Mercy Blade (Jane Yellowrock, Book 3)

I'm not going to provide the gist of this book, since so many others do a better job of it. I just want to comment on the series. From the beginning I saw echoes of the early Anita Blake in the Jane Yellowstone character. Like Anita, Jane is not the typical Caucasian heroine. She has a very close connection with her chosen faith, and she is pretty linear when it comes to how she sees the world (specifically, what constitutes human--and what constitutes monster). Also, Jane shares the conflict that Anita Blake had with the world of vamps and weres. There are a lot of similarities, but I won't go into further detail.

I'm not very happy with authors who steal storylines from other authors, but I think Faith Hunter does a wonderful job on her take of the Anita Blake storyline. This is a grown-up series dealing with personal journeys--journeys to find balance. Jane's personal journeys involve connecting with her Cherokee heritage, her mysterious but violent past, and her moral structure--as defined by her religious beliefs in light of her human limitations and desires.

A lot of good UF series have focused on the importance of a heroine's choice in companionship: Jean Claude vs. Richard, Edward vs. Jacob, Sam vs. Adam, etc. Few of these series focus on the personal journey of the heroine in deciding what will be best for her long term interests. As a long time reader of UF, I've seen that it's not so important who a heroine ends up with as who they discover themselves to be.

Jane Yellowrock is the primary character in this series. IMO, either Rick or George will do as a companion (though definitely not both). Everything seems to take a back seat to who Jane is and who she becomes as a person. I love the way Faith Hunter makes this point. The choices made by Rick and George are their own, and seem incompatible with Jane's needs. The question, therefore, becomes how does Jane balance her desires with their choices? I believe when all is said and done, she will be a character who does the unthinkable--one that can become whole in and of herself, and can walk away from anything and anyone threatening her wholeness.

It's not possible to appreciate this book without having read the first two in the series. The names alone will create some confusion, so you will need to be comfortable with backstory from the previous two books. The beginning of this book is a little slow, but be patient--because it is so worth reading. Not just for the reasons I've outlined above, but because it is good storytelling. The mystery is anything but complicated--I was surprised some readers thought of it that way. Jane's religion is nothing less than what many practicing Christians contend with every day, throughout the course of a day. Skip over it if you can't relate, but don't bypass a wonderful read on account of something so minor.

Faith Hunter has done it again: kept me at the edge of my seat, sending me on a journey of twists and turns through the latest installment in her Jane Yellowrock series, "Mercy Blade."

Our story picks up shortly after "[[ASIN:0451463072 Blood Cross (Jane Yellowrock, Book 2)]]" ended. Jane is now in a relationship with NOPD cop Rick LeFleur. And she has decided to move to New Orleans, for at least the next six months, to work as a security consultant for Master Vampire of the City, Leo. Jane is crazy about Rick, but things aren't perfect between them. He doesn't know she is a shapeshifter and they don't get to spend much time together because of some secret assignment he is working for the police.

The big news here is that the were-creatures of the world have decided to come out of the closet. And Leo is staging talks with the were-cats. Jane is to handle security for the big event. Leo has a long history of bad blood with the were-wolves, however. He sends Jane to meet with a mysterious man at a bar --to give him the message to leave town. When she gets there, though, it's full of werewolves and she mistakenly delivers the message to them. They would have killed her if Gee (the true mystery man) hadn't stepped in and saved her.

Like with every book in this series so far, there is so much going on. Rick goes missing... leaving Jane to question if he's in danger, if he's undercover, and/or if he is blowing her off. There is layer upon layer of intrigue surrounding vamp politics and where the weres fit in (not to mention who/what Gee is.) And let's not forget Bruiser, Leo's human servant. There is something very, very hot going on between him and Jane. There is still no on-page sex to speak of, but these two absolutely sizzle when they are together. Just one dance scene between them generates enough heat to make you melt.

As much as I enjoyed it... and I really did... I have to point out that I need a little help getting excited about Rick. For two books in a row, we've been treated to close-call encounters between Jane and Bruiser. But we haven't seen that betwen Jane and Rick. We've had narrative saying more has happened, but it's all off page. I'm not saying Bruiser is right for Jane. All of her reservations about him are warranted, but I do wish the author would help me out in rooting for Rick as a HEA. The closest we've had to a love scene with him was with the mayor's wife in book one.

There are many revelations --especially in the second half of the book. All of them make perfect sense, but I didn't see any of them coming.(I won't spoil you, though.) And the very last line opens the door to huge possibilities in the next book. If you are a Jane Yellowrock fan, you won't want to miss this one. 5 stars.

