Cold Reign

Jane Yellowrock, Book 11

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker...and the woman rogue vampires fear most. Jane walks softly and carries a big stake to keep the peace in New Orleans, all part of her job as official Enforcer to Leo Pellissier, Master of the City. But Leo's reign is being threatened by a visit from a delegation of ancient European vampires seeking to expand their dominions.

And there's another danger to the city. When she hears reports of revenant vampires loose in NOLA and out for blood, Jane goes to put them down - and discovers there's something unusual about these revenants. They never should have risen. Jane must test her strength against a deadly, unnatural magic beyond human understanding and a ruthless cadre of near immortals whose thirst for power knows no bounds.

©2017 Faith Hunter (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Another great book fro the fantastic Faith Hunter!

Any additional comments?

Cold Reign is book #11 in the compelling Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. In many ways the Jane Yellowrock story reminds me of the parable of the blind men and the elephant, the one where each man describes the elephant as being like a snake, rope, fan, tree and wall. Leo the Master Vampire of New Orleans has taken great care to make sure Jane only seen parts of the elephant. Cold Reign is the book where Jane steps back and sees the whole elephant for the first time.
Cold Reign starts by exploring Jane and her adopted family. Then builds to non stop action,as the European vampires arrive in secret and with the help of traitors, try to take over Leo's city. And there is a magic driven storm that threatens to finish what Katrina started.

The Younger brothers are in the thick of things, with Alex showing a new maturity, Eli opening up about his military experience, and the emotional scars he still carries. Edmund, Gee, Gregoire and Brute play key roles in the fight against the Europeans. Jane's relationship with Bruiser deepens, and PsyLed Agent Rick Le Fleur returns and tries to apologize for past sins. Leo is his usual manipulative self, and some of his actions, or lack of action, suggest he's still playing the long game. Jane's angel makes an appearance, and there are cameos from Soul, Opal and several of their "sisters". An number of evil vampires meet their well deserved end.

Cold Reign is a great addition to the popular Jane Yellowrock series. The writing is superb, plotting complex, with compelling characters. All of the things that author Faith Hunters does so well. Another 5 star effort from Ms. Hunter.

If you have never read the series, it might be better to start with the first book Skinwalker, and enjoy the books in order as this complex story unfolds. ***Warning. Readers of Skinwalker often experience sudden onset binge reading. Enjoy!

How Can It KEEP Getting BETTER!?!

Never too "heavy" but not really fluff. This series is a perfect blend of fantastical mystery, action/adventure, and just a bare touch of romance. SO good it requires a run-on sentence:
If you like tales of strong heroines, heros and villains with a complete story in each book yet a plot that is NOT simply on repeat in which both the characters AND the story build, grow and are reavealed in layers of complexity- GET these books but start at the beginning because they are too good to just skip!!!
Honestly, this series is, IMO, the best in its genre, and Kristine Hvam is the BEST of the best of all narrators. Her voice brings to life the deeply multifaceted characters and the similarly multidimensional city of New Orleans. While fantasy fiction, the characters are none-the-less "real" as they struggle toward self-awareness and self-acceptance while trying to be/become the men/women they hope to be/become.
P.S. Thank you Ms. Hunter for Jane Yellowrock! She is my definition of a heroine. A strong female, who is (1) honest with herself and others, (2) has integrity, (3) loves others despite being scared and scarred, (4) is just plain bad a55, AND (5) is strong enough to face mistakes and flaws WITHOUT whining about how she feels guilty because she is responsible for everyone else's B.S.!!!!!

Action packed

Would you listen to Cold Reign again? Why?

I WILL listen to it again numerous times. Not only are the characters developed with thought, the story lines are well developed.

What did you like best about this story?

The story pulls together pieces from the previous books n ties them together. Its action packed n leaves you wanting more

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I only know her from the Jane Yellowrock world. She is one of the best. She gives each character life that others fail to do.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Each book leaves a certain mark on you. This one is no different.

