A review by reader44ever
Blood Trade by Faith Hunter

5.0

I LOVE this story. This is the first Jane Yellowrock book that (for me) ran the full gamut of emotions, and left me in tears. It was pretty fabulous. :-)

This sixth book also seems to have maybe closed out an arc that began with book #1, and that I didn't realize was an arc. Of course, I don't feel too bad about this. Jane didn't realize her first six adventures were all connected either. ;-)

And if this sixth book did NOT close out that arc, we at least now know that there was an overall arc. :-)

So what happens in this book? Well, Jane accepts the job offered to her by the Master of Natchez, but there's a bit more to it than just hunting down the Naturaleza left behind after Lucas Vazquez de Allyon was killed. These Naturaleza

are not just stronger and tougher to kill than "regular" vamps, they're also changing, evolving into bug-like beings that are resistant to silver, sunlight, and nigh impossible to kill.

But Jane manages. ;-)

For the first time in a series book, we also meet (again, if you, like me, have read the shorts) kids (now grown-up) that Jane first met in the children's home she lived in when she was young. Misha

is writing a book about vampires

and Bobby (!!!)

is helping her to take care of her daughter - dying of an acute form of cancer - while she works.

But all too soon, Misha

goes missing. Jane learns that she's a witch, and not the first witch to go missing in Natchez. What are the Naturaleza up to that involves a full witch circle?

Reading how all of these things connect was super intriguing and fun. :-)

I almost laughed out loud in two different places, but since I didn't laugh - I just smiled very widely - I'll only share the page numbers where the scenes took place. The almost-LOL quotes can be found on pages 89 and 303. :-)

And then I cried in the end. It was just so touching. Bobby

had earlier done something very brave to help Jane and Eli, who were present at the time, and the others. Eli told him he was very brave and deserved a medal. Well, in the Epilogue, Bobby got his medal. :-)

Bobby was dressed up, as were Misha and Charly; Jane was in her fighting gear per Bobby's request, and Eli was in his Ranger dress uniform. Eli presented Bobby with a Purple Heart (one of Eli's own - he has others). :-)

Bobby's eyes swelled with pride. He stood straight and tall, his eyes never leaving Eli's. The Ranger stepped back and saluted Bobby again. Bobby raised his hand and touched the medal, and then sought me out. "I'm a hero too now, Jane."
"Yes, Bobby Bates. You really are. You always have been." [fin]

And, cue masses of tears. :-)

Also in the end, Jane

and Big Evan, who was called in - by Leo - to help free the captive witches, had a talk and Big Evan finally - FINALLY - came around! So if Molly wants to call Jane and resume their friendship, he won't stand in the way.

I was so happy about this that it's really no wonder that I was primed for tears in the Epilogue. ;-)

In sum, I just really loved this book. We learned a lot and it was all good stuff. :-)