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A second installment of a trilogy that began with Voodoo Season finds the doctor granddaughter of a legendary voodoo queen struggling with an increasing number of violence victims in her New Orleans hospital, a situation that is complicated by her nightmares about an African vampire.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

9 people are currently reading
655 people want to read

About the author

Jewell Parker Rhodes

36 books1,546 followers
Jewell Parker Rhodes has always loved reading and writing stories. Born and raised in Manchester, a largely African-American neighborhood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, she was a voracious reader as a child. She began college as a dance major, but when she discovered there were novels by African Americans, she knew she wanted to be an author. She wrote six novels for adults, two writing guides, and a memoir, but writing for children remained her dream.

Now she is the author of eleven books for youth including the New York Times bestsellers Will's Race for Home, Ghost Boys and Black Brother, Black Brother. Her other books include Soul Step, Treasure Island: Runaway Gold, Paradise on Fire, Towers Falling, and the Louisiana Girls Trilogy: Ninth Ward, Sugar, and Bayou Magic. She has also published six adult novels, two writing guides, and a memoir.

She is the recipient of numerous awards including the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, an NAACP Image Award nomination, and the Octavia E. Butler Award.

When she’s not writing, she’s visiting schools to talk about her books with the kids who read them, or teaching writing at Arizona State University, where she is the Piper Endowed Chair and Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing.

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5 stars
78 (24%)
4 stars
107 (33%)
3 stars
98 (31%)
2 stars
27 (8%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Kate.
554 reviews
November 6, 2010
I loved the first book in this series, but this one felt like she was under the gun from her publisher and she just rushed something out. It read like a bad made-for-TV movie. It was mostly pithy dialogue - stuff no one would ever say in real life, and everything happened so fast that it was really hard to follow. She needed another 100 pages or so to flesh it all out. Bummer, I had high hopes for it.
468 reviews12 followers
December 17, 2009
This is the second book in a trilogy, the first being Voodoo Season. I wish I had read the first book before reading this one as some of the things would have made more sense as the author assumes you are familiar with the main characters and their situations.

Dr. Marie Laveau, now a full-fledged doctor, is leading a quiet life as a doctor at Charity Hospital, a single mom, and a voodoo priestess. She is learning about her gifts of healing, foresight, and the ability to see ghosts inherited from her ancestor, the famous Marie Laveau. One night, her peace is shattered when Detective Parks enters her life asking her opinion on the case of a man whose blood had been completely drained from his body. This begins a chain of events that leads Marie and Parks around New Orleans chasing after a killer who drains the blood from his victims.

Eventually, Parks and Marie learn that the killer is an African vampire bent on revenge for something that happened in his past. Unfortunately for Marie, it is connected directly with her as the vampire was involved with her ancestor Marie Laveau who was involved in his destruction. He is now after Marie and her descendents. Parks and Marie, who must work together, and resolve their religious differences, are in a fight for their lives to kill this vampire before it destroys all they hold dear.

As a fan of historical fiction, I loved this novel and all the fascinating detail about New Orleans and its rich cultural history. I loved learning about some of its past and the descriptions about some of the things that happened and occur today was fascinating. As a fan of supernatural fiction, I was somewhat disappointed as I would have liked to have seen more of the vampire. I also felt that the relationship between Parks and Marie was underdeveloped and forced at times. She is still struggling with the death of her previous lover and things didn't feel resolved to me. Perhaps with the third novel, things will resolve themselves a bit better. I am however, looking forward to reading the third novel in the trilogy.
Profile Image for Nina Foster.
254 reviews36 followers
March 29, 2021
Too young adult for my taste; a typical Y/A scenario where the main character has the power and skill to save everyone. There was not enough suspense or excitement.
Profile Image for Phyllis | Mocha Drop.
416 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2009
Yellow Moon is the second in a trilogy inspired by New Orleans's infamous Voodoo Priestess, Marie Laveau; a woman still revered (and feared in some circles) centuries after her death. The first novel, Voodoo Season, is a suspenseful tale centering on a young woman's apprehensive discovery of her kinship to Marie and the unwanted "gifts"; she inherits from her grandmother; powers such as the ability to heal nearly everyone, an uncanny sense of foresight, and the ability to see spirits. These powers seem to have grown stronger upon her relocation to New Orleans for a medical internship.

