Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter -a Review

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Description:
Slaying vampires is child’s play for skinwalker Jane Yellowrock. But handling the complicated politics of New Orleans’ supernatural players is another story…

Jane is keeping the peace between visiting groups of witches and vamps in the city, but then trouble comes knocking on her doorstep. When her house is magically attacked, the wild chase to find her assailants unearths a mystery that has literally been buried deep.

A missing master vampire, presumed long deceased, is found chained in a pit…undead, raving mad, and in the company of two human bodies. Now it’s up to Jane to find out who kept the vampire hidden for so long and why, because the incident could tip already high supernatural tensions to an all-out arcane war.

Review:

Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter is the 10^th book in her wonderful Jane Yellowrock series.  After finishing this book, I can’t say enough how Faith Hunter continues evolve Jane and pull us totally into her life and her ever increasing family. 

I am in love. I have always loved Jane Yellowrock, and Beast.  Now Faith has given us so many wonderful secondary characters who are part of Jane and Beast.  I love the Youngers (Eli & Alex), who are part of Yellowrock Security.  They are an awesome team. Love Jane with Bruiser. Love Edmund and all the Yellowrock clan, especially young Angie. Sigh…what are you doing to me, Faith Hunter. 

Shadow Rites was so exciting, emotional, tense and non-stop action all the way through; and in my opinion was best one yet.  What an awesome ride. 

Jane is still recovering from her lightening shock in the last book, but it is no time to rest.  The Witch Conclave is about to start, with Leo (Master of the City) preparing to present a parley between the witches and vampires.  Jane, as Leo’s Enforcer, must make sure the security is tight, and to protect Leo. While she, and her right hand man, Eli are busy working with Leo’s people, as well as the place where the meeting will be, strange things are happening at Jane’s house.  Something magical is targeting Jane, and soon the Truebloods (Molly, Evan, Angie, little Evan ) will be arriving to help ward the house.  But nothing is easy, as everyone in the house will be in danger.  There is someone who has become very powerful and Jane begins to fear what they will be facing at the Conclave.  Eli and Alex try to investigate the trace they find of witches, and Jane sees the power coming from two witches maybe more than anyone anticipated. 

Rather than tell too much more, what follows is an intensely exciting pulse pounding adventure that is non stop.  Yes, we get some romantic, sexy and fun situations with Jane and Bruiser.  We also get to spend a little time with little, Angie,  who promises to be the strongest witch of them all, when she grows up.  While we hold our breaths during each powerful attack, and fear who will survive, it is the new additions to the Yellowrock family that will make us happy.  Edmund will be added, even if Jane wasn’t thrilled, and Brute will be one of the family, too.  It is amazing how Faith Hunter gives us so much action,  pulling on our emotions that had us fearing for many lives; but she can lift our spirits to lessen the tension.  She has changed Jane and Beast so much over the 10 books, and together they are a great pair, and even more powerful then when this all started.  Leo played a bigger part in this book, and I loved some of the humor between him and Jane, not to mention when they worked together.

Shadow Rites was a mind bending thriller as we raced to the finish, unable to put the book down, as our hearts raced with deep chilling fears for our favorites.  So much has happened, and so much more to come, especially with Euro Vamps coming soon.  This is a fabulous series, with a fabulous cast of characters.  If you have not started Jane Yellowrock, you are missing a gem.  Shadow Rites was fantastic.  Thank you, Faith

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher