Dark Queen

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.

In book 12 of the Jane Yellowrock series, an epic battle with the European vampires has long been in the making with several skirmishes in the earlier books, some won and others lost. DARK QUEEN culminates with all the preparation by Enforcer Jane Yellowrock and her team working with Leo, vampire Master of the City of New Orleans and his numerous other titles for other parts of the country. Jane Yellowrock not surprisingly deals with several complex issues at a time including trying to have a relationship with Bruiser, handle all the minutiae of the upcoming duel that will decide everyones fate as well as catching traitors, and dealing with someone who may have a very personal connection or be a clever enemy.

Jane has to accept the fact that people she loves and other folks of the natural and supernatural kind may not survive this battle. Beast has become even more assertive and as usual, knows things that Jane does not, some of which may have devastating consequences. All the major players are here including Janes significant other, George Dumas, and her ex, Rick LaFleur. Because of Were politics, Jane and Rick are thrust into a new dynamic that has all kinds of potential for trouble for whatever kind of relationship they do or dont have. I am sure Brusier will not be amused either way even though he understands how tricksey things are with supernaturals in the mix.

Readers of this series will be left with many strong emotions about this books outcome, many of which have been building for quite a while. Some questions about Janes background are answered, but others are raised. Feelings will run high as this is a very gut-wrenching story in some respects for fans who have followed the series. Ms. Hunter deftly runs the reader through several emotional wringers and powerful scenes especially during the final battles. Janes personal and professional story comes to a major turning point which may seem like a cliffhanger, but thankfully, at least two more books are to follow so after this very intense ride, we are left with the happy thought of more to come.

Faith Hunter writes wonderful characters with 3D personalities and lots of humor, and her books are always enjoyable. She creates terrifically complex relationships and even the vampires, whom Jane generally characterizes as evil, are frequently likeable. The action is not as intense in this book as it often is in the series: there’s a lot of “prep” time in anticipation of the duel between the Master of New Orleans and the head of the European vamps. The plot is also less twisty than Hunter sometimes writes. But once the action starts, it’s quite intense, and Jane’s emotional journey continues to be very engaging. Sadly, it ends on a cliff hanger, which is always upsetting.

I feel utterly broken after reading this. I safely avoided all spoilers and reviews before reading this, it being one of my all time favourite series and put everything aside to read the moment it comes out books, and I wanted nothing to spoil my enjoyment of that blissful first read in a familiar series with loved characters. To say I ugly cried would be putting it mildly, what Jane and Beast have to go through, with perhaps the biggest realisation of all for Jane being that she can’t control or affect the outcome of everything, especially for those she loves and regards as her friends, and it is heartbreaking.

Of course the story is the usual action packed, battle ready, beast form filled, political quagmire of my favourite supernatural world, with actions hidden behind actions. No change there, but obviously this time the ‘stakes’ are higher! Like outcome of the world higher. And Jane, showing how far she has come, puts plans in place to ensure that those she loves and indeed the fate of humankind, are not affected by the sangre duello – too much! There is one surprising new player on the scene and it blew my socks off a little. I’m with Jane on this one, still confused, overwrought and swinging between disbelief and longing.

The sangre duello itself was – unexpected. Jane proves her worth time and time again, just not in the way I had expected. With people falling at every step all looks to be bleak, and indeed the world surrounding NOLA will indeed change drastically after this. I’m just not sure how. I’ve never wanted a next book in the series so badly. Where Jane leaves off is emotional in the extreme and plays on a feeling that has nothing supernatural at all to do with it, but sits as a fear deep inside of us all. A massive turning point and culmination of the last 12 books. Faith Hunter remains, for me, the bench mark of every urban fantasy book out there.

We see the Vamp Emperor, Titus, and his people finally show up in person in this one, for the Sangre Duello to decide what happens to Leo’s territory, his people and his followers. Jane leads the defense from the front with the Yellowrock Clan beside her-plus an unexpected last-minute addition with ties to Jane’s past she could never have seen coming…

Leo has been planning for this for 200 years, and Jane has done more than anyone to tear apart the Eurovamps own long-term Plans and ambitions, so his plans centre on her in this case-not that she knows that for some time. Yet again Leo and his loyal people and followers are betrayed, and this time a new threat is the reason. Plus, old threats and evident betrayals may not have been what they seemed. The new mega-werewolf Pack shows up to strike a deal with Leo, but matters are never that simple and Brute becomes an issue when he is not impressed with attempts by the Werewolves to reach out to him. He has his duty-and even Jane knows better than to challenge that.

Leo sets out to reinforce his power base and Clan Yellowrock is formally brought into being, and Angie Babies “Uncle Leo!” on the phone to the ceremony is a laugh-out-loud moment that leaves even a centuries-old Mithran Blood-Master floored. Plus, while Jane isn’t exactly sure what accepting the title of “Dark Queen” from Leo might mean still, she is quickly learning that she is a more key component in Leo’s plans than anyone but Leo ever realised. The title doesn’t make her some sort of monster, but it might just make her what Leo ultimately needs to carry the day. The list of Eurovamps and associated wanting to fight Jane fluctuates as she plows over enemies and agents sent after her, but Titus is almost 2,000 years old and plans in ways Jane can barely keep up with. It was always going to come down to this-and Jane knows it.

Also, it becomes apparent that Jane’s time-shifting abilities have been damaging her health whenever she use’s them in previous books-and not just because she often ends up vomiting blood. Even Beast is very worried at the damage Jane has done to her genetics, which haven’t affected Beast’s own DNA since it’s Jane who use’s the power. The consequences of using a power like this, even with Skinwalker magic and healing, come home in this book. I understand that this won’t be the last JY book, but the ending will make the hair on your neck stand up. Can even Jane survive this? Faith…?

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