4.75

5

Apr 02, 2018

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Faith, you've destroyed me. You wrote this masterpiece, filled to the brim with countless emotions. You created these characters that I've come to care about over the years. You have been guiding them towards this showdown with the European Vamps for the last half of the series. But what you haven't been doing us is preparing us for JUST HOW HARD IT WOULD BE. You didn't prepare me to have my Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Faith, you've destroyed me. You wrote this masterpiece, filled to the brim with countless emotions. You created these characters that I've come to care about over the years. You have been guiding them towards this showdown with the European Vamps for the last half of the series. But what you haven't been doing us is preparing us for JUST HOW HARD IT WOULD BE. You didn't prepare me to have my heart shattered, then pieced back together, then shattered again. You didn't prepare me for new revelations, for devastating losses, for elated moments of love and family.

But one thing you did prepare me for? The next book. :) Thank goodness this wasn't the end. Thank goodness we've got more. Thank goodness that we get to see where this new path, this new journey, this entirely new world you're going to rebuild from the one you just demolished will lead.

I'll be there. I can't wait.

If you haven't picked up Jane Yellowrock yet, what are you waiting for? Start with Skinwalker and prepare to binge.

(On a similar note, thank goodness we'll have a new Nell book while we wait for the next Jane one!)

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go try to find some way to process these myriad emotions that I just can't seem to get a grip on... even though I finished the book yesterday... and still can't seem to handle them all.

---
Review to come closer to release date, but OH. DEAR. GOD.

This masterpiece was emotionally overwhelming. She went places I didn't think she'd dare to go, and she did it well.

SO GLAD WE GET TWO MORE BOOKS NOW. ...more

5

Apr 22, 2018

Ok, where to start ... probably unknown to most people is that this was originally thought to be the last Jane Yellowrock book (a crime beyond comprehension). The series got a reprieve and there will be at least 2 more books BUT according to the author most of this book was written by that time and so it does some things that you might not like (I can think of several of them). In the long term I am sure it will be fine but you can see it was lining up for a finale and then the story turns a Ok, where to start ... probably unknown to most people is that this was originally thought to be the last Jane Yellowrock book (a crime beyond comprehension). The series got a reprieve and there will be at least 2 more books BUT according to the author most of this book was written by that time and so it does some things that you might not like (I can think of several of them). In the long term I am sure it will be fine but you can see it was lining up for a finale and then the story turns a corner and starts down a new road.

Pretty much everything that has been happening for the last several books (and the series in a couple of places) is coming together for a final battle. There are some serious surprises here and a story that is addicting, we have what seems to be a requirement in recent books to have a lot of pages of "naval gazing" and while not boring you keep wondering what is happening while she is doing all this self introspection with the almost non-stop action in this book.

There are a couple of new characters, some more revealing things about some old characters and some side stories that left me a bit depressed. I was never really bored but Jane's reaction to some things got somewhat redundant if not a small bit irritating.

The book starts with a bang and after release day you can read the teaser that Amazon shows (WARNING: You better be ready to buy the book if you do LOL). The action only lets up a few times which makes the quieter parts seem slower than normal.

I don't dissect plots in my reviews, more of a feeling when I finished and this one kept me thinking about it long after I went to bed and the sorta cliffhanger ending (I am still considering if it is a true cliffhanger since you can mostly guess at the general direction of the plot). All I can say is she better write fast, I want to know what happens next ! I should add there is actually 2 sorta cliffhangers (HATE THAT)

Bottom Line: Loved it, mixture of emotions, love, hate, rage, warmth, and my favorite .... revenge. Obviously this is NOT a place to start this series at book 12 and one of the few series that the random short stories/novellas released along this journey DO matter. Jane is the hand of justice and while she might not love many of the aspects of that responsibility, she does not shirk them. These last few books have had a multitude of plots and subplots, this one is no different so hang on and don't even try to scan through or you will miss something that might leave you confused later. Jane Yellowrock and Kate Daniels still sit atop the world of urban fantasy genre in my opinion and always will I am sure. ...more

4

Mar 10, 2018

“We don’t poison. We shoot, stab, cut, slice and dice, eviscerate, disembowel, and decapitate. Sometimes shoot and blow up our enemies. We’ve been known to bury our dead in the swamp. But we don’t poison. Poison is wussy.”

Some series get weaker as they continue past a certain high numbers, but some stay strong. Jane Yellowrock continues to shine with keeping some of the same aspects that made fans fall in love with it in the first place, but there are enough changes to keep it interesting.

The “We don’t poison. We shoot, stab, cut, slice and dice, eviscerate, disembowel, and decapitate. Sometimes shoot and blow up our enemies. We’ve been known to bury our dead in the swamp. But we don’t poison. Poison is wussy.”

Some series get weaker as they continue past a certain high numbers, but some stay strong. Jane Yellowrock continues to shine with keeping some of the same aspects that made fans fall in love with it in the first place, but there are enough changes to keep it interesting.

The setting up of the clans was especially fascinating. So much in this book went into the development of the showdown fight that it was hard to attach to as many characters. I'm a bit over Jane still reliving her past but there is a new twist about that. I don't buy into the whole European embrace thing and hope the author doesn't change Jane too much to where I don't recognize her with future changes.

In this one Leo is making a stand and some major changes, including finally getting along better with Jane for the most part (when can he be trusted fully? Perhaps never). The big battle that’s been building for awhile is finally here, and the losses will be sad.