I really liked the Jane Yellowrock series until this book. Just like another reviewer said, the heroine was way too angsty. A woman can not be successful in her career if she is sad and down on herself all the time...and Jane is successful and angsty...doesn't work for me. Further, the book was hard to follow because it was all over the place. I like the series but that whole saving her boyfriend from certain death after she had only been sleeping with him a month was weird. And what is this about a thirty year old woman feeling guilty about giving her boyfriend some loving...but she kills vampires and rides a motorcycle...really, really?

Like I said, I really like Yellowrock, the Native American mysticism in the first two books was really interesting...but this book not so much. But I am going to give her another try...I hope I dont have to dump her like I did Laurell K. Hamilton when she messed up the Anita Blake novels with all that weirdo sex

This book started off good, it got even better in the middle with something always going on and Jane getting into scrapes. But I was very disappointed at the end... (This May Contain SPOILERS!!!) The religious context seemed a bit out of place and her worry about having sex with her boyfriend out of wedlock. And I kept waiting for the confrontation with the boyfriend but way the author finished the book of off with her cheating boyfriend turning up. It left me thinking if this girl gets back with him then she needs a slap over the head with a large 4x2 plank of wood. I don't care if he was abused or turned into a were, he still cheated on her even if he was undercover (maybe he shouldn't be in a relationship. what a loser). I will read the next book, but if the author doesn't make this a better read it will the last book I read. She will go on my list of authors not to read anymore.

I just finished the 3rd Jane Yellowrock book, Mercy Blade, by Faith Hunter and I must say I love it!

I love Jane because she is as mixed-up, guilty and confused as the rest of us. It makes her more believable and likable, she's not this "perfect" character whose life is neat and organized, and nothing ever goes wrong! I want to read about someone like me; someone who makes stupid mistakes, who often misses obvious clues and who agonizes over decisions made.

I also liked the multi-layered plot. I loved the twists and turns of the plot, a wheel within a wheel within a wheel plot line. I hate books that are one dimensional and go forward from A to ZED in a straight line. What fun is that? I like to use my mind when reading to try to figure out what's next. I don't want to be "told" a story, I want to drawn in and become part of it.

I liked the "cliff-hanger" ending, it was the perfect place to stop and keeps us looking ahead to next book.

To any readers out there who are new to the Jane Yellowrock series, I would suggest reading the books in sequence: Skinwalker, Blood Cross then Mercy Blade. The series is well-crafted, fast-paced and action-packed!

Faith's Rogue Mage series is also a well-crafted set of books and worth the read!

This is my favorite book in the series so far. While I enjoyed the first two books, this is the first one that grabbed me and kept me reading all day long, even when I had something better to do.

Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer/PI who...moreThis is my favorite book in the series so far. While I enjoyed the first two books, this is the first one that grabbed me and kept me reading all day long, even when I had something better to do.

Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer/PI who works for the vampire council in New Orleans. And this is the part that I actually don't like about the series. I don't get why she sticks around working for them, because they are constantly putting her life in danger, and it seems that there are other people out there who would want her services.

Anyway, in this book the other were-animals are coming out to society, except for Jane, who is a skinwalker that no one knows about, and she believes that she may be the last of her kind. While her boss Leo Pellesier is making nice with the were-cats of Africa, the werewolves come to town and try to make trouble. The plot becomes very convoluted, but all becomes clear in the end. I liked the introduction of a new character, the Mercy Blade, and learning about a new type of supernatural being.

I have not been a huge fan of Jane's relationship with her boyfriend, Rick, who is a cop with NOPD. I was rather happy that he went undercover for most of the story, which let in the opportunity for some hot scenes with Leo's second in command, Bruiser. I didn't quite get Jane's angst over this, since she was pretty sure Rick was cheating on her undercover. Also, her religious angst over pre-marital sex seems wrong to me, since she kills people/vampires/were animals for her job. But I guess we all have our quirks.

The book was heading toward a rather dark ending, and while not happy about that, it seemed to fit with the overall story arc. I was surprised about the ending, and while not a cliffhanger, I am eager to see what happens next.

Summary
Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker - and a vampire killer for hire. But lately she's found herself taking blood money from the very vampires she used to hunt...

Things are heating up in the Big Easy. Weres have announced their existence to the world, and revived the bitter tensions that run between them and their old enemies: vampires. As a trusted employee of Leo Pellissier, Blood Master of the City, Jane finds herself caught in the cross fire.

