Jane Yellowrock returns in one of the best books of the series. Leo and the NOLA vampires are set to duel the European Vampires for control of the vampire world. Witches, were and angels abound. ARC.

Oh boy. Dark Queen was amazing. I'm still processing it but I loved it and I'm sad and I'm happy and I am desperately wishing that the next book wasn't 16 months away. So much happened in Dark Queen, it was a packed 400+ pages. First, if you haven't read the earlier books, do not start with this one. You will be utterly confused. I have read the entire series and still found myself wishing I'd re-read at least the prior book. I'll definitely need to do some re-reading before the next book comes out.

The world Hunter has created is rich, detailed, and complex. So are her stories. There are no throw away details; everything has relevance, even if we don't discover the relevance until many books later. Jane herself has changed so much over the books and yet she falls into old patterns as so many of us do.

I wasn't alone anymore, but I was still acting as if I was. I'd been flying by the seat of my pants for so long I was surprised my undies didn't have wings.

And despite, or maybe because of?, all of the changes, Hunter has kept the world consistent and rich and engaging. I've grown to care about and like so many of the characters, the minor ones as well as the major ones. In this story, we see some get hurt and some die. One character was introduced in this story, I took an immediate liking to them, and damn it, Hunter killed them. Aaargh! Darn author.

Anyway, I was delighted to see forward motion on the European vampires storyline. It was feeling overly dragged out to me but damn, lots of action in this book! The EVs come, they are douche bags, and things happen. Jane becomes a Dark Queen in more than name, and can I say, I think I'm in love with both Edmund and Eli? Hunter not only spins a hell of a story and creates amazing worlds but writes awesome, complicated characters. I almost liked Leo in this story, even felt sorry for him at one point, and there was a time I utterly hated him. Seanan McGuire has that same ability to flip my emotions about a character. Actually, both Hunter and McGuire are awesome writers who create amazing worlds, characters, and stories. Ms. Hunter truly gets better with every book she writes.

While the European vamps were douches, the bits where Leo and his people, and Jane's, played country bumpkins to the max, over the top and gloriously stereotypical, was a hoot. I laughed so hard I almost needed my rescue inhaler. Also, Beast is pretty darn funny.

Bra was dead. Jane should kill bras.

Jane's world and that of the American vampires undergo a major change and I am excited to see how it plays out. Nothing will be the same ever again. Also, that ending! AAAAARRRRGH!

"Dark Queen" was emotional, exciting, funny, sweet, sad, action packed, and full of twists and turns. It's a must read.

This may be the end of Jane Yellorock and friends as The European Vampires arrive to fight Leo and his vampires for control of the vampire world. And it will all be shown on pay TV thanks to a deal Leo set up with a werewolf camera team. Now all Jane and her clan needs to do is survive the Sangre Duello, figure out what is going on with her time walking, make nice with possible relatives, and make sure that the European vampire Emperor Titus lost his head while keeping Leo's on his body. Not much at all, right? So read the book and find out who survived, who died, and who wished they did. Enjoy!

Another fantastic book in the Jane Yellowrock series. Tons of action, suspense and will have your emotions rolling. The showdown with the European vampires is finally here and things are going down!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. - This is a sensational read!

Faith Hunter is a very gifted writer in the fantasy field. This series featuring Jane Yellowrock is among her best. Lots of extra info on native American words and rituals, while keeping you wrapped up in the story.
Jane is a Cherokee Skywalker who spent much of her long life in animal form. She is now Enforcer for the head vampire of New Orleans. As her powers have grown she is able to step outside time. She has used this talent to keep her friends safe, but in doing so, has damaged her dna. Now war erupts between the vampires of Europe, who invade New Orleans, and her employers and friends. Beast, her mountain lion form, assists with great joy.
Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Enjoy the characters and world that have been created.
I received this book from the publishers and NetGalley. Thank you. I review most books that I read if I have received them from the authors, publishers or other agency. I feel that is the best thank you. Just my opinion.

