Flame in the Dark

Soulwood, Book 3

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

Set in the same world as Faith Hunter's New York Times best-selling Jane Yellowrock novels, the third, thrilling Soulwood novel stars Nell Ingram, who draws her powers from deep within the earth.

Nell Ingram has always known she was different. Since she was a child, she's been able to feel and channel ancient powers from deep within the earth. When she met Jane Yellowrock, her entire life changed, and she was recruited into PsyLED - the Homeland Security division that polices paranormals. But now her newly formed unit is about to take on its toughest case yet.

A powerful senator barely survives an assassination attempt that leaves many others dead - and the house he was visiting burns to the ground. Invisible to security cameras, the assassin literally disappears, and Nell's team is called in. As they track a killer they know is more - or less - than human, they unravel a web of dark intrigue and malevolent motives that tests them to their limits and beyond.

©2017 Faith Hunter (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Soft and Fluffy :-)

Not a review. Just my thoughts.

First off Kristine Hvam is EXCELLENT. She is my #1 Narrator. Ok now to this book.

For some reason I find it hard to write reviews of the Soulwood series. It's not bad. I pre-ordered this audible book and saved it for the weekend so I could listen in peace. It was slow paced but I was still entertained for the most part. The "investigation" I found boring. I was more interested in the magic of Soulwood and interactions with the church.... And I try hard not to compare it to Jane Yellowrock, but it always happens. I know that Faith Hunter is trying to keep the characters separate and different in their demeanor. I do understand that Nell is a softer more girly girl type character.

With that being said... this story wasn't bad per say. But it was slow and I felt like I was being forced to feel things that hadn't been earned by these characters. I also notice that I can't visualize these characters well. And one of them I always forget about until she says something... can't even remember their name now. The two who are secretly dating but everyone already knows about it... can't even remember their names and I just finished the book. I have no idea what they look like or care about them in any way.

This is a the complete opposite with Jane Yellowrock characters... I can picture Leo, The brothers, and especially Bruiser ( I love me some Bruiser). I just don't have a solid picture of any of these people but Rick and he of course came from the Yellowrock series.

Again, I didn't dislike Flame in the Dark. It was a nice calming listen while I folded clothes and cleaned out my closet. But after reading it I am itching for Jane.

Nice Addition

This third novel in the Soulwood spin-off from Faith Hunter's Yellowrock series is a good one. This is definitely a series book and you will need to read the first two Soulwood books to avoid confusion. It is not necessary to read or be a fan of the Yellowrock series as this series has a completely different feel. I've become a fan of Nell and her way of looking at the world so much so that the story is just a mere vehicle for me to explore more about her. This story is the same. The meat behind the novel is not as plot driven as the first two installments. Nell's character exploration is driving this one forward as she cements her friendships with her work team and comes to grips with who she is becoming to the backdrop of other unknown paranormal species crimes. I hope there is more to come. This novel does feel like it completes a story arch. There is no cliffhanger ending. I only hope this completion of the trilogy of Nell's becoming who she truly is pushes another three novels into being. The audio book reading was good and unobtrusive to the story. khristine Hvan brings the story to life in a natural way and is able to show the development of Nell by lightening the accent towards the end. Nice performance.

Nell digs deep to find her roots

Nell keeps learning more of her powers as she and the PsyLED team hunt an assassin out to kill a senator and his family. The problem is figuring out not only who the assassin is, but what he is, and why this particular family is targeted. Nell is just getting comfortable with her new life as a team member in the agency, when Occum shows he's interested, disrupting the solitary lifestyle she's grown accustomed to. Soon she finds herself in a personal battle not to revert back to the sheltered church ways, when a new suitor shows up. Reality strikes though, when Mud finds herself in a crisis, turning to Nell for help.
Kristine Hvam does her usual bang-up job of capturing the voices and personalities making the book even more enjoyable.

Wonderful 3rd installment

This is the third book in the Soulwood series. You do need to have read the first two in order to pick-up on the nuances of this book.

Set in the same universe as Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series, Flame in the Dark starts out strong. The female lead, Nell, had a precarious balance between sophistication, maturity and the PTSD that tries to pull her back into her past life. She is trying to let go, but the ignorance and lack of gender equality still has a not insignificant hold on her life.

The story itself is well-written. Nothing less is expected from Hunter. You fall in love with these characters more and more. I would like to see more character development with some of the supporting characters. They all have pasts that have been hinted at, but I’d like to see more.

As for Nell.... I want to see her mature and accept and change the influence the church has on her. I’d like to see her finally break those ties, emotionally, and become the well-rounded character she’s destined for. I’d like to see that happen a bit faster. I’d like to see her buckle down and handle the men in her life with more confidence. I want to see her mature emotionally in the next book. She’s put in her dues and she’s ready.

The story itself is really good, a few silly plot lines, but worth the 4 stars. As always, Khristine Hvam is on point.

Book is good, audio makes it better.