The cliffhanger I was fearing from reviews wasn't as brutal as I thought...it's more of a geez hope all will be okay, not a sudden fall off a cliff to a gruesome death kind of ending. I will say though that if a certain someone really is dead then the series will have lost a lot of it's soul. There is a sad loss as well in this one ????.

There’s a new relative in town and I’m not sure how I feel about it. The character himself isn’t bad but it’s an almost bizarre twist from going alone to a hidden village filled with her relatives. I also am not sure she needed this to keep the plot intriguing, but we’ll see. Leo has some books where I borderline despise him, borderline love him, and this one is for his favor. I was happy to see the shifters are playing a more prominent role. I like these werewolves and how they work with Jane, and I hope they are included a lot more in the future novels.

We get Bruiser time and I'm always a fan of the pair but I do miss some of his wicked spark and layers from earlier books. He's almost too perfect now if this makes sense?

Edward the “dark knight” is part of a hilarious phone call with Angie and her brother, but I did take issue with some of his comments to Jane agreeing she’s not a good person. He goes through some rough patches though and I’m hoping one day - I think we will - that we get a series with him and Angie.

Beast is, of course, awesome as always, but she doesn’t get enough of her presence.

I'm confused on the author completely dropping an Eli relationship that started last book with absolutely no mention in this book...weird because it was a neat fit that made sense.

As always loved the book but some of the overdone details of security, some sadness and some distance keeps it four instead of five. I also missed Beast a bit.

...more

5

May 08, 2018

Finally, the showdown has arrived



I can’t even remember the first time the European Vamps were brought up possibly back at book 5 or 6 and finally we get the to big battle. The one where two vamps enter and only one vamp leaves. This is a game where cheating is encouraged and permitted and it seems no one is pulling any punches.

This was a peddle to the mettle, high octane ride from the moment Jane opened a knock on the door just to have someone shoot at her on page 2 to the last words on the Finally, the showdown has arrived



I can’t even remember the first time the European Vamps were brought up possibly back at book 5 or 6 and finally we get the to big battle. The one where two vamps enter and only one vamp leaves. This is a game where cheating is encouraged and permitted and it seems no one is pulling any punches.

This was a peddle to the mettle, high octane ride from the moment Jane opened a knock on the door just to have someone shoot at her on page 2 to the last words on the final page. There is very little down time in this book between getting the duel going and fighting the betrayers of Leo and his posse there were very few slow down and take a breath moments.

The Sangre Duello has finally been completed. *Whew* about damn time is all I’ve got to say about that. It was brutal and there was a heavy cost that came with it. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in the next book

A few of the best moments

♦ - Any moment Jane and Bruiser are on the page together. Especially one moment near the very end of the book

♦ - Angie Baby. She will be a handful one day, heck she is a handful now.
“So what did you do to make the butterfly grow big?”
“I didn’t make one grow big. I jus’ made a big one come to me. From one of the other places.”
I breathed through my mouth in the beginnings of panic. “What other places?”
“There’s bunches of other places. One has big butterflies with pink wings and purple eyes and blue bodies and feet. I just pulled it over. Mama’s mad at me,” she said again, with pride.
♦ - Beast!!! She makes this series for me sometimes.

♦ - Jane with Eli and the Kid. I need a big bro Eli of my own. He is the best big/little brother a girl could have
“We don’t poison. We shoot, stab, cut, slice and dice, eviscerate, disembowel, and decapitate. Sometimes shoot and blow up our enemies. We’ve been known to bury our dead in the swamp. But we don’t poison. Poison is wussy.”
♦ - Meeting another shapeshifter and learning more of Jane’s past.

♦ - ALL THE BATTLES!!! And the biggest baddest battle of them all new the end. The Dark queen challenges you.

I have enjoyed the last 3-4 books of the series so much. I admire how far Faith Hunter has come in her storytelling ability and although I’m a little nervous to see what the future holds for our characters I’m also extremely excited ...more

5

Mar 21, 2018

Blog Tour Giveaway
Click to Enter for Chance to Win 1 of 2 SETS
of THE JANE YELLOWROCK SERIES

We knew it was coming but the battle between Leo with his American vampires and the European vampires is finally here. And boy, did Hunter pull out all the stops and send us on an emotional roller coaster!

Jane, being Jane, ended up front and center for everything. No one is sure what she’ll do next... I’m not sure she even knows. Just when I thought she finally got a handle on the entire family has your
Blog Tour Giveaway
Click to Enter for Chance to Win 1 of 2 SETS
of THE JANE YELLOWROCK SERIES

We knew it was coming but the battle between Leo with his American vampires and the European vampires is finally here. And boy, did Hunter pull out all the stops and send us on an emotional roller coaster!

Jane, being Jane, ended up front and center for everything. No one is sure what she’ll do next... I’m not sure she even knows. Just when I thought she finally got a handle on the entire family has your back thing, we are thrown for a loop with a bunch of new possibilities and they didn’t have her back in any way, shape or form.

Hunter provided a white knuckle, binge readable novel at its finest!

I laughed, I cried and I cheered but in the end I was left completely STUNNED!

Talk about a cliffhanger!

I received this ARC copy of Dark Queen from Berkley Publishing Group - Ace. This is my honest and voluntary review. Dark Queen is set for publication May 1, 2018.

My Rating: 5 stars
Written by: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock (Book 12)
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN-10: 1101991429
ISBN-13: 978-1101991428
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Queen-Yel...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark...

