Customer Reviews

The Vampire Queen's Servant (Vampire Queen, Book 1)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Jacob Green has spent his life searching for purpose, but the day he saw Lady Elyssa Yamato Amaterasu Wentworth he knew he had found his destiny. He disregarded the fact that he was a vampire hunter and that he had no way of entering her world. Jacob would find a way to fulfill his destiny and spend his life serving Lady Lyssa. However, when his dream becomes reality, he finds that his life is now a constant struggle within himself: Jacob must renounce all he considers as "himself" and exist only as an extension to Lady Lyssa or he must walk away.

Lady Elyssa Yamato Amaterasu Wentworth is the last remaining vampire of royal blood. Her life is spent protecting herself from attacks from other vampires and keeping the façade of indifference to all the posturing of lesser vampires. The day she lets her guard down --even for a moment-- it could mean her death. However, these last years she has been fighting a foe that can't be defeated and must be faced alone, or so she thinks. When Jacob enters her world, Lady Lyssa has no idea how to take what he is clearly offering her; not without condemning Jacob to death. However, if Lady Lyssa does accept Jacob as her human servant, she must mold him to survive within the vampire world, something which might drive Jacob away form her.

When I was first offered this book for review I was delighted, as I had enjoyed books by Joey Hill in the past. The Vampire Queen's Servant is a book that is very well written and it evolves in the complex world of vampire society which is interesting in a horrifying way. However, I have to say that this book was difficult to for me to read for several reasons. The relationship that develops between Lady Lyssa and Jacob goes beyond your typical BDSM explored in mainstream erotica. In The Vampire Queen's Servant, we see Jacob struggle against becoming not much more than an obedient dog capable of performing complex tricks and providing sexual pleasure when Lady Lyssa demands. It also bothered me that rape was considered a spectator sport serving to arouse the watchers and physical torture (read broken bones and the like) was something utilized as easily as a hanky for no other purpose than proving who held the power. Jacob's thoughts at times seemed, to me, to reflect what we typically hear from abused spouses: it hurt, I don't like it, but I deserved it. I was completely unable to live the story from the character's perspective in order to understand their motivations. It was these things that made it very hard for me to care one way or another if Jacob and Lady Lyssa got a Happily Ever After. Also, the plot of the book moved so slowly that I found myself looking for reasons to put it down and at the same time I was desperate to finish it and therefore put myself out of my misery. I don't suggest that you pick up this book unless you are not squeamish and you enjoy extremely hardcore BDSM and senseless violence. The Vampire Queen's Servant is not a book for the faint of heart or those who enjoy fast paced books.

Sabella
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

As a born vampire who has lived more than a thousand years, Lady Lyssa is one of the most powerful vampires alive, if not the most powerful. Her power makes her a target for other vampires eager to seize her territory. Having contracted a mysterious and debilitating disease, it is the worst time for her to be without a human servant. Yet, still reeling from the loss of her beloved servant Thomas, she is reluctant to accept a new servant, much less train one.

But the dearly departed Thomas has taken matters out of her hand, by leaving her with one last gift - a new manservant in the form of Jacob, trained by Thomas himself during his final days.

Lyssa finds herself unable to reject Thomas outright, but recognizes that his alpha nature will never give her the true submission that a vampire requires in their servants. Yet Jacob is relentless in his bid as her vassal, and Lyssa comes to depend on him more and more...

Having read and loved several of author Joey W. Hill's digital books previously, I thought I knew what to expect with her new print release, The Vampire Queen's Servant, at least regarding the general tone and feel of the story. Hill managed to surprise me in more ways than one with this new story, and I am in no way disappointed - far from it!

With her previous releases, she proved herself as an entertaining writer of erotic romance, with a flair for the slightly wicked side of the sensual. In this book, she takes her writing to a whole new level, penning a tome that impressed me by the complexity of both the story and the characters.

I normally prefer the hero of a story to be dominant in the bedroom, but the idea of a man with strong alpha tendencies forced to submit willingly to the woman he loves, a woman who can normally protect herself better than he from her enemies intrigued me on several levels. This story taught me that there is as much strength of will in the act of submission as there is in domination - perhaps more so for those with naturally dominant predilections. For that is what Lady Lyssa requires in her servant - willing submission. And Jacob soon learns that this concept is much more difficult than it seemed.

The Vampire Queen's Servant is laden with vampire politics. Indeed, it is these very politics that make Jacob's submission to Lyssa so vital if he is to exist in her world and not undermine her power, inviting attack by enemy vampires in the process.

