Faith Hunter – Skinwalker

The first book in the Jane Yellowrock series, published July 7, 1999.
Genre: urban fantasy
Cover: I like it.




Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind -a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires - and hunts the undead for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps.
Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission … or else the next skin she’ll need to save may be her own.


Jane drives into New Orleans on her Harley Davidson, and attracts a lot of attention from the locals. One of them even follows her on his own motorcycle. Jane has been hired by the vampire Council of New Orleans to hunt a rogue vampire, who is killing and maiming his victims. Her contact is one of the more famous vampires, Katie, a known madam, who supplies her fellow vampires with willing blood and sex donors. But when Jane meets Katie, disarmed by Katie’s bodyguard, or so he thinks, Katie looses her calm when she senses that Jane is not human, but something other, something predator, and she really wants to know what Jane is. But Jane doesn’t know herself, and she won’t tell her. She came here for a job, and that is it.

Katie has provided a house of her own to Jane, according to the contract, at the back of her own property. She has even had her head gardener add the rocks that Jane has requested, and he has made it look very natural. But the first thing Jane does, is disable all the camera’s and other surveillance equipment the house and gardens are riddled with. She needs her privacy, and no one is to spy on her. Her inner Beast makes it an easy job, as she smells where people have lingered, hiding the small cams and such.

That evening, changing into a big cat, a mountain lion, Jane sets out to hunt the Rogue, going to the places where he killed before. But there is something off about his scent, he is dying, he is rotting, and vampires just don’t get sick, they don’t die of natural causes. Jane has to be careful to be back home in time to change back. Apparently, she can only change at dusk and dawn, otherwise she is stuck in this form for the whole day. The change also leaves her famished. As Beast she consumes lots of raw steak, but as Jane she prefers a huge portion of oatmeal and tea.

Jane is supposed to have dinner with “the girls” every evening in the big house, and as first she is hesitant about meeting them. They so have nothing in common. But when she learns their stories, and finds out that Katie rescued them from worse things, and that they are safe, well cared for and very well paid for what they do, her attitude changes.

When the rogue attacks Katie and the girls, it is Jane who saves them all, even when she has to call in Leo, the head of the vampire council, to help out. A bit of vampire blood goes a long way to heal a human, without the risk of turning them. Finding the rogue vampire, or whatever he is, and killing him is not going to be easy. It is an old one, with lots of escape routes from his hiding place.


I have seen so many people talk about this series and how good it is, especially over at Preternatura blog, so when I had the chance to buy the first 2 books for a few euros, I jumped at it. As hyped books often don’t work for me, I was a bit hesitant to start it, but I need not worry. I loved it from the very first page. And I immediately ordered the rest of the series as soon as I finished the book.

It is very difficult to write a review about this book. I want to tell you all how awesome it is, but I also don’t want to spoil the many surprises in the story. So much happens in this book, it is very fast paced and filled with action.

Jane learns a lot about the vampire society by visiting the local vampires and talking with their human servants, but she also learns a lot about herself. About her past, her people and her heritage. I enjoyed learning those things with Jane and Beast. Beast also reveals some things to Jane and Jane understands why Beast is often so angry with her. But they share the same body, no matter the shape it is in.

I very much enjoyed the world Faith Hunter has created, the vampire society is intriguing and very old, but what I like best, is Beast and how Jane is intertwined with her. When Beast has taken over their body, Jane is still present in Beast’s mind, and sometimes it is Beast who takes control over Jane’s body, especially in dangerous situations. The legend of the skinwalker is amazing, and not like any other skinwalkers I have read about previously.

The story is fast paced, lots of action and danger, but there is also time for Jane to make herself a pot of tea, and to talk with her best friend Molly, who is a very powerful witch, and her little daughter, who is even more powerful. Jane is very tough and self reliant, and totally kick ass. She drives a Harley, doesn’t really care how she dresses, she loves to dance though, and can do martial arts. As some of the men who try to intimidate or hurt her, discover. I don’t know if Jake will become a love interest or not, or perhaps one of the human servants we encounter in the story. I don’t think a love interest is needed in the story, but Beast is thinking it is about time they had some kits of themselves. Jane will stay in New Orleans a bit longer, and I am looking forward to discover what else is in store for her.

8,5 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian