Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jane Yellowrock is a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires using necklaces made of feathers and bones. But Jane isn't just any shapeshifter; she shares her body with a conscious and independent entity (a panther) known as Beast. How she and Beast became one is one of the central plots of the book as Jane has a shady memory and can't recall a great deal of her past. Bits and pieces are revealed in 'Skinwalker' but a lot is left for future outings. Beast even narrates some chapters when Jane shifts -- these are written quite choppily in 'beast language', in short fragmented sentences. I found it difficult to read at first but you do get used to it.

In 1962 vampires were outed when Marilyn Monroe was caught trying to turn the president of the United States. Witches are also known to humans and magic users are kept track of by a government body. Today, heightened shapeshifter instincts give Jane an advantage in her profession of hunting rogue vampires. Jane is hired by a member of the vampire council in New Orleans, Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires around and madam of her very own brothel to hunt a powerful and elusive rogue vampire. The rogue has left a trail of bloody bodies and it's Jane's job to catch the sucker.

The characters Jane and Molly were first introduced in a short story in the Strange Brew anthology but it's unnecessary to have read it. Jane herself is basically Mercy Thompson meets Kate Daniels. Inexplicably I became quite attached to her. There were times when I was ready to put this book down without finishing it but I kept coming back, there was just something about Jane I really liked. I think because she reminded me so much of Kate Daniels, who I love to bits. Like Kate, Jane frowns at authority and has a subtle sense of humour that isn't over the top, and a humanising emotional vulnerability (although different from Kate's) that is very relatable. I look forward to seeing her gain a more solid group of friends and base of operations, which is what this novel was establishing in many ways. Also, thankfully, even though one or two men showed some interest in Jane it never went further than flirting. The woman has decorum.

Molly is Jane's BFF and also happens to be a witch, we don't see much of her in this book but I assume she's going to be important later on. Leo Pellissier is the Blood Master of the City and all around vampire stereotype but I think Hunter is going to go in a less cliched direction with him than I first thought -- judging by the ending. There's also the police officer named Jodi who I liked very much; it's always refreshing to have strong secondary female characters in books like this. A character I absolutely loved was Bruiser, his real name is George (something hilarious about nicknaming someone named George 'Bruiser'). Bruiser was just the right amount of snarky and I think his past will be very interesting. The characters in this novel are three-dimensional and complex; they weren't always very nice and often were not what they seemed.

Now, the plot was here and there for me. I enjoyed it on some levels but it took far too long to get going and when it was finally being investigated the case lacked being very interesting. I didn't find it compelling because it didn't hold much political or Machiavellian intrigue not until too late anyway. I hope this will improve, this novel felt very much like a setup for future books and those are always awkward. The thing that I disliked was the repetitive nature of the investigation which could have been better handled -- it mostly consisted of Jane trying to sniff out the rogue in Beast form. It was tired by the end.

Overall, this novel isn't going to win many awards for originality. But it looks to be an enjoyable dark/gritty series with interesting characters and a world ripe for expansion (elves and werewolves were also mentioned). The next book is out now: Blood Cross. I think we can agree well written books in this genre are hard to come by, grab this one with both hands!

At last - another strong, capable heroine who doesn't dissolve into brainless mush at the first sight of an attractive man! Jane Yellowrock is more than able to defend herself and she works alone (apart from some input from Beast - who I rate!), and is damn good at what she does. Sure she'd like a man in her life but she's not going to let herself be seduced by a pretty face (or body), nor by powerful vampires who want to know just what she is. There are several strong female characters in this novel - the police officer, the shaman, Katie, Mollie, with only the head-honcho vampire Leo to balance that - the romance interest is very undeveloped, especially as Jane first flattens him, and then saves his butt big time... A sequel definitely beckons from the ending, and while a lot of her history with Beast emerges, there has to be more.
There are a lot of urban fantasy books coming out with female leads who are meant to be sassy, but sadly most are poor, with really, really stupid women you want to shake, who go all stupid the minute the love interest appears. This isn't like that one little bit. Well worth the read.

A more easy going read than the Rogue Mage novels and you really get to like the central character and a bit more love and romance in these (for those who want that)

Good stories and plot, sometimes a little complicated but generally very enjoyable.

Worth starting with this series before you move to her Rogue Mage ones as they are much more heavy going.