Reviewed for:
...more

5

May 15, 2018

Even though I was prepared for the worst event thanks to Steven, Dark Queen wrecked me. I don't know how to describe how much it affected me or how much it got me speculating about the future. I have my own hopes and ideas about where things can go from here but I hardly dare think them let alone say them out loud so I don't jinx it *settles in for a long wait*

I've been hoping for a resolution to the EV plotline for a few books now and I finally got my wish. I actually expected the duels to take Even though I was prepared for the worst event thanks to Steven, Dark Queen wrecked me. I don't know how to describe how much it affected me or how much it got me speculating about the future. I have my own hopes and ideas about where things can go from here but I hardly dare think them let alone say them out loud so I don't jinx it *settles in for a long wait*

I've been hoping for a resolution to the EV plotline for a few books now and I finally got my wish. I actually expected the duels to take a bigger chunk of the book but I think it was better this way. I believe that otherwise the story would have felt unbalanced. There was a well developed plot that led to the duels and I adored that. There's also an inkling as to what the next story arc will be about but I could be wrong. Still exploring Jane's past and what it means to be an ordinary (if such a word is even appropriate) skinwalker will definitely be a part of that future.

There was a particular scene that really caught my attention. When Jane was (view spoiler)[ swearing her oath as a bloodmaster of Clan Yellowrock and she drank Leo's blood she experienced some of Leo's memories. I particularly liked this because it let me get a glimpse inside the head of the head bloodsucker, someone, who's fascinated me since the first book. Leo's feelings for Jane and the events she instigated shed a new light at his actions and while he is still a bastard at heart, I fell a little bit more in love with him because of that scene. (hide spoiler)] So after experiencing this, the ending was that much harsher and it makes me desperate for the next book and seeing what will happen.

A note on the audio: Khristine Hvam did a magnificent job as usual. ...more

5

Apr 15, 2018

Eagerly anticipated book in this series, I am blown away. B.L.O.W.N A.W.A.Y. For those who have not read the first eleven books in this series, it is a must read prior to this one. In Dark Queen, the intimidating European Vampires finally show up. The build up has been coming along with scary powerful Vampires ready to take Leo and his coven down. The preparation has made it stressful for Jane and her team who have to protect Leo.

I thought this installment would be all doom and gloom. It would Eagerly anticipated book in this series, I am blown away. B.L.O.W.N A.W.A.Y. For those who have not read the first eleven books in this series, it is a must read prior to this one. In Dark Queen, the intimidating European Vampires finally show up. The build up has been coming along with scary powerful Vampires ready to take Leo and his coven down. The preparation has made it stressful for Jane and her team who have to protect Leo.

I thought this installment would be all doom and gloom. It would be fight after fight to see the winner take all. To my surprise, Jane's quirky rebel attitude influences Leo and how he handles the Europeans. The flippant way Leo treats the Europeans had me in stitches. Make no mistakes, the actual showdown is not an easy win for team Leo. There are unpleasant outcomes and losses for both sides.

What also took me off guard is finding out about Jane's family. We learn more about her past and it brings up old wounds that never healed. I feel sorry for Jane just as I feel anger towards the ones who bring up the old memories. It is interesting to see the story of her young life from a different perspective. It's also interesting to see how centuries have not change the competitiveness between family members.

The climax of this story is shocking and I am devastated. Ms. Hunter does the unthinkable and I am hoping that in the next book, there will be a revival. Because if not, my heart is broken by the ending of this story and I think Jane will never recover from it either. This story kept my attention from beginning to end. A page turner filled with action and and plot twists. This urban fantasy is highly recommended to all readers.

*provided by NetGalley ...more

3

Apr 11, 2018

3.5 stars

I love the world Hunter has created with the Jane Yellowrock series, and many of its characters have become favorites. The previous several books all have been leading up to this final face-off between Leo and the European vamps as well as their respective allies. All that build-up. All that tension. Aaaaand...I found the story satisfying and frustrating in not so equal measures.

First the good stuff:

Over the course of the series, Jane has grown from a loner to one who has built her own 3.5 stars

I love the world Hunter has created with the Jane Yellowrock series, and many of its characters have become favorites. The previous several books all have been leading up to this final face-off between Leo and the European vamps as well as their respective allies. All that build-up. All that tension. Aaaaand...I found the story satisfying and frustrating in not so equal measures.

First the good stuff:

Over the course of the series, Jane has grown from a loner to one who has built her own family and circle of friends. Her relationships with the Younger brothers, with Bruiser, and even with Edmund all are highlighted with some satisfying warm fuzzies. There’s plenty of Beast, always an enjoyable thing. (Beast is best ambush hunter!) Jane recalls more of her past, learns about a possible family connection, and ponders what she really values in her life. The Sangre Duello finally takes place and there is some resolution, even if some things are left uncertain at the end.

Then there’s the not so great stuff:

Things are left uncertain at the end with a cliffhanger, and Jane’s progress on letting others into her life takes a (temporary) hit. Getting to that cliffhanger, the story meanders and at times makes little sense. Some events and new characters seem stuck in without making much impact on the plot, only to be forgotten (view spoiler)[like the rogue werewolf pack working with a local gang to attack Jane, with the jewelry shop owner introduced only to be killed later off page (hide spoiler)]. Some major characters act in ways inconsistent with the books thus far (view spoiler)[like a more compassionate Leo or Jane being so lax with security as to allow enemies into HQ and to get to the SOD multiple times without taking new precautions (hide spoiler)]. Some things were explained in ridiculous detail (such as the construction and then room assignments at the Duello site) while some crucial events (view spoiler)[like the aftermath of Jane killing the EV emperor then letting Beast take over (hide spoiler)]are told about after the fact rather than shown. While the one family-related plotline was intriguing, I had a hard time accepting some of the particulars about it. (view spoiler)[Jane had been in the public eye for a good three years. It would have been difficult for anyone reading news, and certainly for a law enforcement officer like Aya, Jane's brother, to have missed what should have been a giant arrow pointing to her. How could they not have noticed and wondered about her identity long before? This makes Aya’s excuse of childhood jealousy all the more ridiculous and damning of him. (hide spoiler)]

Despite these frustrations, the book is a must-read for fans of the series. A lot does happen, even if arrived at in a circuitous manner, with some long-running issues resolved and others raised or in limbo. I’ll await the next book with fingers crossed. ...more

4

May 08, 2018

I can't remember when the European Vampires first showed up on the scene but I guess it was 5 or 6 books ago. So this final battle with the EVs has been a long time coming and honestly I'm a little conflicted.

I'm still trying to figure out if I love this book or if it's a disappointment. A lot of what I love changes in the pages of this book and I guess that's the issue. Book 13 is going to look very different and calling a spade a spade, Dark Queen didn't leave me satisfied. Do I wanter to I can't remember when the European Vampires first showed up on the scene but I guess it was 5 or 6 books ago. So this final battle with the EVs has been a long time coming and honestly I'm a little conflicted.

I'm still trying to figure out if I love this book or if it's a disappointment. A lot of what I love changes in the pages of this book and I guess that's the issue. Book 13 is going to look very different and calling a spade a spade, Dark Queen didn't leave me satisfied. Do I wanter to venture into the brave new world that's to come? I'm not sure, but I guess I have 12 months to decide. ...more

4

Mar 27, 2018

I’m going to have to go with 3.5 stars here, as I was a bit disappointed. The story was convoluted, overly wordy, and I honestly didn’t particularly enjoy parts of it. The storyline drags the reader all over the place, and I skimmed through portions. Subplots were brought up (like Rick, and Jane’s newly found ‘brother’); and the threads left hanging, apparently for the next book. The wordbuilding, however, is very good as always; and the ending was a game changer for the series.

Faith Hunter I’m going to have to go with 3.5 stars here, as I was a bit disappointed. The story was convoluted, overly wordy, and I honestly didn’t particularly enjoy parts of it. The storyline drags the reader all over the place, and I skimmed through portions. Subplots were brought up (like Rick, and Jane’s newly found ‘brother’); and the threads left hanging, apparently for the next book. The wordbuilding, however, is very good as always; and the ending was a game changer for the series.

Faith Hunter really has a great UF world going on in this series. There was more Beast here…yeah!! Unfortunately for me, the magic woo woo is getting more prominent. These latter books are quite different in tone from the early books, where it was Jane and Beast kicking the bad guys asses without the aid of so much magic and time bending. Now Jane is the Dark Queen, and pretty much as powerful as the title implies. Definitely not the Jane of old.

Usually I read a book for the plotline, and the personal aspect/relationships are secondary. Here, I slogged on through wanting to know how certain events were going to affect Jane’s personal life. The ending was really whoah, had some massive series repercussions…and ended on a cliffhanger. Hunter is either getting ready to wrap the series up, or sending it into a completely new direction. ...more

5

Apr 18, 2018

Sigh, I was so happy to be back with Jane and the gang that I really didn't want this book to end. Then as I was reading, with this being the end of a story arc (the Sangre Duello), I was afraid it would be the end of the series. Jane and Beast have become one of my very favorite heroine pairs in urban fantasy, and I hope they stay around for the foreseeable future.

Dark Queen picks up at the end of Cold Reign, with all the New Orleans vamps and Jane preparing for the Sangre Duello with the Euro

Sigh, I was so happy to be back with Jane and the gang that I really didn't want this book to end. Then as I was reading, with this being the end of a story arc (the Sangre Duello), I was afraid it would be the end of the series. Jane and Beast have become one of my very favorite heroine pairs in urban fantasy, and I hope they stay around for the foreseeable future.

Dark Queen picks up at the end of Cold Reign, with all the New Orleans vamps and Jane preparing for the Sangre Duello with the Euro vamps. Jane's powerbase and clan is being solidified as she formalizes the Yellowrock Clan. Then someone possibly connected to Jane's past arrives in town, stirring up old memories and pain. So Jane has a lot of stuff going on personally, diverting her attention from things happening around New Orleans. But Ayatas proves to be an interesting addition to the series going forward. And I liked learning more about Jane's past, and seeing more of her vulnerability. I liked having a kickass heroine, but its also nice to see that she has some soft spots.

Though with everyone focused on the Sangre Duello, its the perfect time for old enemies and power-grabbing vamps to take advantage of the distraction to exact revenge and further their evil plans. With strange things happening at Vamp HQ and Jane's own house, she is even more distracted from the upcoming duel. But these sneaky petes give the story a nice added element of mystery and suspense, that helped build going into the big duel. It was also more opportunities for us to see some action and fighting before the big shebang.

