What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seemWhat a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda.
Merged review:
What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda....more
Fans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetiFans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetic, in Fall, Callihan tackles the serious issues of mental health, self-harm, depression, and abuse with compassion and a heavy dose of common sense while building a romance that brims with laughter and heart. Jax aka John Blackwell, lead singer for the band Kill John, has stood out throughout the series as his suicide attempt was the catalyst that flattened the emotional barriers of the other band members. Love, laughter, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing are the themes of this love story that revolves around two people who have been essentially used and abandoned by those who should have known better. Strong narrative and compelling scenes keep the story moving at a steady base, allowing readers an intimate look at fame, family, and the demands placed by both. Stella and Jax are a delightful couple to watch fall into love though it is only the beginning of their journey towards happiness. Though some may find it triggering, Fall gives a seeming honest portrayal of life with depression and the trials and triumphs that can be had by all.
Jax is back in New York though he is still feeling off-kilter as his best friend is out of the country and he is soon to be trapped by a raging blizzard. A trip to the local market for supplies ends in stolen ice cream and a kiss that sets his soul on fire. Luckily, fate steps in and gives him a name to match the kissing ice cream stealing bandit-Stella. Stella is shocked when her inherited apartment goes condo and she is being kicked out with nowhere to go. Fate steps in again to offer her a job house sitting in a posh Manhatten condo that just happens to be next door to the stranger she kissed on a whim. As Stella and Jax spend more time together, the flames of their attraction build into something deeper and more addictive. But for two people who don’t believe in love or forever, falling for each other may take more trust than either can give.
Alice Worth is a mage in hiding. Having escaped her grandfather’s powerful cabel after years of abuse, Alice is now a PI who takes on private cases while keeping a very low profile. When a young lady comes to her to help discover whose trying to kill her, Alice suddenly finds her world turned upside down as she acquires a ghostly sidekick, a werewolf boyfriend, and a vampire who wants more than friendship.
I picked up this story on a whim and am so glad I did. This classic UF tale offers readers the basics; a strong heroine whose dark past keeps her alone and always on the defensive, interesting magical powers, easy to follow modern world building, and an action-packed mystery fueled storyline with multiple plotlines designed to expand the world and main arc. Alice is the type of heroine I enjoy in UF. She’s stubborn, weary, fights for the underdog regardless of her own safety, and loves far too easy for all the betrayal she has suffered. There is a vulnerability to her that appeals to the fighter in all of us. Engaging narrative (though repetitive at times) and bold writing effortlessly incorporate Alice’s backstory into the main conflict as it reveals. The romance is more developed then one might see in UF though I had no issues there. I look forward to reading more of this world in the future. I hope Edmunds reveals more of Alice’s past and the events that shaped who she is today.
Tamsin Calloway, an uncollared shifter, has flown under the radar for years. When she witnesses a brutal murder, she finds herself on the run from the shifter bureau and a relentless tracker.
Angus Murray enjoys two things in life, his job as a bouncer for a New Orleans shifter bar and his young cub. When the shifter bureau kidnaps his son to force him to track a rogue shifter, Angus unwilling agrees and the big bad wolf is on the hunt.
Tamsin will not go quietly into the night though and leads Angus is on a merry chase. Soon the chase becomes more as an unwanted attraction blooms between them. But Angus will do anything to get his son back. Even if it means giving up his mate.
Midnight Wolf is the eleventh book in Jennifer Ashley’s Shifter’s Unbound series. Continuing to expand upon the existing arc, fans may notice that the tone has changed a bit since White Tiger. New shifters with different loyalties and views are coming out of the woods along with some familiar faces who won’t and don’t play nicely with Dylan Morrissey, the self-proclaimed King of the Shifters. These can be read as standalone though I don’t recommend; you lose out on character and world comprehension along with the arc development by not starting from the beginning.
