . . . Beast. *snickers*
We also get a peek at baby Jane, who hasn't yet found her way back to human form after melding with Beast.
Haints - 4.0 stars
HAINTS is one more reason why vampires and witches shouldn't mix. o.O
This one is told from Molly's POV, which is awesome b/c we get to see Jane through her eyes (ALSO b/c Molly). Evan is on hand as well, and as he's not hating on Jane, that's fun, too.
Two word summary: WEIRD magic.
ALSO, there are several Easter eggs hidden for true Jane aficionados.
Signatures of Death - 4.0 stars
You know that job Jane had prior to hitting New Orleans? The one where she nearly got her throat ripped out? The one where some kid got her on video with her eyes glowing?
This is that story.
It's not pretty. But dealing with rogue vampires rarely is.
Good thing we have Jane.
Cajun with Fangs - 3.5 stars
This one is a Hatfields and McCoys scenario played out by vampires and witches in the bayou. Jane gets tricked into helping moderate a dispute, and by "tricked" I mean clocked with a heavy object.
Pretty standard as far as these types of things go, BUT most of the involved parties have fantastic Cajun accents, and I do love me a good Cajun accent.
FIRST, I'm not sure there's a more perfect example of Beast vs. Jane than this one:
Night vision came as sunlight left. Earth turned into silvers and greens and grays. Liked this time of day/ night. We sa called it beautiful. I called it safe.
Moving on.
If you're a longtime reader of Jane, you know there are periodic references to the Hunger Times. This is a (very) short story from Beast's POV as she tries to get rid of the humans destroying her natural habitat.
Beast is . . . Beast. *snickers*
We also get a peek at baby Jane, who hasn't yet found her way back to human form after melding with Beast.
Haints - 4.0 stars
HAINTS is one more reason why vampires and witches shouldn't mix. o.O
This one is told from Molly's POV, which is awesome b/c we get to see Jane through her eyes (ALSO b/c Molly). Evan is on hand as well, and as he's not hating on Jane, that's fun, too.
Two word summary: WEIRD magic.
ALSO, there are several Easter eggs hidden for true Jane aficionados.
Signatures of Death - 4.0 stars
You know that job Jane had prior to hitting New Orleans? The one where she nearly got her throat ripped out? The one where some kid got her on video with her eyes glowing?
This is that story.
It's not pretty. But dealing with rogue vampires rarely is.
Good thing we have Jane.
Cajun with Fangs - 3.5 stars
This one is a Hatfields and McCoys scenario played out by vampires and witches in the bayou. Jane gets tricked into helping moderate a dispute, and by "tricked" I mean clocked with a heavy object.
Pretty standard as far as these types of things go, BUT most of the involved parties have fantastic Cajun accents, and I do love me a good Cajun accent.
macthekat's review
gah, I have read all of these before, so be aware that this a collection - totally my own fault. Silly kit, foolish mistake
liliandherbooks's review
4.0
I liked the stories in this companion book, and that was mostly why I bought it. I really liked the cute vamp and witch/Romeo and Juliet short story. Too cute!
suzjustsuz's review
4.0
4 short, 3 new. A nice addition to the series. One of the shorts is from Beast's POV from the hunger times. The writing was a little disjointed but it was very short and conveyed beasts' thinking adequately.
Two of the shorts were from Molly's perspective and it was nice to get to know her better. I think it will fatten the Jane stories for me.
The last short was from Jane's POV, occurring between books 4 & 5. It's nice to see Jane find another way.
Two of the shorts were from Molly's perspective and it was nice to get to know her better. I think it will fatten the Jane stories for me.
The last short was from Jane's POV, occurring between books 4 & 5. It's nice to see Jane find another way.
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