When Jane is attacked by a pack of marauding werewolves, she is thankful for the help of a mysterious stranger named Girrard. He explains that he used to be Leo's "Mercy Blade," a sacred position charged with killing vampires who have gone insane. What Jane doesn't know is why this powerful assassin left New Orleans - or, more troubling, why he's now returned. It's definitely not to make Jane's life easier...

The Good
I really did enjoy this book. The action is just as deadly and bloody as the previous books. The suspense is killer, and I can't help but sweat right along with Jane after the continuous confrontations and battles.

We get further insight on the backgrounds of all characters, which only enriches the plot. Plus, Jane is finding it harder to keep her secret identity hidden as more people begin to become suspicious of her true nature.

The revelations on Jane's earlier life were very intense. I feel a little more at ease knowing more of her background, even if it was shocking. The relationship evolving between Beast and Jane is growing progressively hilarious though.

As always, you can tell Faith Hunter did her homework for I learned a lot about weapons and motorcycles I never knew.

I found Girrard intriguing and the secondary characters still keep me interested.

The Bad
Jane has changed from the heroine we knew her as in Skinwalker. She is somewhat of an emotional wreck and in constant angst. She is obsessed with her boyfriend Rick, but she has only been with him for a month, and they rarely see each other. I feel this is out of character for Jane. She has insecurities, doubts, and guilt, which kind of ruins the tough, no nonsense character I once knew.

Also, the plot was a little confusing and convoluting at times. Faith made things complicated when there was no need for them to be. Even Jane was confused most of the time as people gave her half-truths and revealed one clue while hiding others for no reason.

The Snuggly
A lot of sexual tension.

Overall
I would still suggest this book, especially if you read the other two. But the direction of the series is starting to get me nervous. I want the old Jane back. Not the second-guessing, guilt-trip Jane that has come out in this book. She needs her confidence back.

Faith Hunter is so cool, and I can't get enough of this series! Each time a new Jane Yellowrock book comes out, I have to fight the urge to drop what I'm reading and dig in. So far, I each book has been better than the last, and currently, Ms. Hunter is three for three. Gushing aside, fans of early Anita Blake and The Hollows series should eat these up. Faith Hunter manages to weave magic, skinwalker lore, romance, weres, and a heaping helping of vamp politics up against the storied history of a supernaturally infused New Orleans. Her lush descriptions of New Orleans sights, sounds, and smells only enhance Jane's story and pulls you right it. I swear, the air is getting humid just thinking about it! For those not familiar with the series, Jane Yellowrock is a skinwalker, able to shift into various animal forms, although her main form is of the big cat variety. She shares consciousness with the animal that she calls Beast. Jane is also a PI and licensed rogue vamp hunter, mainly in the employ of the New Orleans MOC (Master of the City), Leo Pellisier. She has been tasked with handling security for Leo and his vamps while welcoming a group of weres to the city that have recently "come out" to the world. Vamps have been "out" for awhile, and Leo and Co. hope to create a peaceful accord with the big cats. Things seem to be going somewhat smoothly until a group of werewolves crash the party and all hell breaks loose, and a new guy is in town, claiming to be Leo's Mercy Blade.

Poor Jane can't seem to get a break. In addition to this massive security breach, her new lover and undercover cop, Rick LeFleur has gone missing while undercover, and Jane is asked by a colleague of his to track him down. All of this while fighting an ongoing attraction to Leo's blood servant, the super hot "Bruiser", who's most definitely out to claim Jane as his own. Jane has a propensity for nicknaming certain individuals, and it's just one of the things I love about this strong and fascinating heroine. The novels are told from Jane's point of view and I always enjoy Beast's POV when she's in animal form. The author deftly juggles multiple story lines, without ever becoming confusing, and her action scenes are top notch. If you haven't yet discovered this wonderful series, you're in for a treat!

I love Faith Hunter books. I had never read a vampire book before Skinwalker the first in Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series so I was not sure I would like it. I am now a huge fan and have read all of Faith's books and can't wait for the next book in the series. Faith has a unique writing style and blends the characters very well. Not to give too much away she does a great job with Jane and beast and how they intercahange. Jane is tough but has a soft side that comes out when you least expect it. Jane is a well rounded character that you can't help but like. A great series and I am impatiently waiting for the fourth book to come out!!!

The main character is gutsy and still human, flawed and still gets the job done. A nice read and leaves you anticipating the next installment.