Dark Queen

By: Faith Hunter

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 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.

Cover design by Katie Anderson. Cover art by Cliff Nielsen/Shannon Associates

©2018 Faith Hunter (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Another great adventure from Faith Hunter!

Any additional comments?

Khristine Hvam does her usual stunning job bringing to life the characters in Dark Queen. Great narration. That's the easy part of the review. The hard part is writing a review without out spoilers. Many story arcs come together so going into detail will ruin the surprise as the plot twists and turns. Faith Hunter is great at providing series background so a new reader can pick up any book in the series, and not get lost. Dark Queen will be enjoyed more after reading earlier books in the series. Jane's off balance in the first part of the book, dealing with friends, family and old enemies and trying to master her evolving magic. There are new threats to the Vampires of NOLA, and to the witches she has sworn to protect. The long anticipated arrival of the European vampires, and the Blood Duel take make up the second half of the book, and many of the chess moves Leo has made over the centuries finally become apparent. Over all this is a great book, a wild ride, and the ending a major surprise.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

YES-------Just YES--you must read this book

You must read this book !

There is so much that happens.

First, a new face brings confusion and emotions to the surface. The unknown and deceptions show their ugly faces. Step by step you will be carried to the pinnacle, to find things are not as they should be. Death and unknown magics interact to change the outcomes, as the scheduled battles continue. Then, when Jane can only react to a shocking outcome, what should be the end-----to find there is still more—more in battle, more in pain, more decisions to make in an instant of time. The balance of what was, has changed. So much loss to overcome. Life now, is not what it was, and yet one truth continues—that is the glue holding those who remain together—love and family bonds.

FOR ALL ----LISTEN/READ THE BOOK

Faith Hunter---you have outdone yourself. I will count the days for the next addition to Jane Yellowrock series. BRAVO !!

Khristine Hvam—Amazing job. Everyone should hear your narration on this story. BRAVO ! !

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I Need To Lay Down...

Dark Queen finishes the story arc that has been growing in the last few books of this series. Faith Hunter mentioned that this was supposed to be the last book in the series and she was almost done writing the book when her publisher ordered two more books. Therefore Faith said there will be a cliffhanger and goodness gracious what a cliffhanger!

Since the first book Skinwalker till now we have seen Jane develop and grow from being a lone cat/beast to having a varied group of individuals who are now her family and friends. Jane is a protector and will do anything to save those that she loves. Jane still has insecurities and doubts herself throughout this book, but I think that is what makes her realistic, more believable in my opinion.

Faith Hunter is a wonderful, brilliant, funny, and a downright cruel author (and I mean that in a positive way) as the Dark Queen is an emotional rollercoaster for the listeners. Seriously, by the end of this book, I needed to lay down. The book is that good! I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens.

Khristine Hvam once again does an outstanding job narrating Dark Queen. I honestly don’t think there is anyone better to tell this story than Khristine Hvam as she has voiced the series from the start and has brought the words of Faith Hunter to life.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Cannot wait for the next one!

I’ve seen a lot of reviews complaining of the ending. This is NOT the final Jane Yellowrock book, there are 2 more coming! Have Faith!

As always, Faith Hunter’s world of Yellowrock entertains as no other author I’ve found. The joy, the sorrow, the humor ( most especially, to me, Beast humor) and the love. And we can’t forget the fear! It’s all there and I couldn’t wait to read another page, even knowing the dreaded final chapter is coming, and then it will be over! Until the next book, of course.

And Jane just isn’t Jane unless she is voiced by the Ms. Hvam! As with each JY book, you always know who is speaking, as Khristine Hvam has more voices than a stage full of actors and she is so consistent! 12 books now and she’s still got it!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great!

Loved it. So many questions answered and things revealed. I want to know what happens next.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

It's wonderful.

Just finished and not as sure how I feel. The book was funny, exciting and sad, all at the same time. I now want to read the series again and watch as the pieces make the whole.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Is this the end or just a new beginning?

roine

I love Faith Hunter. This story has been building since around Black Arts. The European Vamps have finally come into the light after all of this time. For a reader it's been close to for 5 years but in the story line it's only been a couple months. I have to say that it was well worth the wait and I am kind of sad that the fight had us lose a couple of characters that we have come to love.

In the same breath I could have been okay with a couple of characters to be true dead. The one that I was surprised about came out of left field only because I don't see how the series can go on the same path without that particular character. On the other hand Jane basically came out unscaved and this was the first time that Faith actually wrote an epilogue as well. The epilogue answered a lot of questions that I had however it opened up a new realm of possibilities.

