Blood of the Earth

Publisher's Summary

Set in the same world as the New York Times best-selling Jane Yellowrock novels, an all-new series starring Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth.

When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her.

Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell's doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville.

Nell has a team - and a mission. But to find the Master's kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out....

©2016 Faith Hunter (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Faith Hunter hits it out of the Park!

Any additional comments?

Blood of the Earth is a spin-off from the popular Jane Yellowrock series. Ms. Hunter has done a great job creating a book that stands alone, so it is not necessary to read any of the Jane Yellowrock novels before starting Blood of the Earth. And even more impressive is the complete lack of the dread "InfoDump". Background information is added bit by bit as part of the natural flow of the narrative. Amazing writing.

The story follows Nell, a magic user with a connection to the old growth forest on her farm. Earth Magic, Blood Magic, Nasty Cult leaders, Vampires, and Law enforcement types hunting an assortment of evil doers keep the action going cover to cover.

For fans of the original Jane Yellowrock series, the major crossover character is PsyLed Special agent Rick LaFleur. Who many will be happy to know, is not a happy camper. Jane is frequently mentioned, Alex Younger makes a brief contribution, as does the Vampire Clan Glass (one of the twin Ming sisters clan). Paka the African Black Leopard mate to Rick, is part of the PsyLed team chasing the bad guys. (Things that make you go hummm,,, watch for Paka's effect on Nell's feral cats)

Kristine Hvam does her usual wonderful job with the narration.

Great writing, interesting world, new characters, a compelling woman who grows into herself in the course of the book. Highly recommended for long time fans, or first time readers. And the best part? The second book in the trilogy with be out later this year!!!!

60 of 64 people found this review helpful

Soulwood Rocks

You do not need to know the Jane Yellowrock books to read this first book of the Soulwood Trilogy. But this book is just as good as any Jane Yellowrock novel, and gives us a peak into characters introduced through those books. This is a fast paced novel, and it will leave you wanting the next book to be out tomorrow.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Wow!

Blood of the Earth is simply amazing! The plot grabs you from the beginning, and doesn't let go! Nell is a strong woman who is full of sass, and has to overcome her past in order to help do what's right. It was very well written, and the plot twists flowed together. And for the Jane Yellowrock readers, Ricky Bo gets some very nice karmic payback! Faith Hunter did a wonderful job, and I can't wait to read book 2!

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Something Old and Something New :-)

Faith Hunter steps outside of her beloved Jane Yellowrock series to give us something old and something new.

This series follows the PhyLed unit of Jane's ex-boyfriend, Rick, as he works a case with new recruits. Our leading lady is an exiled cult member, Nell, who has to adjust to having so many new people and gadgets in her world.

The development of Nell's character is the best part of the book. To watch her go from a sheltered church girl to a smart mouthed consultant for Rick is quite humorous. Not sure if it was intended, but the book gives some hope to those Jane+Rick fans.

The book hits on topics like under age marriage, submissive women, and church cults. I feel like Faith Hunter did a great job of telling the story without trying to force the reader to feel a certain way towards those controversial topics.

Overall, this isn't Jane Yellowrock. It reminds me of a diet soda... Better than nothing but doesn't pack a punch like the real thing. There isn't alot of action. The characters have milder personalities The books main focus is introducing the characters. It's a good first book and the makings of a great series.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

if you like Jane...

If you like Jane Yellow rock, you will love Nell!
While both of Faith Hunter's protagonists are searching for self, Nell has further to go. She is softer than Jane, yet tough in her own right. Hunter has given us a complex story as well as a new team of characters to care about. For those who love Jane Yellow rock, there are crossover characters from that series. I was happy to see Rick again, and see how life is treating him without Jane. I admit, I want more Nell, more than I want more Jane. I never thought that was possible.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Very good start to the series :)

4 stars

This was a very good start to this series. I've read the Jane Yellowrock series, including [book:Off the Grid|25379472] which is the short story that Nell was introduced in but I don't think you need to read the Yellowrock series for this story to make sense. I will admit that since I'm a fan of Jane, I had a bit of discomfort reading about Rick and his weird pseudo relationship with Paca. Thankfully, that relationship isn't concentrated on too heavily once Rick and Paca are introduced so it can be somewhat ignored after a bit.

