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A review by laurenjodi
Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter
4.0
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.