Jazz is embracing her role as the supernatural’s trouble shooter – and the city’s homeless population being preyed upon definitely counts as a problem for her to fix. Finding out who is responsible and making them stop definitely adds a complication to the holiday season.

A complicated situation that isn’t made any easier by a berserker arriving in town determined to force one of her friends to fight – and he’s willing to target Jazz to force AJ into the ring.

I don’t know how much time has passed between this book and the first in the series, it doesn’t expressly say and it doesn’t need to. The development of the characters alone has created the sense of time without having to expressly spell it out – it’s very neatly done.

Especially with Jasmine. Jazz has transitioned excellent from the first book to her new role as the Council’s trouble shooter. She didn’t ask for it. She may not even like it – but she does take it seriously and I like that. Sure it wasn’t a role she sought out but she recognises it as a role that’s important and a role that comes with a lot of responsibility. Linked into that is her own strength and confidence and desire to prove herself. Does this mean she always makes great decisions? No, she’s driven to solve the problem in the book and she’s determined to do it herself with relatively little help. But, unlike so many reckless Urban Fantasy characters, Jazz actually sells this. She’s driven to solve this because it’s her job, her responsibility and through that her place in the supernatural community. More, it’s her role given by the leaders of that community very quickly because they respected her abilities. She can’t let someone else take it over without implying they were wrong (even if any sensible person would and the Council won’t hold it against her). There’s this ongoing message from Jazz that started in the last short story – this is her job, she takes it seriously and this is what she has to do. Not because she’s the chosen one or the only one with the special woo-woo or anything else (in fact, there are moments where it’s expressly made clear Jazz isn’t the strongest of them all, not even close) – but it’s her job, her role, her responsibility. It’s not pride, or not pride in the arrogant sense or over-confidence – it’s responsibility and duty that drive Jazz as well as a deep well of compassion.

I also like that she’s a female character, in this genre, who is most strongly defined by her female friends. She has a close circle of excellent, close female friends she relies on, she spends time with (and that’s social time – not just “hey I need something, come help”) that is growing if anything. They’re a far more dominant and powerful part of her life than her male friends and even than her love interest (who still needs to drop the awful Cajun accent).

Other good development comes from Mitchell, the hard-ass werewolf leader who is always so abrasive and controlling. I initially thought we were looking at a wannabe dictator but he has a lot more nuance than that. Yes he’s controlling and arrogant, but he also legitimately cares about the community – all the supernaturals – quite possibly more so than any other leader. In fact, he may be the only leader who can or who wants to take point and help the community as a whole – the head witch we haven’t seen much of, head vampire Victoria is doing her level best not to be the Supreme Queen of the area, which is hard because she’s the biggest, baddest thing in town. The werecats are few in number and too independent. Who else but Mitchell can lead? Like Jazz, responsibility seems to drive him. It’s really nice to see that develop alongside her – and alongside Victoria who seems mixed between being friendly and terrifying and in a really awesome

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Hollow Eyes: Salt Lake After Dark (Volume 2) by J. K. Walker

Yet another great read! 4.5 stars Looking for that elusive 5 with Sanguine Eyes, coming out soon!

As if it isn't bad enough that orphan Jasmine Bedeau, struggling student, suddenly discovers she is different from everyone else. No, now she's "The Troubleshooter" for the local supernatural council. Oy. Zombies and werewolves and monsters, oh, my . . .

The second of the “Salt Lake After Dark” series, “Hollow Eyes” continues the exceptional story line begun by J.K. Walker with “Glacial Eyes”. In GE, Walker introduced us to what should have been 'just another Urban Fantasy supernatural girl' who turned out to be much more than a stereotype. With the overabundance of young, hip supernatural girl characters on the Urban Fantasy scene, Walker introduced us to a character I just couldn't help liking.

In GE, Jazz found out that she is way different than the other college kids out there. Now, she is The Troubleshooter, and trouble is definitely coming her way. And with bodies piling up, strange critters sneaking around, and a monster-sized werebear hard on her heels, well, “Why can’t anything be easy?” I asked, staring at the cloudy, gray sky. “I don’t get paid enough for this shit. Hell, you really should get paid something before spouting clichés.”

I absolutely loved this second book in the series. Walker continues a level of creativity I find greatly enticing, most clearly shown in her development of a ghoul culture that is unlike anything I have read before. The book is gruesome in places, but gruesome in the most wonderful Urban Fantasy tradition. Jazz is kick-butt, but she is still realistic as a young woman having to adjust to her whole life being turned upside down and dumped into a world she never knew existed. And who can't love a girl who can fix her own car engine? Sexy, right?

The story line is clear and well developed, the world building is even and realistic. In a world where DNA analysis is now everyday, keeping a supernatural community secret is a lot harder than it used to be. And Jazz has her hands full making sure that it keeps its secrets. I can hardly wait to read “Sanguine Eyes,” coming out soon! ( )