Category: Urban fantasy series,urban fantasy mystery

Review:  Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock Book 4) by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Raven Cursed brings both aspects of Jane’s background and cultural heritage together in a truly momentous and compelling story. It sets in motion important elements that won’t surface in the series and for certain characters until books further on in this series. Yes, I’m farther ahead now. Just behind in my reviews. Binging will do that. 

Jane continues to develop her skills and abilities, while exploring her Cherokee roots and lost memories, ones that are extremely traumatic for her. 

Each book is so layered and complex with Hunter weaving patterns of multiple stories together that she’s building towards an even more powerful dark whole picture. There’s witch Molly, and Molly’s sister Evie’s unhinged behavior, and Molly’s important family members each with magical abilities and roles to play. 

Plus there’s also the ongoing Rick/Bruiser potential for romance and intriguing aspects because Beast has her own perspective on mating that’s not always aligned with Jane’s. She has no use for monogamy and is basically a creature of solitude. 

There’s new African weres as well.

Jane’s constant struggle with guilt and issues with her own role is my biggest issue here, other than the waffling over Ricky, who I’m not a fan of. Even in areas where she is obviously not the fault of the problem but assuming the burden anyway. 

This does get old. But I will say this odd behavior is given an explanation further in the series as well as other aspects of her personality. The author pulls it all together. 

Each book serves as a reference and meaningful building block for the series and character. Leo’s planning in depth, and there are many other things involved that can be overlooked here. I’ve double backed a couple of times already. FYI. 

Enjoy the fantastic battle scenes, the weapons, the paranormal elements and creatures. The characters are developing and evolving. 

Love this so much!

I wish I knew more about the artist who created the series covers because I really love them. Consistently great.

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

        Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock Book 4)

    

Blurb 

The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to the Master Vampire of New Orleans they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, he sends an envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane Yellowrock.

But when a group of local campers are attacked by something fanged, Jane goes from escort to investigator. Unless she wants to face a very angry mast vampire, she will have to work overtime to find the killer. It’s a good thing she’s worth every penny.

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

January 3, 2012

Language

‎English

Print length

377 pages

Book 4 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review:  Mercy Blade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel Book 3 by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Mercy Blade is a book whose description is one I think was deliberately kept succinct and vague for a reason. And that was to keep the readers from any plot spoilers that might have been picked up from a longer blurb.

Mercy Blade itself opens up an entire introduction to new characters, paranormal species, and several areas of ways that the various beings govern themselves, or have the ability to. 

Hunter has really constructed a complex universe that is just starting to emerge here. And it’s going to spread throughout the course of the series and over the country.

The few things I will say is that Mercy Blade sees the official emergence of a African black were-leopard group, in New Orleans to meet with Leo, a tumultuous revelation that includes Rick, and yet several more paranormal species that will have ongoing conflicts and roles for the future. 

Jane’s life will be more heartbreaking, dangerous and in an unstable state where she’s scrambling for trust and support.

It’s a danger greater than anything before and makes for a fantastic story.

I’m so hooked into this character and universe. 

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

        Mercy Blade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel

    

Blurb 

Jane, a shapeshifting vampire-hunter-for-hire, crosses paths with a stranger who has arrived in New Orleans, enlisted to hunt vampires who have gone insane-or so he says…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

January 4, 2011

Language

‎English

Print length

322 pages

Book 3 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review:  Blood Cross (Jane Yellowrock Book 2) by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Jane Yellowrock quickly became my favorite main character from her introductory story and Blood Cross just continues my love for her complex paranormal if not completely known being. Her past traumatic history is slowly being rolled out by flashes of ancient memories returning and others sharing their knowledge of gods and mythology.

The enigma of Jane’s past is threaded throughout her current life of a rogue vampire hunter now temporarily living in New Orleans. 

As a hidden skinwalker, she’s both Jane and Beast, the big mountain lion is now an integral part of Jane, despite continuing as a separate entity that Jane can change into, the main animal, although there’s others. 

Blood Cross continues the plots laid out in the first book with Jane continuing to deal with the ramifications of those events.  Leo, the Vampire Master of the City is still deeply grieving the loss of his son. He’s borderline insane and blames Jane for the death and is coming for her, even though she’s blameless.

