Have you ever had one of those moments when you opened your big mouth and said something that caused an impressive domino effect of craptastic events? No? Just me? Well, Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock really put her foot in it, and Death’s Rival is all about the aftermath. She didn’t even realize the full implications of her actions, but ignorance isn’t an excuse (at least, not one that these vampires will accept). Now, she’s forced to face the consequences of those actions and it isn’t pretty.
Jane Yellowrock is a shapeshifting skinwalker you don’t want to cross—especially if you’re one of the undead…
For a vampire killer like Jane, having Leo Pellisier as a boss took some getting used to. But now, someone is out to take his place as Master Vampire of the city of New Orleans, and is not afraid to go through Jane to do it. After an attack that’s tantamount to a war declaration, Leo knows his rival is both powerful and vicious, but Leo’s not about to run scared. After all, he has Jane. But then, a plague strikes, one that takes down vampires and makes their masters easy prey.
Now, to uncover the identity of the vamp who wants Leo’s territory, and to find the cause of the vamp-plague, Jane will have to go to extremes…and maybe even to war.
Jane is one of those badass but broken characters. Not only is she working to uncover the source of the vampire plague that is being used in a plan to systematically take out masters of various cities, but she’s also fighting the demons of her past. Jane’s connection to her Cherokee roots adds depth and sets her apart from other skinwalker/were-animal characters. Her sweat-lodge experiences with Aggie allow the reader to follow Jane into the memories (many forgotten) of her past. Those memory fragments, along with nuggets of wisdom from Beast, help Jane get closer to understanding and coming to grips with her past. The progression of Beast and Jane’s relationship is fascinating to me. Two very distinct and different consciousnesses inhabit one body and must learn to coexist in a manner that satisfies both.
In spite of Beast’s ever-present company, Jane is lonely. I think Jane’s used to being lonely, but it still sucks. While there are men in her life, Jane craves a relationship with someone that won’t betray her (though, it could be argued that there is a difference between active betrayal and forced/accidental betrayal). All of her relationships are complicated. Between keeping Beast a secret and physically protecting herself, Jane doesn’t stand a chance against those men already in her life. They try to take over, so (naturally) she pushes them away. Hard. Remember the part about her being a badass? Though, the addition of her two employees/crew members (Eli and Alex) complicates her life even further but, also, fills part of that loneliness void.
Death’s Rival is what I have come to expect from a Jane Yellowrock book: blood, guts, and pushing the few advantages available. Jane faces impossible situations and, by the skin of her teeth, survives. One of the signs (for me) of a really terrific book is when I am rooting for the character because she feels like an old friend. Death’s Rival delivers that perfect balance of action, angst, confusion, and hope.
Reading the books in order will be helpful in understanding Jane, her world, and her friends, but is not necessary. Death’s Rival can be read as a standalone.
Read order:
Skinwalker
Blood Cross
Mercy Blade
Raven Cursed
Death’s Rival
Blood Trade
Black Arts
Broken Soul (October 7, 2014)
