Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, #1) in My Vampire Book Obsession

Feb 14, 2018 Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, favorite-series, part-of-series, serial-killer, witches, 4-star, urban-fantasy, vampires, ebook, first-in-series

I’m not sure why I took so long to start this long and recommended series, but when I was gifted the first e-book by a Goodreads member who surprised me with the sweet gesture (thank you Layla!), I read and became majorly hooked. Majorly – which is perfect for a series junkie like me. It meant weeks of binge reading a series with over ten books published in it. Not much that I enjoy more in my reading life.

Jane is an unusual specimen – she’s a shapeshifter but not a were, someone hired to help v I’m not sure why I took so long to start this long and recommended series, but when I was gifted the first e-book by a Goodreads member who surprised me with the sweet gesture (thank you Layla!), I read and became majorly hooked. Majorly – which is perfect for a series junkie like me. It meant weeks of binge reading a series with over ten books published in it. Not much that I enjoy more in my reading life.

Jane is an unusual specimen – she’s a shapeshifter but not a were, someone hired to help vampires in New Orleans when she usually kills them instead. Her business card and website humorously read “Have Stake, Will Travel.” While investigating the rogue and solving that particular mystery, she’s meeting the fascinating characters – supernatural and non – that make up the cultural town. In between this she finds out hidden mysteries about herself, especially long-hidden mysteries that revealed she once did a twisted version of dark magic.

Jane is humorous – she’s tough, she’s different, she’s special, and no one knows what she is – I love when the Main Characters have secrets that everyone wants to know, and when they are pursued by complex and powerful characters who she’s shying away from. A classic game of cat and mouse hunt. Between the local police department, Rick on the bike, Leo as the Master of the City and his determined bodyguard, Katie with her twisted family, and meeting a few other people thrown in – there are plenty of intrigued AND intriguing people popping up all over the place. Between exploring the town in lion form, exploring the streets in human form, spying on secret rituals by other paranormal races and awkward but enlightening vamp soirees, the book takes one addictive turn after another.

Jane is downright intriguing after all, although I prefer the books later when she’s more at peace with Beast and knows more. The Native American Folklore history and meeting Aggie with the ritual was interesting enough, although it didn’t grab me as much as the modern-day happenings did. She’s a funny main character, she’s tough and has secrets, she’s compassionate and driven and protective. Can’t complain.

Leo is yummy and fascinating, but there is a tragic turning point at the end of the book that ties into the heart of the mystery. Watching their back and forth argumentive banter is fun stuff. “Bruisier” – AKA George – doesn’t have quite a huge presence yet but he’s a well-done supporting character. Ah, those dance scenes!

Rick never made an impression on me much but he still holds some promise in the first story sometimes, even though it’s clearly he’s not fully trustworthy. Having the main character having to interact with others who are so different from her – from Katie’s ladies to the unusual and formal vamp world – makes the book even better. And of course Beast is fascinating, being in her head over Janes or seeing them debate stuff.

Mystery wise its rich enough to earn it’s high start rating too. There are plenty of twists and turns and misleading leads, a shocking culprit, several battles, and large fight at the end that is a series changer.

Since I’ve read the rest of the series in a row before writing this review, I will point out the series improves much and keeps getting better. I enjoyed this first book quite a bit, but if there were a few things that bugged you about it, most of the things improve. In this first book the shifting seems a bit too hard on her, and I don't like so many dependent crutches being needed, but this becomes a non-issue later.

Jane’s bond with Beast grows more secure, the personalities of both emerge fully, more layers pop up on all the characters you meet in the first book that may seem slightly one-dimensional right now, and the politics and twist-turns get even more focused and twisted as the stories go on. ...more

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Jan 17, 2010 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it really liked it

Shelves: werewolves, ebook, urban-fantasy, ebook-m, vampire, ebook-second, 2009

No matter how many UF books I read I’m always searching for that allusive vampire hunter story. The kind where the lead lady is everything I’ve always wanted. Where the kills and plot just doesn’t seem to fall into her lap while she fumbles around like a newbie. No, the lead I seek knows what she is doing, can kickass, knows her limits, and is more than a prejudice vampire hater—oh, and smart. That’s exactly what is delivered in Skinwalker!

Jane is a fearsome character. She’s lost the memories of No matter how many UF books I read I’m always searching for that allusive vampire hunter story. The kind where the lead lady is everything I’ve always wanted. Where the kills and plot just doesn’t seem to fall into her lap while she fumbles around like a newbie. No, the lead I seek knows what she is doing, can kickass, knows her limits, and is more than a prejudice vampire hater—oh, and smart. That’s exactly what is delivered in Skinwalker!

Jane is a fearsome character. She’s lost the memories of her past, all she knows is that she wandered out of the woods when she was 12 and was then raised at a Catholic school. After her first shift she soon realized that she was more than Cherokee, she was a Skinwalker. After that first shift Beast soon emerged, a feline soul that shares her body. Beast is just as fascinating as Jane and both of them truly make the character(s). Also they both know how to kill. Beast with her killer claws and teeth, her amazing speed and strength, and her hunting instincts. Jane has amazing weapons, the coolest hunter getup, and she can tap into Beasts super animal skills. Unlike most series where the mystery behind the lead is dragged out for an unreasonable amount of books our leading ladies pasts come to light—without crazy amounts of flashbacks.