Any additional comments?

My dad passed in Feb of 2016 n was in the Coast Guard. So the water dogs n squids made it bitter sweet for me.

Once again, Faith Hunter has given us a winner!

Where does Cold Reign rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am so in love with the world of Jane Yellowrock and Cold Reign does nothing to diminish that! From the first chapter to the last I did not want to pause it for even a minute! (Actually bought the ebook as well so that I can go back and forth as needed). I do wish Amazon would link the ebook and audio book so it would hold my place as it does with other books I have seen.

What did you like best about this story?

Faith's characters are like family to me. I have very much enjoyed this series to date and this book is no exception.

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favorite?

To me, Khristine Hvam IS Jane Yellowrock. That being said, she is the most talented narrator I have ever listened to! Even though there are multiple characters, both male and female, with various accents and speech patterns, Ms. Hvam has consistently brought them to life throughout the series. Whether you are listening to Skinwalker (book 1) or Cold Reign, you know exactly who is speaking even before they are named. Even when I read the print/ebook, I hear them in Khristine Hvam's voice!

DANG I love this series!

Any additional comments?

I listened to Cold Reign straight through, stopping only to sleep LOL. This is the series that got me hooked on urban fantasy and it is consistently excellent. If you like interesting, complex plots, lots of action, characters you will grow to love and enough depth to read over and over give this series a try. But, I suggest you start at the beginning or you will miss a lot.

We've been waiting for the ES (European suckheads) to come-a-calling for several books now. In true vampire style, the ES attack is complicated and layered and planned out over centuries. Like a supernatural chessboard complete with fangs, deceit and betrayal. Oh, and magic. Lots of magic.

With the ES visit as a backdrop, the Yellowrock Clan develops in new ways. Jane and Bruiser grow closer and experience surprise changes in their powers. Several characters work through personal trauma with a little help from Aggie One Feather, some peyote and a swim in a gator filled swamp. I love the atmospheric scenes with Aggie and her mother in all of the books!

PTSD seems to be a secondary theme in this book. Jane, Eli, Ricky-Bo and Gregoire are all affected. All made progress towards making peace with their personal demons. I was especially happy for Gregoire and I hope he can begin to heal from his terrible childhood.

Cold Reign was full of action with a dash of sweet revenge and forgiveness. I cannot wait for the next book and round 2 with the ES!

RickyBo is right where he belongs

What a roller coaster ride this story was. I think I'll have to listen to it twice, to let everything absorb, with all the EV names and connections making it hard to sort out at times. It starts out with crazy lightning storms, revnant vampires appearing, and mass riots of kids cranked up on vamp blood. The European Vamps have arrived. Leo's been playing the long game on this one, but is he really prepared and what happens, when he doesn't know all the players or the moves. We're about to find out. Jane's snuggling in with her new family, to my delight, cause all these characters are showing a new compassionate side as they form a bond with each other. Jane and Bruiser are cementing their relationship, which can only mean RickyBo will somehow come back into their lives. (No spoilers here) New powers for everyone it seems, in this nonstop action and personal growth episode.

Excellent entry

Loved the politics, the mythologies, the intimacies of her growing family. Bravo! A wonderful story.

Love Jane and Beast

Great book, great narration but then I always love these books.

I'd like to smack Leo and Rickybo but I think Jane made her point to both.

Love Bruiser. What a sweetheart.

Sometimes Beast cracks me up.

If I hadn't had to sleep for work I'd of listened straight through all 14hrs. :)

Cold reign

Well written and very enjoyable! I liked the plot and liked Ricky-bo getting his just desserts, even if he was spelled. He cheated to begin with, women always came easy to him, so he can just go find a female ware to suit him. Spending some unrequited love time might strengthen his character. Don't know what Leo is up to, but it won't be good.

Awesomeness

Love me some Jane Yellowrock! This was an awesome installment! Now have to wait for the next one though...

