Customer Reviews

The Mark of the Vampire Queen (Vampire Queen, Book 2)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now bearing the third mark of his mistress, the Vampire Queen Lyssa, Jacob finds himself immersed even deeper into the archaic politics of the vampire world, where humans are considered only property, chattel even. For a man with very Alpha tendencies, learning to accept his role in this hierarchy is difficult.

But one thing is not difficult for Jacob, and that is accepting his place in Lyssa's life. From the moment he first saw her, he knew he was meant to be with her until the end of his days.

With the third mark binding his life to hers, that end is very near. The mysterious disease that ravages her mind and body is rapidly advancing, with no cure yet in sight. Keeping her condition a secret from the Vampire Council becomes more vital than ever, as Lyssa works to safeguard the vampires under her protection. One hint that she suffers from the debilitating illness and those who seek to usurp her power and territory will not hesitate to strike.

Her loyal servant forever, Jacob will pay any cost to keep her alive and safe.

Anyone who has read The Vampire Queen's Servant (Vampire Queen, Book 1), the first book in Joey W. Hill's Vampire Queen series, will understand just how much I have coveted its sequel, Mark of the Vampire Queen, since I read it. The book that kicked off this fantastic paranormal saga was wonderful, but felt much like a `part one'. Having now enjoyed the second book, I can tell you with great delight that Mark of the Vampire Queen is very definitely a continuation of that first story and that the two together make for a powerful and edgy story that is not to be missed.

Picking up where we left off with Lyssa and her new human servant, Jacob, we are thrust even deeper into the intrigues and politics that make up the vampire society in Ms. Hill's supernatural universe as we learn along with Jacob how to navigate this dangerous world with one's throat still intact.

Being the very antithesis of the typical servant for a vampire, Jacob understands the rules, but finds them difficult to abide by at times - most notably when there is a threat to the Lady he so cherishes. While he can suffer any pain, any indignity for her benefit, his protective instincts kick into high gear when anyone or anything dares to place her in harm's way - including Lyssa herself.

Over a thousand years old, and the most powerful vampire in the world, Lyssa is accustomed to being obeyed without question. Jacob's insubordinance, despite its altruistic cause, is trying for her. Strangely, though, she finds herself growing to treasure his care, his presence, and even the man himself - something that goes against all tenets of the vampire-human relationship. Consequently, our own empathy for this disheartened lady grows just as her feelings for Jacob do.

Through it all, Joey W. Hill keeps the tension high as Jacob and Lyssa prepare for the annual Vampire Council and the danger it brings to their lives. Once they arrive at the event, however, things turn absolutely explosive...

As fans of this author would expect, the sex is wonderfully rampant throughout the story, titillating the reader with some very inventive scenes, and some very touching moments. Readers be warned, however, the vampire world has very liberal ideas concerning sex, especially with human servants, and anything goes! For many of us, that is less a warning than a selling point, of course!

Mark of the Vampire Queen is a riveting yet unconventional paranormal romance that is sure to thrill readers who enjoy something a little different on their bookshelves.

Series Order:
The Vampire Queen's Servant (Vampire Queen, Book 1)
The Mark of the Vampire Queen (Vampire Queen, Book 2)

This is the stunning conclusion of Joey Hill's incredible The Vampire Queen's Servant, the story of ancient vampire Lady Lyssa and her devoted servant, Jacob.

I really loved this book. It's a continuation of The Vampire Queen's Servant and I think could be read alone (although why would you want to! :)

It's the rest of Lyssa and Jacobs story. There's a virus attacking vampires and for many personal reasons the race to find a cure is on. On top of that, the political realm of the vampire world is facing an upheaval and it's going to take incredible skill for them to get through it alive!

It's also a beautiful erotic love story and the devotion Jacob has for Lyssa and eventually her devotion for him is a wonder to behold.

The Mark of the Vampire Queen is another masterpiece by Joey Hill!

