| Title | : | Broken Soul (Jane Yellowrock, #8) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0451465954 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780451465955 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 329 |
| Publication | : | First published October 7, 2014 |
When the Master of the city of New Orleans asks Jane to improve security for a future visit from a delegation of European vampires, she names an exorbitant price—and Leo is willing to pay. That’s because the European vamps want Leo’s territory, and he knows that he needs Jane to prevent a total bloodbath. Leo, however, doesn’t mention how this new job will change Jane’s life or the danger it will bring her and her team.
Jane has more to worry about than some greedy vampires. There’s a vicious creature stalking the streets of New Orleans, and its agenda seems to be ripping Leo and her to pieces. Now Jane just has to figure out how to kill something she can’t even see….
Broken Soul (Jane Yellowrock, #8) Reviews
-
Reread
I always love Jane Yellowrock books.
Anyway, this book is just as good as any of the series. Although in this one, we find Jane finding herself and becoming more with her beast. Oh, I'm guessing you know she is a shapeshifter. She is finding love, love that has been there but was put on the back burner for certain reasons.
And now there is something out there attacking Jane and some others in the group. It's a snakelike, dragon like, fast thing that you can hardly - if at all - see with the naked eye. And of course, Beast is there to help Jane in anyway she can as they are one.
I woke up on path with dirt under belly and paws. Studied place. Jane had picked good spot to change. Tall grasses and deep shadows. Strange bent and stunted swamp trees. No standing water fallen from the sky - from rain. Smelled of fish and rotten things and snake and skunk and opossum and scat of bobcat. Wesa, a bobcat, had marked territory on tree. I chuffed with laughter. Jane had been Wesa when she took big-cat's form and soul. Jane as Wesa had been strong, good fighter.
Looked for Jane in den of mind. She slept. I, Beast, pressed paw onto her and forced her deeper into sleep. Jane did not know Beast could do this. There was much that Jane did not know. Beast could not decide what to tell her. How to tell her. Was confusing. Jane was like Wesa. And not. Jane could need to know much of what Beast knew. But much would hurt her. Chuffed out breath, confused. Did not like confused.
Hunger gripped belly like Wesa claws. Was not confused at hunger. Understood hunger. Stood and stepped over pile of Jane clothes on ground. Stopped. Looked bak at thing on top of Jane-shirt. Was supposed to smell thing from fight, thing like scale of fish. Lowered head and snuffled, nostrils fluttering. Opened mouth and pulled in air over tongue and roof of mouth in soft scree of sound, taking scent deep.
Strange thing smelled of fish and snake and water of Mississippi. Smelled of burning green things. Knew this creature. Had smelled one before, many years in past, during start of hunger times, when white man had killed off all the animals and cut down all trees, and land itself washed away in the rains. Beast had wanted hunter out of territory. Wanted snake/fish/winged-like bat hunter of prey gone. Wanted it dead. But it was too big to fight. Fangs were full of bad things, smelled of danger.
I always love when Beast in talking of things, finding out things. Beast is smart and Beast is always in Jane's mind when Jane is Jane. Over the years, Jane and Beast have learned more about each other and can communicate with each other. This happens mostly when Jane is Jane. I just love them and I'm going to keep loving them.
In this book Jane is supposed to up the game on security for the Master of the City (Leo) because some other vamps are coming over to...um.. hang out. Yeah, but things go all crazy like they generally do. But Jane and Beast are bad to the bone so look out peeps.
MY BLOG:
Melissa Martin's Reading List
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 -
This is going to be short and sweet.
I waited 8 books EIGHT and finally I mean FINALLY the love triangle is gone the guy that I was pretty sure Jane was meant to be with has made his play AND IT WAS GLORIOUS and romantic and pretty perfect considering.“For a reason or a season,' he said. 'For a year or a lifetime. For a poem or a song. For a victorious battle or a bloody death. For honor. I would stand by you for as long as I might live.”
There is other stuff that happened and the plot was pretty good even if I’m still not sure why some of the vamps are still alive (how many times does Jane need to kill you). Leo was Leo and the Devil’s trio caused the most casualties to date.
But the best part of this book for me was the absence of Rick. Yeah he might still be trying to keep a foot in the door but I’m pretty sure it has been slammed tightly shut. FINALLY. -
The Post in Which I Muse on the Series.
I dropped this series a few years back. Heavy on vampire politics and with a lead character who had a fair amount of romantic angst, it just wasn't consistently interesting. However, my cousin was looking for new reads and I started her out on the early books in this series (this is under the philosophy of being willing to have said books returned in less-than-perfect condition). She loved it so much that she bought the rest of the series--Hunter having finished it by then--and brought them back to me to read.
So here's the thing about series: they're very much the same. It was interesting to me to fall back into a story after a few years and feel very familiar with everything happening. In fact, the plot ended up reminding me very strongly of one of the first three book. So it was with mixed emotions that I read on: one, that I wouldn't have to invest much in my read; and two, that there probably wouldn't be very much that was challenging here.
Perhaps that's why we like series, because they offer a predictable world and story in a world that is neither predictable nor coherent. Depending on the author, you can be guaranteed the outcome; that the hero will live another day, that justice will triumph, that lower-level evil will be vanquished, that love will conquer all. I like series for these reasons too but I also want to feel like there is a greater sense of purpose (going back to that lack of parallel in the real world here...).
I'd be hard-pressed to find that in the Yellowrock series. Despite starting out as a contracted vamp-killer for hire, Jane, the lead, has morphed into a security consultant for the head vampire of the New Orleans area. As such, most of her job has surrounded detailed vampire politics. Apparently, Hunter is calling the upcoming visit of the European vampires her overarching series plot, because while I remember it from earlier books, it's brought up again here in context of a lot of security preparations. The series structure is pretty straightforward: contract to protect vamps. Preparations. Weird stuff happens. Protect vamps. Figure out weird stuff. Work with/fight vamps (there's always the troublesome ones). Fight extra-weird thing causing trouble. The End. The side plot usually seems to consist of Jane deciding who she wants to date, what she wants to wear on their date, the date, and then emotional fallout after the date.
It's pretty straightforward storytelling. Hunter is very competent at it, to be sure; I'd say far above average from what I remember of various forays into the genre. I do like that Jane is a determined, stubborn, and faithful character. I also enjoy the impact of the Beast character, and that seems to have been evolving in interesting ways. There's steady action in this book, which maybe keeps the reader from realizing that a lot of it is just that--action--and not actual steps towards solution. I felt like the New Orleans setting was used well, and had to laugh when at one point Jane mentions that the showers never got really cold.
I just don't care about imaginary politics; I'm troubled enough with real-life ones. There's also a bit more detail on guns and security issues, which is a non-interest for me. There's some magical computer hacking with a Kid Genius, which is always somewhat problematic for me (I mean, why introduce computer stuff as an issue if you are going to solve it with a talented hacker?). Jane's also only marginally improved on the emotional security front (one chapter end: "I've become a girl") which was somewhat distressing, although I appreciated the nod to the flippy skirt she bought and danced in in book one. And, as was normal for this series, there is a distressing lack of females. Jane prefers being 'one of the guys,' and her environment reflects that. She lives with two guys, the majority of the vamp team she works with are guys (except Leo's new second, so naturally, they have a conversation about Leo), and many of the women seem to see her as competition (Leo's second, Katie the vamp from book one). Her friend Jodi makes a brief appearance, as well as a woman from the government Psy division. So there are women scattered around the book; I think it's not problematic author portrayal as much as a character that is herself problematic. She continues to resent any soul-searching and only reaches out when she needs help.
I'll likely try the next, if only because it's sitting on my bookshelf, courtesy of my cousin. There can be a certain comfort in a decently written but non-demanding read. -
*** 4.44 ***
A buddy read with the Wednesday UF group @ BB&B! Because Beast is a good predator!!!
It could be just me, but I truly believe this series gets better with every book. Particularly now that Jane has mostly rid herself of that cheating douchebag she called Ricky-bo. Having a job as the main enforcer and security for the Vamp Master of the city of New Orleans, she is insured of always keeping busy, always having to solve problems, and always having to be on guard against not only enemies, but those who are supposed to be on her side as well. Working for those whom she had started out killing is a task Jane had never adopted to fully. And the Vamps who employed her never learned that they don't own her. Jane had to get very explicit in reminding them that fact on several occasions in this eight book in the series.
We finally got some answers about those creatures made of magic and light who have been attacking her and her friends for the last couple of books. I love their mythology, but even more I have come to appreciate the mythos this author is creating layer by layer for us. The mythology of the Vamps, the werewolves, the Thunderbird, the witches and so on, are presented to us in small increments and I can't wait to learn everything! I do feel bad for JY since it looks like all those cool supernatural races seem to be trying to kill her or her friends at one time or another... It's a good thing she has the Younger brothers and Beast to have her back and always get her out of the tight spots. Leo however, seems to be doing everything possible to make her job more complicated and put her life in mortal danger as often as he could, just for the hell of it. I guess if you are a rich, gorgeous and immortal monster to whom everyone caters hand and foot, you have to get your kicks somehow... And the gang of insane and fabulous vampires in his circle feel neglected when she is around, so they tend to give her trouble too... When will they ever learn???
Once again Jane and her partners have to protect Leo and his crew from a very old and powerful ancient and crazy vampire from the old country who have come to eliminate him and take over the territory. As always, they are powerful, vicious and merciless. And once again she barely gets out of it alive, only this time there are victims and her body and magic undergo some changes...
I want to take this moment to once again encourage UF fans to give this series a chance - it only gets better as we go!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a Good book!!! -
Finally, something happened to Jane's love life!
It's strange to see Jane, a constant badass chick, put in all kinds of weird situations, like going on dates and having to actually admit aloud some stuff she kept hidden. It's always fun to see a bit of vulnerability in really strong characters (as long as it's only A BIT!).
Fast-paced book, interesting, fun, like all the others in this series. And you see progress in this one (the plot as well as Jane, who discovers all kinds of interesting, maybe deadly stuff about herself). And I absolutely love the new "species" in this one! Although I admit, I expected a bit of a different ending, . But maybe in the next book? I don't think he/she/it will go away!
Anyway, a really fun book in this series. Can't wait to see what happens next!