Khristine Hvam knocks Nell out of the park again. After reading the book, I started on the Audible version -- to "hear" the characters. I grew up in the vicinity of where Faith Hunter set Soulwood and listening reminds me of home.

I can't imagine a Nell or Jane Yellowrock book without Khristine Hvam. Just as I can't imagine not reading a book from Faith Hunter.

Very good book

Unit 18's PsyLed division takes on an attempted murder case involving an unidentified species. Is it arson or a shooter or both? Was it a turf war or family feud? All get answered in this story. I absolutely love Nell and her church woman speak and how she grows in this story in more ways than one. Her story is both heart wrenching and triumphant. Oh and the love interests are smokin' hot. Occam and Ben; her past ways vs. her potential future. I can't wait to see what the next story holds. Ms. Hvam did a fantastic job!

Good

The story is action packed and continues the story well. I hate the cliffhanger because I am dying for Nell to be happy in a romantic relationship. I can’t wait for the next book

A MUST LISTEN

OMG!! I bought the kindle book and the audible. So worth it. Well performed! Team Occum!!!

Loved Soulwood Book 3

I love this series, love interests more on the forefront in this novel. There are 2. Nell's family is pulling a setup for her with a man from the church. Her kitty cat (Oakum) gets a little jealous

Nell gets engrossed with a case involving a Senators family who is more than they seem. Fire-starters are involved.

Soulwood

Lots of disturbance some kind of hacking that was a bit annoying but a good story

What a fabulous audiobook

Really enjoyed this book and can’t waIt to see what happens next especially with Nell and Oakum and whether they finally got that proper improper kiss ;)

Blooming Brilliant

Plants, action, refreshingly different. A very enjoyable listen . I'll be getting the next book.

Incredible story

I completely get lost in Faith Hunters books. They allow my imagiom to roam and the descriptive language is fantastic.
I hope there will be more books from this storylime universe.
Thank you Faith Hunter for a great experience!

Immersive.

You really get to care for Nell Ingram and the people in her world. Nell is growing (a pun there) and is starting to be scary strong. More books to come, I'm sure. No annoying cliffhanger though. I'll keep following this series. Unreservedly recommended.

Khristine Hvam - wonderful narration as usual.

Fantastic!

WOW!! A really fantastic tale. So pleased I have found this wonderful world. Hope to dwell here for a long time.

Brilliant

What a brilliant book when I first read this book last year I honestly thought that was it as it was left open ended. I was so pleased to realise that the next book is released next month. So much happened and all of it was excellent.

narrating brought this book alive

I love how these books are written and narrated, being English I wouldn't of known how to, I would of lost so much of the story

Brilliant series - a spinoff from Jane Yellowrock

This is book three which finds Nell knee deep in suitors which include Occam the werecat who would like nothing better than to pin our innocent Nell against a wall and Ben the college educated member of Gods Cloud of Glory church who would pull her back into the life she wants nothing to do with. Add that to realising her younger sister Mud is a dryad like her and she needs to help her not make the same mistakes she did when learning about herself.

Senator Toliver's family seems to be under fire whether from a bullet or strange fire, either way people are dying and unit 18 needs to find out why. Ricky-bo is still struggling with his cat (if you read the Yellowrock books too this crosses over with him returning to Nola and discovering that Jane has moved on and doesn't want anything to do with him)

As more people get hurt Nell uses her gift to work out what is happening to the land with some dire consequences.

Do love the end though......roll on book 4 please

Brill! A wonderful progression of the story

Oh this is good! Nell is a fascinating character, and her development over this book is a joy to follow. She learns a lot more about herself here, and develops far, far more than I expected - she’s one powerful lady!

Her relationship with Oakum (as I hear his name) develops here, but in an extraordinarily chaste way, compared to the average Urban Fantasy novel. It is, maybe surprisingly, all the more powerful for that slowness. To be sure, there’s a bit of church meddling that tries to put a spoke in that wheel, and push Nell to making a choice on where her life is going, but for me at least, the eventual direction was never in doubt. I just love the “properly improper kiss” that lurkes throughout the last half or so of the book!

The other characters are less featured, just voices in the background at times - I don’t think Tealane (I’m only an audio reader, so I have to guess at names) does any magic at all here. I worry about Rick, was taken aback by the very sudden appearance of another of whatever it it Pia is (my brain’s offering grindylow, but that looks just wrong!), and it’s equally sudden disappearance, and I liked that the story was allowed to unwind at the end, with loose ends, such as the vampire tree, and Mud’s future, being tackled.

This is a fine third installment of a very fine series. The ending would allow it to be the last, but I hope it isn’t. I’ve rooted around Ms Hunter’s website for clues, but it’s probably too close to the release of this one for future plans to be announced. There’s a serialised story on how Oakum (or Occam) gets his name, but it’s buried in a tour blog, so you have to be determined to get at it.

Well read, with the various characters kept clear and distinct. She does "church" speak really well!

Fantastic

The next installment of Nell's story with the team. I love this series just as much as JY and the vampires. A great pace and the continued interest of Occum is a real plus I can't wait for the next book