Skinwalker

Jane Yellowrock, Book 1

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind - a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps.

©2009 Faith Hunter (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Nominee - Judges' Award for Best Paranormal Audiobook, 2011

"A new, strongly unique voice in the dark fantasy genre." (Kim Harrison)

"Hunter's very professionally executed, tasty blend of dark fantasy, mystery, and romance should please fans of all three genres." ( Booklist)

"Khristine Hvam portrays Jane with an adventurous-sounding voice edged with a twang.... Hvam’s voices for the Louisiana locals whom Jane learns to love and respect.... augment an intriguing story with hints of Native American mysticism." ( AudioFile)

Not as good as I hoped.

The story was decent but could have done without all of the cheesy southern dialect. All of that just made it feel like the story was written by a backwoods redneck. But a creative backwoods redneck. You may like it but I will not read the second one.

A Rock'n walk through the Big Easy

Faith Hunter introduces a whole new world with Skinwalker. A world of Vampires, Witches, and Magic based in today's time.

The story is simple, Jane is a Skinwalker with a twist. She hires herself out to slay Vampires who have gone "rogue". However that is not what made the story so good. It was the many twists and turns I cant reveal.

I look forward to reading more books as you only got a tease of what the rest of the world was like in this one but I look forward to spending more time with Jane Yellowrock and hope to have more questions answered both about her, and about the world she lives in!

Really Good Listen

Would you listen to Skinwalker again? Why?

No - I've got too many books to get through. I will definately start the rest of the series, though. I really enjoyed Khristine Hvam narration, she was outstanding.

What other book might you compare Skinwalker to and why?

There are quite a few modern day beast/magic personas out there. Maybe the Kitty Norville series, some things I like better in each, personally prefer Kitty, but that's just me and it's early in the series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Took me 4-5 days, I just don't have the time to get it all in one sitting and I think I enjoy books more if it's not done in one sitting. This was a good book, but not that intense or spellbinding.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the better books by a new (for me) author. I know this is sexist, but I have a hard time with some of the female authors in that there are only two types of male characters - the super hottie (always the mysterious vampire), which is most of the ones the lead character deals with or the middle aged overweight asshole. I know there has to be chemistry and/or romance which can really enhance a good story, but the author kept that really light, not forcing the issue in book one and I appreciate that. Way too many romance novels in the fantasy genre for me.

Yellowrock Kicks Butt, Takes Names

This is an excellent installment in the genre of vampire hunter fiction, and I consider myself a connoisseur. I don't give 5 stars lightly, but this book earned them with flying colors. I'm sorry I didn't stumble on this series sooner, one book and I am addicted. There will be no waiting for my monthly credit to finish out this series, no ma'am...

I feel like some fantasy writers choose the genre because indeed they have no idea how the real world actually works, so they need to write something in which they can make EVERYTHING up (or for that matter what a plot line would look like if it slapped them in the face...) None of that to be found here. Faith Hunter has written a wonderful tale that despite its use of vampires, skin walkers, and witches, actually feels quite feasible. The motivations and actions of the characters are also feasible, driven, and well written. Her grasp of history and culture is intelligent without being pedantic, really a treat to read [listen to].

The character of Jane Yellowrock is quite intriguing, and as other reviewers have said, it's nice to read about a heroine who actually likes herself. She's down to earth, very likable, funny, conscientious, and deadly good at her job of hunting and killing monsters. Her past and Cherokee lineage is a wonderful element of the character, and the author handled the suspense very well. I can't wait to find out more about Jane's past. And, well, she's a girl who rolls around on a vintage Harley with a Benelli shotgun on her back--bad a$$. :)

The other characters are also well developed, sophisticated, and culturally accurate, which though a small thing can be one of my biggest pet peeves in a story. Ms. Hunter did her homework and I commend her for it. The love interests are positively drool worthy too, I might add. Between the vampire master Leo, his servant George, and "The Joe", I can't choose who to root for! Though this isn't what I would call a love story, there are plenty of romantically-charged moments that keep the story fun and interesting, on top of the mystery plot line. Maybe later we'll get more of a love story, I certainly hope so. Hunter laid the ground work in the first book here without Jane jumping into bed with every handsome guy that looks her way, a nice change of pace. Without being a prude or a nun, Jane is the type of girl who seems to have just as much fun saying "No".