Years pass and Yellow Moon picks up where VooDoo Season ends. The newly licensed Dr. Marie Laveau (appropriately named following the tradition of her foremothers), has seemingly accepted her fate, embraced New Orleans as home, and with the help of believers is aptly honing her otherwordly crafts. She happily practices both traditional medicine at the legendary Charity Hospital and the more controversial voodoo religion during off-hours. Her blissful life is interrupted when a string of blood-drained corpses start littering the city: the first being a hardened dock worker, then a boozing jazz musician, the third a prostitute - they are reminiscent of the underprivileged and downtrodden that seem to flock to Marie both in life and death. It is not long before the ghosts of the murdered appeal to her for justice. Her reluctance is culled by the handsome lead detective assigned to the case. Vampiric markings on the corpses baffle police but supernatural indicators and warnings from beyond eventually propel Marie into action. As the case progresses and the body count increases, the reader is taken on a tour of New Orleans revealing interesting tidbits of its rich history steeped in the unique blending of culture, music, religion laced with equal doses of exorbitance, decadence and debauchery. They finally discover that something ancient and evil is gaining strength in their midst and it is out for vengeance against Marie. Marie is soon in a fight for her life; she realizes she must conjure the gods and push her powers beyond her limits to save herself and her loved ones - both old and new.

Yellow Moon is seemingly written as a mystery/suspense that focuses on Dr. Marie Laveau's quest to find a vampiric murderer. However, the author also includes Marie's inner-struggles with her destiny, previous relationship baggage which affects her love life, and vacillating confidence in her powers as a Voodienne priestess. It is here that the novel slows to allow for character development or perhaps character empathy/sympathy; all of which I found a bit repetitive (from VooDoo Season) and distracting from the search for the killer. There were a few tangental episodes that caused me to wonder where the author was going with the subplots. When the climatic ending finally plays out, I instantly thought, "That's it? This could have happened 50-60 pages ago;" so I was a bit disappointed with the pacing and conclusion. However being a fan of literary and historical fiction, I absolutely loved the reflections on old New Orleans and the infusion of African folklore - these elements kept me turning pages and it is in these aspects where the author's research shows and talent shines.
Profile Image for Greg Giles.
212 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2019
Lush and luscious. Maybe 4.75 stars because the denouement is a little forced, but you could argue that's what denouements are for...

In lesser hands, a mix of modern day medical crime thriller and voodoo-soaked mysticism could be a horrific train wreck. Parker Rhodes keeps a steady hand on everything and keeps it from falling apart.

Hadn't read the first book of the trilogy, and it didn't matter at all. In some ways, this is a sequel to Voodoo Dreams - although it's been about 25 years since I read that, and again, I didn't feel that I missed anything.

The climax had me physically engaged. Looking back, my breath was rapid, my feet beating a rhythm on the floor, and my hands flinging the pages forward. Yep, it hooked me!
Profile Image for Julia.
643 reviews21 followers
March 31, 2010
It was OK, up and down, at times nearly brilliant and at other times preachy. I didn't put it down saying "I have to go get the next one" but I did read it all the way through, and may eventually read the others in the series. It successfully captured the New Orleans I remember from long ago...
291 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2008
A murder mystery set in New Orleans with Voodoo. A great read. I read this book in two evenings!
Profile Image for Chickoutthesebooks.
196 reviews11 followers
July 14, 2020
My Synopsis
Marie Levant cares for New Orleans' destitute at Charity ER. She believes in healing, not harming, and carries that responsibility squarely on her shoulders. Only few know her true power as the descendant of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and she likes it that way. She bends the rules when three New Orleans locals are found dead and completely drained of blood. She knows the local police can't solve this on their own. Marie is in the fight for her life when she realizes the creature is looking for her and will put it all on the line to protect herself and her city.