Speaking of the big shebang, the Sangre Duello was all that I expected, and then some. We won some, we lost some. I cheered, I cried, and I was utterly captivated. I definitely could not have predicted the outcome or exactly how the duels played out. It was fantastic. But the story isn't over with the duel and there are some heavy things that follow. I can't wait for the next installment. Write fast, Faith!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley. ...more

5

May 31, 2019

Finally the long awaited duel between Leo and the European Vampires is here ! For most of this book we see Jane preparing but her life is getting ever more complicated when a stranger shows up at her door. Add in the fact that she's coming to terms with all that it means to be the Dark Queen and you just have to sit in awe at this authors imagination. As usual Leo is at his manipulative best but it's everything that's happening to Jane that makes this a wildly twisting story.
All my favourites Finally the long awaited duel between Leo and the European Vampires is here ! For most of this book we see Jane preparing but her life is getting ever more complicated when a stranger shows up at her door. Add in the fact that she's coming to terms with all that it means to be the Dark Queen and you just have to sit in awe at this authors imagination. As usual Leo is at his manipulative best but it's everything that's happening to Jane that makes this a wildly twisting story.
All my favourites are here from Eli who always understands just what Jane really needs to Beast who just merrily chuffed away confident that Beast is the best Hunter bar none. We get tiny snippets of Molly and of course Rick although his presence adds little to the overall plot. Bruiser fans will cheer but for this reader Angie baby steals every scene she's written in. This definitely shouldn't be read as a standalone as to do so would make you miss so much that has built up to this grand showdown so I certainly recommend reading this series as its urban fantasy that leaves the rest behind ! ...more

5

Apr 12, 2018

I was completely and utterly blown away by this book. Each installment in the Jane Yellowrock series has been good, but this one took it to an entirely new level. So much is happening here. I was completely on the edge of my seat. And it was a gamechanger, guys. I had so many feels.

This is the book where we finally get the big face-off between Leo’s people and the European vamps in their long awaited Blood Duel. A huge event like that—I totally expected to take up an entire book on its own, but I was completely and utterly blown away by this book. Each installment in the Jane Yellowrock series has been good, but this one took it to an entirely new level. So much is happening here. I was completely on the edge of my seat. And it was a gamechanger, guys. I had so many feels.

This is the book where we finally get the big face-off between Leo’s people and the European vamps in their long awaited Blood Duel. A huge event like that—I totally expected to take up an entire book on its own, but it doesn’t. In fact, there were so many other things happening in the first half of the story that I was sure Faith Hunter was saving it for the next book.

First off, a mysterious man enters Jane’s life, claiming to be kin. I don’t want to spoil the particulars of it, but it was fascinating, especially juxtaposed to the makeshift family Jane has created over the course of the series. And that family is in full force as Jane moves forward with her plan to form Clan Yellowrock. We see now more than ever how many people she has collected over the past few years. From Molly and Angie, to Eli and the Kid, to Edmund and Gee, and everyone in between. And I’m swooning more than ever over Bruiser. Their relationship makes me so happy, I was sure he was going to die at any moment.

As always with this series, there are a ton a players and enough backstory to sink a ship, but unlike in some previous books, I never got lost. I was too wrapped up in what was happening now.

There is so much planning for the death match and so many opportunities for sabotage and betrayal. And then when the big moment came, it was every bit as exiting and epic as I could have hoped for. BIG THINGS happen. I’m still trying to pry my jaw off the floor. All I can say is that the author really blew me away with this one. I was yelling at the book as I turned the pages of the last chapter, torn between shock, fear, and disbelief.

Just wow.

By the way, for those who love Beast, she felt more real to me here than ever before. Maybe because she is evolving. Or maybe because she is becoming known to more characters than just Jane, but her role and her insights were so valuable… and her dynamic with Jane was just amazing.

I don’t know what else to say except Faith Hunter is such a talent. I don’t know where she plans to go from here, but I will be ready and waiting with baited breath to find out.

Rating: A

*ARC provided by publisher ...more

4

Apr 13, 2018

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Dark Queen is the 12th installment in author Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series. Series overview for those who haven't :::shocked face:: read the series yet. Warning number one: don't think you can jump into this story without having read the previous books in the series. Doesn't work, and there is so much that has happened that you will be utterly confused and disappointed. Second, this is an urban fantasy series featuring *Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Dark Queen is the 12th installment in author Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series. Series overview for those who haven't :::shocked face:: read the series yet. Warning number one: don't think you can jump into this story without having read the previous books in the series. Doesn't work, and there is so much that has happened that you will be utterly confused and disappointed. Second, this is an urban fantasy series featuring shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, who both works for vampires and hunts them in the city of New Orleans.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201... ...more

4

Apr 17, 2018

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I've read every bit of the Jane Yellowrock series , including all the novellas. I love the rich tableau of the world and its characters. I enjoy sinking into the characters and the story. I let myself go and become the main character to a certain degree. In Dark Queen, this was terrifying because Jane was different.

Normally, This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I've read every bit of the Jane Yellowrock series , including all the novellas. I love the rich tableau of the world and its characters. I enjoy sinking into the characters and the story. I let myself go and become the main character to a certain degree. In Dark Queen, this was terrifying because Jane was different.

Normally, Jane is smart and organized. She researches, plans her strategies and prepares her defenses and backups. She is the one directing and coordinating the team. Except for Leo, who always has his own ideas. The last few books, she and her team have been gathering information and preparing for the coming of the European Mithrans. BUT.

As Jane, I felt out of it or that things are just out of control. The team makes plans and figures things out without her direction. There's a magic issue they all know about but don't seem to be able to plan anything to defend against it. Jane does set up a last ditch plan for if everything goes badly.

There are many distractions for Jane. The African werecats continue to be a complete pain in the ass cause issues. Soul feels like a problem rather than a friend and ally. There is more than one group of  werewolves in town. And as you can see in the excerpt below,  a new guy shows up to stir up Jane's emotions and past.  I don't like him.  In fact, there are plenty of characters to dislike.  Luckily, Eli, Alex, Beast and Edmund continue to be amazing.