The reason why Jane became a hunter of the undead is not brought to light, but I do like that whatever those past issues are the do not make her prejudice to the extent of being a bigot. Instead of assuming all vampires are just like the rogues she’s been haunting she takes a job from a “civilized” vampire. It’s obvious she has every right to treat them like dangerous—evil—creatures as their violent natures come out. As the hunt for the rogue continues it’s obvious that it’s more complicated in that. Even Jane accepts that she actually is growing fond of the certain vamps.

The world Hunter has created is refreshing. When Marilyn Monroe tries to change President Kennedy into a vampire the truth comes out! (Come on, that is the coolest outing ever!) Skinwalker takes place in New Orleans, a city that never fails to captivate my attention. However, I will be the first to admit that other authors in UF genre have done better jobs at it.

Ever since reading Moon Called by Patricia Briggs I’ve been hungering for a tale with a Skinwalker as the lead. The Native American Mythology has been obviously researched and is very authentic. The Vampires are very well thought out and their “government” of blood suckers is so well done that if I had to say how vampires would govern themselves this would be the way. The balance of humans and vampires is beyond fascinating from servants to blood slaves and there’s obviously more here to explore. The hint that there are werewolves and elves out there gives me Goosebumps of anticipation!

There were a few parts of the book that rubbed me the wrong way. It seemed like every male in the book was hot and was ready to jump Jane’s bones. More annoying was that Jane pretty much oogled all that man candy. For me, it just didn’t fit Jane’s personality. She’s strong, smart, doesn’t think like most women, and here she is checking out everything with a dick. That doesn’t fit with someone who can’t have casual sex and is loyal to the one they’re with. Sure she has Beast inside her and the animal magnetism makes others attracted to her, and maybe that makes her a bit horny between the two. It just feels too much like a setup for her to have to have sex, and we all know where I stand on that kind of plot. Also, her amazing super powers seem to fail so that she can have a weak, or damsel, moment so the males can have a little power over her. It’s a much loved plot device, but I felt that Jane should not have to suffer from it. These parts weren’t that blown out of proportion, but I feel like they could go to a very bad place for the series.

The hunt for the rogue is an adrenaline bomb: exploding with thrills and leaving a burning hunger for more, more, more! Between trying to guess who, or better yet what, the rogue vampire truly is left me flipping the pages frantically. Despite reviews stating that Hunter stole Briggs Skinwalker idea, I didn’t feel any thieving here. Jane is a wonderful character who knows what she’s doing and doesn’t waste time. She’s witty and may not always know when to be humble, but that’s why I love her. Even if Jane wasn’t so awesome I would have read this book for Beast alone. This is the ultimate read for anyone looking for a “real” vampire hunter!

Sexual Content: Beast is quite the dirty kitty and gives Jane some advise on what she needs. The vampires are pretty sexual, and Jane gets a lot of invitations for sex. Nothing overly explicate. Also there’s a little bit of listening in while some people get hot and heavy.

4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers. ...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Delitealex rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: shape-shifter-werewolf, urban-fantasy, vampire, witches, new-orleans

4.5

I loved this book Jane is so awesome. I don't know what took me so long to read this. The world was interesting especially the vamp dynamics and politics. I can't wait to learn more about Jane and skinwalkers. ...more

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Mar 07, 2009 Barbara ★ rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-vampires, paranormal-shifters, read-2009, x-set-in-usa-louisiana, h-h-minority, h-h-native-american

I'd like to give this book a 3.5 but I can't so I upped it cause it's definitely better than a 3.

Jane Yellowrock, Cherokee skinwalker plus (even Jane doesn't know what), is a rather unlikable heroine. She's standoffish and really unfriendly except with the men. Those she likes plenty but more of a cock tease than anything else. I got vibes of an Anita Blake wannabe while reading this - the whole sexual thing (though Anita puts out while Jane doesn't).

I liked Rick even though he's secretive and a ...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, witches, vampire, urban-fantasy, native-american, shifters, sos-bingo

Jane Yellowrock, is a skinwalker and the only one of her kind that she knows of. No one other then her best friend Molly and, an earth witch, and Molly's family know what she is.

She is a rogue vampire hunter by trade and in this first novel of the series she has been hired by one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans to hunt down a vamp (offensive to term btw) who has been killing other vampires and cops.

Skinwalker had moments where I found myself, skimming the page because it wasn't holding my ...more

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Mar 19, 2020 Marla rated it liked it

Shelves: lgbt, vampires, asian, shape-shifters, magic, adult, witches, paranormal, young-adult, zz-2020

3.5 stars. Interesting first book in a skinwalker/shapeshifter series. Jane and Beast are the only characters featured in this story, besides the vampires in New Orleans where Jane is temporarily working on a job to kill a rogue vampire. Lots of backstory since this is the first book in the series, so I'm hoping that subsequent books will be better and move along more smoothly.

I didn't think it's as gripping or entertaining as the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, but I'm halfway done wi ...more

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