Blood Trade

Blood Trade (2013) Faith Hunter

I really like Jane Yellowrock. I know I say that every time I read one of these books, but that’s because it remains true.

Natchez, Mississippi is overrun with rogues, and the Master hires Jane to come help him solve this problem. But when she arrives, things are even worse than she expected.

There are a lot of things to love here: Jane is working well with Eli and the Kid, and regaining a small sense of normalcy in her life, with people for her to care about. She gets away from New Orleans and the MOC there, who has tied not Jane, but Beast to himself. And she gets to kill things.

I know I say this every time, but I love how competently Jane is portrayed. We see her train. We see how long it takes her to get dressed when she goes to fight, and we’re reminded how expensive her gear is, and how hard she worked to afford it. Yes, she has special gifts, but she doesn’t rely upon them, instead relying upon hard-earned skills and being careful.

And I continue to love Beast.

I hacked in amusement. I am bigger. I like bigger. Would like to be a holy hellcat too.

She knows Jane, but the two are very separate and very different, and sometimes they are at odds. Especially with Beast wanting Rick AND Bruiser, and Jane not being sure what she wants, but also sure she doesn’t want both of them–and the carnage that would ensue if she tried it.

There is also a big resolution towards the end of the book I was very glad to see. It’s an issue that has been worrying me for several books, and I’m delighted to see the first steps towards its resolution.

But that’s all you’re getting on that subject. I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.

In theory, you could read this without having read anything else in the series, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Beside, the whole series is wonderful, so why not just start at the beginning?
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by ROC

 
 

• Browse the archives:
  
• Thieves’ World, Book 3: Shadows Of Sanctuary » »
• « « Lady of Quality