Black Arts

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own - no matter the cost....

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.

Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy - one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.

©2014 Faith Hunter (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

WELL WORTH THE WAIT!!!

The only bad thing about this book is that it ended!!!! Whine, whine, whine. I now have to wait another year, really?! Action packed, drama filled, we are strong women hear us roar, all through the book! Loved it :) The action scenes just kill me....the detail and the wonderful narrator just make them come to life. I am so glad to see that one part of Jane's life gets resolved and she gets a little peace. Her love life, on the other hand, is going to take some work. (No, I am not going to spoil the surprise) The only thing I will say is that a sharp knife and the cutting off of some dangling parts would work wonders! I had a wonderful adventure with Jane Yellowrock and I can't wait to get to the next one.

Kristine Hvam, you ROCK!!! Loved your voices and your accents. Going to look for all the books that you narrate now.

Thanks for the wonderfully wild ride FH and KH :)

lol And YESSSSSSS its worth a credit and much more!

19 of 19 people found this review helpful

I love Jane Yellowrock

She's my heroine!! Unfortunately now I have to wait for Faith to write the next installment!!!
This book brought tears to my eyes more than once so if you are looking for a new series of books I highly recommend this one.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Jane is back again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Faith never disappoints and this latest installment in the series is no exception. The story had me hooked from the first sentence and I found myself trying to solve the puzzles throughout the book with Jane.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jane and Beast and watching their relationship mature and grow.

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Khristine Hvam brings Jane to life, allowing us to hear the emotion Jane is feeling. I couldn't imagine anyone else as the narrator.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Love love love

Things are getting interesting. There are so many endings and beginnings in this book. Leo and Bruiser had no idea what they were getting into when they hired Jane. She has shook up the staid vampire world. No one who comes in contact with her remains unchanged. I remember the shriveled shrunken thing Leo's soul was when he chained Beast and was shocked to find the change.
I don't want to give to much away but I laughed, cried and sighed.
I can't wait to see where the new developments go.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Very good addition to the series :D

4 stars

This was a very good addition to the Yellowrock series. I was happy with the progression of the overall series storyline and enjoyed seeing what happened in this book.

Evan Trueblood shows up in New Orleans looking for his wife and he's not thrilled. Molly (his wife) is missing and was supposed to be coming to visit Jane. Evan is even more upset when he finds out that Molly never made it to Jane's and is now missing. Jane gets on the case and starts searching for Molly.

Meanwhile, some of the girls from Katy's Ladies have gone missing and Jane has to look for them. Also there's a big meeting taking place for the Vamps that includes a new vamp coming to ask Leo for a place in his city. Leo knows he can't trust the new vamp but allows him entry to the city anyways. To top it all off, the new vamp is working with Adriana who still wants Jane dead and decides to start making attempts on the lives of Jane and her friends.

There is a lot of drama while everything is worked out. Rick shows up for a short time but what happens between Rick and Jane seems to indicate that they're completely over now (which hurts Jane badly). The Bruiser/Leo romantic possibilities are there but left untouched for now. Leo hasn't made Jane any happier with him in this book and Jane tries to find a way to get rid of the binding to Leo that accidentally took place in the previous book. Bruiser relationship with Leo seems to be changing and Bruiser has been replaced as Leo's Primo blood-servant and was kicked out of the house. We'll see how this works out in the next book...it's not the first time Leo has kicked Bruiser out and then later took him back so we will have to see how that turns out.

All in all, there is a lot of stuff going on and the story rarely slows down. I totally got sucked in and didn't want to stop until the end (and even then I wish there was more story so it didn't have to end). I enjoyed the story very much and was glad to see things moving along for Jane in many ways. In the end, Jane and her friends/allies are able to come out of the conflicts alive and kicking. There are more things coming up that could be trouble but it just gives something to look forward to in future books. I'm pretty happy with this addition to the series. I'd recommend this book (but be warned this isn't a book that could be termed as a stand alone). Thumbs up. :)

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Weaving Past & Future..BOOKS 2-6 ARE REQUIRED READ

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this book with the caveat that you MUST HAVE READ ALL OF THE BOOKS SINCE THE SECOND. If have not read those other books then you will be lost.

Nail-Biting Suspense with Action & Soul

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the mystery part of the story and how Hunter wove 3 different problems and laid out the developments in a way where I didn't get the whole picture until the end. Once again she has also set up a new plot for the next book(s) and she is helping Jane to continue to grow as a person.

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favorite?

My choice would have to be Jane because the character runs the gambit in emotions and Hvam does a fantastic job giving a realistic performance expressing all of those feelings.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Molly And Her Family Are Back!!!!

