Grade: A

Bam,

Okay, I’ve already said I’m a little shit for not getting this to you sooner. [Ed. Note: Yep.] What can I say? I’m busy? Nah, that’s the worst excuse on the planet. I’m prego? No, that excuse only works with my husband… and truthfully it doesn’t really work all that well. Especially when I told him I had to buy maternity shoes. He didn’t think that was quite as funny as I did. You know I always have time for you, even when you’re having a… moment. Because I love you, no matter what. Ewww! Now that my hormonal love fest is over, I’ll tell you something: I love Joey W. Hill. With a passion I simply don’t understand. Maybe I’m a voyeur. Well, no, I think I’m a mental voyeur. Actually seeing the stuff she writes about would probably cause a mental breakdown, but imagining it? In all of it’s dark, heavy romantic glory? Well, that I can definitely handle.

I read Natural Law on your recommendation and it took me a long time to get through it. Every few chapters I had to put the book down and think about what I was reading, what power plays (both sexual and non-sexual) are really about and what draws a certain man to a certain woman and vice versa. From that moment I was hooked, and have read nearly all of Ms. Hill’s backlist (at least all of it that I could get my hands on). Now, I know this review is late, but when you told me to hurry up and read The Vampire Queen’s Servant, I was ecstatic. I also knew that like the majority of Ms. Hill’s writing, this would be an intense story with strong fantasy elements. This book was not a letdown, and definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Plot: Lady Elyssa (Lyssa) Yamato Amaterasu Wentworth is the Vampire Queen, who in Ms. Hill’s world, are a group of powerful, predatory beings that are nearly indestructible. The Vampires are struggling as the “made” Vampires are now close to outnumbering the “born” Vampires and both groups are fighting for supremacy. The Vampire Council (which Lady Lyssa helped form but is not officially a member) is a loose attempt at control over the entire Vampire species. Lady Lyssa, as the Vampire Queen, is a target since she is a symbol of power (and has quite a bit of actual power due to her heritage - she’s part Fairy, part Vampire). Somewhat surprisingly, Lady Lyssa has been without an entourage or a human servant since she sent Thomas, her last servant (and ironically, a monk) away after a major fight with her (now dead) husband, Rex. Lyssa and Rex’s relationship is a fantastic, deep and difficult subplot that drives quite a bit of Lyssa’s actions, but more on that later. Thomas was dying and his last wish was that Lady Lyssa take Jacob, a young, smart, stunning man, to be her servant. Jacob trained with Thomas to serve Lady Lyssa in every way. Of course, this is Joey W. Hill here… the number of unexpected ways Lyssa demands service is shocking and difficult for Jacob (and for those uninitiated to Ms. Hill’s writing). And surprisingly, his on-the-job training is also shocking and difficult for Lyssa. The sexin’ that ensues ™ is hot, feral and heavily laced with BDSM, which fits well into the Vampire’s need for and exhibitions of power and dominance.

The Heroine: I adored Lyssa. She is a combination of power and vulnerability that is as captivating as a Vampire is supposed to be. She senses both the supreme power in herself and knows that she is emotionally vulnerable even as she tries to deny it and has a hard time understanding it, making her even more accessible. While physical vulnerability is nothing to Lyssa since Vampires must be beheaded, their heart removed, staked or walk in full sunlight to die (but I may be missing some ways to die, Ms. Hill didn’t dwell on it), she seems to be suffering from an ailment that will eventually kill her. How Lyssa picked up this ailment is both a delicious and awful story that has it’s roots in Lyssa and Rex’s twisted relationship. When Jacob appears with Thomas’ recommendation, Lyssa reluctantly agrees to take him into her home and give him a trial period as her servant. To become a full servant, the Vampire must give the servant three special bites which tie the human and Vampire through a mental and physical connection. Lyssa is reluctant to form any attachment, and can’t understand why she is so drawn to Jacob so she constantly tries to force him away even as she seeks him out. Lyssa’s internal conflict is fascinating and as she and Jacob both struggled with their feelings, I found myself hoping the book wouldn’t end.

The Hero: Jacob is a jack-of-all trades, having worked in the circus, at fairs, as a sometimes mechanic, a handyman, capable cook, fighter, dancer, beautician… he is a true renaissance man. Oh, and he worked with his brother Gabriel as a Vampire hunter. Don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler! I wouldn’t ruin this fantastic book for you like that. Jacob saw Lyssa when he was with his brother hunting another Vampire and Jacob was instantly and inexplicably drawn to Lyssa. Thomas prevented Jacob from meeting Lyssa, but realized that there was something special about Jacob. When Thomas realized he was dying, he found Jacob (or was it vice versa? I can’t remember… damn hormones) and began to train him as his replacement. In certain ways, Jacob reminds me of Mac Nighthorse (of Natural Law fame). Jacob wants to serve, but his definition of serving and being a servant to a Vampire and Lyssa’s definition diverge. As Jacob grapples with his emotions, his anger at being forced to submit (and eventually his anger at himself for willingly submitting) and his need to do anything and everything for Lyssa (with certain limits) he begins to expose his vulnerabilities. Jacob’s imperfections make him perfect and he’s quite a specimen. All of this combined makes him delightful in so many ways.

The Secondary Characters: While Thomas and Rex exist mostly in flashbacks and memories, their presence is powerful and their influence is palpable. As I mentioned before, Rex and Lyssa had a twisted relationship, which Thomas was emotionally entwined with as well. I don’t want to say anything more here, but I will tell you that while there are brief glimpses of what happened between Lyssa, Rex and Thomas; it’s wrenching and powerful, and I had to put the book down to absorb it a few times.

Carnal, a Vampire made by Rex, is another secondary character. We have an even more brief look at him and I’d personally like to take his head off. He is dangerous, manipulative, brilliant, ruthless and power hungry and I won’t say any more except he shows up late and leaves a lasting impression. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw more of him in the second book.

Mr. Ingram shows up a couple of times to chauffer Lady Lyssa and Jacob around. While it seems like he should be dismissed, Ms. Hill makes him unforgettable by providing salient points through poignant dialogue and description. I adored his strong perceptive nature (which fit in well as a counterpoint to Jacob’s emotional reactions) and hope he is around again to look out for everyone’s best interests.

Shuzluva Says: Lyssa and Jacob’s relationship is the driving force behind this incredibly engaging book. Ms. Hill’s writing is powerful, exciting and, yes, heavy. But there’s something that made it easier for me to handle than some of her other, also heavy (and heavy BDSM) books. Perhaps it was the strength underlying both Jacob and Lyssa’s vulnerabilities, combined with the element of paranormal fantasy. Whatever it was, I love it! It’s clear to both Lyssa and Jacob by the end of the book that they’re better together than apart, and I want to read much more about them. Lucky for me Ms. Hill is writing The Mark of The Vampire Queen and I’ll get to expreience them all over again (rather than reading the book a third time… which I’ll probably do anyway). This gets a straight A. When the hell is the next one coming out???

Love ya,

Shuzluva

You may buy this amazing book here.

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