My Review
Do you want a book that has such a strong sense of a setting it's like you're there? Ever wanted to travel to New Orleans? This is your book. I usually stray away from books depicting New Orleans because the description of setting is often shallow and too glamorized. Not with Jewell. She talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly in New Orleans equally and with such familiarity it brought on a wave of homesickness for me. While this book is part of a series it was a wonderful stand alone read. Jewell's sense of narration is very direct, almost choppy, which I find quite different than previous authors I've read but to me was more enjoyable. She lingered and described things when necessary, and I felt every word written was crucial to the progression of the plot and not fluff to increase her word count. While this is part of a series, it's an extremely enjoyable read as a stand alone for those like me stuck at home and can only travel through books.
1 review
December 4, 2018
Reading the first couple of pages of the novel, Yellow Moon instantly captured me. I adored how hard working the main character was. Marie Laveau is a full time doctor at the Charity Hospital, she’s also a single mother, and she is a descendent from a Voodoo Queen. I love how throughout the story she got into situations that made her come into her special gifts more. The pace of the story was great, I honestly wish it never ended. I love how the author adds in so much of our African American culture, and I loved reading about all of the fascinating culture of New Orleans.
Profile Image for Clarissa.
99 reviews
May 2, 2024
Coming directly from the 1st book I was excited to get started on this one. Let me just say that I love the relationships Marie has built with those at Charity hospital. And I love her adorable dog. My only real issue with this book was….damn! Did everyone have to die?! Can’t nobody live to see the next book?!

I literally screamed and cursed at some of these deaths smh. So other than everyone dying, i enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
159 reviews4 followers
February 24, 2017
I'm disappointed in this book especially since some of my favorite characters didn't survive...I'm hoping the next installment is better. I gave 3 stars because I liked the narrator who kept me engaged in the book.
Profile Image for Jen Garuti.
90 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2017
Not bad. I enjoyed it. Easy read. Didn't realize it was a second book. But I don't think I'll continue on with the series unless someone gave me another of the books. Was sad the character I liked best in the story died.
Profile Image for Amy the book-bat.
2,378 reviews
February 28, 2020
I don't know much about voo doo and I had never heard of the African "vampire" in the story before. I thought it was interesting, but it sometimes felt like it got bogged down in having to explain everything constantly, so it interrupted the flow.
141 reviews
November 17, 2025
If you’re looking for a gothic horror set in New Orleans and grounded in Voodoo lore, this is your book. I loved Marie and Daniel’s relationship, the lore surrounding the book and the supporting characters (Dog!).
12 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2018
Much, much, much better than the first book in the trilogy. I probably gave it an extra star just for that!
Profile Image for Julia.
2,040 reviews58 followers
June 7, 2018
I read 84 out of 293 pages. This is a mystery for adults about a doctor at Charity Hospital’s ER in New Orleans who is the great- great granddaughter of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, she can do some magic. I wasn’t in the mood for this, but now I find out it’s the second book in the series. So maybe after I’ve read the first book in the series, Voodoo Season, I’ll be more into this one. I borrowed this from interlibrary loan.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,658 reviews116 followers
April 11, 2014
New Orleans lives in this book...the contemporary New Orleans, and the city from years past. It's vibrant, and yet there are foreshadowing clues to the dangers it faces from Katrina. We, the readers, know what's coming.

Marie has become comfortable with her dual-role as healer...doctor and voodoo queen of New Orleans. She seeks and finds a balance, and I believe each role complements the other. She has found a balance in her private life as well, after her losses in the first book. She has little Marie-Claire and is raising her with the help of her extended adopted family.

What could go wrong? A lot. An entirely new creature seems to be roaming the streets, killing by draining victims of all their blood. There are nods to Anne Rice, vampire queen of New Orleans, and to James Lee Burke, mystery writer, but this is Marie's story, no doubt.

She and a new NOPD detective, Parks, hunt for clues, each in his and her own way. They form an uneasy partnership, because Parks, a good New Jersey boy, can't quite accept the truth in front of him.

The antagonist is not a stranger to fans of Parker Rhodes' stories. The battle is epic, and Marie's losses seem unsustainable.

Marie is an interesting, layered, flawed, character...sometimes I want to shake her, but then I remember the difficult back story she is carrying, and the huge burdens that have been added since her days in New Orleans. Hoping Marie Claire becomes more of a presence in the next and last book.

The prose here is NOLA jazz...syncopated, poetic, with artistic riffs that lift the soul.
Profile Image for Jen.
713 reviews46 followers
April 9, 2015
Marie Laveau is an ER doctor at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where the city's poor, uninsured, and disenfranchised go for medical treatment. She is also the great-great-great granddaughter of the infamous Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and she has inherited her ancestor's gift for sight and healing. When a dead body turns up on the docks at the Port of New Orleans, killed in a very unusual and puzzling manner, the NOPD directs a relatively new detective from New Jersey to Dr. Laveau for further information. Between restless ghosts howling for revenge, the detectives skepticism of her voodoo powers, an unknown black spirit roaming the city, and more bodies piling up, Marie must use both her medical and her voodoo skills to find and stop the killer - and to protect herself and those around her.

Apparently, I read these all out of order, but as a first introduction to Dr. Marie Laveau, this book served its purpose fine. A sort of mash-up of detective fiction and supernatural fantasy, this book rang a lot of my bells. Marie Laveau is both strong and emotional; independent and loving; standoffish and sensual; a healer and a fighter. She is kind and gentle, but also hard as steel when she needs to be. And she's not flawless - she has some emotional baggage that she has to work to get past. I don't think I've totally gotten a good feel for her after one book because she's pretty complex. Suffice it to say, I'll be reading more books in the series!
Profile Image for Ingrid Jennings.
Author 5 books56 followers
January 13, 2014
Jewel Parker Rhodes is an awesome author. When you read her books on Marie Laveau, you get to explore the past and the voodoo that occurs in New Orleans. She mentions a silver man that poses like a statue; being from Louisiana and visiting New Orleans I could clearly see the scene she painted. Moon is about a vampire like creature that is killing people in New Orleans. This is not a normal vampire like the ones from Anne Rice books or Charlaine Harris books but this is a wazimamoto. Rhodes creates a spirit that resurrected himself from the dead. In addition, this spirit is a character from Rhodes book Voodoo Dreams (a book about Marie Laveau and how she started). I really like how Rhodes mixes fiction with nonfiction. She is a very creative writer. Her book is a easy read that will keep you in suspense the entire time. I can't wait to read Hurricane to see what Marie is up too next.
294 reviews
June 20, 2011
A wazimamoto, or African vampire, stalks Dr. Marie Laveau, a 21st-century doctor, modern voodoo practitioner and descendant of the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Haunted by the unquiet spirits of people killed by the wazimamoto, the young doctor vows to stop it with the help of new boyfriend NOPD Det. Daniel Parks; her Creole boss, Dr. Louis DuLac; and others devoted to Marie and her young adopted daughter, Marie-Claire. As the blood of the victims nourishes the vampire so it can completely assume human form, Marie must summon all her powers to vanquish it.

Rhodes includes an informative author's note about the evolution of the African vampire as a response and a warning about racist brutality and cultural vampirism, giving some cultural weight to this hypnotic thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Faith.
21 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2012
I read Moon in one day. Couldn't put it down.

I'm actually very surprised by how much I liked this book, considering that I keep my distance from most vampire -- and other remotely spooky -- media. I was drawn to the book (purchased at a little book shop behind St. Louis Cathedral!) initially because I was excited about reading New Orleans-based fiction with a black female main character.

The story is so imaginative, with the main character being a modern-day descendant of Marie Laveau, infamous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Great flow, interesting and diverse characters, suspense and sexiness.

What I love most are the wonderful inclusions of New Orleans culture, music and places. I mean really...the smack down going down at Preservation Hall? What's not to love about that!

Profile Image for Bridget.
574 reviews140 followers
November 13, 2009
Marie is the great-great granddaughter of a Voodoo Queen. Marie works in a hospital and knows all to well the horrors that reek havoc on the people of New Orleans.

An African vampire wazimamoto is after Marie and wants her and her family dead. Dreams of blood, rain and a yellow moon plague her in her sleep. Her will is put to the test. Will love be enough to save them?

Books like this are the reason I read.
265 reviews7 followers
March 12, 2011
I enjoyed this follow up to Voodoo Dreams on my plane ride to the UK.
Profile Image for Lisa.
288 reviews9 followers
July 30, 2011
this is the first in this series that i've read. thought it was between ok and good. read more like a movie to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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