Jane Yellowrock used to hunt vampires, but now she must fight–and win–beside them.As Enforcer to the vampire Master of the City of New Orleans, Jane Yellowrock stakes her reputation and her life on keeping her territory safe. But Leo has been issued a blood challenge by the emperor of the European vampires, who seeks to usurp all of his power and possessions. If Leo loses the match to the … match to the death, the city will be forfeit, and the people of New Orleans will suffer the consequences. Jane can’t let that happen.
Preparing for the duel requires all of Jane’s focus, but with so much supernatural power in play, nothing goes according to plan. She has to rely on herself and the very few people she knows she can trust to stand and fight. Only two things are guaranteed: nothing is sacred, and no one is safe.
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I love the story line of this series. This is the latest one and I am hoping not the last.
Jane Yellowrock stories are real “grabbers”! I am hooked from the intro to the very last word!!
Great series, have followed it from the beginning
This book is a great read…and as the last page is turned….oh no! when is the next book coming? Faith Hunter writes absolutely wonderful books..
This book seriously destroyed me but in a really good way if that makes any sense (and no I’m not a masochist ;). I was pretty late on the Jane Yellowrock train, it was around after the release of the 8th book that I started to read it but it quickly became one of my favorite series. Since then I diligently follow Jane and her crew. So after the events of Cold reign I don’t think anybody would be surprised about my level of anticipation and excitement. My verdict: This was probably the best book in the series, golden.
So after this brief prelude you could ask why I only gave it 4.5 stars. Well, there is only one reason for it. The east 40 or so percent of the book is absolutely a masterpiece, action-packed, emotional and just perfect, 5+ stars but unfortunately the beginning of the story was not as enjoyable for me. The book started out on the slower side, which wouldn’t generally be a problem but if I pair it with the events happening there then things make a bit more sense. Actually the first part of the book has a kind of melancholic atmosphere that has a purpose later in the plot and that part I enjoyed. Also there are a couple of big surprises and twists along the way that are absolutely amazing. However, there were a lot of things in it that were a bit out of place and not really Jane like behavior. I don’t want to leave any kind of spoiler so I’m going to leave it at that just a lot of things are left hanging out.
One more thing, that also slowed down the beginning of the book. Like the overwhelming amount of reintroduction of characters and the reappearing detailed presentation of Jane weapons and clothes, this dwindled down in the previous books. I mean, sometimes it’s great when the authors refresh our memories regarding characters especially when we are talking about a series this long but I still found it a bit excessive. Anyway, moving on.
The plot has a strange pace, it really eventful and exciting but I when I reached the halfway point the way things were going I honestly thought that the duel is not going to take place in this book. I think the whole spectacle would have deserved more attention but it was still explosive and shocking. Mss Hunter never was afraid to eliminate certain characters but she went full on in this installment. Blood was flowing, bullets were flying and heads were rolling. There are a couple of especially shocking and painful deaths in it but I have my theories about some of them. (Hoping never hurt anyone, right??) This book just elevated the series onto an whole new level and I honestly can’t even imagine what could come next.
Urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres and while these kind of books not really about the romance I still like a spark of it in my reads. Still strangely in this case I wish there were less than the miniscule amount that in it. Maybe because I really don’t like the whole Bruiser/Jane pairing. Sorry folks, he is not my choice for Jane.
The ending simply killed me but I also loved it because it was a phenomenally emotional, beautiful and clever way to build up a new direction for the next books in the series. I don’t know how I’m going to survive until it comes out.
The whole series is a well crafted fantasy adventure that has rules and sticks to them.
For ALL of Faith Hunter’s books, it is very difficult to write a review that fully captures her amazing writing. She is – quite simply – fantastic. Any book that has her name displayed is guaranteed to be a wonderful read.
I first found this author with her “Rogue Mage” series. Those incredible books made searching for her name a “must” with all bookstore visits. With the release of Skinwalker, the first of the Jane Yellowrock series, it was obvious that Faith Hunter had to be added to the “MUST READ” and “KEEP” author list.
With Skinwalker, Hunter introduced Jane, Beast, Bruiser, Leo, Ricky, and a host of other memorable characters living in New Orleans. The following books succeeded in developing characters, creating unexpected story lines, and becoming a series that I’ve read multiple times, recommended to multiple friends, and now have available in both print and e-book.
Dark Queen, the latest (but NOT last, thank goodness), advances the story line of the Yellowrock clan. The crew is dealing with the arrival of the European Vampire coalition, the SOD is still hanging around, Leo is still busily creating plans within plans, and Jane’s life now appears to be hanging by a thread.