There’s a rogue to catch and dispatch, multiple mysteries to investigate and resolve, and Jane’s traumatic past continues to haunt her in dreams and shattered memories. 

The character development and complexity of series storytelling is incredible. The dynamic history and relationships between the different paranormal beings, the mythology, and cultural influences is amazing. 

My only concern or issue is how Jane shoulders too much of the guilt of others due primarily to her being torn by her cultural identity. Her Christian beliefs and her lost memories of her Cherokee family and heritage. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in future books. 

Highly recommended. 

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

 Book 2 of 15: Jane Yellowrock 

Blurb 

One of paranormal fantasy’s toughest heroines is back on the prowl in this second installment of Faith Hunter’s New York Times bestselling Jane Yellowrock series

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker and vampire hunter for hire. But lately, instead of just slaying vampires, she’s been working for them.

The vampire council has hired skinwalker Jane Yellowrock to hunt and kill one of their own who has broken sacred ancient rules-but Jane quickly realizes that in a community that is thousands of years old, loyalties run deep…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

December 22, 2009

Language

‎English

Print length

338 pages

Book 2 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Urban fantasy, paranormal fantasy fiction, shifter/witch action thrille

Review: Banshee Cries (The Walker Papers Book 2) by C. E. Murphy

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Banshee Cries was originally released in an anthology and I’ve included the publisher/author’s notes about this below. It’s a good story with some interesting magical elements to this tale. However, its brevity also highlights some of the more irritating or worst aspects of the main character, Joanne Walker. She’s in her late thirties, but her personality is often more of a whiny juvenile, which she admits but does nothing to correct. 

She’s a reluctant Shaman, a reluctant police officer, and really, a reluctant adult. And given all the mystical powers she’s empowered with and guidance by Coyote which she doesn’t follow through on, the serious lack of development in her character’s growth is slowly eroding any interest I have in her and the series. 

There’s really terrific content here, a magical system that Jo decides her gateway into it is her love of car mechanics. So she envisions how her magic powers works the way most cars and their mechanical systems do. That’s exciting. And unique.

But then there’s the rest of the story. And the reader is left to deal with her waffling thoughts about her life, not wanting to admit she’s a shaman whose powers will “save the day” or whatever. This is only the second book and it’s tiresome. 

I won’t even mention the ghost of the mother plot with ginormous holes in it. 

So while I appreciate the potential here, and some of the other characters, as well as the unique magic system, the character herself is becoming progressively less interesting. On book 2. That’s an issue.

Haven’t decided yet whether I’m going forward or not. You can decide if you’re willing to chance it. 

Like the covers. 

Cover Art & Design: G&S Cover Design Studio 

Cover Model: Marissa Turcotte

Author’s Note:

Banshee Cries was originally published in the anthology Winter Moon as ‘Book 1.5’ of the Walker Papers. With the reissuing of the series, it has been promoted to a full Book Two status, and the numbering of the books going forward will reflect that. Aside from the numbering, there are no changes from the original release of Banshee Cries to this one.

The Walker Papers (10 book series):

Urban Shaman #1

Banshee Cries #2

Thunderbird Falls #3

Coyote Dreams #4

Cauldron Bourne #5

Demon Hunts #6

Spirit Dances #7

Raven Calls #8

No Dominion #9

Mountain Echoes #10 – July7,2026

Buy link

        Banshee Cries (The Walker Papers Book 2)

    

Blurb 

The last thing reluctant shaman Joanne Walker wants is to be assigned to a case of ritual murders. It’d be creepy enough all on its own, but her boss, already trusting her magic more than Jo does herself, suspects there’s more to it than just a serial killer. As Joanne is pulled more deeply into the bloody mire, she begins to realize this is a murderer with a deadline—the changing winter moon seems to be key to the power they’re building.

But Joanne’s not the only one entangled in the increasingly dangerous magic raised by the killer: she has a protector, someone who has already given up their life to keep Joanne safe…and who may be the only person able to stand between Joanne and a dark power far greater than she’s ready to handle….

