Quirky Cat
Yes, a million times yes! Fans of Faith Hunter absolutely need to make time on their calendars to read Of Claws and Fangs. This anthology collects over a dozen stories from all over the Jane Yellowrock Universe, and it was such a delight to read.
Included in this anthology, readers will find: Candy from a Vampire, Make It Snappy, It's Just a Date, Life's a Bitch and Then You Die, Black Friday Shopping, How Occam Got His Name, Shiloh and the Brick, Beast Hunts Vampire with Jane, Of Cats and Cars: A Story of Beast and Cows with Trees on Heads, Beast Hunts Pie-Bald Deer, Jane Tracks Down Miz A, Anzu, Duba, Beast, Eighteen Sixty, Wolves Howling in the Night, Death and Fashionista, My Dark Knight, Bound in Darkness, and The Ties that Bind. See below for individual reviews on each.
“Of Claws and Fangs is a fun hodgepodge of stories from many characters within non-linear timelines of the Yellowrock world, and the Soulwood world.”
Candy from a Vampire
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
It's a Halloween story from Leo! Essentially, this is a story about Leo and Del trying to work out their well, working relationship. It's nice to see Jane's words having an effect on Leo.
“Halloween in the French Quarter of New Orleans had been changed forever when Marilyn Monroe had attempted to turn John Kennedy in the Oval Office and been staked for her trouble.”
Make It Snappy
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Okay, this one is going to hit readers hard. It's a Leo-centric story, showing both the best and the worst that this vampire has to offer – hence why it's going to hit hard. Yet it does a fantastic job of reminding readers about just how dimensional this character is.
“I shall do more than remember. I shall accomplish your request before the sun, ma cherie. Marcoise will no longer have the power to cause pain.”
It's Just a Date
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I love it. Jane, Bruiser, Jodi, Wrassler, Eli, and Sylvia walk into a restaurant – and no, this isn't the beginning of some joke. Though it is the beginning of another witchy adventure, one that Jane has a talent for finding herself in the middle of. It starts off sweet and funny, but quickly turns tense.
“Jane Yellowrock, I swear by all I hold holy that I will shoot you if you say another word.”
Life's a Bitch and Then You Die
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
If you love Beast, then you're going to have to read this one! It features her perspective heavily, as this story is set during the time that Jane is sick and seeking a way to recover. But that's really only the foundation for this story, as it causes Beast to remember back to the early days of her and Jane.
“Would be better to hunt bison with Ed, in Ed car.”
Black Friday Shopping
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Nell! I love, love, love that Nell stories made it into the mix! This one is set in a Walmart of all places, as she and Occam try to get to the bottom of some weird curses that keep cropping up. I adored the twist and conclusion – it is very in keeping with this world.
“Nell, sugar. You never been in a Walmart?”
How Occam Got His Name
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
This is probably one of the harder to read stories in the collection, and not because it's poorly written or anything like it. It's Occam's origin story, of a sort, and it weighs heavy on the hearts. Yet it is brilliantly done, making readers feel for this beloved character.
“I think this bobcat would eat us for dinner and still be hongry.”
Shiloh and the Brick
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish I could rate this story higher than five stars, because it is freaking brilliant. I have always loved the vamp politics (and all other forms of politics) in this series, and I feel like this short captures the nature of it perfectly. More, please!
“The Charlotte coven accepted you as a student for six weeks and assured us of your safety. You. Need. Training.”
Beast Hunts Vampire with Jane
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Another short story from Beast's point of view. The title says a lot for this one, but it is still a lot of fun to read – with a few surprises along the way, of course.
“Nope. This is a false hunt. Like leading predators away from your den to protect your kits. Acting weak.”
Of Cats and Cars: A Story of Beast and Cows with Trees on Heads
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I distinctly remember when this short came out – and just how excitedly the fandom had waited for it. It lived up to the expectation then, and it did so again now. Definitely worth the re-read.
“There is no way beneath heaven's sun that I will allow...that...cat creature to hunt from my car.”
Beast Hunts Pie-Bald Deer
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
The sense of humor in this one is absolutely precious! It's another Beast-centric story, but it is also pretty tongue-in-cheek at times. I love it.
“Beast chuffed quietly, thinking of picture of Reader Humans rolling down long hill. Is funny.”
Jane Tracks Down Miz A
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ow. My heart. Readers beware, this one is going to hit you right in the feels – much like it did for Jane, come to think of it.
“I was feeling guilty enough to go into a grocery store and buy flowers, which I had never done before, but there was a first time for everything.”
Anzu, Duba, Beast
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ever wanted to read a story of Jane and GeDiMercy (aka the Mercy Blade) going hunting? If so, look no further. This story is everything we could have hoped for, and arguably a little bit more.
“Bad place, Beast thought at me. Do not go in.”
Eighteen Sixty
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I was not expecting to see a story from Ayatas' perspective in this collection, though I should have! It's more backstory for Ayatas, which is going a long way in explaining his perspective within this world.
“Jaguar claws were better for what he had planned this night.”
Wolves Howling in the Night
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This is the second Ayatas story in this anthology, and I really loved it. It's set long before Ayatas and Jane are reunited, though there will be a familiar name thrown into the mix. Worth the read.
“Son of a witch on a switch.”
Death and Fashionista
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Time for Molly to take the lead! This one is all about Molly and her death magics – reminding us just how much of a struggle it was for her to cope with all of that.
“But I was paying attention to one thing only – the forest I had killed.”
My Dark Knight
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Aww, Angie baby is the sweetest. This story is from her perspective, mostly. Her family is under attack, and the first person she thinks to call if Edmund. Sweet, but with a heavy dose of danger for good measure.
“It sings like a wolfie and a bird and the bells in the church.”
Bound in Darkness
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This short is set sometime between Shattered Bonds and True Dead, and focuses on Eli and Liz Everhart. This one was included in another anthology recently, but I still loved reading it again. It's one of my favorites.
“He'd been there for her while she recuperated, then he'd pulled back.”
The Ties that Bind
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Last, but not least, we have The Ties that Bind. An appropriate conclusion to this anthology. This time Bedelia Everhart takes centerstage, and boy does this story have interesting implications for some of the Everhart sisters. I love it.
“A frisson of danger climbed up her spine on hooked spider feet.”
Thanks to ACE and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks