On Aug. 2, Faith Hunter’s new novel, Blood of the Earth, was released by New American Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. The novel is the first in the Soulwood series, set in the world of Jane Yellowrock. It is a refreshing urban fantasy that lets us get to know our characters before shoving them into romantic entanglements. Nell is a bright character in a bad situation and it’s fully engrossing watching the tale unfold.

Nell Ingram was a passing character in a Jane Yellowrock novel who has gained her own story. She’s a former member of the God’s Cloud cult and she has to fight hard for her freedom. The twisted men in charge are anxious to have her back, no matter how they get her. Nell is some sort of tree nymph, connected with the woods that surround her home and she’s still hoping her family will retreat from the cult, so she dares not leave her property. When a paranormal branch of the FBI comes calling to take a stand against the cult members, Nell joins in and finds herself making friends for the first time. Can they take down the warped cult leaders without casualties? Will Nell ever reconnect with her family?

Nell is an interesting character. She doesn’t have a lot of self-esteem after being beaten down mentally and physically by the cult, but she learns to trust herself as the story moves forward. You can slowly see a possible romance starting, but it never solidifies in this novel. I think that’s a good thing. Nell needs to learn to rely on herself instead of leaning on a man. Her powers are formidable and the tale is quick paced. I had a hard time putting it down.

Overall, this is a great story and you don’t have to know anything about Jane Yellowrock to read it. The book differs from the traditional urban fantasy romance novel and gives its characters a real backstory. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, which comes out in November.