Ashley picks up a side plot and character that was introduced in Wild Things. Angus Murray lost everything (his mate, job, status…) when his radical brother’s plans were revealed and he was forced to help Kendrick (White Tiger) take him out. A grumpy tracker who bounces at the local shifter bar, Angus now keeps to himself while raising his son. His story bursts out the gate and firm pacing push it along as Ashley builds a romance on the fly while digging into the main conflict to expose the true motivations beneath it. Action, mayhem, and humor keep the reader engaged.
Tamsin Calloway is a new character whose mischievousness and love of life is a perfect match to Angus’ taciturn nature. Born free, she refused to turn herself in to be collared and stayed on the run until she fell in with Angus’ brother, Gavin. Realising Gavin was insane, she left but not before two agents for the shifter bureau were killed and she was blamed. She knows why the bureau wants her and it spells her death.
Ashley uses Angus and Tamsin’s adventure to introduce new allies and enemies; divulging deeper into the background of the fae and adding another layer to its already convoluted world. A sexy slow burning romancer spiked with laughter and antagonism offers Tamsin and Angus both a chance at redemption and forgiveness. I love how Tamsin teased and poked at Angus. Morrissey’s back and demanding as ever though Angus is no pushover. We meet a carnival owning bear and his lovely shifter wife. Ben plays a pivotal role in here as does Zander and Tiger. We learn more about the next civil war with the fae and the tricks they are using to bring shifters back under their rule.
A strong ending resolves the main conflict in an interesting fashion while leaving readers with plenty of questions of what’s to come. Though on the quieter side with a heavier focus on the romance then the arc, it was still an engaging read and perfect for paranormal romance fans who enjoy earthy heroes and heroines who more then deserve their happily ever after.
Favorite Quote: They might only have a fragment of an instant in time, but he’d make that fragment extraordinary.
Ocean Light is Bowen Knight’s story; the leader of the Human Alliance and one of the leaders in the Trinity Accord. Fans have been expecting his story, straddling the fence and withholding our forgiveness over his past deeds. Bowen had an experimental chip put in that blocks the Psy’s ability to manipulate human minds. However, now the chip is failing and he is living on borrowed time. An assassination attempt essentially kills him but his sister’s uncompromising love sends him deep into the ocean and into the hands of the secretive changeling group, BlackSea. They have the knowledge to potentially save him but certain members dislike humans and want him gone.
Kaia Luna is a member of Blacksea and works as a chef. Her dislike of humans stems from a traumatic event in her past. An event that has chained her to the deepest part of the ocean. Co-opted into helping with Bo’s care, she has no interest in humoring a man whose days are numbered. But the more time she spends with Bo, she discovers a man worth fighting for.
As Kaia and Bo grow closer, fighting for more time together, they discover a hidden tie between the Alliance and BlackSea. Betrayal exists on both sides and when Kaia is caught up in a net of deceit, Bo will do the unimaginable to save her.
Nalini Singh’s paranormal Psy/Changeling series is one of my top ten favorite fantasy series to date. I find myself re-reading the series, welcoming with arms wide open this alternative futuristic earth populated with shifters, humans, and the Psy as they struggle to co-exist. Each new story expands the world, bringing with it nonstop action and suspense that balances nicely with the lush romances and just the right amount of humor. Her brilliant reads remain intoxicating and engaging from the beginning to end as Singh effortlessly builds a relationship between two people not looking for love while engaging in exquisite wordplay and multiple plotlines that fit together like puzzles pieces; eventually letting readers see the big picture.
This series has undergone some changes after a long ongoing arc was settled… to an extent. Season One is now complete and Season Two aka The Trinity series picks up the ongoing storyline while introducing new characters, revisiting old favorites, and expanding on the world. The Trinity Accord offers all three races a chance at peace but there are those who want it all back the way it was and will do whatever it takes to destroy the Accord and all those in it.