Some people have complained that the sections in which "Beast" is narrating were weird and confusing, but I found them quite entertaining, like stream of thought poetry if written by an animal on the hunt. Beast herself has a wry sense of humor all her own. Its a great creative touch to the story.

New Orleans is not an easy city to write about in her lavish complexity, and not many authors do it well. However, Hunter tackles the task with aplomb, treating the reader to colorful prose that should fill a narration of such a great city. I haven't read Hunter's bio, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out she lived there.

The narrator does a very good job bringing this story to life as well, I enjoyed listening to her very much. Not only Jane's voice sounds great, but the other voices for characters are treated with skill. Not many English speakers can pull off a French accent for extended paragraphs without sounding like they have peanut butter in their mouth, but Hvam delivers. :)

I guess my only nitpicking for the whole book is that some of the French words weren't quite pronounced correctly, which is not the end of the world, and Bruiser's accent seemed to change from French to English half way through the story, a little confusing. I also wish we'd found out a bit more about the rogue's identity and motivation in the end, past just Jane's speculation. The last fight scene was epic, but maybe lacked a little closure. Then again, maybe we find out more in Book 2, I haven't listened yet, but I'm about to start, right now...

I really enjoyed this shapeshifter story.

My rating 4.25.

Jane Yellowrock is a unique creature- a skinwalker of Cherokee descent. She can transform into other creatures but her primary figure is the “beast” that shares her soul. Jane has developed a reputation for her successful career in hunting vampires. In this modern-day vampire community the “vamps”, as Jane somewhat disdainfully calls them, are out of the closet. They are bound by certain rules regarding blood slaves and protecting innocents from rogue killers. The vampire hierarchy have hired Jane to track and eliminate a rogue vampire that is leaving brutalized bodies in his wake.

Jane has found the rogue but discovers that the killer has more in common with her than a vampire gone bad. She can smell death on him…not just the death of victims but the rogue’s own decay.

Jane has to disable spy cameras and watch her back as there are others following her as she tracks and gathers clues. Several men seem to be interested in Jane physically and one of the major vampire family heads is pushing hard to learn her secrets.

The rogue causes damage close to Jane’s temporary home and he appears to be accelerating out of control. Jane is racing to meet the deadline and get the bounty bonus. But when the dust has settled, Jane has made a major a new enemy who is set on eliminating her, no matter who or what she is.

The story gives a bit of Jane’s childhood background so the reader gets to know how she has developed her current K-A, self reliant attitude. The beast senses enhance Jane's own keen senses and skills just as her “beast” weapons add to Jane’s full pack of human weapons. There is plenty of action and I liked the POV switch offs between Jane and her “beast.” Jane also has some witch friends, a mother and a precocious child, who will make good additions as support characters. I will be glad to pick up more in this series for future entertainment.

Audio Notes: Khristine Hvam does a fine job with the narration. She pulls in the southern accents and different voices for the elite vampires, the cops and the secondary support. I also enjoyed the beast narration. I will continue to listen to this series.

I enjoyed it but ...

Fun story great performance. The only thing I don't really like is when Jane is in panther form she speaks in choppy unformed sentences, which is how the panther thinks in pictures not words. I do think that takes away from the story, at least for me.

I like this story, however I won't be getting anymore of the series since it apparently starts getting explicit in the next book. This story doesn't need sex to help listener enjoy the characters and the world they live in.

Hvam is Perfect!

I absolutely love this series!! It is my all time favorite! I listen to about 100 books a year and this is my 3rd time through the Jane Yellowrock series!

A must listen! And a wonderful read!

Strangely exciting!!!

This was my first book by Faith Hunter, and I loved it. It kept me guessing, trying to figure out who the rogue vamp could be. Every time I'd get all fired up thinking I knew who it was, my flame was doused with uncertainty. After several failed attempts to figure out the mystery I just gave up and settled in and enjoyed the book. I am now a fan of the Jane Yellowrock series.

Good vampire hunting story with a twist

Overall I found this a great listen. I thought the narrator brought Jane to life. the only problem I had (and the reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars) was that the author kept telling us how Jane was worried about making the vampires mad when she didn't have her weapons with her, and then would have her spout off at the "vamps", as she called them. She would do this and then repeat how Jane was worried about making them mad. I didn't understand why the author would do this multiple times. There were a few tiny things that made me think that it wasn't read through before publishing, but they were very minor. Overall a great listen.

My first book with her!!

I love the sauciness of Jane and the narrator has fantastic humor and tone in her voice. Excellent!

Thank you