I'm left unsettled by all the events  and am very curious to see what happens next.

 
Excerpt:
I yanked open the door. The air swept his scent in. It was vaguely floral. A scent that teased at the back of my mind. Tsalagi. Cherokee scent. Beast surged into the forefront of my brain, landing crouched on silent paws. The man turned. He had yellow eyes.

Beast thought, Littermate.

What? I said to her.

“Hello, e-igido. Dalonige’ i Digadoli,” the man said, his expression soft but intent. “Nuwhtohiyada gotlvdi.”

How did he know my Cherokee name? I knew those last words: Make peace with me. The air swirled inside and back out.

The man’s nostrils widened as he took a breath. Taking in my scent. His face changed—fear, horror, revulsion, dread. “U’tlun’ta,” he whispered, the word meaning liver-eater, black-magic skinwalker. Evil. Faster than I could follow, he drew a weapon, centered it on my chest. Inside me Beast tore through, doing … something. In a single instant, the man fired. Beast screamed. Time stood still.

The round exiting the weapon was stopped an inch from the barrel. The killer was frozen. Everything was frozen except me. Beast had bubbled time, taking me outside of normal space / time / relativity physics. She had saved my life. Again. “Thanks,” I muttered aloud to her.

She snorted, a half chuff, half growl, staring through my eyes at the man, even as the headache / bellyache / muscle aches hit. It was like a tiny bomb going off behind my left eye combined with a case of the flu, and if the two most recent time-bubbling experiences were an indication, it would only get worse. For now, I was okay-ish. Not perfect. Not totally okay. But able to function.

The stranger was firing one of the new Glock GDP-20s, a military-issue police service weapon. I looked closely to see a hollow-point round. Somehow, being shot at calmed my anger. Using my vamp-killer and muscle power,
Beast knocked the round down, changing its trajectory to impact the floor molding. The sound of silver-plated vamp-killer blade hitting lead was a dull tang in the Gray Between. The wood stood the best chance of stopping the round and the hole could be filled with wood filler and painted over. Eli was good at that kinda stuff.

I stepped into the man’s reach and, still using the blade, lifted his notched lapel to reveal a pocket beneath, heavy with a case about the size of a pack of playing cards. Without touching his body, I pulled out the case and opened it to reveal a badge.

“Well. That figures,” I muttered, maybe talking to God, maybe talking to whatever evil spirit had cursed me. “Like I needed the candy sprinkles of a gun-happy cop dumped over my blood duel ice-cream cone.” The badge was a PsyLED shield, issued to the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division of Homeland Security, the cops that police paranormals. Like me. But I’d think not even PsyLED would send someone to kill me at my own front door. In the middle of the day. With tourists walking across the street. Maybe the badge was a fake? I looked at the guy. He didn’t look like a killer. There was nothing forgettable about him and most assassins worked to be average and unmemorable. His clothing was well-tailored but more Brooks Brothers and Men’s Wearhouse than Armani. His eyes were wide. Terrified. And he was firing one-handed, his left still rising for a standard two-hand grip. Panic-shot.

"Not good ambush hunter", Beast said.
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4

May 02, 2018

4.5/5.0

Oh how I love this series! It is everything an urban fantasy lover could dream of! Jane Yellowrock is a uniquely creative character with abilities and powers far and beyond even her own comprehension. Yet, she is also a very “every-woman” - one who has faults, who struggles, who has insecurities. She loves deeply, worries about those under her care and does her very best - amidst her own flaws and failures - to do what is honorable.

This installment is the perfect example of the strength 4.5/5.0

Oh how I love this series! It is everything an urban fantasy lover could dream of! Jane Yellowrock is a uniquely creative character with abilities and powers far and beyond even her own comprehension. Yet, she is also a very “every-woman” - one who has faults, who struggles, who has insecurities. She loves deeply, worries about those under her care and does her very best - amidst her own flaws and failures - to do what is honorable.

This installment is the perfect example of the strength of the series and of the character. I understand it was originally set to be the finale for the series so all the juxtapositioning of characters, clans etc. does make sense, but it was a lot of people and positions to keep track of! This made it difficult to really spend time with our favorites and didn’t allow for as much depth within those characters as is usually the case. The one area that still shined bright was between Eli, Alex and Jane. Here, their relationship was not only just as rich but also grew in depth.... absolutely wonderful!!

The only thing I wasn’t happy about was the slightly cliff-hanger ending. Never liked ‘em, never will. I need to know that everything is okay with the main characters - even if the rest of the world is hangin on by a thread - in order to close the book happy. This is especially true when a reader must wait an entire year to see the resolution.

Still, this story, as always, was a one-sitting, let-the-world-burn-I’m-reading kind of book. Loved every single minute of the journey!! Oh! And, I love, love, LOVED the ending with Bruiser!!
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3

May 04, 2018

Hmmm. 3.5.
It’s too complicated for a 4. I keep having to try and remember all the stuff that happened, that was still a bit too complicated at the time, plus keep straight all the stuff that is being set up for future books.

Better than a 3 because a whole bunch of things finally happen after being built up for the last few books.

I can’t help but feel that Jane is becoming a bit too Anita Blake. Wait, I know that she’s much MUCH better as a character and as a person, and has none of the Hmmm. 3.5.
It’s too complicated for a 4. I keep having to try and remember all the stuff that happened, that was still a bit too complicated at the time, plus keep straight all the stuff that is being set up for future books.

Better than a 3 because a whole bunch of things finally happen after being built up for the last few books.

I can’t help but feel that Jane is becoming a bit too Anita Blake. Wait, I know that she’s much MUCH better as a character and as a person, and has none of the over-wrought ridiculous sex going on, but there is a limit to how powerful someone can get before the story becomes too forced. ...more

3

Jul 08, 2018

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. So we finally get the big showdown and some closure, but now there are two more books to follow and srsly, I am ready to hang this up and have been for a few books now. Finally that ultimate asshat Leo is dead and I am only sorry he did not suffer longer.

(Of course FH leaves a possibility that that slime sludge crawler supreme might come back, Jane should really go burn his grave to ash to prevent that.)

As for Jane, well she has more drama as usual and I am still pissed she ended up with So we finally get the big showdown and some closure, but now there are two more books to follow and srsly, I am ready to hang this up and have been for a few books now. Finally that ultimate asshat Leo is dead and I am only sorry he did not suffer longer.

(Of course FH leaves a possibility that that slime sludge crawler supreme might come back, Jane should really go burn his grave to ash to prevent that.)

As for Jane, well she has more drama as usual and I am still pissed she ended up with Bruiser - it is the modern day equivalent of marrying your rapist and I don't care how much he supposedly loves her, his prior betrayals and his probable future betrayals aren't enough to make me want to root for them.

The big cliffhanger Jane is dying of cancer but has a shot to fix herself if she can do it. Honestly, I think the big glorious death like the end of that old western Shane would be a great way to draw a line under this one. ...more

5

Apr 04, 2018

This book left me stunned and amazed. I love this series and when I saw that I could get a copy via NetGalley, I leaped at the chance.
This was written as a finale of sorts and tied up the story lines. The European Vampires have challenged the Master of the City of New Orleans, Leo, in a winner take all duel. Skinwalker and Enforcer for the MOC, Jane Yellowrock and her crew are preparing for this event. Jane has a long, complicated history and a man, skinwalker shows up on her doorstep claiming This book left me stunned and amazed. I love this series and when I saw that I could get a copy via NetGalley, I leaped at the chance.
This was written as a finale of sorts and tied up the story lines. The European Vampires have challenged the Master of the City of New Orleans, Leo, in a winner take all duel. Skinwalker and Enforcer for the MOC, Jane Yellowrock and her crew are preparing for this event. Jane has a long, complicated history and a man, skinwalker shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her long lost brother, and that's just one of the many plot twists that starts this thrill ride. Jane has been a loner, but has now acquired a "family" around her, which she feels compelled to protect however she can. All of this leads up to this final thrilling duel. Some long known characters get killed, others rise to new heights.
Highly recommended, but start at the beginning of the series! ...more

4

May 10, 2018

Well, it was a good story. The author tried to take unpredictable twist, but the avid reader in me saw them coming especially the end. So that I don't spoil it, if you've read, if it's true, I may end my journey with Jane Yellowrock.

Let me just say I don't like Jane much. Tell me how poor Rick is the villain in most readers eyes. He flirted with women in the name of duty for his job. How is that different than Bruiser holding Jane down as Leo took her blood without her permission those many book Well, it was a good story. The author tried to take unpredictable twist, but the avid reader in me saw them coming especially the end. So that I don't spoil it, if you've read, if it's true, I may end my journey with Jane Yellowrock.

Let me just say I don't like Jane much. Tell me how poor Rick is the villain in most readers eyes. He flirted with women in the name of duty for his job. How is that different than Bruiser holding Jane down as Leo took her blood without her permission those many book ago. Both had a choice. Both acted dishonorable towards her. But everyone forgives Bruiser for helping in what can be termed "rape" though not sexual. He help force her to have something taken from her against her will. Somehow that is less evil than Rick flirting with woman for information in the line of duty.

Sorry, I don't forgive Bruiser. I don't want to read about Jane and Bruiser together or any future HEA between the two. I would prefer Jane not date anyone or find someone else.

It claws my through every time she speaks of sweet things about Bruiser and thinks bad things about Rick. What does this say about our society. And Jane, Miss Holy-er than Thou, can forgive one man and not the other is so hypocritical. She's almost as bad as Anita Blake with her self righteousness wrapped in sin. (I love the Anita books btw, but a spade is a spade).

Anyway, but sadly UF/PRN is lacking. So I listen and wish good things for Rick in the future. Maybe in the other series. I don't want him to be that other girl's person. And funny enough, I don't want Rick to be in love with anyone else but Jane. So there's that.

Back to this. It was a good story, but a little too predictable in it's unpredictability. But overall good.
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5

May 01, 2018

This was a fantastic rollercoaster ride that jerked my head around so often with it twisty turns I didn't want it to stop. Wow.

4

Aug 08, 2018

What a ride. I admit I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book immediately as I had heard it had a cliffhanger.
But when I found it in a bookstore I couldn't avoid buying it :). Glad I did and even more glad I read it.
Well, Jane has changed a lot in this series, there's no way this is the future she/we imagined years ago. But as I said what a ride.

I see a the weak points that annoyed my friends, but at the end I was still swept away by the story.
To be honest I can actually see the story ending What a ride. I admit I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book immediately as I had heard it had a cliffhanger.
But when I found it in a bookstore I couldn't avoid buying it :). Glad I did and even more glad I read it.
Well, Jane has changed a lot in this series, there's no way this is the future she/we imagined years ago. But as I said what a ride.