Regretfully, it may be a year before we gain some relief from the book’s cliffhanger ending. However, if you love amazing story lines, then reread ALL of the Jane Yellowrock series, purchase the “Soulwood” series – and prepare to love Nell – or simply start at the very beginning of Hunter’s books with Rogue Mage. Regardless, you will not be disappointed!!
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Oh damn, Faith Hunter! What a ride! From battles to heroics to death and sorrow be prepared to enjoy the story and be downtrodden when it ends. The characters are richly developed and the settings are well staged. I really liked that fanghead! Enjoy the book but you may need tissues towards the end. I also have the audiobook in addition to ebook and love it too!
Jane Yellowrock’s world continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
This is the best book I’ve ever read.
you cannot beat this book. it was wonderful!!! I love the spell Faith Hunter spins with her writing style. More please!!!!
This is by far my favorite Yellowrock book and my least. How does that make since well, now I am waiting for the next installment impatiently (there had better be one or I may just have to find my own beast and send it after Faith Hunter). The book was just full of twists and turns and new characters I hope to get to know. I love this series. Don’t walk run and get this book. If you have not read this series start from the beginning and plan a long weekend and evenings.
While I’ve loved every one of Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series, beginning with “Skinwalker,” I think this is the best yet. I advise readers to begin with that book…the first three or four books can be read as stand alone, but the complex plot lines after that are much like Mithran Master of the City of New Orleans, Leo Pelissier’s long-term plans, and reading previous books enhances understanding. I was breathless throughout most of the book, stunned yet glad at the ending, and very glad that there are at least two more books in the series. The characters are believable, the action fast and engaging, and the setting amazing.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
First and foremost, Dark Queen is not a standalone – don’t even attempt to read it out of series order. As a fan of the series, I’ve read the beginning books three times over, and even I was confused for a large portion of Dark Queen – there’s no way to read it out of order and get heads or tails.
Knowing there will be a long wait until the next release, I went into reading with the mindset to savor, reading a few chapters a day for the past week or so. I will say, this may have contributed to the slower-paced feel that I experienced.
Dark Queen is a long book, but it reads even longer. I’m not sure I could have binged on the book from start to finish in a single sitting. There is so much going on, yet so little, as Jane hurried up only to wait for the duel. The entire novel, hundreds of pages, are inane details as the setup to the duel in the last quarter.
This will sound conflicted, but I felt as if there was too much yet not enough going on. Too much, as in there were hundreds of characters name-dropped from page to page, their histories given, that it didn’t flow fluidly, yet nothing was truly going on story-wise. This set a molasses slow pace, only for it to go into warp-speed once the duel started. It was jarring in the extreme.
So quick, that I have no idea how the duel even started early, with the weapons being drawn and blood spilled during their reception. I reread that portion four times, and it never was explained. From one sentence to the next, the book changed, and I was beyond confused.
I won’t give any spoilers, but there was a dark, depressive feel for the entire novel. After its completion, I can say it had depressed me personally. The author put the DARK in Dark Queen, and it’s a mark of good writing how it affected my mood.
I was excited to see a new thread for Jane, of a family member coming in who was previously unknown. This gave a plethora of emotions for the reader to experience via Jane. As always, I appreciated the Native American customs, something that is nearly impossible to find in books.
Jane’s connection to everyone in the series is the highlight, especially her familial connection forged with Eli. It’s sweet, endearing, and feels beyond realistic, showcasing how empathetic and compassionate Jane truly is.
Rick is back!
I was so excited to see Rick pop back up on the pages, only for him to do a small cameo, while still in NOLA. The reader gets to see very little of Rick. This isn’t my odd way of wishing Jane and Rick would get back together, as I love how romance takes a backseat to the vampire politics, butt kicking, and paranormal elements. I just enjoy watching both Jane and Rick squirm when around one another.
As always, Beast’s voice is by far the most entertaining thing I’ve ever read. I’d love more of her, with the innovated way she views the world. I always applaud the author for creating such a unique voice for Jane’s other half.
Request: Give Beast and Jane some kits and a mate.
Highly recommend to fans of Faith Hunter and the Jane Yellowrock series. For Urban Fantasy fans, this series is one of the top ones I recommend, but start at the beginning.
I’ll be holding my breath for the next book, trusting the author to do the character’s justice – I can’t get the book fast enough, as the series is balancing on a knife’s blade, everything up in the air, with a new story arc created.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dark Queen (Jane Yellowrock #12) by Faith Hunter to read and review.
A fantastic series. Not the typical vampire and werewolf story. Well done, Faith Hunter!
Absolutely fantastic! Wraps up much of the story line, but…. If you haven’t read this series start with no. 1, Skinwalker!