Lacked direction

I've been a long time fan of the Jane Yellowrock series and found this one a little disappointing. It had its moments and Khristine Hvam provided excellent narration as always but the plot seemed to be all over the place. While there was a central story arc it didn't seem to keep the narrative focused and the various sub plots just seemed to be there to fill space. In the end I was left unsatisfied and with too many deliberately unanswered questions. It felt like this book is meant as a lead up to the next but it only really introduced that kind of anticipatory tension in the last chapter and seemed to deliver more of a "light" version of what's to come.

Name Changes?

I love all the Jane Yellowrock books, ever since first coming across Skinwalker I have been hooked, and this one if no different. I have also loved Khristine Hvam’s narration since the start she captures the character so well.

The one problem I have with her is that she has changed the way she pronounces some of the names which, while not major, is something I found rather jarring. At eleven books in (not counting the short stories) to suddenly the have names of well established characters all but changed was something I found hard to listen without being pulled from the story.

I still thoroughly enjoyed Cold Reign and will no doubt listen to it, as well as the entire Jane Yellowrock series, again and again.

Powerhouse Jane.

Jane Yellowrock is starting to get scary strong, while still hanging on to her humanity. Not many pauses in this book, but instead lots and lots of (very) bloody action. I sometimes like just being swept up in a story and not having to (or given a chance to) think too much. This is that kind of book.

Great narration from Khristine Hvam as usual.

Loads of action with a surprising heart

One of the things I love about this series is that the past doesn't just go away. It means some of the novel is taken up with reminders to give context, and it means the story is richer than usual. Jane's choices mean more. At every incident she risks winning this fight but losing the war. She wants more than just to stay alive, she wants human relationships and her integrity too. That keeps me coming back in spite of the violence, which isn't really my thing. You can't skip the fight scenes because too much of importance happens in between the shootings & beheadings.
Jane continues to gain unusual powers, and fears becoming less human as a result. And being used as a more powerful tool by Vampire king Leo. The novel ends in a satisfying close with a hint of future complications.
As an aside, I find the obsession with not swearing while toting -and using - guns, swords & knives both amusing & heartbreaking.

Get A Room: Mills & Boon with Fangs.

In the old days of cinema if two people were going to bump bones, the camera would pan skyward or watch waves crashing and pounding onto a beach. Everyone knew this was shorthand for THEY'RE HAVING SEX. I wish we could have a literary equivalent. Sex in books is well neither erotic or titillating, it is often clumsy and boring - many a first date come to mind - collectively speaking. Jane has gone from a prim and proper missionary school girl to a Big Cat in heat - which is no do doubt deliberate, just could do with less of it. When was the last time you saw a man ask for less sex?

That aside, Faith Hunter took the brakes off with this one. The EeVee - USA Vamp War explodes into action. Shocks, betrayals from unexpected quarters, and expected ones too.. Some surprising Revelations about the identities of the Euro-Vamps. And Adrianna was British??? Hayall makes an appearance and Beast is still keeping secrets.

Ending was a bit contrived. Didn't quite tug on the heart strings, but at least they got those three pesky little words out in the open. Felt a little sorry for Rickie Bo.

No doubt the next book will be Vamp Wars part 2.

Much better - it would be better without the lovey-dovey stuff and the awkward sex scenes.

Very enjoyable!

I always feel these books are good value, full of action and great fun! I am definitely a fan of Jane Yellow Rock

Fantastic!

Another fabulous Jane Yellowrock instalment. I fell back into New Orleans and watched the fur fly. Cant wait for next book.
Khristine is a truly wonderful narrator and my favourite of her interpretations is ‘Beast’ - hunt cow in Edmund car! So funny and you can picture it exactly.

edge of seat

loved this book. great that characters really developing and it seems like Jane is settling down...... babies next with bruiser maybe? :0)

fantastic

could not stop listening, from start to finish it was total imersed in the book

Cold Reign Hot Story

loved it . I have loved 10 before it.
the only problem with finishing this book, is waiting for the next one.