Dark Queen ~ Faith Hunter

Hunter, Faith. 2018. The Dark Queen. New York, NY: Ace, an imprint of Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-1101991428. $7.99 USD, Mass Market Paperback.

I've been reading and enjoying the Jane Yellowrock series from the very first book, Skinwalker, and introduce it often to Urban Fantasy fans.  Some of the books in the series have been a little "out there" with the magical and mystical elements, but overall it's an excellent Urban Fantasy series that ticks all the boxes: strong, independent heroine; unique world building; well-developed secondary characters; creative magical elements; and of course, vampires, shifters, witches and even angels.  What makes this series stand out is the dual nature of the heroine: she is a Cherokee shapeshifter with the soul of a puma concolor (mountain lion) named "Beast" living inside her.  Beast has her own unique voice, opinions, strengths and sense of humor!

In this 12 title in the series, we are introduced to a new character who may or may not be Jane's biological brother, and this turns her world upside down. Although Jane has developed her own kind of family with the Youngers and Truebloods, she has always felt alone - the sole shapeshifter from her clan. She has to work through why her "brother" has suddenly shown up, as he seems to have ulterior motives. There's a lot of action in this book, as always, and the presence of the European Vamps and the upcoming vampire duel for the U.S. territories is on everybody's mind.  There are a lot of moving pieces in the story, but the climactic fight scene is worth the cost of the book!

 It was great fun to immerse myself in this unique and entertaining world again. I recommend this series often, and in my mind it's up there with other great Urban Fantasy series', such as those written by Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews.