Tori's Review: Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter

Paperback - 320 pages
Price: $7.99
ISBN 10: 0451463722
ISBN 13: 978-0451463722
Released: January 4, 2011

Faith's Website
Buy it via the Publisher
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Obtained: Publisher 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Series: Jane Yellowrock 
1. Skinwalker (book review)
2. Blood Cross (book review)
3. Mercy Blade 
4. Raven Cursed

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker − and a vampire killer for hire. But lately she’s found herself taking blood money from the very vampires she used to hunt...

Things are heating up in the Big Easy. Weres have announced their existence tot he world, and revived the bitter tensions that run between them and their old enemies: vampires. As a trusted employee of Leo Pellissier, Blood Master of the City, Jane finds herself caught in the cross fire.

When Jane is attacked by a pack of marauding were-wolves, she is thankful for the help of a mysterious stranger named Girrard. He explains that he used to be Leo’s “Mercy Blade,” a sacred position charged with killing vampires who have gone insane. What Jane doesn’t know is why this powerful assassin left New Orleans − or, more troubling, why he’s now returned. It’s definitely not to make Jane’s life easier...

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Once again, Faith Hunter has completely wowed me with another amazing story in the Jane Yellowrock series. Fans familiar with the series will be thrilled to discover that all established characters in the past two books make some sort of appearance in MERCY BLADE. That means we finally discover some unanswered questions, we witness new and blooming relationships, and we figure out whether or not Leo is actually batshit crazy.

A recent relationship in Jane's life, while brief in the beginning, adds a new, complicated element to our heroine's persona. On one hand, the young woman struggles with physical wants and desires, but then on the other, she struggles with a guilt that surfaces, reminding her that she is a bad Christian. At some points, the religious and political commentary seemed like it was a little overdone, but I felt that I could easily overlook that tiny bit.

There is so much sexual tension in this book. I admit that I was not a fan of Bruiser in SKINWAKER, however, he slowly grew on me in BLOOD CROSS. Now, in MERCY BLADE, I was begging my book for him and Jane to hook up. The chemistry and attraction between these two characters had me wanting to fan myself, while also feeling guilty because of Rick. When the heck has a book made me feel GUILTY about the heroine lusting after guys? Never. I think it has to do with the fact that Jane kept reflecting back on her guilt, which in turn, made me feel guilty. I'm still in shock that I felt bad! Nevertheless, I love the interactions between them now. I adore how flirty they are and how pushy Beast is when Jane and Bruiser are alone together. It just... was perfect.

Speaking of Beast, once again, I was not disappointed with our furry friend. I think that the relationship evolving between Beast and Jane has evolved to hilarious levels. I felt the comfortable bond the two share now, which made me smile. Looking back on this series, our lovable duo has come a long way.

The attention to detail is spot on in this book. I don't know anything about motocycles, guns, and weapons in general, but after reading MERCY BLADE, I feel like I can name a few facts. While I thought that all of this information provided was interesting, and reveals the author did her homework, I also felt that some description scenes went into a little too much detail for my tastes. I'm not into weapons or crime scenes, which is why I felt the need to skim over a paragraph or two regarding these points. For those who are interested, I believe these descriptions will impress the reader and draw them into the Jane Yellowrock world. As for me, it made the beginning in particular a little more difficult to get into. However, once the action in the story picks up, the detail gives way to heart-thumping action and the pages are no longer bogged down with pages of descriptions.

Too much description was actually my only complaint with this story. I almost cried by the end because I felt as emotionally exhausted as Jane did. I wanted to kick and scream and punch that stupid were-bitch early on. I wanted Jane to finally be happy...but I won't know until book four because of the cruel (okay I'm exaggerating a little bit) cliffhanger at the end. I'm hoping--no, praying--that the next book in this series will come out later this year. I don't think I could wait until 2012 for another Jane Yellowrock book.

MERCY BLADE, like I've stated earlier, does not disappoint. It is solid proof that Faith's writing continues to improve with each book published. I find that this is one universe chock full of characters that I fondly remember whenever discussing this series to a fellow reader. If you're looking for a dark, gritty tale where vampires are psychotic and not lovey dovey, where werewolves aren't sexy beasts, and where there is sexual tension up the wazoo, then MERCY BLADE and the Jane Yellowrock series is the series for you. Highly suggest buying this book today, and reading the prior novels ASAP!