-
I think there is a bit of everything in here and a promise of battles yet to come.
WOW, a LOT of stuff happens in this book and much of it I can't tell about since it would be spoilers. Let me see, well the old invisible monster from last book, well he is still here and that one may surprise you a bit.
I think I am safe to say there is almost no appearance of old Ricky Bo but there is a mention or two of him that makes you wonder if things are as they appear to be.
The European vampires are coming for a "visit" and apparently a visit by the old school vampires does NOT mean what it does to humans. Otherwise why would Jane be beefing up all the security, more fun awaits.
A couple of long term characters may get killed (NO, of course I am not telling you if they make it) and does not include Jane doing stupid stuff.
Oh, I almost forgot the Devil's 3 (or maybe it was Satan's 3) are a trio of killers that all the vamps are scared of but they seem to be attracted to Jane, how lovely and they are decidedly NOT friendly.
While this novel pretty much wraps everything up in a neat bow it also leaves you with about 100 questions that may not get answered anytime soon, the relationship between Jane and a couple of characters is a bit murky and that don't mean in love, might mean "you gonna try to kill me next time we meet?"
Jane has such a fun life and makes new friends so easily, but not as easily as she makes enemies. Her love life does seem to be headed in the right direction FINALLY but that book is not quite written yet, things seem to happen to Jane that tend to put potential lovers off a bit, near death experiences are terrible for a date. Guys can be so lame about that stuff and getting furry every now and then just ruins a date (and most clothes).
Anyway there are several surprises in this book and even the slower parts are addictive since you are scared you might miss something important. Her and Leo even have some up and close moments (I SO want to post a spoiler here LOL).
Bottom Line: Is that a real questions? It is 5 Stars, it is Jane, we love pretty much everything her little bloodstained hands do and this is no exception but it does make your head hurt trying to figure out "how is she gonna fix this" , we do wonder if she is going to live through some of this stuff but I am comforted to know there is another book coming.
I figure it is like my heart doctor telling me to come back next year, it is a warranty that says I am going to be here than much longer ......right? -
Reviewed by:
Rabid Reads
And I'm in a book funk again.
For me, that's the mark of a truly great series---every time you venture forth into its world, ready for a new adventure with well-loved characters, the inevitable end hangs like a cloud . . .
You start the book like it's water and you're dying of thirst, but the further along you get, you begin to feel taunted . . . by the growing percentage of completion, or the diminishing number of pages . . . and then it's over . . . until next time.
*gnashes teeth*
Yeah. You know what I'm talking about.
Such is my relationship with Jane Yellowrock . . .
Early in the series, a certain magical artifact began to complicate things for Jane. Since it's first appearance, the blood diamond has changed hands several times, but even hidden away in a safety deposit box, there's always someone (or something) who knows about it, and wants to get their hands on it.
Dangerous someones (or somethings). Remorseless and determined someones (or somethings).
It's a problem.
So it's not a surprise when Jane gets a call from a much abused (sounding) Reach, warning her that a couple of vamps found him, tortured him for information about her and Leo (that he gave up), and oh, by the way, they were probably already in New Orleans, b/c all of this took place a WEEK ago, but he couldn't call before now (b/c torture), that she assumed it (once again) had something to do with the blood diamond.
I'm not saying that it did, or it didn't. I'm just saying it would probably be a good idea to go ahead and destroy the blasted thing, which has (supposedly) been the plan all along.
And if it can't be destroyed, then she should take a boat into the middle of the ocean, turn herself in a bird, fly as far as she can and still make the return trip, and drop it.
Yes, I've given it some thought . . .
Much to my disappointment, the European Council of Mithrin vampires don't make an appearance in this book, Hunter is saving that for Dark Heir, but never fear---there is PLENTY going on in Broken Soul to give fellow Jane fans their fix. Just b/c the Council fangheads aren't stateside just yet, doesn't mean there aren't any European vamps in town, but I kind of felt like the villain in this installment took a backseat to other important plot developments. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this book felt like filler until the now thoroughly hyped-up Council vampires show up, it just didn't feel as personal as I'm used to with the Big Bads in this series.
However, looking back, I think it was necessary---those previously mentioned developments feel mighty important to the future of Jane, and they more than made up for any perceived lack on the villain front. Without getting spoilery, some of those developments include:
Fun, new tricks with Jane and Beast
Something seriously freaky in the bowels of the vamp HQ (that I totally guessed, btw. Oh yeaaaaah).
Okay, so that's all I can give you without spoilers.
On the character development front, Eli and Kid (aka Alex) continue to be a fun and colorful presence in Jane's life. One of my favorite Eli quotes from the uncorrected proof is:"You hurt her and I'll skin you alive and feed your carcass to the wild boars in the swamps. You copy?"
Hmm . . . I wonder to whom he's speaking . . . and whom he's talking about . . . Could Eli be talking to the man who brought Jane flowers, and when she didn't know what to do with them, told her gently:"They go in a vase. On the nighstand by your bed. Or on the kitchen table. Or on the coffee table in the living room. They go where you can see them most often, and, seeing them, remember that you deserve flowers."
I just can't say . . . *twirls mustache*
I can and will say that it is worth the wait.