Publisher’s Note: Banshee Cries was originally published as part of the Winter Moon anthology, and was fondly numbered ‘1.5 of the Walker Papers.’ With the reissue of the series, Banshee Cries has been elevated to book two, and the series numbering henceforth reflects that change.

Publisher

Miz Kit Productions

Publication date

January 1, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

120 pages

Book 2 of 10

The Walker Papers

Review: Practical Boots (Book 1) by C.E. Murphy

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Practical Boots is a terrific read, the first novella in C.E. Murphy’s series, The Torn. It’s short but full of interesting takes on the fae, magic, and a in-between realm, The Waste. 

Because of its short length, much of the main character’s story is missing. Especially her early years spent in the Torn (that’s the Fae realm) and then the Waste where she was dumped by her father essentially to survive or die. 

The magical element is something I really want to explore more because it’s so fascinating and inherently terrifying. It extracts a price but we don’t know what. That’s left for future books. 

Fae are the complicated conniving, backstabbing beings who are constantly manipulating and maneuvering for power. Her father is a very powerful player here. And how he intends to use Cat Sharp, the daughter he discarded is the main plot line. 

Cat Sharp herself is a fabulous character. Tough, loyal, intelligent and persistent in her goals, especially when it comes to defeating her father. 

I wanted to see where the story would go after the events of the day. She so ingenious that the plans she’s set in place are ones I can’t wait to see happen. In book 2 that’s not been written unfortunately. 

Murphy is an author now on my auto read list and this story is just one more example why. Another winner.

Cover Artist: Indigo Chick Design

The Torn:

Practical Boots #1

Buy link

 Book 1 of 1: The Torn 

Blurb 

These boots are made for walking…

The disappointing daughter of a Lord of the Torn, Cat Sharp was dumped in the shapeless Waste to prove herself or die. Seven years later, she’s honed the Artificer magic that saved her in the Waste, and her courier business is booming: after all, no one else can step from one location to another almost instantaneously, as Cat can with her seven league boots.

Each passage through the Waste takes her one step closer to the only thing she’s ever wanted to find…but even the Torn-born become careless at times. When Cat’s father catches up with her again, Cat must make a choice between her own dreams and an innocent’s future…or try once more to forge her own way through two worlds, neither of which she quite belongs in….

Miz Kit Productions

Publication date

June 4, 2021

Language

‎English

Print length

108 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Torn

Review:  Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

It only took 2 books but Faith Hunter has become not just a autobuy but an author I have to have and binge all of her series and books.  And right now. She’s made my TBR pile so much longer! As if it wasn’t already out of control. 

Did I tell you that she’s prolific and writes under two different names? Yep. And I’m just exploring one at the moment. 

Hunter’s Urban fantasy series about a Cherokee skinwalker, Jane Yellowstone, who’s a traveling rogue vampire hunter is fantastic.  A complete series, the first book was released in 2009, however, with the exception of some references to politicians and musicians from the same period, it’s still pretty current. 

Jane Yellowstone’s past and her true nature is a fragmented history that will continue to be revealed over the series. It makes for a fascinating aspect of her story and adds more mystery to her character and series. 

Her latest commission brings her to New Orleans, where she has been hired by the madam of Katies’s Ladies, a powerful woman vampire herself, to hunt down a rogue vampire who is killing other vampires in the city.

But nothing is that simple. And this turns into something layered with the mythology and magic of multiple mythologies and cultures. Foremost is the Cherokee skinwalker and other skin walker legends of various native tribes because it differs from tribal cultures. And Jane’s fractured memories leaves her trying to figure out where she falls in the spiritual spectrum. Is her skinwalker side dark or light?

And her enormous cat, the Beast that’s the main animal she can become, is a separate entity. Strong and entirely that of a creature that hunts and isn’t human in any sense of the way.  The history behind the two of them is also a very strong part of her story.

New Orleans is beautifully portrayed, clearly by someone who loves and knows the city. Its locations are very well written and feel real. 