I will be frank - Jacob's training seems harsh at times, but it is the way of the vampire world, and necessary to both his and Lyssa's survival. The story is rife with darkness, and some readers may find it hard to fathom certain aspects of the vampire/servant relationship if they apply the rules of the real world to this story. However, Ms. Hill engenders total acceptance of these practices for those readers who allow themselves to immerse their imaginations in the harsh world of this vampire society.

This book will be continued in a forthcoming sequel, titled The Mark of the Vampire Queen. Note that I say the book will be continued, for this story is very much a `part one' to an ongoing story, rather than a typical edition in a series. I would compare this to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books, which are one story split into three separate books. The Vampire Queen's Servant is merely the beginning to Lyssa and Jacob's story, and while some of the story is wrapped up in the end, readers will be very conscious that there are storylines to be continued and more fully explored in the next book.

For those who enjoy a great paranormal tale with strong BDSM content, Joey W. Hill's newest release is one you won't want to miss!

As a long time fan of JWH, this one was a great disappointment. I can't even get the concluding book to finish this story. I found the story and dialogue so so slow bordering on long-drawn and tedious, that I found myself skimming half way through. I did not feel the strong emotional and romantic pull that I've come to expect from JWH's books. I was so excited that JWH was venturing into the vampire genre because I love reading and watching vampire stories (ie Underworld, Delilah Devlin's My Immortal Knight series) which naturally have alot of eroticism and action adventure. This is a gifted writer but unfortunately she must be going through a different spell or inspiration because this is the second book of hers that I've read in a row which I've found lacking (Mistress of Redemption being the other one). I understand in order to grow, authors like to challenge themselves with different themes and genre, but the story still needs to be engaging, passionate, and keep moving forward. There were sections that felt like forever filled with internal battle/dialogue. Okay I get it she's hesitant about making Jacob her servant but does the whole book have to be about that struggle. I realize her other books (Ice Queen, Mirror of My Soul, Natural Law, If Wishes were Horses) were also about guy likes girl, girl is scared but drawn to guy, girl pushes guy away, guy pushes back, and eventually guy gets the girl, BUT those books had good pacing that made them engaging and the stories were aways moving forward with good character and story development not to mention action (ie kicking the heck out of that perverts, base jumping between buildings, Wiccan rituals). Now I will definitely be hesitant about picking up another JWH book without reading the reviews.

I've read plenty of books, but never have I read a book that I've totally devoured, closed and open back again to savor it.
Be warned this books is not for the faint of heart.
If you are not into BDSM, truly into it, it's not for you.
If one has preconceived notions of paranormal erotica; i.e. willing docile human servant, soft touch slap and tickle or mealy mouth submissives this book will not be your cup of tea.

I picked this book up based on the cover alone.

The first lines grabbed me.
Lyssa is an enigmatic force to be reckoned, she is the Vampire Queen.
What came as a shocked to me was that she is willing to take risks with her own life.
She not portrayed as some decadent brat/vixen propped on a pedestal using everyone else as her claws.
A vampire queen with a past filled with intrigue, true love, some regrets and pain.
More so a vampire queen who realized that she is a woman with a heart that is broken and she's afraid to allow anyone else in it.
Her servant is a true ALPHA, as in "Joey DOESN'T share food!!!"
He gives her just enough hell to make her realize he will bend backwards for her but never forward.
That despite her species political standings and social graces, he is an Alpha and as such his job is to protect her.
I will have to stop there, so many have given a summary of the story, that I do not wish to take away from the pleasure of discovering the story for yourself.

The Story
Vampire Queen Lyssa has been without a servant. Her previous servant, Thomas, trained Jacob for a year to be Lyssa's companion and to take care of her. Lyssa is afraid to let anyone close again. Lyssa and Jacob are like magnets to each other. The whole book is them getting use to each other and accepting their roles in one anothers life.

Thoughts
This book was hard for me to read... I understand the BSDM concept and elements. I really don't care for a female dom, male sub. What I really don't get is how-if you care deeply for someone-Lyssa treats Jacob. How they make the servants perform sexual acts at dinner parties. Why would you do that to someone you care about? Vamps treating Humans like dancing pets, simply there for their amusement. This whole book is Lyssa learning to love again and Jacob learning to be her servant. I know from reading the third in this series, Beloved Vampire, that the tables turn in their relationship- that alone makes me want to read their next story. I know Joey Hill is going to write another book surrounding these two. I had to put this book down several times, it was hard to wrap my head around their world. As usual tho, Joey Hill writes book that elicits strong emotions.