Broken Soul is just the latest fantastic installment in Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series, which continues to be one of my personal favorites in Urban Fantasy. Old questions are answered, new questions are raised, and though far (FAR *crosses fingers*) from being finished, lovers-of-Jane finally, FINALLY get some satisfaction in the a-male-worthy-of-the-heroine department. For those of you who have been holding out for just this moment, your wait is over.
For those of you waiting for other reasons, tell me why, and I will disabuse you of those notions. For those of you who have somehow made it this far without even hearing about Jane, that's no longer an excuse. You've got until April to get ready for the European Mithrin invasion. The clock is ticking . . . *tick tock*
My other reviews for this series:
Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock #1)
Blood Cross (Jane Yellowrock #2)
Black Water (Jane Yellowrock #6.3, 6.4, 6.5) -
The European vampires are coming to town, and so of course, who does Leo want providing security? That would be Jane Yellowrock. But unfortunately, there’s something super creepy hiding in Leo’s basement, Jane’s being tailed, and there’s a terrible Fun times.
As usual in a Faith Hunter novel, top notch world building, attention to detail in weaponry and complex battles. This one had an interesting focus on
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. -
Jane Yellowrock has stakes, will travel. I love a kickass girl with a murky past. I keep reading them. They're more entertaining than TV.
-
When it comes to urban fantasy, readers can always depend on Faith Hunter to deliver. This 8th entry in the Jane Yellowrock series will not let down those rabid fans of the amazing Jane who can kick every bad monster's ass. Of course here relation with Bruiser and Leo is guaranteed to excite, tantalize and stimulate all of your urban fantasy wishes. And of course there is more! I still hope something more would happen between Leo and Jane but I guess we still have to wait about them :) In case you are wondering ... not this book!
As the sexual tension heats up, Jane has to consider to let Bruiser woo her. Can she make that decision and still solve te mystery that lurks beneath the basements of the Vamp HQ ?
Faith Hunter did an great job. This amazing series keeps getting better with each new installment. I can't wait to read more in book #9 of the Jane Yellowrock series.
Full review will be soon online closer to the release date.
www.paranormalcravings.com -
“you have the heart of a warrior. The soul of a priestess. The heat of a long-burning fire.” - Bruiser
Broken Soul is book eight in the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter.
A lot happens in this novel. Many changes, revelations, and secrets come to light.
Early in the series the blood diamond came into play. There’s always someone who knows about it and wants to get their hands on it. Jane has it hidden away for now. The plan was and is to destroy it, but that hasn’t happened yet.
If you are expecting The European Council of Mithrin Vampier’s to show, they don’t make an appearance yet, but our gang is getting ready for their arrival.
As I said a lot happens in Broken Soul to give Jane and her gang a run. Just because our Euro vamps aren’t here yet, doesn’t mean they aren’t planning and interfering.
We get a lot of developments in Broken Soul. Eli and the Kid, Alex, continue to be fun and an entertaining presence in Jane’s life. They are changing her and becoming family. Jane and Beast also go through some changes and character growth. Then we have Bruiser our love interest. I wasn’t sure on him, but I did/do like him so much more then Rick. Rick is and will always be an dush. I’m happy to say I like how Bruiser is winning Jane over and focuses on both her natures not just one or the other. He truly sees her.
Broken Soul was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I took a break from this series and after reading a little short story in the world I felt it was time to dive back into Jane Yellowrock and see how things turn out for our gang. I wasn’t disappointed.
Rated: 4 Stars
-
I'm so happy with this installment that's not even funny.
I just have one word : ♥BRUISER♥. He was the BEST and Beast agrees with me!!!
I have been a fan of Jane since her first appearance of Skinwalker. I'm not sure if Jane is aware of how much more involved she is becoming into vampire politics. The book starts with Leo hiring her to manage his security team before the European vampires arrive to the States, but as always he keeps things from her that could make both of their lives easier. I don't think he fully trusts her but he can't seem to part ways from her either.
Before the European vamps arrive, we get new baddies and they're truly awful. Even their names are troublesome. Jane being Jane will try to protect Leo's lair as much as she can without getting her friends killed in the process.
Jane's relationship with Beast changes in a way and Beast is still one of my favorite characters. She's smart and funny and has saved Jane way to many times. Her human roommates and Jane's back up, Eli and the Kid are a huge presence in this book and I love Kid's advise to Jane in regards to George. Thank you Kid!!!
Let's touch on Jane's love life. I know some people like Rick for Jane. I'm not one of them. I like Rick but I'm love with Bruiser. The things he does and says in this one made me swoon more than once. I thing I clapped and jumped a little bit. I smiled a lot too. I still don't know how things will play once Rick is back in the picture. Also, Bruiser did made a mistake and I'm not sure if this will have more repercussions in the next book.
I do want to thank Faith for making me so happy. I almost want to sing : Jane and Bruiser sitting in a tree.....
"For a reason or a season,
For a year or a lifetime.
For a poem or a song.
For a victorious battle or a bloody death.
For honor. I would stand by you for as long as I might live."
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
Facebook -
Broken Soul is the eighth installment in the Jane Yellowrock series and gadzooks what an adventure! The story opens with Jane and her crew deep in preparation for a visit from a delegation of European vamps and of course just about anything and everything that can go wrong with the planning does.
