Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter Series: Soulwood #1
Publisher: Roc on August 2, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Adult
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Blog Tour
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Set in the same world as the New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock novels, an all-new series starring Nell Ingram, who wields powers as old as the earth.
When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her. Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell’s doorstep. His appearance forces her out of her isolated life into an investigation that leads to the vampire Blood Master of Nashville. Nell has a team-—and a mission. But to find the Master’s kidnapped vassal, Nell and the PsyLED team will be forced to go deep into the heart of the very cult Nell fears, infiltrating the cult and a humans-only terrorist group before time runs out…
At A Glance
Holy Carnivorous Trees Batman!
The Good
Hands down, you have never read a story like this. What a concept! Okay, before I go squeeing all over, let me just say Blood of the Earth is the first book from a spin-off series (Soulwood) from the Jane Yellowrock series that I love. Though the style is similar, this is a whole other playground. I can’t even really describe what the book is about without going off on a tangent, so here is a glimpse: crazy cult people, blood, carnivorous forests, missing vampires, deadly shapeshifters, creepy magic, and Rick Freaking LaFleur. Yeah, pretty much perfection.
Nell was all sorts of awesome. She was raised in a strict cult most her life but now that she left the church, she is trying to assimilate to her new life. Nell is immersed into an even dark world as she is tantalized into helping the PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, find a very important missing vampire that may have been taken by Nell’s old cult. Nell ever so slowly comes out of her shell as her new ragtag team investigates a string of kidnappings and murders. I found it so interesting how Nell was a little bit of a void in the beginning. She doesn’t have much of a personality but that’s the point. The new personalities around her bring out her real feelings. She lives isolated for the most part so having people invade her space is challenging for her but that’s how she learns about normal social interaction and how to handle different supernaturals. She really is a unique heroine. She’s not physically strong or good with weapons. But she does have this certain ability that will make you shit your pants!!! Freaking creepy and frick. Even Nell is a little creeped out my herself. I won’t reveal anything else about it though.
For those of you who read the Jane Yellowrock series, you might be a little pissed that Rick is in this series. But let me tell you, he is not a happy man. He’s made his mistakes and he is paying for them. And, the best part, Nell tells him off so good I literally stood up and cheered. Okay, enough Rick bashing. He is a good leader of the PsyLED so you have to give him a some props.
The story flowed well. The mystery was multilayered and captivating the whole time. The characters really made this book though. Every character was awesome, but if you want to know why, you have to read this book. You can even read it and understand it without reading the Jane Yellowrock series first. Some things might go over your head, but it’s not that big of a deal. I am soooo excited to continue this series.
The Bad
Nada damn thing.
The Snuggly
No snuggly in this one, though I did see a possible romance brewing for the future. Very subdued though.
Final Thoughts
Read Blood of the Earth!!!!!! Like, now! Or when it comes out. 😉 That is all.
About Faith Hunter
New York Times and USAToday bestselling fantasy author Faith Hunter was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. Altogether she has 40+ books in print under the names Gary Hunter, Gwen Hunter, and Faith Hunter. As Faith, she writes two contemporary Urban Fantasy series: the Jane Yellowrock series, featuring a Cherokee skinwalker who hunts rogue vampires, and the Soulwood series, featuring earth magic user Nell Ingram. Her Rogue Mage novels are a dark, post-apocalyptic, fantasy series featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. The role playing game based on the series, is ROGUE MAGE, RPG.
Giveaway
Enter to win a print copy of Blood of the Earth. (US or Canada Only).
Tour Wide Giveaway
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Lekeisha
Great review! Good to know it can be read without reading the JY series. I have that first book, but I’m waiting to get a few more before starting. It’s great that this spinoff is just as great.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I hope you love it as much as I did.
Nora-Adrienne Deret
I’m a huge Jane fan and would love to add this new series in her world to my home library.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
If you are a fan, this book will wow you!
Janie McGaugh
I’m intrigued at this spinoff idea in the Jane Yellowrock universe. It sounds like it will be a great read.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
It really was great.
kindlemom1
I don’t see you rate books with five stars very often so I know this must have been good. Adding it to my Goodreads page!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yup, 5 stars a rare for me so you know I mean business
Cate aka absolutartist1
Awesome review! Love Faith, Jane, and now – Nell!
Pauline E.
Wow, what a great look into this new book and new series! I wanted it before reading your review but now I’m chomping at the bit!!! Sounds like Faith’s new spin-off series is off to a great start. Thanks for hosting Faith on her blog tour. I’m a tweeting this one!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I am soooo excited for this series to continue.
Brenda R.
I can’t wait!
Rachel V.
I Got an ARC for this and loved it! I’m so excited over this series.
Carol Gilreath
Great review! Can’t wait for the book to come out. I think Faith Hunter has done it again.
Larisa
This book is one of my summer highlights, and this review/tour has me even more excited!
Angela Hoagland
I absolutely LOVE Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series so I will definitely give this one a try too! I hate that things didn’t end well with Jane and Ricky-beau so I’m looking forward to “seeing” more of him. Also heard a rumor that Khristine Hvam is going to narrate the audio book so I’m double-y excited!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Oooh, that’s awesome!
Amanda B
What a great review. I love the cover and can’t wait to get my hands on this.
Kim M.
I can’t wait to get my paws on this book. I like Nell and I love having a gritty, plucky new heroine to root for… and I love that she’s in the capable hands of Faith Hunter.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
She definitely is gritty!
HopeT.
I am so pumped for this book!
Christy LoveOfBooks
GAH! I can’t decide if I want to go ahead and start this series. I really want to read the other one first. I know I can read this without doing so, but I hate knowing that things are going over my head, no matter how simple. Such a dilemma.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Obviously, I would always recommend reading the Jane Yellowrock series first just because it’s nice to understand all the characters more.
Vicki Wurgler
read the review-sounds great! thanks
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m still woefully behind on the Jane Yellowrock series and want to catch up first before I get to this one. Good to know I’m in for a great read. Brilly review.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
It’s a hard one to catch up on because there are so many books.
anna@herding cats & burning soup
Ack! I still have the other series on my tbr pile. One day one day one day. I’ll so get to these.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Girl!!! It’s so good!
Cara Scott HaveBook WillSurvive
I love Jane!!!! I cant wait to read the spin off
Gail Siuba
Great review. I love Faith Hunter, I don’t think she knows how to write a bad book. Thank goodness for us! She is one of my few drop everything and read authors.
Shelley S
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Jaclyn Canada
YAY! I have not seen you this excited about a book in a while. Based on the description, I know I’ll love it. I’ve had the original series on my to-read list for quite some time and it’s always interested me. I need to move on to that one very soon.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
It’s awesome you get to experience all those book for the first time still. A little jealous.
Olivia Roach
This book sounds amazing, and I have never heard of it before! You must have been so happy when you discovered there was a spin off to a series you already love, and I like the sound of this one including a whole new world to meet and so much going on as well!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I was really excited. I love spin-offs.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Great to see you loved the story so! I really need to get to this series, I have a few books and enjoyed an anthology. 🙂
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
The Anthology was pretty awesome.