I see a the weak points that annoyed my friends, but at the end I was still swept away by the story.
To be honest I can actually see the story ending here. To me this isn't a cliffhanger, but an open one that leaves to the readers' imagination the future of characters so loved.


Post script note.
When exactly Europeans have become the untrustworthy enemy in the eyes of America? This is he second series I know of that cast European Vamps as the enemy, depicted as land grabbing, cheating, lying..at best.
And this musings bring me back to the point: it's all very black and white. US so pure is laughing, but mostly lacks nuance, subtlety. How much better when there's grey? ...more

4

May 09, 2018

4+ stars

A truly enjoyable entry in the Jane Yellowrock series. I don't think I'd say the ending is a cliff hanger, but it is certainly the end of an era and the harbinger of big changes - of which a major one is unresolved.

But I laughed out loud often, I teared up a bit in a spot or two, and I ended the book glad to have read it but wishing the ending were more resolved instead of next-book set-up. Usually I down grade for that sort of thing, but this time I think it all flowed fairly well.

5

May 03, 2018

I will admit at the outset that I have read and enjoyed every Jane Yellowrock book that's been published so I began reading Dark Queen with a bit of preferential bias, but what happened as I read that book was magical.

Faith Hunter has a proven knack for immersing the reader in the Yellowrock world, so a sense of "being there" is one of her great strengths as a writer. Dark Queen started out to be the final book of the Yellowrock series but that changed while it was being written, making things I will admit at the outset that I have read and enjoyed every Jane Yellowrock book that's been published so I began reading Dark Queen with a bit of preferential bias, but what happened as I read that book was magical.

Faith Hunter has a proven knack for immersing the reader in the Yellowrock world, so a sense of "being there" is one of her great strengths as a writer. Dark Queen started out to be the final book of the Yellowrock series but that changed while it was being written, making things in the story go all over this particular world as she tied up some loose ends.

For me personally, this book is the deepest, most entrancingly told story I've read in a very long time. Jane goes from the mundane making of arrangements for a major duel between the two biggest, baddest vamps in the world (which she and her team have been doing in the background the last couple of books) to uniting more deeply with the puma soul who is bound within her, and facing her own deepest set of fears - and comes out OK with them in an unbelievably realistic sense of calm and acceptance. Jane's life story takes some tremendously wild turns in this book, and her use of time manipulation increases, bringing consequences of their own to her. She and Bruiser become closer as does her relationship with Molly. The good news is that many of the people who were "baddies" get such well-deserved desserts. How satisfying!!! The way the tale is told and the epilogue seem to affect each of the readers differently, but for me, it was just right and left a lot of room for hope in the next book to come. I recommend it highly. If I had many more than five thumbs (as Beast would say) I'd have them all pointed up for Dark Queen. :-) ...more

5

Apr 02, 2018

I was beyond excited to get my hands on an early reviewer copy of the Dark Queen! I have definitely become a fan of Jane Yellowrock and after the last book, Cold Reign, I was on pins and needles to see where this newest installment would take the story. Dark Queen is the twelfth book, and was supposed to be the last book, in the Jane Yellowrock series but thankfully that is no longer the case. With that said, Dark Queen is an amazing book that brings together a lot of the previous open threads I was beyond excited to get my hands on an early reviewer copy of the Dark Queen! I have definitely become a fan of Jane Yellowrock and after the last book, Cold Reign, I was on pins and needles to see where this newest installment would take the story. Dark Queen is the twelfth book, and was supposed to be the last book, in the Jane Yellowrock series but thankfully that is no longer the case. With that said, Dark Queen is an amazing book that brings together a lot of the previous open threads and sub plots and should not be read as a standalone. At the very least you should read the previous book, Cold Reign, prior to this book but really starting with book one, Skinwalker, would be best.

It has finally happened! We all know that it was coming but in Dark Queen the winner takes all showdown between the New Orleans vamps and the European vamps will finally come to fruition. There is a crazy amount of action taking place right from the start! Jane encounters fire after fire throughout this story. Some of them are personal and some of them are related to her position as Enforcer for the Master of the City. With the upcoming Sangre Duello and surprises in her personal life, Jane is not the “typical Jane” that you would know from previous books. She is more distracted and not quite on top of things as usual, which I actually liked because that seems more realistic to me. Jane is a strong character but there is only so much a person can handle at one time and I found it to be a refreshing change.

Another refreshing change that occurred in this story was that Beast had a much larger part than usual and I loved it. The relationship between Jane and Beast has changed over the series and this book truly illustrates the place that they have come to where they are more akin to having a relationship rather than struggling for dominance over one another. Beast cracked me up and the dialogue between Jane and her is always enjoyable. Now there was one aspect of this story that was rather unsettling and that had to do with Leo, the vamp Master of the City of New Orleans, he was very “out of character.” He was soooo not Leo and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and waiting and waiting. I liked it very much but at the same time it was just unsettling, ha ha ha.

There are a lot of twists and turns that occur throughout reading Dark Queen but everything truly is about the Sangre Duello. The blood battle itself was truly fascinating and I loved the buildup leading to it. The action that takes place during these battles was pretty intense and there is some creative play with the rules and dynamics of the battle that are both frustrating but at the same time comical. I will say that the ending was quite shocking! All the subplots, open threads, and the main plot were coming together for the finale and then the story took an unexpected turn and now there is a surprising twist that has me all worried and yet excited. I am hoping beyond hope that something wonderful occurs in the next serial because I was quite saddened with where things were going with Jane. Overall, the Dark Queen is a bold, astonishing, and riveting page turner and I highly recommend this book and series to all readers!

This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

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