Curse on the Land

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Set in the same world as Faith Hunter's New York Times best-selling Jane Yellowrock novels, the second Soulwood novel tells the story of a woman whose power comes from deep within the earth.

Before Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she had no one to rely on, finding strength only in her arcane connection to the dark woods around her. But now she has friends in the newly formed PsyLED team to keep her grounded - even if being part of the agency responsible for policing paranormals comes with dangers of its own.

After training at the PsyLED academy, Nell returns home to her woods to find the land feeling sick and restless. And that sickness is spreading. With the help of her team, under the leadership of agent Rick LaFleur, Nell tries to determine the cause. But nothing can prepare them for the evil that awaits: an entity that feeds on death itself. And it wants more.

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

Wow!

I love Faith Hunter's writing. The way she can weave something from a book years ago in the Jane Yellowrock series into this story so brilliantly.
As always Khristine Hvam's narration is absolutely beautifully done.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Another winner from the fantastic Faith Hunter!

Any additional comments?

Another amazing effort from Faith Hunter, who is in top form with "Curse on the Land". Nell is a fascinating and flawed character dealing with witches, magic, missing ley lines, ancient entities and plague. Quite a handful for a newly minted PsyLED officer.

Skillfully plotted, and impeccably written, "Curse on the Land" is an enjoyable story for new readers or long time fans. Brilliant addition to the Urban Fantasy universe of Jane Yellowrock.

If you are unfamiliar with Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock world, and haven't read the first Soulwood book, trust Faith Hunter to write a totally enjoyable book for newcomers. The background information from the first book 'Blood of the Earth" is skillfully presented over the course of the first chapter, and sprinkled naturally throughout the course of the story. No dreaded info dump here. "Curse on the Land" is structured as a police procedural with a lot of magical forensic work. We see the inner workings of PsyLED, the magic cops who are tasked with keeping humans and supernatural folks safe. Nell is smart, has unique magic herself, and has trouble adapting to the structure of working with a team.

If you've read "Blood of the Earth" "Curse on the Land" picks up right after Nell returns from her stint at "spook school", reuniting with Unit 18. Nell makes a number of newbie mistakes, but overall is working hard to shed both the narrow definitions of womanly behavior from her fundamentalist cult upbringing, and her knee jerk reaction to authority. The sweet romance arc with Occam the were leopard continues, as does the destructive Rick/Paka relationship arc. We find out more about Tandy, Tlane, and JoJo, and they all play significant rolls in solving the central mystery. The Vampire Oak tree is acting up, as is the evil Brother Ephraim. Just one bit of info that may come in handy, Light Dragons or Rainbow Dragons are powerful magical beings from another dimension that are fond of humans.

And lastly for followers of the Jane Yellowrock series, Jane makes a cameo phone appearance, Soul as a senior PsyLED officer is present to handle the political fall out and prevent things from spiraling out of control. The tension between humans and witches escalates, as does the conflict between PsyLED and other Law Enforcement Agencies. There are major developments in the Rick/Paka situation which go back to events in "Mercy Blade" and "Raven Cursed". Many things are completely resolved, with enough problems left to guarantee Soulwood 3 will be entertaining. Can't wait to find out why Nell is sprouting leaves, and just what's up with the Vampire Oak tree.
Can't wait to see what happens in Soulwood 3.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great Story!

I really like Faith Hunter's books. This is a fascinating story line. I love the fact that the main character is discovering herself as we discover who she is. The reader does a great job, even though I am not a fan of her strong southern accent.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoying this new series a lot

Set in the same dimension as Jane Yellowrock's series, "Soulwood" is a great addition to Hunters oeuvre.

Narrated by the amazing Khristine Hvan-a woman of many voices-, Soulwood has many new to us characters as well as some familiar ones--wonder where Rick is? He's moved to Soulwood for now.

As a series, do read the first book before this one-the back story is horrible to imagine but important.

I like this better than I did book 11 of the Yellowrock series..More character development sooner than in Janes world. Or maybe Hunter is refining her writing?