Dark Queen is the twelfth book in the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. You do need to read this series in order to get a firm grasp on the characters and the relationships. I do not recommend jumping in here, or in the middle. However, it is a fabulous series so I do recommend reading it, it is worth it.

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 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.

Dark Queen is more than I expected. I will admit that I have listened to the majority of this series via audiobook (and the readers is fabulous!) and I missed the voices, inflections, and cadence of the reader. My inner voice cannot compare to the audiobooks. However, after a while I was able to get past my longing for that voice and truly get sucked into the story like I always do. Jane has so much going on- still coming to terms with caring about so many people and her inability to protect them all the way she wants. Emotions are not her forte, and I can relate to her on that level. The upcoming battle, issues tied to the timeshifting, the brother coming out of nowhere, and more are all coming at her too fast to process, and she is barely hanging on. There are surprises and resolutions tied into the duel and not a dull moment to skim. Readers that have loved and followed the series thus far will both love and hate this read. I admit to fearing that this might be the last we see of Jane more than once, and worry just what will happen in this world next. I almost expected a different twist at the end, and had mixed feelings with the reveal- even though I already had it in the back of my mind. The ending left me needing the next Yellowrock or Soulwood book badly, to see what is to come, but hopeful.

Dark Queen is a powerful addition to the series, and held some twists that had me seriously worried, and struck oddly close to home because of current family complications.

When Cold Reign came out I picked it up on a whim. Totally crazy move since the Jane Yellowrock series is very well established but I liked the blurb and said why not. I was instantly hooked! Now Dark Queen is out, and I have yet to start the series from the beginning like I have planned to do. Oh well! I’m not feeling that patient to go back and read ten plus books just so I can read this one.

ACK! Maybe I should have because Dark Queen screaming epic. There’s quite a few characters and lots of back-stories I am missing to fully understand what is going on. However, I get the gist that MOC Leo is issued a challenge from the European vamps and if Leo loses the city of New Orleans is forfeited. YIKES! No pressure there. So, it’s easy to guess a good chunk of the story is going to be dedicated to this battle and that has me kicking myself for not starting the series from the beginning because nothing says series finale like a giant showdown. And what a showdown it is! Lots of injuries, deaths and of course the biggest, baddest, battle of them all with the winner being… O.o

The other half, of course, is Jane herself who seems to have a few issues of her own to deal with. Nothing like having to deal with a blast from your past, especially when it’s one you don’t remember. Lost memories and family, and a battle for NOLO. No problem! Then there are those headaches of hers. Ummm… Yeah, that can’t be good.

Dark Queen is a solid edge of your seat read that builds and builds right up to the end. The end that I am sure is the ending to the series and then I am taken by surprise by that little shiny golden nugget at the end that tells me different. A cliffhanger. It’s not quite one of those that has me screaming ‘Holy crow what happens next!’ No, it’s a little nugget, a dangling carrot, that has me smiling because I know Jane Yellowrock will continue. Although that little cliffy nugget may make thing rather interesting between Jane and Bruiser.

I received this book from The JeepDiva with the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions, contents, and rating of this review are solely mine

reviewed by Jac

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for my #advancereadcopy of #DarkQueen book 12 in the #JaneYellowrock series by #FaithHunter. My anticipation for this book was so high that I bought the audio book (because #KhristineHvam, duh) before I was given the #ARC lol. In preparation for this book, I spent a little over two weeks listening to books 1-11 again making me fall deeper in love with Jane and the gang.