There are a plethora of mysterious occurrences, elevators going wherever they please, and coveted secrets are revealed. In the meantime there is also a team of evil greedy vamps that have come to town wreaking havoc with multiple assassination attempts, a strange new creature that is out to gobble them up, and then as an aside a fight with an alligator in the swamp (I'll let you guess who wins the alligator brawl).
The writing continues to be tight with edge of your seat suspense and nonstop action that keeps you turning page after page to see just what will happen next and who will survive. The characters are wonderfully memorable, new and old. This installment also finds Jane continuing her journey of self-discovery; taking her deeper into what she is, as well as what this means. And in the midst of all the pain, fear, and danger there is a tasteful bit of smexy for those who enjoy a well rounded blood, sweat, and tears with a little woopie in their urban fantasy tale.
Overall Broken Soul is a great installment in the series and for those who have not yet read prior books- well it is still a fun adventurous read, but you will miss a lot of prior world building and back story that make this series so tasty. I would recommend starting at least with book one, Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1), and hopping on the Jane Yellowrock train reading your way through Jane's journey. For this diehard urban fantasy fan Broken Soul and the Jane Yelllowrock series offers everything I look for in great urban fantasy books and it will continue to be a series I revisit again and again just to re-experience the ride. I received this book via NetGalley. -
Review courtesy of
All Things Urban Fantasy.
A series best, BROKEN SOUL shows Beast and Jane growing ever more united during battle, investigation, and romance. With this new phase of their partnership comes power beyond anything Jane has wielded before, and a price that just might kill her. Not to worry, though, Beast has her back.
Jane’s love life has been pretty choppy in the last few books as she tries to get over Ricky Bo. In BROKEN SOUL, she and Beast are united in their attraction, though Jane is still too gun shy to fling herself in whole heartedly. I adored this courtship, it felt like a perfect next step for both Jane and Beast. While supernatural history lessons slowed things down in a few places, and unexpected magical threats just seemed to get in the way of focusing on Jane’s growth and love life, there is more than enough romance and chemistry to hold their own. Jane’s healing, her newfound synchronicity with Beast, and her intent to embark on a new relationship from a place of almost complete honesty makes BROKEN SOUL my favorite Jane Yellowrock book in a long, long time.
Steamy, violent, and hinting even more great things to come, BROKEN SOUL is a series highlight. Established Jane fans will be delighted, and while new readers could follow along, they won’t appreciate how amazingly far Jane and Beast have come. To those just starting out I say treat yourself, start at the beginning and know that BROKEN SOUL is waiting for you at the other end.
Sexual content: Non-explicit sex scenes. -
I am so, so satisfied by this book. The Jane Yellowrock series never fails when it comes to action, worldbuilding and plot. But in the romance department, it has been a hot mess. I am beyond happy to report that in this installment breaks the mold, turning what was a series weakness into an asset. That’s right: not only does the romance progress, it happens in spectacular fashion. So when you put that together with all the other great stuff, I can’t imagine that any fan will be unhappy with this book.
As the story begins, Jane is trying to prepare Leo’s cadre of vampires for a special visit from the European vamps. That means Leo’s HQ needs to be rebuilt and his security needs to be upgraded to beyond top notch. That would be a tall enough order, but there are other problems afoot. Someone is stalking Jane… She keeps getting attacked… There is something very wrong hiding in the basement… And that’s not even counting the rainbow colored light dragon.
Jane has to learn a lot in a very short period of time. We learn with her as she uncovers more backstory on vampire history. It’s like a wonderfully complex puzzle as each new clue is revealed. The writing is smart, the action is pulse pounding, and the pacing kept me glued to the page. I never got bored. That’s also, in part, thanks to the network of Jane’s emotional connections. Molly is absent from this installment, but this book really shows how much Jane has grown emotionally. I love her relationship with Eli and the Kid — how she has created a family for the first time in her life. I love how the realization dawns that she finally has a home, that she has roots.
Her relationship with Beast is also evolving, which is its own significant thread. The tie between these two has changed much over the series, but as it grows stronger here, it brings major changes for who/ what Jane is. This was totally unexpected, but I loved it. I think it’s awesome that Faith Hunter is treading new ground with Jane’s personal mythology.
And then there is Bruiser. We have suffered through countless bouts of misery with Rick LeFleur and finally we have made it through to the other side. It’s not perfect. Jane hasn’t totally let go of her mooning over a man who clearly never deserved her. In every book, I hate Rick more, and this book is no exception. But he has moved from “sorta-boyfriend” to “ex-boyfriend.” Plus, Bruiser is finally ready to make his move and, boy, did he do it well. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that I am very, very pleased.
Like I said, I think is going to be a winner with fans. It’s fast paced, action-packed, with great world-building, mythology and heart. I can’t wait for the next one.
Rating: A-/B+
*ARC provided by Roc for review -
Buddy read with Beast's littermates over at BB&B
FINALLY! A RICK FREE BOOK! *happy dance*
Just for that Broken Soul deserves a 5 star rating. Add to it the amazing plot and development on some fronts that was long overdue *coughs* Bruiser and Jane *coughs* and new and much needed information. Overall it was bloody amazing book!
I'm not really in a mood to write a review so I'll just list some of the major points:
Soul's species and her incredible abilities. Jane's growth as a person. While she's still prone to thinking that everything's her fault at first, she is finally able to let go, think things through and lay the blame at the feet of the ones really responsible. Rick didn't show up! This bears repeating because he's been a major source of annoyance and outright anger for 7 books! Jane kicking a@@ at Vamp HQ. I just loved it when and even more so when she tore a new one to all the Jane and Bruiser together. That man is to die for and Jane's an idiot to push him away for so long. Yet another book guy that makes all real life men look inadequate. Del rocks. I so want to be a fly on the wall when she explained to Leo the error of his ways. That woman has a backbone of steel.
And probably the most important of all: Jane and Beast finally becoming one. Beast has been talking how together Jane and big-cat are more than the sum and now we saw what she means. And it promises to make things so much more interesting. -
You would think by now that Leo would have learned not to keep things from Jane. She always finds out and whatever he hides usually comes out leaving Jane to clean up the mess and it is usually very messy! This time around is no different. What I did find funny was the levels to which Leo was hiding things. One secret would come out and Jane thought she was on top of things, until all hell would break and Jane would realize that there were more.
I did love how Derek, who is now a permanent member of Leo's crew, knew about some of the secrets and he and his guys were taking bets on what Jane would do when she found out. Some other betting going on became very interesting as well during sanctioned fighting that Jane did with some of Leo's higher ups. The consequences of that fight had some quick results that bode well for Jane, but what it will do to her reputation will be better long term.
Jane seemed to learn a lot about Beast with this one. You would think by now that she has learned all that they both can do, but Beast is a tricky creature. I have a feeling she won't sit back so quietly any longer.
Lastly, because he is a favorite, there was so much with Bruiser. I was a bit stunned when he declared in a very public way that Jane was going to be the most important person to him, over Leo. It was such fun to see Jane not really sure what was going on in the moment and to have to have thing explained to her. Bruiser going after Jane was very sweet, he is wooing her in an old fashion girly way, totally throwing Jane. It was nice to see Jane taking Bruiser seriously by telling him about Beast and her history. I think it helped a great deal when Bruiser got to met Beast up close and personal towards the end and Beast being Beast made an impression not to be forgotten. -
With the visit by a delegation of European vampires fast approaching, Jane Yellowrock and her team are busier than ever. So when she discovers that some of them have already arrived and their plan is to wrest control of New Orleans from Leo, the master of the city she finds herself struggling to stay on top.
With divided loyalties, both enemies and allies attacking her and a mysterious dragon like creature causing mayhem, things have never been so complicated.
This series is very much a personal favorite. It's reminiscent of Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series but I personally think Faith Hunter does it just a little better. That said, Broken Soul didn't leave me entirely satisfied. I really wanted Jane Yellowrock to be standing on top of the pile at the end, but I didn't get that. A lot was left unresolved which took the shine off what was an otherwise great book. -
4 stars
This was a very good addition to the series. Jane and George (aka Bruiser) are getting closer now that Rick has gone off with another woman and Jane is done with Rick. George has decided that Jane has had enough time to heal and starts making his interest (and how far he's willing to go to have a true relationship with Jane) very clear. Jane is hesitant but willing to explore a relationship (with some pushing from Beast).
Speaking of Beast, she has helped Jane discover a new ability that comes in very handy. I wasn't sure what to think of it...this could make things almost too easy for Jane but there is a high price to pay for the ability so maybe that'll keep things in check. Jane and Beast are bonding more and learning how to work together more and I like where things are heading.
There's the usual issues with Leo wanting Jane and acting like a petulant (and homicidal) child when he doesn't get his way and things progressing between George and Jane just makes things worse. In addition to Leo, there's issues with preparing for a contingent from the European vampires. New security measures must be implemented and updated since it seems pretty evident that the Europeans are just visiting to try to steal power from Leo. While this an other things are taking place, a trio of vamps make an unsanctioned visit into Leo's territory and start trying to kill Jane as well as causing other issues.
Most of the rest of the story is taken up with dealing with the trio of vamps and the European visit is still coming in the future. Jane is still working for Leo because the European vamps are a danger to her and those she cares about but how long she continues working for Leo afterwards is anyone's guess. Things are looking promising for Jane and George at the end of the story and I'm hoping they can work things out. Jane certainly deserves someone after Rick ended up being such a jerk. I'm looking forward to the next book. I'd recommend this series. :D
* note - I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a very good job. -
5 Stars... So much happens in this read it is difficult to formulate a review other than to say it was fantastic from start to finish... One of the main themes is the self reflection Jane Yellowrock experiences throughout this book... She seems to grow in her awareness of all her different angles and accepts imperfections and changes that she earlier resisted... I enjoyed witnessing her growth and insight as it also pertained to the way in which she interacts with other characters and the boundaries she is capable of establishing... We see her letting go of the past and embracing the present and the possibilities of the future... The storyline is fast paced, action packed, embedded in rich history and mythology, and at times downright terrifying... More secrets are revealed and truths are owned as this series continues to progress and grow in it's complexity and dynamics... One of the absolute best urban fantasy series in existence.:)
-
Pre-ordered on amazon for $5.99! Thanks Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Soul-Jan... -
My favorite of the series! -
3.5/5.0
Man, I wanted to rate this a 5 star. I even planned on it right up until the last 5 pages of the book. Until that point everything was just as riveting a ride as every other book so far.