This story goes beyond what one would expect in a typical vampire story of vampire meets girl, vampires wins girl, vampire loses girl, vampires makes girl his vampire love.

The Vampire Queen, Lyssa and her human servant, Jacob form an eternal bond through a deep love. But a love that is tested by Lyssa, by Carnal, by other vampires and by her sickness. No matter how badly Lyssa may treat Jacob, and even hurt him physically, no matter the hurtful,vicious words she may hurl at Jacob, Jacob knows his place is by her side and takes it. The lovemaking is all the more passionate because of the difficult nature of our vampire queen.
I love the introduction of Gideon,Jacob's brother and the part he plays in the storm-ridden life of Jacob and Lyssa.
The sensual,sexual,provocative, intoxicating relationship created by Joey Hill MAKES this vampire novel a cut above.(no pun intended)
This second novel packs a punch due not only to the highly charged sexual content which Ms.Hill delivers to the reader in increasing doses; but also with the ending which left me absolutely shell-shocked and breathless!
An incredible journey of love,hate,hope,tenderness,cruelty.
I am so glad there is a third books due. But at the same time unhappy that I must wait until 2009 for it.:(

WoW! These are my first 2 books from Ms Hill. I struggled at times with the first book. It was alot darker than I imagined and abit dry. But by the end of the book I had to know how the story ends. While it didnt quite have D/s edge of the 1st, this 2nd book is breath taking! Very few authors can grab you from the inside and put you in the characters shoes and make you feel what they feel and make you care what happens to them. For 2 days I have not been able to leave Jacob and Lyssa. I was in tears at 7am this morning. I didnt feel lacking or cheated by the end of the book. The story was told and it was a wonderful ride. I'm almost afraid to read anything else by her in fear that it wont/cant be this good.

I just finished this book a few hours ago and felt I needed to let everyone know how wonderful I thought it was! I have never written a review before but, when you find yourself crying while reading a book you know how wonderful the story is. The first book was good but this one was phenomenal. I really can't wait for the next one in the series.

This is the 2nd Joey W. Hill that I have had the pleassure of reading. I absolutely loved the The Vampire Queen's Servant couldn't wait to get started on the sequel.

There were many things I loved about this this book, the use and fleshing out of secondary characters, and deeper understanding of Vampire culture and mores. I loved Gideon and hope that he too gets his own story one day. I loved meeting Mason, Danny, and Dev.

This book was almost perfect except for the ending which left me feeling unfullfilled. Being a vampire was so much of Lady Elyssa's essense and to take that away from her just deflated my literary high at the end of the book and left me shaking my head why. The main character went from being a Lioness at the beginning of the book to a Lamb at the end. I think the readers deserved a better payoff for Lady Elyssa and her Sir Vagabon. Anyhoo, still enjoyed the book tremendously and would recommend as as good read.

This book makes a great gift for that Vampire junkie in your life! After I read a few pages online I knew she would like it. She read it in one day, good thing I bought her the first two books in the series! Guess I'll have to get her the rest too.

Picking up where The Vampire Queen's Servant left off, The Mark of the Vampire Queen gives us a carefully written reminder of the previous installments events. Jacob Green has been given the third mark by Lady Lyssa. But she is dying and this leaves him bound to die with her if a cure for the Delilah virus cannot be found. Jacob's concern lies mainly in saving Lyssa though she must live if the vampire world is to maintain what little civility it currently has. There are some vampires who view humans not only as lesser beings but as less than even cattle.

With the Council's gathering approaching Lyssa needs to be in top health and the planning of her yearly kill must go through perfectly. Without it she will not last. But in helping her kill an innocent is Jacob compromising everything he has always stood for? The gathering itself may prove to be the undoing of everything both Jacob and Lyssa have worked for.