Series recommended highly for urban fantasy lovers.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

love all the new characters.. Team 18 rocks

team 18 comes together and solves the mystery with Nell and her special gift. RickyBo still breaks my heart, cant wait for Jane to kick Pacas fury behind

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another great book from Faith Hunter

A very enjoyable performance of great book from the creative mind of Faith Hunter. It is a pleasure to immerse myself in the world of vampires, shape shifters and other beings. Especially when the story is brought to life by Khristine Hvam.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I liked it

I really like this character and the overall storyline is fine. the characters are interesting. one thing I find challenging in the audio book is I'm having difficulty concentrating and following what is going on when the narrator falls into a hypnotic sing-song cadence. I have to concentrate harder than I'd like to follow what is going on at those times. if she could focus on getting the meaning across in the long narrative passages it might really help.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

OMG another win!

I have to say that I am very impressed with Faith Hunter's ability to write original stories and keep me interested.
Nell is a fantastic character that has an amazing inner strength. Her ability to be her own compass is inspiring.
I finished this book and like the last one, I am on pins and needles for the next.
K. Hvam is so talented a narrator that I forget someone is reading and I fall into the world she is reading.
These two are an amazing team.
It is an automatic buy when I see either of their names.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Homerun!

Would you listen to Curse on the Land again? Why?

Already started on 2nd listen. Details, details, details!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nell Ingram. Smart, no-nonsense, savvy, strong female character. What's not to love?

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

I've listened to many of her performances (including some of the Honorverse books). This one is great, as always.

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

Yes, in a few places. Nell's 'voice' by (Hvam) on top of Faith's prose have to literally be heard to be believed!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Alone or with Yellowrock, this is a Great Series!

I get so lost in these stories. When Nell is communing with the land, I can almost feel the earth around me too.

Faith Hunter has an awesome ability to take you away from the world around you and transport you to the world of her paranormal characters. Just wish I could be part of her worlds.

I can't wait to listen to Khristine Hvam narrate the next book with her smooth Southern twang.

Love the YellowRock books but this does quite do

I am a big fan of the Jane Yellowrock books so decided to give the Soulwood novels a try. Rick and the PsyLED team are part of this series and so I was keen to give it a go. The first book was ok but unfortunately, this one was not for me. I got to the end but I did not enjoy the book. I do like and have warmed to the main character Nel but I really didn't like the story which focused on spreading fungi that the team was trying to stop. The book was slow and spent a lot of time describing the devastation that the fungi had created and I felt that it lacked the action I so enjoy from the Yellowrock series. I also enjoy Nel and her Church family and the book did touch on this but not as much as I would have liked.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another Good One

I absolutely love the Jane Yellowrock universe. This is the second book in the Nell Ingram series. Nell first appeared in a Jane Yellowrock short story when Jane changed Nells world forever. In this book Nell becomes a full member of Unit 18 PsyLED. She has been away for training and she has developed her abilities.
There are a few really strange parts to this book which shows Faith Hunters wide ranging imagination.
I wouldn't normally say this but the first half of this book is a bit slow but overall a good one. I can't wait for the next one when I am sure Jane will appear to dispense justice to Pacca.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I love Faith Hunter!

I love Nell. Her magic link to the ground, woods and plants is breathtaking, as well as her link to her team and her family.

Fantastic!

I can't wait for soul wood book 3. Have become a real Faith Hunter fan. Loved the Jane Yellowrock series too and now looking forward to the 13th book...

amazing well worth the read

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

yes I would its fast and fun to read and and the world it is set in is well thought out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nell as she is a fighter

Any additional comments?

read book 0ne first

SOULWOOD 2

What did you like most about Curse on the Land?

THE STORY PULLS YOU IN SO YOU JUST HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND FINNISH LISTENING TO THE STORY

What other book might you compare Curse on the Land to, and why?

THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES IT MAKES IT EASIER TO FOLLOW WHEN YOU GET BOOK 2

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

THIS BOOK DOES BOTH

Any additional comments?

I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU GET BOOK 1 SO YOU CAN FOLLOW THE CHARACTERS IN BOTH BOOKS

Fantastic

absolutely loved the second book! hopefully it will be continued !
Definetly reccomend reading/listening to this one :)

Stunning new spinoff from Jane Yellowrock

Nell returns from Spook School to find that her land is sick. Brother Ephriam has polluted her land which is trying to fight back.
Meantime a suspected radiation leak turns out to be a witch working gone wrong. Nell and the gang need to track the source and save those that are now dying.

Ricky bo gets the shock of his life and Paka shows her true colours.

A brilliant follow on to this new series!