The other characters here, from the wonderful women in Katies’s Ladies who make an indelible impression, to the various Vampire masters and their assistants who Jane gives nicknames, yes I love Troll so much, they made this a universe to sink into.

There’s potential romantic leads, each with their own secrets and unique personalities and agendas that make them poor choices. And the top Master Leo who’s obsessed with Jane’s ability and what type of unknown supernatural being she is. 

Hunter is leaving much of Jane’s true identity and past unknown so it can slowly be revealed throughout the series. And the growth and development is something I really look forward to. 

Fantastic all around. And highly recommended. 

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

 Book 1 of 15: Jane Yellowrock 

 Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Blurb 

Meet shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock in the first novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site).

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katies’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

July 7, 2009

Edition

Original

Language

‎English

Print length

336 pages

Book 1 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review: Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4) by A.M. Rose

Rating: 4.75🌈

Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4) by A.M. Rose just continues to show what an absolutely fantastic series Cursebreakers is. Dark, heartbreaking at times, and thrilling in its weirdly beautiful, damaged characters, Once Bitten is up there among my favorites so far.

It’s been a while since the series has had an update but it doesn’t take long to dive back deep into this dark landscape of brilliant psych damaged children, then men, brought up in a government institution and then put in a forced family setting that would “balance” their talents while using their abilities for government missions. No matter what age they were. 

Here we get two family houses of talents , one for each city, who will have to work together because of the sheer size of the cursed problem and organization that they are facing. 

It’s also the element that will bring Wren, whose talent is that of talking to animals, removing their curses from them, and Teddy, a cursebreaker who loved Wren when they were young together. Forced apart by NEXUS, that government agency that had control over them, both Wren and the readers finally get the truth about the secret to Wren’s history and the heartbreak he’s endured. 

We get new fantastic characters from Teddy’s family. The twins, Saint and the scary Eerie especially to the fragile Echo, I loved Teddy’s family as much as Wren’s. That includes Wren’s animals like Blu and Sable.

Once Bitten is the best yet. Horrifying, devastatingly cruel and tragic, multiple intriguing storylines and Wren and Teddy’s story, interwoven with heartbreaking handwritten letters that span the years they were separated. 

I think the authors wrote something extraordinary special here. In the characters and the multiple plots, one of which is ongoing. 

I can’t wait for this to continue. 

Fantastic work by the team that is A.M. Rose. Highly recommended!

 Cover designed by BCJ Art & Design

Cursebreakers, Inc:

Like a House on Fire #1

Fool Me Twice #2

A Thousand Cuts #3

Once Bitten #4

Buy link 

        Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4)

    

Blurb 

“He’s never met a rule he liked.”

Defiant. Rebellious. Disobedient.

Wren had been called that and worse since the moment he could openly express his hatred of Nexus and everything it stood for. But he played along. Not for them. But for the animals he helped along the way and the one boy who made those words sound like compliments instead of insults. Until they took him away.

Loveable. Inspiring. Exemplary.

Teddy had been seen as perfect since the moment he started training. He wasn’t perfect, though. He had broken only one rule, but it was the biggest one of them all. He fell for another cursebreaker. He gave his heart to the one he wasn’t allowed to. And they both paid the price for it.

Forced apart, they spent a decade loving the memory of each other, until a shocking case brings them back together. Will their love prevail, or will the Little Bird be forced to leave his Teddy Bear behind?

March 16, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

393 pages

Book 4 of 4

Cursebreakers, Inc.

Review: URBAN SHAMAN (The Walker Papers Book 1) by C. E. Murphy

Rating: 4⭐️

Urban Shaman brought me not only another great book but a new prolific author and series to explore. Love it when this happens. 

In Urban Shaman, Murphy introduces a mixed race (Cherokee and Irish ancestry) Seattle police mechanic Joanne Walker, who on a flight home from a funeral, discovers not only is there mystical layers to her world but she’s a shaman as well. 

In trying to save a woman from a threats from a Celtic god and the mythical Wild Hunt, Jo has to accept that she’s got shaman powers she’s not even close to understanding. And she needs them in order to survive the gods and the threats they have brought into her world. 