Readers will love meeting Kaia and Bo and getting to know them. While Bo is a familiar face, we are used to seeing him only as the head of the Alliance. We have seen occasional glimpses of his flirty self but in here we get the full monty so to speak. Kaia fascinates Bo with her changeling personality and he turns his charm to Defcon 10 in his attempts to get to know her and eventually woo her. They are remarkably alike in their loyalty, compassion, fierce hearts, and willingness to do anything for those they love.
Singh does a fantastic job of blending the suspense of the story with the slow-burning romance and an in-depth look at a very secretive changeling group. I have been very curious about BlackSea since their introduction in Tangle of Need. It’s rare you see water changelings in stories that aren’t merfolk and I love how Singh incorporates all sea life into the BlackSea family. Her imagination is boundless. The storyline starts out slower than usual as Singh weaves her magic, taking her time with BlackSea and building their backstory and Kaia’s. Strongly character drive, the focus is on the romance while interjecting Bo’s medical issues with a subplot concerning the Alliance. It honestly doesn’t pick up till around the 60/65% mark. Singh’s clear and concise writing style leaves little confusion as the individual plotlines begin to merge and the endgame reveals itself. A well developed and personable supporting cast embraces our protagonists, adding to their story while creating their very own. I hope we see more of them in the future. The energetic ending keeps you on edge while a full-bodied epilogue leaves readers satisfied and secure in this couple’s future.
As always, Singh entertains till the very end. I’m looking forward to the 3rd book in Season Two and have my suspicions about who that couple may be. *crosses fingers*
Favorite Quote: “Persephone’s blessing says hands off to creepy boys who bargain with the crossroads and want to hurt me.”
Rose Marshall died in 1952 in Buckley Township, MI. On her way to look for her boyfriend after he stood her up for the prom, she is chased to her death on the infamous Sparrow Hill Road. A psychopomp of sorts but referred to a hitcher, Rose haunts the local truck stops and diners, always the last face seen before death claims another traveler while staying one step ahead of her killer. Hellbent on winning her freedom from a man who bargained with the crossroads, Rose will do whatever it takes to destroy him. After all, she has all the time in the world.
Anyone who has grown up in the midwest has heard of the Phantom Prom Date Ghost or the Girl in the Silk Green Dress. An Urban legend that despite its many names and appearances, all centers around a sixteen-year-old girl who died on her way to the prom and often appears to those driving down a long winding road, looking for a ride home. McGuire expands upon this legend, gracing readers with a humorous and bittersweet piece of Americana folklore as she tells us the story of the spirit known as the Girl in the Diner, the Lady in Green, The Phantom Prom Date, the Shadow of Sparrow Hill Road, and her journey through death as she plays guide for the dead while plotting revenge against the man who killed her.
“Let’s go kick some dead guy arse.”
McGuire’s already active imagination goes into hyperspeed as she builds a whole nother world that exists between twilight and daybreak. Set in her Incrypid world, McGuire draws upon different legends and mythology to add flavor and depth to Rose’s story. Originally presented in serial form (2010), McGuire restructures these stories, shuffling them into four parts, with each part focusing on an individual moment in Rose’s life. Though they are all set loosely in order, they read a little abrupt with some repetition until they find their rhythm. Using a conversational style of narrative, McGuire flashes between the past and the present as she slowly prepares Rose for what’s to come.
Rose is an entertaining conversationalist. Lively and opinionated with a very dry wit, she had me laughing throughout the book.
“I have never wanted to punch a highway in the face as badly as I do right now.”
Though perpetually sixteen, Rose is no juvenile anymore having been dead for over fifty years. Surprisingly not bitter over what happened to her, she took her death in stride and now looks forward to the little things that soften the unbendable rules she is forced to adhere too. Cheeseburgers…milkshakes… a nice warm coat. She has plenty of friends among the living and dead, each one a viable force to be reckoned with. Rose’s home away from home is the Last Chance Diner, owned and operated by her bestie, a bean sidhe named Emma. Emma knows how the rules work with Rose and helps when she can, but she doesn’t coddle Rose and often tells it like it is.