If you’re a fan of this series (I mean, why wouldn’t you be?) and have been keeping up, the battle that we have all been waiting for is finally here. This book was the culmination of everything that has been building in the last few books. The European Vampires have arrived and it is time for the Sangre Duelo. In preparation Leo is firming up his power base and some of his decisions took me by surprise. I LOVED the formation of the new clan and that whole scene had me in my feelings, LOL. We are also introduced to some new characters (more major surprise). Faith Hunter writes some of the best fight scenes, but I will say some of the ones I was most looking forward to seemed so quick and not as detailed as she normally gives us, but maybe that’s just me. This book had my emotions all over the place but there was one part in particular that had me on the verge of tears. Like heart beating face, hands gripping my face, full blown anxiety. I have grown to love so many of these characters, but I felt like one of my faves wasn’t as present as I would have liked them to be. Other than those very small complaints I loved this book, despite the fact that it ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger. I’m sad that I am going to have to wait at least a year to get more Jane. If you are already fans of Jane be sure to pick up #DarkQueen which has already been released. If you are not aware of her greatness, start this series!

This will be a very short review as it is next to impossible to review without spoilers!!

This continuation of the story made me laugh, swoon and cry. By the end, I didn’t know what I felt but I knew that I would be reading it again to properly digest it, because a whole host of things happen.

This book is the scene of the Mithran fight. The Euro-vamps are coming and it is up to everyone to fight together to protect New Orleans from the regime that they want to impose. Everyone shows up in this book and it took a few attempts to get the events straight in my head.

So, I’ll answer some questions instead of reviewing I think …. Did Jane and Brusier make me all swoony? Yes, I love them although Jane isnt’t very nice in parts. Is Beast funny and wise again? Yes but Beast knows something that Jane doesn’t and it isn’t good news (I love Beast, Beast is awesome) Did Eli, Jane and Alex make me all swoony at how lovely they are as a family? Yes … I adore their family unit. Is Leo a devious, yet dashing, pain? Yes, but he is more devious than I ever did think , although he cannot help but fear the arrival of the European Mithrans. Does Angie baby help out? Of course – she is all kinds of awesome! Does it all end happily ever after? I won’t be telling you that however, I want to warn you fellow fans, this book put me through the wringer and I haven’t yet healed. Some of the events are fantastic but this is war and some are not.

Overall, this is my favourite of the series however it doesn’t feel complete. I feel like I’m on the edge of a cliff, being held up by my belt, not sure if I’m being saved or falling to my doom. Yes, I am being dramatic but come back to me when you’ve read it!

Wow! I was really concerned that this was the end of the beast/jane books! I love how her family has evolved, those relationships are wonderfully written. This story helps wrap a big arc, and I’m looking forward to the next direction.

Amazingly, this series, which has too many books for me to remember the exact number, remains fresh, eminently readable, and a true pleasure. I think it is because the characters grow and progress without "Mary Sue" new powers sprouting to fix every seemingly insurmountable problem. Yes, Jane's skills and powers grow over time, but with concurrent problems and drawbacks equal to the gain, including the possibility of death or disablement. I like the hints of future plot developments, but with the satisfaction of concluding current issues or at least enough closure to satisfy the reader. This takes a skillful author to avoid the pitfalls of filler books or cliff-hanging endings. I really enjoyed reading this series and highly recommend it to patrons. I actually really look forward to the next one. Kudos again for a job well done.

It's impressive when book 12 of a series still holds surprises, and DARK QUEEN hits just the right balance between completely unexpected and long expected payoff. A fast-paced and twisty adventure, fans of Jane Yellowrock will not be disappointed.

Stalking through vampire politics and witchy magic, in DARK QUEEN Jane and her growing family fight for the safety of clan status. Despite higher than normal stakes, global politics-wise, DARK QUEEN moves quickly and cleanly, and in a direction I did not expect. Hunter deftly manages risk and reward, and Jane's ever growing tribe manages to bond amidst pressure from all sides. Jane and Beast have been dabbling in some weird magics, and while DARK QUEEN doesn't quite explain everything, it does seem to manage to resolve some of the more pressing issues.

This book reads a lot like a series finale (though I can't find a source for Vampire Bookclub's claim that it was meant to be one), and the build up and payoff is both satisfying and intriguing. Despite gathering up all the magical, social, and romantic threads that Jane and Beast have left dangling throughout the series, this book was a smooth and enjoyable read. While DARK QUEEN would have been a fit end point for Clan Yellowrock, I for one am happy to read more on the other side.

