Have Stakes Will Travel: Stories From the World of Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter
Fans of the fabulous Jane Yellowrock series get treated here to three original stories, a reprint that originally appeared in an anthology, and the first two chapters of Death’s Rival, the fifth novel in the series. “We Sa and the Lumber King” provides a look through Beast’s eyes of the time when white men came to the hunting grounds and one way she takes action. In “Haints,” earth witch Molly Trueblood takes center stage, with Jane as a secondary character. The two friends, investigating a haunted house, discover an odd phenomenon that requires the skills they both possess to defeat. This fascinating story also features the first appearance of another character who appears in the next story in the collection.
“Signatures of the Dead,” which originally appeared in the anthology Strange Brew, once again features Molly as the main character, this time in a story of murderous rogue vampires on the loose who make the situation personal by a kidnapping. “Cajun With Fangs” takes place between the end of Raven Cursed, book four, and the beginning of Death’s Rival, book five. On her way back to New Orleans, Jane’s motorcycle breaks down in a small bayou town, where she steps into a war between vampires and witches. Acting on Leo’s authority, Jane gets involved a bit more than she would have preferred. The first two chapters of Death’s Rival find Jane investigating something unheard of: a disease affecting vampires. As is typically the case, our heroine gets in the thick of the action quickly.
This terrific story collection accomplishes what this type of endeavor should: providing readers with extra background into their favorite characters while not resolving major plot points of ongoing story arcs of the novels. “Haints” revolves around a unique premise that serves the dual purpose of allowing readers to observe Jane through Molly’s eyes. “Cajun With Fangs” offers a light-hearted glimpse into Jane’s world that nonetheless fits perfectly into the scope of the series. Including the first two chapters of Death’s Rival, due out in October 2012, effectively whets the appetite of readers eagerly awaiting the book’s release, as is this reviewer. A must-read for fans of the series, Have Stakes Will Travel also serves as an introduction for those unfamiliar with the books.
Book Stats:
- e-book, digital format
- Print Length: 143 pages
- Publisher: Roc (September 4, 2012)
- Sold by: Penguin Publishing
- Language: English
- ASIN: B008EXNMZA
Purchase a Kindle copy of Have Stakes Will Travel from Amazon
Books in the Jane Yellowrock series in the order they should be read:
Skinwalker
Blood Cross
Mercy Blade
Raven Cursed
Have Stakes Will Travel
Death’s Rival
I am honored at the lovely review. Thank you!