Finally they are back... I missed reading about the little kids and knowing how powerful the little girl is. This addition had too many events packed into one book, you have some girls disappearing, Molly is nowhere to be found, and another vamp drama with security and so on.

I have really enjoyed this book, specially what our Jane did and had to do during it, which you will enjoy too.

And its ending was fantastic and thrilling... the next book will bring too many interesting events for sure.

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Another great book. Go Faith!

I love this series. I do not enjoy books that are basically bodice rippers with a vampire or wolf in place of the pirate or viscount. Jane Yellowrock's world has grit, humor and depth. This series has held my attention from book 1. Even if you don't normally read fantasy or paranormal books, if you like action and adventure with a little steam from time to time I bet you will like this series. Only one negative, the long wait for book 8 has just begun for me.

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

I LOVE THIS SERIES.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have told my friends that it's a must read.....

What was one of the most memorable moments of Black Arts?

Great Story.... Interesting Characters.....

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She does an awesome job ...

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for Book 8.... Hurry Please...

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Lucky 7th book of the Jane Yellowrock series!

Any additional comments?

A series that just keeps getting better!!
If you haven't started reading Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series yet, then it is time to start!! However, you really should start with Skinwalker. You will get so much more out of Black Arts that way.

Jane Yellowrock is a Cherokee skinwalker, able to take the form of any animal. She thinks she is around 170 years old, but she looks like she is in her mid twenties. She accidently "stole" the soul of a mountain lion trying to save her life during an attack when she was very young. Since then she has had two souls living inside her, one "Beast" the mountain lion. The more practical Beast has become markedly more intelligent since the visit of Hayyel, an angel with his own plans.

It has been really interesting watching Jane, as such a loner in the beginning of the series, begin to open up and rely on people. The relationship between Jane and the Younger brothers is growing into a real "family" feeling, which both comforts and frightens Jane! Slowly it is becoming more "comfort" and less "fear" as Jane opens herself up.

Hearing Cherokee spoken is an amazing treat, Ms Hvam is fantastic!! She also does a child voice better than anyone around!

I absolutely LOVE hearing Beast's thoughts and point of view! Beast has no problem telling Jane exactly how to live her life. The two make for very interesting views on the world. She repeatedly reminds Jane that mountain lions don't mate for life, making her interest in Ricky, Leo and Bruiser known! But even though Beast is interested in her "mates", she is much more fixed on "kits". Beast loves to be around children and takes it upon herself to protect them. Any child gets her attention, but Jane's best friend Molly has two children that Beast has emotionally adopted, Angie-Baby and EJ (Evan Junior).

So when Big Evan shows up looking for Molly, who has disappeared, it isn't just any old job.

This has got to be the best Jane Yellowrock book yet! Several questions were answered, the past is reconciled, a little witch nearly becomes too big for her britches, love life options are removed and others revealed. And Beast & Jane come to a real understanding.

As a professional reviewer stated, "Black Arts is the definition of a page turner!"

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

The name black arts didn't suit the book.

Where does Black Arts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to all of the Jane Yellowrocks series and i did like this one, but got a little lost with what's happened with Rick and the title i don't think suited it maybe more Death Witch, but that's my opinion.

What did you like best about this story?

Well the main character Jane seemed take a kinda step back, learned more how beast became so, and more play on the boys meaning Alex and Elia had big parts to play in this story.

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favourite?

Jane of cause they would be no series without her, beast a very close second, but the one that stays in mind afterwards is Elia the big brooding ranger

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Quite a lot of both the full series has from book 1 had me hooked, so if you like your dose of fantasy with added shapeshifters, wolves, vampires and occasionally witches. Its a must.

Any additional comments?

Please hurry up and bring book 8 out need my daily dose

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Why this series stands out for me.

In my opinion, there is a serious lack of well written fantasy books for women with the kind of narration that really draws you in, without it basically being Mills and Boon. So when you find a series like this it's like gold dust. It's impossible for me to review just this one book as I loved the series so much I read the books back to back, including the excellent book of short stories and there wasn't a weak one amongst them.

At the start of first book it looked like just another plucky in your face heroine surrounded by a harem of beautiful men, which alone really doesn't interest me, but there is so much more to it than that. The lead character Jane has amnesia from the time before she emerged form the wilderness, at the approximate physical age of twelve. While her initial character is relatively two dimensional she develops through the books as she gains ties and her fascinating back story unfolds. Right from the start she is an interesting paradox as she convincingly merges her Christian children's home beliefs with Cherokee heritage and current profession as a vampire hunter. Added to this Jane is a skinwalker and has two soles in her body, her own and that of the beast she absorbed as a child, so the story is told form two distinct points of view; this really gives it a kick that other stories of this nature lack.