So what happened to drop my enjoyment that dramatically? The author did a complete turn-about! Through all the twists and turns of each book she has always been so good at helping us understand the nuances. Then, after the MOST IMPORTANT part in this story, she completely left some incredibly vital threads hanging. No explanation, no understanding - nothing - she just ended the book.
Examples:
After following Jane through the leads, plans and execution (pun intended) AND after the huge climatic showdown, we jump ahead two weeks with nothing said about the reaction. This is huge! Did any of the other characters even know what Jane did? Did they know she was there and was responsible for saving the entire stinking bunch? Did they have any idea how she did it? These are all pretty important questions that will influence everyone as they go forward but were completely ignored.
And, the even BIGGER one for me is, after wondering right along with Jane throughout the entire book about Bruiser, his Onorio status and whatever it means, his weird zombie-like following of Bethany and ignoring Jane etc. etc., the author brushes over the whole storyline by simply assuring us Jane and he talked about it. WHAT?? Well, what the heck did they say?!?!? WE weren’t let in on the conversations!
It was almost as if once Ms. Hunter “got” the bad-guys, she just wanted the book finished and rushed to get it done and move on. That is SO unlike the previous books. The information neglected was pretty important and by not tying the threads up, it left this reader really frustrated rather than satisfied. I’ll keep reading in hopes that at least the relationship thread will develop more depth of understanding. If not, it will be just another shoot ‘em up like all the others. -
4.5 Girl Power Stars!
I just love it when the woman is in charge! HAHA!
And check out Ms. Faith Hunter’s net page, I thought her cover is just stunning! :D
Just like what the blurb says, Jane has to improve the security on Leo’s domain what with the coming visit from a delegation of the European Mithrans (vampires)… but Leo, the Master of the city of New Orleans, was keeping a secret from Jane and that secret puts Jane’s life and the people she cares most in danger! Sounds like a typical Jane Yellowrock day right?! To top it all, there’s this vicious creature that stalks her and who’s intention is also to rip her and Leo to pieces! And the worst part is, how can she kill something she can’t even see!
Once again, this book is awesome! There is a lot of amazing action scenes and the suspense that is never ending… I thoroughly enjoyed the fight scenes, specially since Jane’s power seems to have grown more when she and Beast’s souls joined, making her/them a lot more stronger and faster!For the life of the flesh is in the blood . . . for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
But of course there’s a price to pay after… and you have to read to find out, hehe… ;)
A lot of jaw dropping moments and surprises… At one time I’m like “OMG, she’s done it this time!” But luckily or not (depends on how I see it,) it was all good, , lol…
And that's besides the oh so hot romance! Go Bruiser! As Jane finally lets go of Rick, her douchebag of an ex…. About time if I may say so.. ;) Just one of the times that makes me proud of Jane! And you just have got to read the Jane and Bruiser moment! It was explosive and oh so perfect! I love a woman who knows what she wants! And I love a man who accepts, understands, supports and fights for the woman he wants!“For a reason or a season,” he said. “For a year or a lifetime. For a poem or a song. For a victorious battle or a bloody death. For honor. I would stand by you for as long as I might live.” - Bruiser
I laughed at how Jane realizes/feels like she’s turning into a girl… making her adorable! Jane and adorable don’t really go together, hehe. It shows a lot of her sensitive side.
And I love Eli and Alex, the best team and family Jane could ever have. I love their rapport together. It’s heartwarming. :D
Again, great storyline, everything came flawlessly together towards the end.
Just one thing, there are a lot of talks of history here… And though that history has great significance to what is going on… somehow it made my interest stray for a bit which to say it got a bit tiresome (for me! Just needed to be honest about it)… Goes down to me and my patience, hehe… ;)
That said, I can’t wait for the next book!!!!
Review is also shared here :
http://slitsread.com/2014/10/12/broke... -
Jane Yellowrock fan girl here, so its no surprise I loved getting more of the Yellowrock world in Broken Soul.
Once again, Leo's secrets come back to bite everyone, including Jane, in the proverbial ass...and Jane is left cleaning up the mess.
Lucky for Jane her and Beast have come to a much deeper understanding, because she wouldn't have survived without Beast having her back. The relationship here is changing and it looks like Beast is going to be taking a much stronger influence in Jane's personality. I can't wait to see how this all meshes together.
Speaking of change, Bruiser makes some major changes to “declare” his intentions towards Jane...but Leo's possessiveness just might get someone killed. I love how he wants to court Jane. Of course, Beast is all in, now he just has to convince Jane. Speaking of Beast, Bruiser and Beast get some one on one time which was extremely wonderful to see.
It looks like Jane is about to be hit by all sides. Not only is the European Mithrian Council on its way, and not in a good way... Someone else is attacking and they are hitting close to home.
I love the growth in Jane's character. Not only does she have a core group of people she's learned to rely on, she seems to really trust herself and Beast to make the right decisions.
