Review - Mercy Blade (Jane Yellowrock, Book 3) by Faith Hunter (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Size: 320 pages 
Publisher:  Roc
Release Date: January 4, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0451463722
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd in Jane Yellowrock series
Source: Free Kindle Pre-Order
Rating: 5/5 stars

I have been absolutely loving the Jane Yellowrock series.  This is the third book in the series and it was just as fabulous as the rest, if not more so.  The fourth book will be called Raven Cursed, I am not sure on the release date.

In this book the were-animals have come out to the rest of society.  Jane is unsure where she stands since she isn't exactly a were-animal but is something...different.  She gets drawn into the mess when Leo, the vampire she works for, is framed for murder by the local werewolf pack.  Now she has werewolves out to get her, Leo on her case, and a mysterious man who calls himself Leo's Mercy Blade either trying to save her or kill her.  Jane has to get all of this sorted out before she gets killed.

The plot of this book is a bit convoluted and twisted but it all works out nicely in the end.  Jane discovers more about her past and more about how the vampires and weres work as societies.  There is a ton of action, things move at a good clip, and there are some deliciously tense scenes between Jane and Bruiser.

Rick is absent most of the book, which was kind of a bummer, since I'd like to get to know him a bit better as a character.  Bruiser is present in a big way though and Jane is finding it tough stay true to the absent Rick.  The addition of the Mercy Blade is awesome, he is a wonderful character who introduced some wonderful fight scenes; I hope we see even more of him in future books.

The book wraps up the current events nicely and then throws the readers a crazy cliffhanger that will really have you wondering what will happen next. 

The only problem with the book is Jane's inner angst about her relationship with Rick; there is a bit too much of it.  I didn't think it detracted from the story a ton though, and it was nice to read about a vampire hunter that has morals.  Although given that Jane kills stuff for a living, it is a bit weird that she is so hung up on having sex out of wedlock.  Hopefully there won't be so much emphasis on this in future books.

Overall I was pleased with this installment in the Jane Yellowrock series.  It was hard to put the book down, the characters are deepened, and the story is broadened.  There are great action scenes throughout and an intricate plot that comes together nicely in the end.  I am eager to see what happens next.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge
- 100+ Reading Challenge
- E-book Reading Challenge
- Show Me the Free Challenge