“I’m not the only hitcher in this state.”
“Is that so? And what state are we in then, Rosie-my-dear? Denial? Transition? Oh, could be in the state of grace? I’m really quite fond of that one, grace.”
Other personable entities drift in and out of Rose’s life as she travels the ghostroads towards her destiny. A destiny that harkens back to her murder and a love that never died.
Sparrow Hill Road is a unique ghost story filled with both light and dark moments that offers readers something different in this genre. McGuire leaves us with more than one unanswered question and I am looking forward to revisiting this world and spending more time with Rose, Gary, and the other residents of this world. Book two
I give this a 3.5. Enjoyable though I was more invested in revisiting with some old friends and discovering all the clues Ashley was dropping about whI give this a 3.5. Enjoyable though I was more invested in revisiting with some old friends and discovering all the clues Ashley was dropping about what's to come then the romance. Snapper and Rosalie follow a predictable path from beginning to end as Rosie works through her issues. ...more
Favorite Quote: “You suggest we throw humans at them instead of rocks?”
Reviewed by Tori
We left Dragon Spawn after the Lupi children’s’ kidnapping was arranged by the dragon spawn in return for a promised favor from the Great Bitch. She wants to use Lily’s body and in her attempts to take over the world. Lily and Rule are separated when the mission to rescue the children falls apart in a terrific battle and Gan’s attempts to save them, results in Lily, Rule, Madama Lu, and Cynna being pulled through a gate from Dis (the demon realm) into another realm. Lucky for us, Wilkes recaps all this in the beginning.
Dragon Blood picks up with Lily being discovered and taken to Long Jia, the capital of the dragonhome , as a prisoner of the dragon spawns while Rule, Madame Lu, and Gan end up approximately 100 plus miles away with Rule badly injured. Lily is jailed and is shocked but pleased to see Cynna is a prisoner too. She also meets Helen Whiteheads’ twin sister-Alice-whose own motives remain circumspect. Lily soon learns of her captor’s plans regarding herself and the children which pushes her to plan an escape. The more she learns about her captors and the world around her, the more she understands the myriad of different forces at work. The battle to save the earth from the Great Bitch is on.
Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi series was one of my gateway series into urban fantasy and I devoured the first book in the series-Tempting Danger with a vengeance. I’ve enjoyed this serious and dark urban fantasy because of its strong female character driven cast and story arc. We first meet our protagonists- Lily Yu and Rule Turner –Tempting Danger. A pragmatic human cop and a worldly Lupi prince whose destiny is tied together as the Chosen through they don’t know that until it’s too late.
As the series progresses, so does the evolution of Lily and Rule as individuals and as a couple. We watch as Lily deals with a mating bond to a man unknown for his monogamy, respective dismay from both families, and her deep submersion into magic. Lily and Rule are flip sides of a coin and both have had to adjust, coincide, and find common ground in their continuously evolving love affair. Wilks does a fantastic job of creating pockets of realism in this fantasy world as she balances all her characters’ various different relationships with the ever-expanding world and paranormal plotlines.
Told from two viewpoints-Lily Yu and her grandmother-Madame Yu, this storyline is extremely convoluted and overflowing with information so you really have to be up to date on this particular arc to understand everything going on. Set in what I presume to be a historical and alternative version of China, Wilks stays centered here as she sets out to bring us up to speed on the Great Bitch story arc while giving us more background on the dragon spawns existence and the many facets of Lily’s grandmother.
Some readers may bemoan the lack of movement in the arc and the sheer amount of filler used in here. I myself was left less enchanted with this particular installment. Frankly, the Great Bitch storyline should have been resolved already but Wilks keeps adding to it, bringing more confusion and unnecessary drama. The elaborate exposition of mundane scenes, randomly inserted plotlines, certain additions that added nothing to the story, and the glaring usage of the children as plot moppets was a disappointment and led me to skim the book at times. Extremely verbose and particular, the story trudges along as Wilks falls into various rabbit holes as she philosophizes on magical theory, social constructs, various emotional states, and alternative world history.
While I was disappointed to see Lily and Rule separated, the subplot regarding Madame Yu was certainly eye-opening and fun to watch. She’s always been a bit of a wild card in the series and I enjoyed the in-depth characterization and certain reveals that should prove to be VERY interesting in the future. I was amazed though that nobody seemed all that shocked by some of the things she was able to do. An interesting cast of new characters is introduced while Wilks revisits a few familiar long-term faces. They all help to amp up the story’s energy and break up the sometimes monotonous narrative.
Around the 65% mark, the story picks up speed and begins to tighten up in preparation for a climactic ending. The humor, action, and suspense I had been waiting for suddenly appeared. Some shocking secrets and manipulative twists are revealed that left me side-eyeing the book while laughing softly to myself. I give Wilks props for going there.
While this particular installment was not a favorite, I will continue to recommend Eileen Wilks’ The World Of The Lupi series to readers who enjoy action-packed, suspenseful Urban Fantasy brimming with charismatic characters, strong female leads, intriguing storylines, and viable relationships. I do suggest starting from the beginning because this is a continuous evolving arc that picks up where it leaves off in each book. I really hope book fifteen, title and release TBA, keep us Earthbound with more Lupi/Dragon involvement and a firm ending to this story arc.
Feehan’s latest adventure revolves around a Russian outlaw Motorcycle Club who has settled right outside of Sea Haven in a small town called Casper. If you are familiar with her Sea Haven Sisters series, you will recognize this group from the last book-Bound Together. In Bound Together, we learn that president of the Torpedo Ink MC, Viktor Prakenskii, aka Czar, married and abandoned Blythe Daniels in order to finally take care of the human trafficking ring once and for all. He comes back five years later, they find their HEA, and the MC settles down to start building a life and heal. Like the Sea Haven series, this series is based on a group of people who call each other family and are tied together by blood, pain, and survival. Kidnapped as children, they are trained to be the ultimate assassins. Upon escaping and eventually destroying the school and those who hurt them, the group formed an MC and are now attempting to live free.Though not into drugs, guns, and woman like most clubs, this club does operate outside the law as mercenaries/vigilantes for hire.
Reaper, an enforcer for the club, is one of the most dangerous members. Also one of the more damaged. He has suffered things that no one, not his fellow brothers/sisters or even his president know about. He needs complete control and hates being touched. He truly believes he has no soul; that he is dead inside. The latest hire at Torpedo Ink sends him into a spiral as he struggles to understand the raging need that blasts through him, breaking all his control.
Anya Rafferty is on the run and is lucky enough to secure a post with the Torpedo Inc MC. Raised on the streets and shuttled between shelters as her mother chased her drug habit, Anya knows how things can change in the blink of an eye. Always prepared, she just wants to a place to feel safe but in the deepest recess of her heart, she wants to settle down and build a family. The MC could be her new family but the one they call Reaper doesn’t want her around. As Anya struggles to find her place, she and Reaper start down a dark and dangerous path filled with pain, love, loss, revenge, and redemption.
Judgement Road is an emotionally dense storyline filled with action-packed mystery, suspense, intrigue, and an erotic based romance. It is a dark story and I would be remiss in not warning readers of the explicit scenes of violence and mentions of sexual assault and torture. Strong plotting and the conversational style narrative helps to combat the somewhat weak characterization. Feehan does a good job of introducing us to the protagonists and integrating their backstories into the narrative. The paranormal aspects are far more subtle but they are apparent as you go deeper into the story (they appear are more instinctual in nature). Feehan takes her time building the tension of the main conflict, allowing us to participate in the story as we follow the MC into the fray. The various other MCs and the common denominator that brings them together offers readers the excitement and suspense we expect from her series. The barely civilized manner they all possess just adds to the sense of danger and anticipation.
The romance balances nicely against the main conflict. While it has a definite strong foothold with multiple explicit sex scenes, there are enough everyday scenes and various subplots that serve as nice counterpoints. It doesn’t overwhelm. Feehan digs deep into Reaper’s issues and does not offer Anya or their falling in love as an instant cure-all. Allowing them to spend time together helps them both to learn to trust and fall in love but we aren’t ever fooled into thinking Reaper is cured. Anya and Reaper aren’t an easy couple and there were some scenes that made me question whether they would make or if they even should. This is established almost from the beginning. Reaper is dangerous and Anya is not all that safe with him. Though Reaper is dominant to the point of offensiveness at times, Anya is more than able to handle herself against him and knows when to bend and when to break bad.
The ending comes at you hard, wrapping up the main conflict while opening the door for much more to come. I’m looking forward to each of the members getting their HEA. There is seventeen total (2 down-15 to go) so that tells us this series will be quite a few books. I foresee a couple threesomes. ;) Future plotlines and a possible romantic connection already in the works is touched upon in though it’s not going to be an easy ride for any of them. Now, I won’t lie and say there weren’t some issues. On three separate occasions, Feehan uses almost the same setup and descriptive terms to open a scene featuring the two female members of the MC. Some of Reaper’s and the MC’s actions left a nasty taste in my mouth but at least Feehan explains the reasons behind it and it’s not mere lip service.
Regardless, I enjoyed this new venture and fans of Feehan are sure to enjoy also.
Dallas and Lex-the King and Queen of Sector Four-haven’t always been the power couple we see before us today. Once upon a time, Dallas was just startiDallas and Lex-the King and Queen of Sector Four-haven’t always been the power couple we see before us today. Once upon a time, Dallas was just starting to build the O’Kane name and Lex was a runaway Orchid turned thief. This couple took years to craft their relationship; to mold, tame, and understand the dynamics that brought them together and almost destroyed them.
The 2nd in Rocha’s spin-off of their bestselling Beyond series, it not only takes us back into the world we all adore, keeping us abreast of current news but also gives us more insight into the relationships of our favorite couples. I love digging deeper into Lex and Dallas’ beginnings. Beyond Control gave us their story…this gives us their courtship and answers some questions about Lex's attitude in the beginning. Fast, fun, and furious, this novella is 100% pure O’Kane. WARNING: This novella contains spoilers from the Beyond series.
Paradise Simone (Pari) came to Chicago to escape a personal tragedy, never imagining her loss would open the door to love. Max Kulagin is a temperamenParadise Simone (Pari) came to Chicago to escape a personal tragedy, never imagining her loss would open the door to love. Max Kulagin is a temperamental Russian tattoo artist who takes one look at Pari and sees his soulmate. Max sees the damage in Pari, having suffered himself as a child, and takes his time wooing her into trusting him. When Pari’s past rears its ugly head, Max steps in to make sure she knows she will never be alone again.
Max is a sweet, humorous and very sexy romance between two damaged people who have triumphed over evil and find solace in one another. A fast racy read with cameos by almost all our favorite past characters. Hot and edgy chemistry is highlighted with humor, engaging dialogue, lots of sex. :P A mild suspenseful subplot adds a little darkness to the storyline. Grade: B...more
The third book in Crane’s The Devil’s Keeper series is another opposites attract romance with a splash of sexually fueled antagonism. Not everyone dC+
The third book in Crane’s The Devil’s Keeper series is another opposites attract romance with a splash of sexually fueled antagonism. Not everyone dreams of being someone’s old lady, especially one woman whose own experiences with MCs have made them enemy #1 in her world. But when the only man to rev her engine is the enforcer for the local MC, well, it’s always better with the devil you know. Lightly erotic with a nice balance between the romance and the main storyline, this is probably my favorite of the series so far. The heroine is the star of the story. ...more
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.