I want to start off my review with a bit of a question. As a reader, how do you prepare yourself for the game changing book in a series? Do you put it off? Dread it? Devour it? Any of those answers could be correct.

For me, it was a mixture of both. It was clear from the last book that the proverbial crap was about to hit the fan. Jane was about to be tested far more than she had ever been before. And, I was right. Dark Queen while only a new title for Jane in the previous book took on an entirely new persona. Her already complicated life twists around, dipping and diving into depths that we could have never dreamed of. Jane is forced to make decisions she never wanted to have on her plate, and to become the one thing that she didn’t want, the Dark Queen. Blood is spilled, death dealt, and lives changed forever.

This is the story that changes the series.

The dark and uncertain undertones in Dark Queen are slightly softened with reminders of Jane’s relationships and her relationship with Beast. A new player on the field brings more memories of her past, and honestly, his presence didn’t make much sense to me until the end.

The end. How do I even go about explaining it? The unanswered questions, and hopes for a different outcome run rampant when this story comes to a close. Hopes for survival, hope for the future, and above all, hopes for love. Hunter has truly outdone herself with this book, and it makes the long wait for the next one even more torturous than in books past.

Dark Queen by Faith Hunter is the 12th book in the Jane Yellowrock series. This is not a standalone type novel. It's definitely a part of a series and is a culmination of some plot points. It would seem this was originally to be the last book in the series, but part way through they decided to add two more books to it. It is still a very good book.

Leo, the master of the city of New Orleans, has been challenged to a blood challenge called the Sangre Duello by the leader of the European vampires. This is serious. If Leo and his people lose, then New Orleans will come under the European vamps control and people will suffer - humans, witches, vampires, everyone.

Jane, as Leo's enforcer, is very much involved in the preparations for the challenge. She is having to learn to accept that she can't control everything and must delegate.

The action is virtually nonstop. It starts early on with Jane answering the door and being shot at. It doesn't seem to let up much until after the challenge has been met. It's a fast-paced read.

I liked it all. Jane's flippancy infects Leo's handling of things but in a calculated way. I also liked the conversations she has with Beast who is "good ambush hunter" among other things. The touch of romance is nice and gives a brief respite from the action. There is also a subplot involving a possible blood relation of Jane's.

Is the ending a cliffhanger? In many ways, yes. It's still very readable as it is. I do look forward to the next book to see how the issues are resolved.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a class act, well-written with good characterization. It kept my attention and piqued my interest as to where the series will go from here. Do not read this as your first Jane Yellowrock book ever.

Dark Queen by Faith Hunter was released May 1st, 2018 by Ace.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This in no way influences my opinions. This is my honest review.

As what was initially intended to be the final Jane Yellowrock title, Dark Queen had a lot of expectations to live up to. And I think it did so very well. This story moves incredibly fast, especially towards the end, making it at once a little difficult to keep up with in places, as well as the most thrilling of these stories to date.

One of my favorite thing about this series is that Jane has never escaped having to deal with the consequences of her actions. She has made a lot of mistakes, and learned from the various outcomes. Even better, she’s still learning. She’s also still imperfect and conflicted, but, finally, she’s found peace with Beast and isn’t alone.

This was a tough read in both good and bad ways for me. Dark Queen is the culmination of all the twists and turns in the previous stories and ends in no-holds-barred combat between Leo and his subjects and his European former master who’s determined to destroy him and take over everything. As such, the author isn’t kind, and too many specifics here would ruin it. In an effort to avoid direct spoilers, I’ll leave additional opinions on that part alone, since long-term readers will likely want to get all the details straight from the narrative themselves.

