leelah's review
4.0
"The Early Years"
Short story that's shedding some light on Jane's childhood years in Catholic orphanage.
We know she has no recollection of what happened to her before she stumbled from woods as a kid. She didn't know language and we find out she was perceived as feral child.
That and Beast's voice she had to practice to suppress didn't make her very popular among other kids, so she was a loner right from the start. We also know she took bullied kid under her wing.
Beast and memories makes her finally goes to place that's calling to her.
In terms of series this is all important for several things:
1) growing up with nuns is the reason why religious beliefs have such a strong influence in Jane's life, or at least affect her decisions.
2)The fact that she was loner and didn't have true friend at all makes us understand better why is her friendship with Molly so important to her.
3)she always had strong protective instinct.
Again, this is too short for me to rate it on basis that would give much credence to it, but as you can read, I got something from it anyway.
*****
"Cat Tats" - 3,5 stars
Ok, this story is a bit more meaty comparing to two that precede in timeline.
This is a story behind Rick's tats.
The most interesting thing about Rick's ink is the fact that it's depicting two of Jane's most important forms. It can't be a coincidence and this story put an answer to it:
It's a fate thing and they are meant to cross their paths.
I suppose it would be a bit different if witch who spelled his ink waved his future, but the way I figured it out of this story is that it was out of her hands. It puts a certain gravity on their relationship as it is.
It also opens a possible plot in future since his ink is a dangerous thing. (view spoiler)
Cat Tats is told from Rick's pov in third person narrative style. I was never a big fan of his (more like completely indifferent towards him), so I was consciously making an effort to get invested.
The fact that his family is influential and that he is a good Catholic boy was mentioned in books, but here we get some confirmation on that. That he is reckless and that there is no line he wouldn't cross in order to finish his mission is mentioned, shown AND again confirmed here. All in all, I got to know some things about him, but I am still not sold. I find that every book set in NOLA apparently has to have ladyman, "Gambit" character and Rick is playing the part. I hope that events from Mercy Blade will make his character develop in some other, more interesting direction.
On whether you should read this: If you are fan of Rick - definitely yes. If you are fan of series, it wouldn't be bad, but it's not really necessary, imo.
*****
"Kits"
So, we know that Molly's friendship is one of things Jane treasure the most in her life. But did you ever wonder how are these two notoriously secretive women used to hiding come to be best friends?
I did and it didn't surprise me that their secrets is what joined them in the first place.
Too short for me to rate it on basis that would give much credence to it, but it marks one of the most important events in Jane's life, even if it doesn't add to overall story.
*****
Blood, Fangs and Going Furry - 4 stars
Ok, this book is what I missed before I dived into [b:Raven Cursed|11053874|Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock, #4)|Faith Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327191717s/11053874.jpg|15321609]. With all other stories, I would say you can read them, but it's not necessary. With this one, I say it's better to read it since it provides necessary answers on how the hell Rick ended up being in North Carolina with Jane.
Story is told from Rick's pov and it's set right after [b:Mercy Blade|8100979|Mercy Blade (Jane Yellowrock, #3)|Faith Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388337237s/8100979.jpg|10885471], when Jane and Rick meet on street in front of her rent house.
There is a lot of unresolved things between them at that point, mainly their relationship and we can see it's troubling Rick and we see that Jane is aware of that, too.
But don't look for this story because you want to see what would happen with them as a couple- time needs to pass for them to have that talk and they will have sort of closure in book #4.
This story is about Rick's new cat shifter status, his first moon and just how he ended up with Kemnebi in woods of Sterling Mountains.
Important bit of story since it will make you frown and wonder (like it happened to me) when you start reading book #4.
I also found interesting how resentful Rick is toward George... I don't think he's even aware he is his rival for Jane's affection, but intuition and all that. :)
bookfessional's review
4.0
The Early Years - 4.0 stars
An 18-year-old Jane follows an instinct she doesn't understand and finds her way back home. It gives me FEELS.
Cat Tats - 4.0 stars
Oh, look. Ricky Bo got himself in trouble b/c chasing tail. SHOCKER.
This one's told from Rick's POV, and if you've been curious about how he got his mountain lion/bobcat tattoo:
IT MEANS NOTHING.
I like this one b/c lot and lots of PAIN for Rick (whom I HATE).
Kits - 5.0 stars
KITS hits me in ALL the FEELS, and it's probably my favorite Jane short to date.
