Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock #1) by Faith Hunter

Released: July 7, 2009
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Roc Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-46280-0

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind – a Cherokee skinwalker – who hunts vampires for a living. She was introduced in Faith Hunter’s short story in Strange Brew (reviewed here) but this is the first time her character is the protagonist. (Molly, the short story protagonist, is featured in the novel, as well.)

In Skinwalker, Jane’s been hired by a New Orleans vampire to track down a rogue who’s been killing other vampires. She’s also got to deal with some attractive men and a huge learning curve since this is the first time she’s had civil interactions with vampires before.

As a big fan of Faith Hunter‘s Rogue Mage series, I would have bought this book no matter what but I’m pleased to report it was money well spent. Jane’s a fun protagonist and Beast, the soul of her preferred form, is really neat. The author does a great job of jumping between the two perspectives and has given both of them unique, and easily identifiable, voices. We also learn a lot about Jane’s past and her powers over the course of the novel, which I liked, although there’s still a lot more to be learned! The story takes some pleasing twists and turns and, at the end, the mystery is resolved in a satisfying manner, while leaving tendrils for the next installment in Jane’s life, which is due out in January. Can’t wait!