Nell is a woman that was raised in a cult. The cult is a church group that believes in living off the grid, not trusting the government and practicing multiple wife marriages. The leader of the church tried to claim Nell as his wife when she was barely 12 years old. She managed to escape this fate but ended up on her own, plagued by the church men who try to force her to come back to the cult whether she wants to go or not.

In [book:Off the Grid|25379472], Jane Yellowrock contacted Nell looking for info on the cult because members had kidnapped a vampire that Jane had been tasked with getting back. Jane had contacted Rick to see about hooking Nell up with PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, thinking her association with them might provide her some protection from the cult. Rick shows up eventually for Nell's help with a local issue but his arrival is almost too late. Nell agrees to work with the team but since she's been on her own for years, she has some trouble being around people constantly.

Nell isn't exactly human...she has a strong connection to the earth and plants, especially those on her land. As she starts working with the team, she starts to learn more about what she can and can't do. Some of it is gratifying but some is a bit scary for a girl raised under strict bible precepts. TBH, the whole situation pushes Nell out of her comfort zone because although she's been on her own for years, she's been more of a hermit and never actually broke out of the behavioral niche the cult had stuck her in. As Nell learns more about herself, she starts to break out of her shell and live life. When the story ends, the current crisis has been handled but Nell is firmly involved with the PsyLED team and will be working with them in the future.

I thought this story was very enjoyable. I liked Nell as the heroine. She's smart and logical while also being kind and caring (but not in a pushover way). I also liked seeing her learning to stick up for herself more and breaking away from the restrictions she and others had put on her. There's no romance in this story. It seems like there could be an attraction to someone (no, not Rick!) but it's barely a hint right now (a hint I like) so we'll have to see where things go in the next book. Overall, I liked this story very much and would recommend it. :)

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Wonderful narration made this book.

While Nell is a great character and the paranormal aspects of the story are very intriguing to me, there was SO MUCH emphasis on menial tasks throughout this book that I’m certain I would have been bored if not for the narrator’s lovely voice and soothing accent. I’m interested to see what happens with Nell and the rest of the team but I’m afraid the romance I’m rooting for (ha) will move at a glacial pace.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

From the author of Jane Yellowrock - a new series

I've been sick..in bed-bored with TV. I re-listened to the Jane Yellowrock series-which I love better than Kevin Hearne's 'Iron Druid' series (hard to believe but yeah) and decided to try yet another series set in the same world of vampires, were's, shape shifters and witches.

The 'Soulwood' series (2 books out when I started) is read by the wonderful narrator who gives voice to all the various characters in Yellowrock, Khristine Hvam. This woman is by far the fest female narrator around these days-she has the ability to bring voice to so many different characters...I don't know how she does it, but she does it well!

The "Soulwood" storyline is quite different-the protagonist a country woman who escaped from a cult that believed in polygamy and marriage of gifs at 12. She has a different ability than Jane Yellowrock..the ability to nurture her growing environment..the garden loves her and responds. Her church thinks she's evil and at least a witch if not something worse.

I don't know where Faith Hunter comes up with her characters-she has a vivid imagination and a wonderful ability to write books that translate beautifully to the audible book environment.

A series well worth starting as you wait for the next Yellowrock book to come out.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Faith Hunter still doesn't disappoint!

I appreciate how Ms. Hunter has kept us in the same world and time period as Jane Yellowrock. We have characters with background and characteristics we are already aware of, yet are taken on a completely new and exciting adventure that also gives us more insight on their lives and new characters.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Awesome

I loved it! I am a huge Faith Hunter fan! I was pulled in from the very beginning. I can't wait for the 2nd book in the series. I highly recommend this book!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Promising start.

