Tracking the Tempest (Jane True, Bk 2) by Nicole Peeler

 

I enjoyed the first book in the Jane True series, Tempest Rising. I was really looking forward to Tracking the Tempest, and I'm not sure that it completely lived up to the hopes I had for it. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book, I'm giving it an 8 of 10, but I don't think it quite lived up to the first book. I did enjoy it though, and I am still looking forward to the next book in the series.

Here's the blurb:

Tracking the Tempest begins four months–and one eyebrow sacrificed to magical training–after the close of Tempest Rising. During that time, Jane’s been busy honing her supernatural powers and enjoying her newfound sense of confidence. Rockabill may not yet be heaven, but she’s realized it’s home. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, however, and Ryu–Jane’s bloodsucker boyfriend–can’t let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. This time his shenanigans involve a last-minute ticket to Boston and a hefty dose of direct interference in her life. But Ryu’s best laid plans inevitably create more upheaval than even he can anticipate, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings committed by a being of tremendous power . . .

. . . who, much to Jane’s surprise, happens to be another halfling.

I'm glad that Jane is learning to use her magical abilities. I compared her to Sookie Stackhouse and Stephanie Plum in the review of the first book, but I think she's going to eventually become a kick-ass Stephanie Plum. The simplicity of Stephanie Plum, with the ability to actually defend herself when necessary, but still kind of clumsy and not-always-so-smart about it.  Also, I saw the love triangle possibilities starting in book one, I hope Nicole Peeler handles this love triangle better than Janet Evanovich has handled the Ranger/Morelli issue with Stephanie, where sixteen books into the series there is no resolution.

One of the things I liked so much about the first series was the introduction to the various magical species. We still get that a little in book two, but it wasn't as awe inspiring as it was in book one. The humor from book one was still there, I still had periods of time where I put the book down to have a good laugh, and where my husband gave me the are-you-going-to-be-okay look.

As for my rundown on story elements, the plot was an extension of the plot in the first book, and there are still a lot of loose ends not yet tied up. I have a feeling those loose ends are going to take five or six books to get tied up. There was also sort of a single book plot, and I was not at all happy with how it was resolved. Doesn't mean it was a bad plot, it was a pretty good one, actually. But the resolution left a lot to be desired.

There were some pacing issues in Tracking the Tempest, nothing major, but I did put the book down a few times to do something else, and I had no problems going to sleep and picking up again the next day.

Prose was very well done, and dialogue was excellent. Character development continues to go well, and I love the world building in this series.

I'm giving Tracking the Tempest an 8 of 10, and after two books I'll give the series a 9 of 10. I'm looking forward to Tempest's Legacy, especially after reading the excerpt for Tempest's Legacy at the end of Tracking the Tempest. Only five months until the next book comes out, it's good that we don't have to wait a whole year. There are also lots of clues in the cover. Look at the hearts at the top of each book and you'll have a very good idea of who will be a big part of book three. (Nicole Peeler has a good image of book three on this page.) I wonder about the flames, there was water on 1 and 2, now there are flames at the bottom, plus the flames on the helmet.  Ah well, just have to wait to see, I guess.

Book Rating: Tracking the Tempest: 8 of 10
Series Rating: Jane True series: 9 of 10






1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest (July 1, 2010)
3. Tempest's Legacy (January 1, 2011)
4. Eye of the Tempest