Skinwalker

Jane Yellowrock is a vampire hunter and skinwalker who can transform into any creature by using its DNA. She takes a job in New Orleans to track down a rogue vampire who has been killing other vampires in the French Quarter, putting her skills and supernatural abilities to use in the investigation. The story combines elements of urban fantasy and supernatural mystery, set against the backdrop of New Orleans' vampire society. Jane must navigate vampire politics and ancient feuds while trying to identify and stop the killer, drawing on both her Cherokee heritage and her modern weapons expertise. Working alongside local law enforcement and vampire authorities, Jane faces threats from multiple directions as she gets closer to uncovering the truth. Her inner Beast - the mountain lion soul she shares her body with - proves both an asset and a complication throughout the investigation. The novel explores themes of identity and belonging through its mixed-heritage protagonist and her existence between multiple worlds - human, vampire, and shapeshifter. Traditional Cherokee spirituality and modern urban fantasy merge to create a unique perspective on good, evil, and the gray areas in between.

Readers appreciate the unique Native American mythology elements and the strong character development of Jane Yellowrock. Many note the fresh take on vampires and shapeshifters, with the Cherokee skinwalker concept offering something different from standard urban fantasy. Fans highlight the detailed action scenes and Jane's complex relationship with her inner Beast. Multiple reviews mention Hunter's thorough research into Cherokee culture and New Orleans settings. Common criticisms include a slow start, confusing timeline jumps, and too much focus on motorcycle and weapons specifications. Some readers found the romance elements underdeveloped. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (34,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample reader quotes: "The Beast's perspective adds a unique layer to the narrative" - Goodreads reviewer "Gets bogged down in technical details about guns and bikes" - Amazon reviewer "Takes too long to get to the main plot" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌙 Skinwalker blends Cherokee mythology with modern urban fantasy, drawing from authentic Native American folklore about shapeshifters and supernatural beings. 🗡️ Author Faith Hunter is also a professional knife thrower and has incorporated her expertise in weaponry into the detailed fight scenes throughout the book. 🐆 The term "skinwalker" comes from Navajo legend, referring to evil witches who can transform into animals by wearing their pelts, though Hunter's interpretation differs significantly from traditional lore. 📚 This book launched the Jane Yellowrock series, which spans 14 novels and multiple short stories, becoming one of the longest-running urban fantasy series with a Native American protagonist. 🏹 The main character's unique twist on shapeshifting - sharing her body with the soul of a mountain lion - was inspired by Hunter's research into Cherokee beliefs about spirit animals and soul duality.