1. Beast and kits always plays havoc with my emotions. She's so fierce and so pure and so . . . single-minded. Nothing is more important than kits. *rubs fist over heart*
2. The birth of Molly and Jane's friendship:
I may have cried. A lot.
Blood, Fangs, and Going Furry - 3.5 stars
Have I mentioned that I HATE Rick? B/c I do.
This one is from Rick's POV, and it details his first full moon as a were . . . A were unable to shift b/c witchy tattoos. It appears to be rather painful.
THIS PLEASES ME.
And I would've given it full marks if it hadn't been for his, "Woe is me, I really effed things up with Jane," and, "I really need to talk to her, I need to explain," crap and trash.
<------not a spoiler, just me cursing at Rick (spoiler tagged out of respect for Jane who hates potty mouths).
Fool me once . . .
An 18-year-old Jane follows an instinct she doesn't understand and finds her way back home. It gives me FEELS.
Cat Tats - 4.0 stars
Oh, look. Ricky Bo got himself in trouble b/c chasing tail. SHOCKER.
This one's told from Rick's POV, and if you've been curious about how he got his mountain lion/bobcat tattoo:
Rick didn’t know what it meant to have the cats here on his body, beneath his skin, part of him.
IT MEANS NOTHING.
I like this one b/c lot and lots of PAIN for Rick (whom I HATE).
Kits - 5.0 stars
KITS hits me in ALL the FEELS, and it's probably my favorite Jane short to date.
1. Beast and kits always plays havoc with my emotions. She's so fierce and so pure and so . . . single-minded. Nothing is more important than kits. *rubs fist over heart*
2. The birth of Molly and Jane's friendship:
I pulled on my socks and carried my boots into what was left of Molly’s house. We had tea. We shared secrets. Weirdly, Molly held my hand while we talked, as if protecting something fragile or sealing something precious. Even more weirdly, I let her. I think that, for the first time in my life, I had a real friend.
I may have cried. A lot.
Blood, Fangs, and Going Furry - 3.5 stars
Have I mentioned that I HATE Rick? B/c I do.
This one is from Rick's POV, and it details his first full moon as a were . . . A were unable to shift b/c witchy tattoos. It appears to be rather painful.
THIS PLEASES ME.
And I would've given it full marks if it hadn't been for his, "Woe is me, I really effed things up with Jane," and, "I really need to talk to her, I need to explain," crap and trash.
Spoiler
Stay the fuck away from Jane, you ASS.Fool me once . . .
graff_fuller's review
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is short story collection.
Faith Hunter - Cat Tales (99 pgs, actually 113...but I didn't read the bonus chapters of the next book).
I like the characters, but did not enjoy short stories. I love interconnective tissues that tell deeper stories.
Faith Hunter - Cat Tales (99 pgs, actually 113...but I didn't read the bonus chapters of the next book).
I like the characters, but did not enjoy short stories. I love interconnective tissues that tell deeper stories.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Since all but the last story I read on March 30th, that's where I'm putting this! Great collection of stories about cats of all kinds and yeah, really great to read!
papi's review
4.0
Mostly short stories I've already read in other collections she has put out. I wish her publisher wouldn't duplicate short stories in various collections.
lynseyt's review
4.0
I had already read most of the other stories that were previously available to read for free on Faith's website, but I really wanted to read the new one that was set directly after Mercy Blade. You know with Ricky-bo, and the smell of Big Cat....
It was short but very sweet. It has definitely whet my appetite for Raven Cursed which I'm going to jump straight into next. I forgot, I think, just how cool Jane is. Love the head bob thing. She rocks!
As for Ricky, well, I wish him luck- he's going to need it. Not only with his own problems but also with THAT conversation he needs to have with Jane.
Meeow....
It was short but very sweet. It has definitely whet my appetite for Raven Cursed which I'm going to jump straight into next. I forgot, I think, just how cool Jane is. Love the head bob thing. She rocks!
As for Ricky, well, I wish him luck- he's going to need it. Not only with his own problems but also with THAT conversation he needs to have with Jane.
Meeow....
macthekat's review
3.0
Nice to get some more in depth stories of all the small episodes that Jane kept talking about. Not the most awesome book ever but if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this.
liliandherbooks's review
3.0
Enjoyed the stories: The Early Years and Kits. Didn't really enjoy Rick's stories so much but could definitely appreciate his development after his first full moon as a were-leopard.
re_stearns's review
4.0
This book contains four stories of backstory and missing scenes from the Jane Yellowrock series. I loved every one of them. It's great to have some questions answered about Jane and LaFleur. The tension is high! I just wish there were more stories to read.