The author combines Seattle location, a mechanic’s love for her cars, a middling law enforcement presence and two different types of mythology, Celtic and a broader spectrum of The People to this urban fantasy novel. 

There’s murder, a race to understand the mystery behind the what the Wild Hunt and gods are doing, and most of the time, it’s spent in a dream scape of a urban fantasy world where Jo and Coyote are trying to heal her and lead her to knowledge. 

This aspect of the story is where some readers will find themselves having issues. The magic isn’t well defined, especially Jo’s powers and how she’s developing them. And that so much of the story isn’t set in the real world of Seattle where the drama is occurring. 

Perhaps future books will change that. 

Jo is a really good and traumatized character (there’s a very sad, past history revealed here). And her relationship with the cab driver and her boss in the SPD have potential. 

Looking forward to reading more of the series. 

A winner here with the potential for a great series. 

Cover Art & Design: G&S 

Cover Design Studio Cover Model: Marissa Turcotte

The Walker Papers (10 book series):

Urban Shaman #1

Banshee Cries #2

Thunderbird Falls #3

Coyote Dreams #4

Cauldron Bourne #5

Demon Hunts #6

Spirit Dances #7

Raven Calls #8

No Dominion #9

Mountain Echoes #10 – July7,2026

Buy link

 Book 1 of 10: The Walker Papers 

Blurb 

Joanne Walker has no use for the mystical, and up until this morning, the mystical had no use for her.

But an ancient god has reared his head, and the all-too-real riders of the mythical Wild Hunt are menacing the streets of Seattle. Caught in the middle of an age-old grudge, Joanne is forced to choose between accepting an unexpected magical heritage and facing this immortal enemy, or…dying.

(Look, nobody said it was a good choice.)

Guided by a cryptic coyote who visits her dreams and armed with magic she doesn’t know how to use, Joanne is befriended by a nosy cab driver who wants to tag along for the adventure as she hangs on to the desperate hope that she might survive the next few days.

Joanne’s journey from police department mechanic to urban shaman begins here…whether she likes it or not!

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Miz Kit Productions

Publication date

October 1, 2023

Language

‎English

Print length

364 pages

Book 1 of 10

The Walker Papers

Review : Moonmagic (Witchwolf Book 2) by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes 

Rating: 3.75🌈

Moonmagic, the second of the Witchbook series by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes is a story I find a bit of a mixed bag. I really like the character of the witchwolf, Dakota, the Japanese mage, who found out about his tragic family history and the clan he was born into in the first book. 

Dakota has a layers to his personality, depths given to him by the two cultures, the one he was raised in, the other he is tied to by family. And the powers of his own magic and now as a shifter.  He’s continually trying to connect with the pack and work mentally through his inner struggles with his past. One of which appears here, in a new form. It’s a fantastic aspect of the story.

Dakota is a multicultural and layered character and when he is in the narrative, he elevates Moonmagic’s storylines beyond that of just a good story.

The issue comes in with his mate, Jax, the Alpha werewolf, and other main character.  After much inner debate, the best word I could come up with for him that explains or sums up his character is ineffectual.  Jax is supposed to be the head of a billionaire company, and Alpha of a pack of werewolves who separated from an abusive prior Alpha and left for a better life. 

But that strong, powerful Alpha isn’t here. Instead Jax is a bit of an emotional mess. Doesn’t come off as all that intelligent and with the same fluctuating emotions as you would associate with a hormonal teenager. He doesn’t spot where the dangers are coming from to his company and pack, clear and simple dangers. 

And when one traitor has been caught, after committing a heinous crime, he lets him go. Then after the fact, goes I should have torn him to pieces. Rawr. But I’m too nice. 

SMH.  He’s like this throughout the story. Had there been no Dakota this book would have been a DNF. 

Spoilers. Dakota actually wins the day because he was both strong and smart, knows his mate is too nice *cough* weak to do what is necessary and uses his powers to help felicitate the right outcome.

Jax wins a fight by accident but he’s so sorry. Boohoo. 

I like the other pack who’s more interesting. 

There’s a sample of the side story that has already been released. It’s fine but doesn’t have a lot of depth for one character, so it’s very uneven. Very much like this. 

Read it if you’re fans of the authors or to finish the series. 

Cover art © 2025 by Natasha Snow Designs

Witchwolf (2 book series)

Witchwolf #1

Moonmagic #2 

Side story:

Nerds, Words & Werecats (Witchwolf)

Buy link

 Book 2 of 2: Witchwolf 

Blurb 

After having his world rocked by a hot billionaire CEO werewolf and the unveiling of a world of magic he didn’t know existed, Dakota is finally settling into being the alpha mate of the Crescent pack. With Jax at his side, he can even handle being heir of the witchwolf legacy, but before he can catch his breath, life throws him another curveball.

First, Dakota returns home after their visit to Japan with a barnacle of a ghost, and his great-great-grandfather isn’t terribly impressed with his descendant leading a werewolf pack.

Worse, they disembark the plane to a bloody welcome home. A member of the wolf pack Jax fled from has been attacked, and he carries a dire warning: The Wildwood wolves are coming, and they plan to retake control of the Crescent pack.

To protect everything they’ve built and hope for, Dakota has to own both his legacy and his future, but if Jax can’t face the mistakes of his past, they could both lose it all.

Moonmagic is a direct sequel to Witchwolf and should be read in order. Get ready for an extra cuddly alpha werewolf, a comforting tray of mac and cheese, a snarky Japanese ghost who gets . . . less terrible, eventually, and a pack war our heroes wish they didn’t have to fight. This book has Jax and Dakota’s HEA, as well as a few other loose ends tied up, and introduces a whole new pack to explore in our next series, Wolves of the Wildwood.

March 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 2 of 2

Witchwolf

Review:  Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2) by Juliette Harper 

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Witch At Odds picks up shortly after the ending of the first novel. Jinx has solved her first mystery, and her best friend since childhood has come to be partners with her in the sentient store left to her by her magical aunt.

I like the mystery here, and the addition of several magical beings. Jinx and her best friend, Tori, do come across as two people who have long time relationship dynamics. That’s nicely illustrated here. 

And the ghost of the cemetery, especially Beau, the Confederate Colonel. He’s genuinely a great person and developing into a major figure here.

Now for the issues. The author has almost all the important characters,with the exception of Tori, withholding if not outright lying to Jinx about who they are, what they are, and their relationship with her and the town’s history and secrets. So yeah, so many huge enormous hidden secrets here.

Ones that adversely impact Jinx, her actions, and the town.  Those around her are aware of the fact, and still argue about telling her. 

As a reader, I find this irritating and frankly toxic. Especially as one of the characters lying to her about his identity and her relationship to him and his family is the one “courting” her. Her supposed boyfriend. 

Another is her ghostly aunt Fiona, who keeps up with the poor excuses as to why she has or doesn’t give Jinx the knowledge or support she needs. As in “I didn’t think she would do anything that magical yet with her powers “. Then aunt Fiona pops out to vacation somewhere else. 

All feel incredibly lame or what I refer to as “Narratively lazy”. Awful for the characters but the author needs it down in her series arc so there you go. 

She does sorta solve the problem here but it ends on a cliffhanger. And with both “girls” going to see their mothers to discuss their past histories. 

So it looks like the revelations are going to happen next book unless a drama pops up again.  I’ll check with it.

I’m going to see where this goes next.

The Jinx Hamilton Series (16 book series): complete and all released. 

Witch At Heart #1

Witch At Odds #2

Buy link

        Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Resigned to her new life as a witch and determined to make a success of both that and her business, Jinx has a lot to learn. She sets out to both study her craft and get a true direction for her aunt’s haphazard approach to inventory. Not to mention the fact that she wouldn’t mind getting to know neighboring business owner Chase McGregor much better. Although Jinx can call on Aunt Fiona’s ghost for help, the old lady is far too busy living a jet set afterlife to be worried about her niece’s learning curve. That sets Jinx up to make a major mistake and to figure out how to set things right again.

*Note: This is a republished version of Witch At Odds.

Cabot Publishing Group

Publication date

September 8, 2025

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

235 pages

Book 2 of 16

The Jinx Hamilton Series