Unlike Beloved Vampire, I absolutely enjoyed reading the Vampire Queen's Servant.
My likes: The fluidity of the story, how well thought out and well layed out it is. Hill weaves a story so multilayered and dynamic that it is simply very easy to get engrossed in the story, completely unaware of the passage of time while reading.
My dsilikes: This is the same complaint I had w/ Beloved Vampire that is apparently Hill's trademark... While the first 3/4ths of the book moves along a pretty steady rythmic pace... the last 25 all the suddenjust takes off at lightening speed, with so many twist and turns and speedy resolutions that u sometimes catch yourself thinking "Boy! I didn't see that one coming!" Some of the sexual escapades may be a bit over the top for some readers so if BDSM, submission etc is not your thing or something u find erotic then I would not recommend this book for you.

It's Joey Hill, so it's well written. But it's a hard read. I didn't like it and in the end, skimmed and even then, didn't care for it.

I found the heroine, Lyssa, too alien, and detached, and Jacob, too uncomfortable with the submissive role. What I loved about Nature of Desire was that it could take me into a very alien world (for me) and make me understand the relationships. Here, I just didn't get Lyssa. She's 1000 years old and enjoys torturing people. Well, good for her, do I have to spend time with her? And Jacob, so longing for a cause that he would give himself up for her?

There was some reincarnation/ true love/soul mate/destiny crap going on, but I really didn't care for the central relationship and didn't like Lyssa at all. So this is a rare pass for me. There's something about Hill's supernatural motifs that just don't work for me, which saddens me because her latest books have all had it... Sigh...

This fierce story will grab you and shake you like a terrier. I wasn't able to put it down. After having read it thru the night, I just sat and tought about it, a little dazed.

Lyssa and Jacob meet under unusual circumstances. He's all alpha male but he learns, reluctantly, that being occasionally submissive does not make him less of a man. Their love for each other is complex and satisfying.

This story explores the dichotomy of Jacob's purpose - an obviously alpha human that serves, and is seen serving. It explores the convoluted high-stakes of vampire politics and the relationships that make (and have made) Lyssa's life beyond complicated. Ms Hill, however, never leaves the reader behind - a tremendous feat considering the complexity of the concepts portrayed.

You do not want to miss this unusual love story. And I canNOT wait for the next installment.

I have loved Joey Hills books since her first published, wonderful fantasy story, Guardians of the Continuum. This book is no exception!

It's the story of Jacob who decides he wants to devote his life, and then his heart to serve the Vampire Queen, Lady Lyssa. Lyssa is one of the oldest living vampires and used to being in charge. Jacob is a strong man who because of his devotion, submits to Lady Lyssa, sometimes with a lot of difficulty!

It's a very intense story and I couldn't put it down. Joey Hill writes characters so real that you really begin to feel like you know and care for them.

The Vampire Queen's Servant is a fantastic story and I can't wait until the release of The Mark of the Vampire Queen which is coming in February.

I wish you could do half stars, because this book is really 3 & 1/2 stars for me. Parts of it are so very good, but other parts of it don't do it at all for me.

In theory this book about vampires and a vampire's human servant should be an easy five star for me. I love vampire books, and I love D/s play. However there were a lot of things in this book I also didn't like. I don't like the virus plot. I don't care for the past with her ex-husband. And Jacob is just too alpha male for me. I can enjoy alpha males in books, but in a book that's supposed to be about a D/s relationship with a female vampire, I want a submissive male. This book also left me longing for real punishment. It kept being threatened but failed to deliver for me. It was almost a tease.

At the same time, this is a book about a very strong, powerful female vampire, something I particularly love. Finding books like that is hard. There is a lot of D/s play in it, and just about every sexual situation you could imagine is explored. One scene in particular, the dinner party, I found so hot I thought I was going to catch on fire. That scene alone deserves a five star rating.

Although I'm not fond of the virus plot, it does make for an interesting plot so the book isn't all about sex, and it will certainly lead to more plot in later books. In some ways this book seems a tad disjointed, like it's a book about one plot with a lot of random sex scenes thrown in that don't all fully seem to fit to me. I think ... my main complaint is that it's not seamless. I don't lose myself in this book.

With all of that being said, I do still love this book. The characters are for the most part likable. I was particularly interested in Deborah and Brian, and I know they make an appearance in later books, so I look forward to that. The good sex parts were amazing, and with so many different scenarios, there's almost something for everyone.

Anyone considering reading this book should know that it is VERY graphic and does not shy away from any sexual situation. Romance and some erotica fans will find the BDSM in the book too much. BDSM fans will likely find it not nearly enough, and not quite 'right' if that makes any sense. In any case, I recommend it to people that like kinky, paranormal erotica, because that combination is hard to find.