I do apologize for the slightly weak summary. There was a lot more plot packed into this book than the previous one. There are the preparations for the gathering and the gathering itself, then more story! If you enjoyed the first but wished it had just a bit more butt-kicking action this one will be a treat. What there was less of to an extent were the lengthy graphic sex scenes between Jacob and Lyssa. I think Hill did well in curbing that aspect of the book just enough to keep them from becoming stale and dull. There was a lot less of the BDSM element this time as well, for me I didn't mind but if you come in expecting it to top The Vampire Queen's Servant you'll likely be disappointed.

What I did greatly enjoy with this one was the vast use of secondary characters both to send the plot in many directions and in the sex scenes. I felt the scenes were multiple persons were sexually engaged were more tasteful and erotic than the first book. Seeing the vampire world openly at the gathering was a bit like watching Eyes Wide Shut, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a carefully plotted homage there. My only dislike about the book was that just when I thought the story was ended it went on. I really felt that the story could have ended at the one point and it would have been a little tragic but so much more romantic than the additional chapters.

Overall this was a fast paced and very well plotted story with great erotic threads tying it all together. If you're looking for an erotic paranormal romance with vampires this one is sure to please.

Sex. Sex. Sex. Got your attention? This book caught mine.

Jacob Green, a former vampire hunter, has taken the third mark from his vampire queen, thus turning him into Lady Lyssa's human servant. Naturally, his brother Gideon, who is still a vampire hunter, is less than pleased with that development. But both Jacob and Lyssa's former servant, Brother Thomas, believe Jacob's human life has crossed paths with Lyssa's for centuries, once as her samurai protector and again, as a knight during the Crusades. Both times he was killed. He's convinced he will remain at her side this time. Who knows? Maybe the third time's the charm.

Unfortunately, Lady Lyssa, the oldest known living vampire and the last of the Far East Clan, has contracted a virus for which there is a no cure, only a definitive and gruesome death. Binding herself to Jacob has granted her enough of a reprieve to settle her affairs. But when she dies, so will her human servant. Lord Brian and his human servant, Debra, are hard at work developing a cure. Until then, Lyssa must rely on Jacob to care for her. For a Dominant vampire, this is a huge leap of trust.

With the Vampire Council convening, Lyssa and Jacob must work hard to hide her illness. If it becomes known the Council's enforcer is dying, the Council's civilized veneer might slip. The younger vampires led by Lord Carnal, chafe at the Council's restraints, convinced they should be the dominant species on Earth. Child sex slaves and unlimited killing are just two of the things they're campaigning for.

Add a pack of skilled and determined vampire hunters to the mix and everyone, human and vampire, is in danger.

Despite not having read the first book of the series, The Vampire Queen's Servant, I felt neither lost nor bombarded with back-story. I absolutely loved that! That said, when vampires are involved in the plot I'm a bit more accustomed to fast-paced, action-oriented stories. The Mark of the Vampire Queen moves at a leisurely stroll, highlighting its numerous kinks and emotional scenes and skimming the killings (a plus to some, no doubt). Arrogant, imperious, and cruel, these are not the warm fuzzy vampires seen in a number of other authors' series. Sex scenes in this story clearly reflect the strong Dominant/submissive lifestyle so be prepared for branding, torture, nonconsensual sex, anal sex, threesomes, foursomes, and more. Thankfully Joey Hill has a subtle sense of humor and a strong grasp of dialogue that lightens the book's tone when necessary. Packed with inventive sex, strong emotion, and likeable characters despite their predatorial nature, The Mark of the Vampire Queen stands out among its peers.

Chris
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This second book is much better than the first, still has the human slave aspect but at least the queen is treating Jacob more as a lover than a slave. The story was resolved the way I had predicted. Spoiler- She turns Jacob as I thought she should do throughout the first and second book. It wasn't voiced that it was forbidden to turn a servant until she was doing it. If that was voiced earlier then maybe it wouldn't have been so predictable, maybe I missed it some where. What happened after her turning him was unpredictable but the ending was nice and it left me wanting to see what happens in the third book. The C word was still used too much for my taste, as it is a turn off for me.