This book starts out slow but stick with it, it's worth it. This is a very promising start to a new series, and a great spin off from the Jane Yellowrock series. The characters are well written as usual and the story was good. Hvam did an excellent job as always and really helped to bring the characters and the story to life. Will definitely be getting the next book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Another Good One from Faith Hunter

Nell Ingram appears in one of Jane Yellowrock's short stories. She is a complex character and as always with Faith Hunter the story line is detailed and involved. I didn't see the end of the book until we reached it. I read so much that I can often tell what is going to happen in advance but not with Faith Hunter. I will buy this series as it appears.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Unusual and interesting characters and story line.

Liked the storyline and Khristine's narration was excellent as always. Well worth the money all round.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An excellent new series

This is set in the Jane Yellowrock world, but Jane herself is a distant, peripheral character, so if you haven't read those books, it doesn't matter. You can drop into this series with ease - just go with there being vampires, witches and shifters, and other magical folk mixed up with and living among the plain old humans. The only main character to cross over is Rick, so you won't know his back story, but again, it really doesn't matter. In fact he needs to escape that backstory, so it may even be an advantage to meet him for the first time here - just as Nell does.
Nell is a fine character - brilliantly read by Khristine Hvam, who manages Southern American backwoods voices as well a host of others - to my UK ears at least! Nell is a battered, solitary and alone soul, raised in a strict fundamentalist church but now reliant only on herself and mistrustful of most - and with good reason. The book, as well as dealing with a mystery and general nastiness, is also about Nell slowy emerging from her self-imposed exile in the mountains and learning to work with others.
Well written by an accomplished author who knows her craft well - she draws a team of characters - a human, an empath, a witch, some shifters - and makes them interesting people you want to know about. The baddies aren't cartoon-evil, the archbaddie's identity caught me out, and Nell's emerging abilities are different and well drawn.
This is an intelligent book, written for grown up adults, not the YA ones, although there's no reason for YA readers to not absolutely love this, just as old adults can enjoy YA books, but there's no emoting, no OMGing, no insta-lurve, no lingering looks, no acting without thinking - this is good solid urban fantasy. You'll hesitate before chopping down a tree in future though, and I worried about the frightened tree Nell found in the city... although it doesn't get forgotten in the end!
Really, really well read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing

Well at first I was slightly sceptical about this spin off book and it being narrated by Kristina who I associate so much as Jane Yellowrock but as I got into the story it didn't matter she took me by the hand and led me through the story I could feel soul wood myself! Faith Hinter is an excellent story teller and keeping the book linked to Jane and bringing in Ricky bo was clever I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much I cannot wait to see how the story unfolds. Ps I have the hots for Oakham too!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One of her best yet!

This author is one of my all-time faves, and I find those hard to pick. One of her best novels yet, this is one universe I could happily read all week! Next one please... now off to raid the back catalogue!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Liked Yellowrock? You'll like this!

Earth magic - not witch magic. An interesting take on magic and the supernatural, that leaves great possibilities for development in coming books.

Story is solidly based in the Jane Yellowrock world. Filled with mostly new and interesting characters. A bit heavy on the church / cult theme perhaps, but all in all a "First Book in a Series" that makes me want to listen to another one from the now well established Faith Hunter / Khristine Hvam "team".

What a shame!

I have read all the Jane Yellowrock books and for the most part have enjoyed them.

The story could have been spectacular but in truth is very lacking great long diatribes about a plant or tree. I found myself saying oh for heavens sake get on with it!!

It's a real shame as everything is there for a great read but it just doesn't have any meat to it. Sorry Faith but not your best by a long shot.

SOULWOOD BOOK

What did you like most about Blood of the Earth?

THE WHOLE STORY

What was one of the most memorable moments of Blood of the Earth?

THE WAY THE WOOD SWALLOWED THE BAD GUYS

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

THERE WERE PLACES WERE WE CAN LAUGH OR CRY

excellent

loved it, a great telling with interesting new takes on modern fantasy and an original perspective