Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines Series: H&W Investigations #1
Published by Zebra on 1 May 2010
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 337
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Purchase
| 
Shiarra Waynest's detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm - if it doesn't kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York's most powerful vampires. As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend - a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing - and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren't always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil - whether she likes it or not..
Hunted by the Others is my kind of paranormal / urban fantasy! Shiarra is a very good heroine, in that she is definitely flawed, but fiercely loyal and strong minded.
My Hunted by the Others review:
It’s kind of strange to me, but Hunted by the Others felt so fresh and new in the paranormal urban fantasy genre, but it was actually released in 2010! I wonder if those stories that were the pre-cursors for books being released now had less pressure? I loved Shiarra, and I really enjoyed her friendship with Sara, too. And let me just say the character development is astounding! Shiarra starts out completely freaked out by every person who isn’t completely human. I didn’t get the feeling she was necessarily racist, she was just very afraid for her life, because all the supernaturals in this universe are both stronger and faster than mere humans, and if there was one thing Shiarra really wanted, it was to stay alive. However, as the story unfolds, Shiarra realizes that just like with humans, the others can be good or bad, or somewhere in between, and she finds herself trusting both a werewolf and a mage, and quickly sees the world in many different shades, rather than just black and white.
The world building is well done, because I really learned about the universe in Hunted by the Others as I went along with the story. There was no info-dumping, and I think this worked partly because Shiarra didn’t know all that much about the politics of weres, vampires or mages, and so, she asked a question here and there and listened carefully to the answers she were given. The story is pretty fast paced, there is a lot going on, both when it comes to searching for the focus, and with different sub-plots involving the focus, but also the people close to Shiarra. The ones she might actually agree to completely put her life on the line for.
Written in first person past tense, it was easy to follow Shiarra in her adventures, and impossible not to like her as she tried (and sometimes failed) at being bad-ass and strong. The fact that she never admitted defeat is partly what made me so fond of her, though, and I can’t wait to meet her again.
Some of my favorite Hunted by the Others quotes:
So. Why was I terrified of Royce, what with all of our progressive achievements where his kind were concerned? I like my bodily fluids just the way the are. Inside me.
I noted the low bookshelf in the corner had a curious mix of cookbooks and classic literature. Guess he was a fan of cheesecake and Shakespeare. Who knew?
I was shocked-but-not to see there was also a decent selection of cutlery on display in a glass case below the more mundane stakes and holy waters.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
That’s interesting about it feeling fresh. I actually saw this on my wishlist earlier, so maybe tat and your review is a sign for me to read it.
It’s funny how some books are on our wishlists or shelves for a while before we realize they could be something we’d really like, eh? I enjoyed the characters and the small differences from other paranormal / UF stories I have read, and I will continue this series soon.
Twitter: ailynk
cover looks like pretty Van Helsing, other wise the synopsis is pretty inresting. Wonder if it is nice
I have never heard of Pretty Van Helsing, Ailyn 🙂 This story is really well done, and I look forward to continuing the series.
Twitter: ailynk
sorry. I meant pretty version/ female Van Helsing, just a thought
Oh… I thought there was a Van Helsing book out I hadn’t heard about 😀
Twitter: kbaby81
I’m new to the UF genre (I say that because I only started reading it 2-3 years ago, and not enough). I have found a few great ones that I am loving so far, Kate Daniels is one. Still, I feel like I need to try every single one that I come across because I don’t want to miss out on some badassery. So, I’m adding this to my list. Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love Kate Daniels, too, Lekeisha! That series is so good. If you are ever looking for recommendations in UF, let me know, based on your love for Kate Daniels, I just might be able to help you 🙂
While Hunted by the Others is different from Kate Daniels, it’s a solid story, and when the world building is good, anything can happen.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I need to read this series, I have the book somewhere in this house…lol.
I had this one on my kindle forever, too, Stormi. I’m really happy I finally picked it up, though!
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I think this book has been on my TBR since it came out. I haven’t heard much about it since then. I sorta forgot about it until I saw this review. I’m really glad to see that you enjoyed it. I should move it back up my list.
I am looking forward to continuing with this series, Melanie. I think I had this on my kindle since it was released, too, it had been hiding there forever!
I’m adding it to my list right away ! But I wouldn’t mess with her, she does look fierce on the cover. Great review Lexxie 😀
She’s definitely fierce, Iza! I really enjoyed both Shiarra and her story, as well as the other characters 🙂
Shiarra sounds like a fun character and flawed which makes me happy
Flawed characters are so realistic 🙂
Twitter: talksupeblog
Doesn’t she have a vampire series too? I might be wrong, but I remember seeing something like that… there’s a lot of oldies but goodies UF series that I must start. Will add this to The List
There are vampires in this one, but the main character is strictly human 🙂
Nice review! Glad to hear the character development AND world building was done well. I really need to read more paranormal/urban fantasy/etc.
I love PN/UF stories, they bring just enough fantasy to make things interesting to me 🙂
It’s great Shiarra did some growing in the very first book of the series, Lexxie. That’s something you don’t always see in the first book of a series. I’m also glad Haines did so well with the world building without info dumping. I’ve wanted to read this since it was released…have probably had it on my nook that long. But you’ve renewed my interest 😉 so I’ll see what I can do to get it read sooner than later. 😀
Happy Wednesday, my dear! **BIG HUGS**
I love PN/UF stories, they bring just enough fantasy to make things interesting to me 🙂 And this book had been on my kindle for ages before I finally read it, too, Brandee.
*BIG HUGS*
Twitter: Mollykatie112
I have read the first three in the series, skipped the 4th(I think) and read the 5th. I didn’t skip it on purpose, but had to read the 5th for review and could only get through 3 before I had to jump to the fifth. I enjoyed the ones I did read. Glad you enjoyed your time with Shiarra and Sara as well. Great review 🙂
I’m looking forward to continuing this series, Lorna, because it’s always great to read PNR / UF that is a little different than the norm in the genre.