There were a couple of things about Dark Queen that bothered me, but not enough to diminish my overall enjoyment of the story. Though I’m always left confused by some of the details that are dropped across the Jane Yellowrock tales, the succinct recaps that are provided by Jane digging through her own memory in this case didn’t always help. More critically, I felt that the dangling of hope in certain instances did more harm than good, and wasn’t entirely necessary, but that’s likely a personal quirk, and not something that will affect most other readers. The fact that I still can’t keep track of all the players is actually more of a testament to the author’s skills as a storyteller than a fault, and makes me regret not making a spreadsheet of everything from the moment I started the series.

Dark Queen would have been a good, if bittersweet, ending to the Jane Yellowrock series, but the discovery that there will be at least two more to follow made it even better. There were many questions answered by the end, but others were created, and they are of such import that I think things would have still felt too unfinished as they are. Regardless, Jane has evolved tremendously over the course of these books, and I’m truly relieved that it’s not quite time to say goodbye after all.

I've been reading Jane Yellowrock since the beginning and let me tell you, this book is something else. Author Faith Hunter returns for a twelfth book in the Jane Yellowrock series, Dark Queen. If you thought you knew what was going to happen in this series, this book probably tossed your ideas out the door. Long time readers will experience a myriad of emotions as the novel twists and turns to the final page. Love. Hate. Revenge. Sadness. I think you'll feel them all. I'm still in a bit of shock after finishing this one. Can't recommend it enough for Urban Fantasy readers.



What I liked:



First I want to say that this series is close to the top of my Urban Fantasy picks. It is so well written. The world building is among the best in the business and the characters grow on you so much you hate to leave them when each book ends. Jane Yellowrock is as badass as they come in this genre. I was under the impression that this would be the final book in the series and I was dreading that, but the author was given a contract for two more. That's why the book reads with so much finality to it and then flips a switch and goes in a new direction. A lot of it was already in play before the two new ones were ordered. That's good and bad in some ways. As for myself... I want more.



Jane is an enforcer. She's not someone that anyone in the supernatural world or the human world for that matter would want to mess with. In this one Jane does a lot of soul searching. She also does a lot of fighting. She is attempting a relationship with Bruiser but a lot of stuff is going on here, that could effect everything including where that is going. I thought Hunter set a very rapid and gut wrenching pace for Jane in this one. So many things happen to her. We learn more about her past but we also get more questions. Beast is very insistent in this one which I liked. Soooo good!



There was so much action and thrills in this one. There wasn't really much a break for the characters and I was one the edge of my seat for most of it. It seemed like one action scene just flowed into another. That's really the difference between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. In Urban Fantasy the romance takes a back seat to the action of the story. If this type of book is something you've never tried before... Jane Yellowrock is such a good place to start.



What I didn't like:



Because there is so much action, there is a lot of gore and violence. As I said before Jane knows what she's doing and how to get it done, but that isn't for every reader. Some readers will not like how heavy handed this one is with killing. It's just not something everyone will be into to. I don't care for it all the time but it was necessary in this one. So take with a grain of salt and don't get too hung up on it.



Bottom Line:



I really can't recommend this one enough. Jane Yellowrock is one of my favorite heroines of the genre. Faith Hunter does an amazing job of pulling it all together and making the reader crave more. I'm glad this wasn't the last one. It should be interesting where we go from here. Bit of a cliffhanger with this one folks. Don't you hate those... Go buy this one and the whole series. You won't be disappointed.

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

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.

I love Faith Hunter and I love the Jane Yellowrock series. This book just adds to my love for the series. Hunter never disappoints.

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I wasn’t going to die. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not at the Sangre Duello at all. I had to stay alive. For my friends.”

Dark Queen picks up where Cold Reign left off. Jane Yellowrock has done everything she can to prepare for this moment; the Sangre Duello (blood duel) between Leo Pellister (Master of New Orleans) and Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor of the European Mithrans). With her new family and all of New Orleans at risk, they MUST win because the consequences of losing will be devastating.

“My Jane. You sit in the dark. Do you grieve when no death has yet occurred?”

“People I love will die in the next night or two. People you love.”

“War is always hard. Death is inevitable, even for Mithrans.”

“I love how you comfort me.”

“There is no comfort in war, my Jane. Nor in death.”

**I want to note right off the bat that as of a year ago this book was supposed to be the end of the series. Hunter renegotiated to include two more books but this one was already in edits so some aspects of it may read oddly forbidding and final.**

The Jane Yellowrock series remains one of my favorite Urban Fantasy’s to date with its energetic action-packed scenes, strong emotional tone, unexpected humor, and bold characters who dance to their own beat. Heavily character driven, the story is told from Jane’s POV; a Cherokee skinwalker with a traumatic past and a fatalist nature who has gradually learned that even she deserves a happy ever after. Her gradual evolution from a feared vampire killing loner with little social skills and even less trust to a highly respected woman with a family, friends, and a lover has been quite a journey. Toss in her connection with her big cat, Beast, and it becomes an amusing and somewhat bittersweet adventure.

This review will be rather short and sweet because there is a lot happening and it’s really one huge spoiler (remember, this was originally written to be the end). I liken it to the Avengers Infinity War movie. If you’ve seen it, then you know what I mean. THINGS. HAPPEN. IN. HERE. Some will have you cheering, others yelling, and some will leave you in tears. Just remember, like the Avengers movie, there is more to come.

The well-plotted storyline is saturated with multiple storylines from the past as Hunter brings them all to the surface to close them out and prepare us for a new arc while ending this long-running one. I feel as if there were two parts to this book-the before the duel and the duel. Before the duel deals mainly with Jane and is extremely verbose and retrospective. Jane receives some startling and life-changing news that leaves her reeling most of the book. It drags her into the past and she reveals some new information about her past. We also see her reflecting on the choices she made in the past and how this is affecting her immortal soul. She holds quietly onto her religion and fears how she will be judged in the end.

“I have to take care of the people I love. That means…That means I have to become the monster.”

“Have you not always been a monster, my master?”

New characters are introduced with some recklessness while old favorites play pivotal roles. Nothing is what it seems and Hunter shows no favoritism as everyone stands before the chopping block. Eli and Alex remain my FAVORITE boys and are no longer employees but Jane’s brothers and like brothers, they have her back in everything. They have always accepted her as she is and that has been a healing balm Jane has needed for years. Edmund, Jane’s primo, also accepts Jane and guides her through vampire politics with affection and a firm hand. Bruiser and Jane have reached the point where insecurity is no longer a silent spectator. Jane accepts Bruiser’s love for her and he more then proves that in here.

“I have searched for you all of my life.”

Even Leo shows his softer side as he has his own preparations to undergo. He and Jane have had a long and contentious relationship punctuated by love and hate. I like that he remained true to form though he admits he too has evolved in all the years he and Jane have known each other.

“You honor me. Honor, I do not deserve in the human understanding of the term, for I have harmed you. My Jane, my Enforcer. My Dark Queen.”

Some new characters were definitely chosen to be disposable and I’m not 100 percent sure why. There was no real need for them as they did nothing for the conflict or the arc.

The second part-The Duel-puts us into fight mode. There are some mundane issues that deal with the housing and food logistics of so many people and Hunter decides to clue us into all that is happening behind the scenes. While this is what we have all been waiting for, it is very linear. Hunter presents everything in a very matter of fact tone. Beast definitely takes on a larger role and gives us plenty of clues as to what’s to come. Multiple fight scenes decorate this half though they aren’t drawn out. The ending is unexpected and quite shocking with Jane in the forefront in all her arse kicking, Beast shifting ,weapon welding glory.

Dark Queen was what I wanted but not what I expected and it worked for me. Despite some minor issues, Hunter takes some serious risks in here as she propels her series to a new level while preparing us for the end. A minor cliffhanger leaves you on edge but not rightfully so. I can’t wait for book thirteen though at least I have the next Soulwood to read while waiting; title and date of release to be announced.

Grade: B+