The plots are engrossing, the world beautifully described from both characters points of view, giving you a very different landscape when described with Beasts perspective of smells and sounds. The characters are well written. No one is perfect and few are black and white. The vampires are not wholly good or evil, on rare occasions the victims fight back rather than just being sacrificed as plot devices, the evil is defeated and instead of rejoicing Jane is left behind to face their grieving family and friends. Good people slip or act in a self serving manor without automatically being demonised or seen as unredeemable. Jane faces terrible tasks but even when one part of her life is falling apart, she is forming some of the most important relationships and discoveries of her life in others. There is a much better sense of the wider world, than you would usually find in this type of literature.

Black Arts brings together all my favorite characters in the Jane Yellowrock universe. You do need to read the books in order partly to avoid spoilers but also to understand the complicated relationships and series of events that lead up to the plot of this book. Jane has to deal with the complicated world of vampire politics while coming to terms with her own choices and history, mending fences with friends she has neglected and searching for one who has forsworn her.

Lastly Khristine Hvam has become one of my favorite narrators. I know not everyone likes an American accent but hers really grows on you and anything else would be inappropriate to the setting of this book. Her accent when voicing an English character is a bit suspect but charming all the same. She really brings the story to life in a way few narrators can hope to achieve.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Brilliant as always

What other book might you compare Black Arts to, and why?

This book fits in well with the series Faith Hunter maintains her high standard

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favourite?

Jane Yellowrock of course but Bruiser comes a close second with Leo surprisingly come up behind - I had always dislike him in the earlier books but Faith has managed to give the Vampire a bit of a heart or perhaps he is working some form of strategy

Any additional comments?

Complex story with the correct end - leaving lots for the next few books - I really can't wait and will pre-order as soon as I hear even a whisper of publication.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not quite human at all.

I like the narrators voice and all the descriptions as seen by Jane Yellowrock.
I would recommend it to all her fans and also new listeners who want a slightly ‘out of our real world’ experience grounded in day to day reality.
Off to order the next book...love them.

Brilliant as always!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The plot rambles a little from time to time and you really need to read the story in between, but other than that, no.

What did you like best about this story?

The sassiness of the main character

Which scene did you most enjoy?

If I told you, I'd spoil the plot!

Do you think Black Arts needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Of course it does. Every yellowRock book needs a follow up, because I don't want the series ever to be over!

Any additional comments?

As usual, Faith Hunter has penned a brilliant read. Even though I'm well into the series now, I found this as engaging as the first book, probably more now as I know the characters better. The narrator really brings the work to life, and the pair make a brilliant team. Well worth a read.

Lots of action

As always in a Jane book we have lots of action plenty of double crosses which all in all made for a very enjoyable book.

Excellent both story and narrator

Would you listen to Black Arts again? Why?

So far since purchase I have listened to it several times already.
The story has little bits you can miss when you are busy listening as well as doing other things. Also Ms Hunters work is so good it draws you in I enjoy listening to her books and Ms Hvams` narration over and over again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Black Arts?

Not telling it will ruin it for others.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Jane scratches Beasts head ahhhh.

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

Oh yes.

Any additional comments?

I wait to see where the story goes next there are so many new avenues to explore.

Another knock out from Faith Hunter

The series storms on at a rocketing pace. It opens with a bang as Evan comes looking for his wife Molly. As is normal, it never rains but it pours so Jane also gets summoned to Katie's to search for 2 of her girls who have gone missing plus Leo summons her to run the security for a gathering... what could possibly go wrong??

There is a lot more of Leo in this book as Jane stays firmly on New Orleans turf and it gives an opportunity to develop Jane's reactions to the events of a couple of books back and to seek a solution to the bind she found herself in.

It is also interesting to see how Jane is coping now that the cat is out of the bag about her secret skinwalker abilities. Strangely, Jane seems to be shifting less as the series develops but Beast is as ever a distinct and memorable voice.

So good story, good pacing, good to see the reintroduction of some old familiar characters. Good to see Jane both finding a level of acceptance about herself (the moral crisis had been drawn out a lot over the series) while still allowing Jane to be vulnerable, and boy are there some vulnerable moments shown.

Bad things revolve mainly around the number of questions still left open at the end and the time it's going to take to get the next book released,

The narration as ever was first class.

Like reviewers on other sites, I did have an odd occurrence of a male voice seeming to overlay but it was only a few times for a word or two so didn't detract from my enjoyment.

One tip for this book, there is a crucial fight scene and it is worth checking out the song Dust Bowl by Joe Bonamassa to get the atmosphere