Broken Soul provides a kick ass urban fantasy with a marvelous group of characters that any fan would love. I highly recommend the Jane Yellowrock series. With all the reading I do, there are only a few series/books I do re-reads...this is one of them.
Written by: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock
Sequence in Series: Book 8
Page Count: 352 pages
Publisher: Roc
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Rating: 5 Stars
ISBN-10: 0451465954
ISBN-13: 978-0451465955
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Science Fiction
Find this book on:
Amazon |
Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for:
http://tometender.blogspot.com
-
I might be running out of steam with this series, but it felt like the beginning of this book draaaaaaged. The action picked up one third into the book though and it got really good after that.
However, I am beginning to get irritated with some of the males characters. Notably Leo and Bruiser. They are supposed to be such badasses, especially Leo, being Master of the City and all that... Yet they seem to be relegated to the role of the damsel in distress that Jane has to save over and over again. And it's a trend that is being repeated from book to book, as I have noticed.
This is especially frustrating in Leo's case. As I said, he is supposed to be this old and powerful vampire, the Master of the City and all that... Yet he constantly puts him self in harms way for absolutely stupid reasons. I mean, the man has the impulse control of a toddler throwing a tantrum! This is getting old really easy. The way he behaves in this books, I simply can't believe how he managed to accumulate all this power and hold on to it for so long. Unless he is just a sock puppet for Bethany and some other shadow players.
But the worldbuilding gets more and more interesting, and I love the evolving relationship between Jane and Beast and the new abilities they are discovering. So I think I will stick along for the right for now, but I really hope the MOC gets his fanged head out of his ass and starts behaving like a powerful vampire he is really soon. -
None better!
-
As usual, Jane has her hands full in this installment. More like overflowing, really! There's the backlash from what happened in the last book with Leo and Bruiser, the upcoming European Council visit that comes with it's own garbage to deal with, her search for magical artifacts, the security upgrades, and on and on! There is never a dull moment in these books.
With everything she has to deal with, Leo is STILL keeping so many secrets from Jane and it almost gets her killed. AGAIN! Grrr! However, she at least deals him a very much deserved ass kicking that made me smile. It wasn't funny but it was long overdue. She also comes into more power with her and Beast and she uses it frequently. I can't wait to see more of this kind of thing! And she finally starts to move on from a certain love interest to another that I've been rooting for. He's not perfect and they have issues to deal with but it's better than the alternative, imo.
All in all, another action packed book that keeps me wanting more. -
One step forward, five steps back... That's the sense I always seem to get about half-way through a new Jane Yellowrock novel.
Welp, it's already installment 8 in this series, with no character development in sight for several characters I find most interesting (HINT: VAMPS). I guess I'm probably the only one who reads a Yellowrock book hoping to finally see some face time for His Fanginess Himself, Leo. But... nope. Disappointed again. Instead of developing existing characters, Hunter crafts even more enemies and invests more word count in disjointed action sequences and lengthy, agonizingly detailed descriptions of weaponry and clothing. Still not quite as bad as LKH, but it's a near thing. At least here there's a PLOT and not just "filler that happens when the FMC isn't having sex with multiple paranormal creatures..."
At least I don't seem to be as much a masochist as Jane. Sticking tenaciously to a job for individuals she can't even stand to speak to civilly. If she has so much contempt for Leo and his crew, why stay? Judging by the distaste she has for everything they are and do individually and collectively, it'd be only logical for her to get the heck outta Dodge, no matter how good the $$$$. No amount seems to be worth sticking around for, even with her pathological need not to leave a job unfinished.
And geez. PLEASE drop the "poor-me-I'll-never-be-beautiful-even-though-I'm-six-feet-tall-slim-yet-curvy-and-incredibly-exotic-looking" Pity Party already. This is not a character flaw, it's mere delusion.
This also seems to be the book in which the author decided to level up in "grittier, darker" imagery, because the story is RIFE with scatological refs, from the scent of feces marking every other scene and "emptied bowels" issuing forth from every dead body. Ugh. Yup, gritty urban paranorm. I get the idea. :P
By now, I suppose I should just assume Hunter just isn't interested in making any of her vampire charas relatable or even slightly less monstrous. Any ray of light in their personalities seems to be almost immediately followed by a reversal back to status quo. And Jane's (all too brief) interactions with any of them always leave me dissatisfied. Never enough info. (And how many times has the supposed MOC Leo been staked, incapacitated or nearly drained anyway?)
Overall, I guess this was somewhere between "okay" and "liked it". Development I want to see just isn't happening. -
Like with most series, if you've made it this far, you know what you're getting. And for heaven's sake, don't start here!
This one benefited from finally being free of the stupid Truebloods. I don't know about you, but I was done with them blaming Jane for their idiot sister when she was cleaning up their mess!
I also loved developments on the romance front and making some of the progress with Beast explicit and powerful.
Keeping this out of five-star range is the long meandering beginning (you're about halfway through before things start falling together into anything resembling a plot) and
So not an unalloyed win, but a whole lot of fun and some very sweet story developments that I very much enjoyed.
A note about Steamy: There's a very light, but significant sex scene in this one. It pulls the covers pretty quick, but it's also emotionally charged enough (in a good way) to flag.