I am really looking forward to see what happened with Jane and Bruiser only because I'm obsessed with Bruiser as a whole and I have been obsessed with him since Skinwalker. There is just something about Bruiser that just makes me feel all giddy and happy.

I personally want Derek to die but that's just me. He is starting to go to the level of aggravation and just annoying to the level Rick did. I don't want Faith to give him a series like she did to Rick I just want him to be true dead. He doesn't need to come back, I don't want to see him in the next book, and he just needs to go take care of a sickly mama and never be heard or spoken about again. There's just something about him that rubs you the wrong way and the holier than that attitude just seems unnecessary on so many levels. There were a lot of good scenes within the story and Eli and Alex are fantastic brother's to Jane. They will do anything for her and in this story they do anything for her.

Also in the story there are a couple of times where there are mentioned old characters that we seem to have forgot about in the past books and I am wondering will they be seen again. It just seemed out of the blue lesser-known characters were mentioned like a passing glance but that was all that occurred with them. It just seems odd to just mention random characters but there isn't or wasn't a clear ending storyline for them. I wonder if that was intentional or if it means that we will see them somewhat in the near future.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

can't wait for book 13!

I stumbled onto this series by mistake. best mistake ever. Love this series. Faith Hunter has a creative mind and a dry wit, thank you Faith for sharing your talent with the rest of us. I cannot imagine anyone but Khristine Hvam being the voice of Jane Yellowrock. it will be a sad day when this series comes to an end. For anyone on the fence about starting this series, get off the fence and hang on for one helluva ride.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Best Cliffhanger Ever!!!!!!!!

I can't wait for the next book!!! I hope there are millions more!!! Great narration. Great story

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wow! What a ride.

This was an amazing way to end this series. Twists, turns and unexpected outcomes. Read the whole series, you won't regret it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

16 hours feels like 3

When listening to a Faith Hunter audio book narrated by Khristine Hvam time just flies by and before you know it you are at the end of the book... how does that happen?!

This book was the crescendo up to now ... a long anticipated wait and this book did not disappoint. Heavens I will not give any spoilers away but tissues at the ready .... in a very Jane Yellowrock way

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A masterpiece

One of the best, if not the best, in my opinion. I was glued to it from beginning to end. A great plot, there things happen fast and yet it doesn't seem rushed.

Tears running!

This time we see and feel all of Jane’s strengths and weaknesses. Especially hers doubts and fears. The real inside of her. Beast is in fine spirit and offers words of wisdom and acts instinctively.
Kristine bought this book to life again and I lived it alongside Jane, her family and foes. At the end there were tears running down my face, it was so moving and full off things that might be.
Even if I never meet Jane again, I have been left with hope.
Thank you Faith Hunter

Wonderful Book - sheer perfection

After the last couple of books being good but not great, really setup books for this one Faith Hunter delivers in full.
Its the end of the very long story arc of the European Vamps coming to visit , and it really goes out with a Bang
Hard to say too much without spoilers and there are a few shocks! It was almost impossible to put down.
I actually wondered if this was the last of the Jane Books but I've read elsewhere that there are 2 more planned so it will be interesting to see where the story goes in the next book but for now let me just say this one is possibly the best in the entire series.
Khristine Hvam is as always perfect

Love the series. This book does not disappoint.

Awesome narrator love her voice.
Without too many spoilers, we get the big fight from the European vampires, I was a little worried that the whole book would be one big fight. Thankfully there were other story lines involved as well. I really enjoyed this book. Love the series.

Great Book Again 👍

Another great story, very well read. But all the books are great. suppose I will have to start at book one and re-read the series.

Wow... Best one yet!

I love all of the Jane Yellowrock books but this one is my favourite by far! From the first 'tap, tap tap tap' to the very last word I was hooked. The story is fantastic and had me both laughing and crying (don't listen to the epilogue whilst driving!). Not only was the story well written and captivating but Khristine's narration brought it to life in an absolutely spellbinding fashion. A masterpiece, well done!

Fantastic _ yet again

Great book . Captivating series . This ends on a bit of a cliff hanger so start the wait for the next book .
I would totally recommend this series - it’s so very well written and Khristine Hvam is such a good narrator that it’s easy to loose yourself totally .. well worth a credit .
I envy anyone just discovering this series as you have 12 books to enjoy - bliss !