Queen of Diamonds: Amber Farrell - Paranormal PI (Bite Back - Urban Fantasy Thrillers Book 7)

The Bite Back series is great for mixing action, complex political maneuvering, and character development. The series relates Amber's discovery and growth in powers in the midst of the struggle between the two Athenate (vampire) philosophies, which are somewhat aligned with the emerging werewolf confederations and impacted by the maneuverings within the Adept (witches & wizards) communities.Nothing is solid, few relationships are straightforward and clear, and everyone's actions can have three different hidden motivations. In this, Amber and her family of mutts and misfits are doing pretty well, give or take a dark god or two, when a new witchy player, the Queen of Diamonds, emerges from the Louisiana bayous with tremendous arcane power, a clan of powerful were creatures, and a partnership with the darkest Athenate groups to claim everything. Amber has to stop her, preferably without sacrificing her loved ones. How Amber does this involves some of the best action scenes I've read in a long time, as well as maneuvering a political swamp (see what I did there?) of Athenate traditions and taboos, werewolf pack alliances and sensitivities, and grabs for mystical powers by different Adept alliances.I also liked that Amber is developing and growing into her powers, becoming more comfortable with her skills in the three areas. Equally importantly, she's begun to reach back into her background in Special Ops to overcome her enemies and protect her team. Unfortunately, this didn't leave very much room for moving other characters along in their development, but it's already Henwick's longest Athenate book, so I understand the tradeoff.As with the other books in the series, I expect to reread The Queen of Diamonds a number of times before I get all the nuances. Still, his best book so far, in my biased opinion.

As soon as I saw Queen of Diamonds was released I bought the book. Then read it from start to finish. Such a good book. I like the development of Amber as the story progresses. The action scenes are great. Hey Mark please get the next in series out. I am all so very interested in what happens next. Thanks for a great read!

Excellent writing skills, nonstop action as usual, and finally the main character does something planned instead of just reacting to whatever happens. Up until now, it felt like the main character, while empathic, principled, full of honor, street smarts and stubbornness, is a bit ... simple. Not dumb, I hate stories with stupid main characters, but not a blazing intelect either. Finally, she seems to become a leader instead of only a yessir-er, hopefully opening up the horizons.

I've been waiting 3 years for this book and was concerned that some of the 'spark' might be missing. I am no longer concerned. I was immediately drawn back into Amber's world.This book significantly advances many of the ideas and plans laid out in Angel Stakes and Inside Straight, but it is clear there is much more of the story to be told. I'm looking forward to Book 8 and...?I do hope we won't have to wait another 3 years. ;-)

I am a huge fan of Amber Farrell and lose sleep each time a new book comes out. I'm glad I read each one more than once since I always rush through the first time I read them. As Amber understands more of her power and how to use them, she faces even greater challenges and dangers. If you're a fan of this series, you will love this book as well.

Amber is my favorite series. I enjoyed this book. Lots of characters to track. Many new characters and some from previous books. I am glad Amber has mostly worked through her past. Book after book of remaining mired in the past isn’t interesting. Seeing progression forward is good. Looking forward to next book.

Mark as usual ties it all up with a good mix of action, plot, and character development with a barrel of snark. Love it it like cloudy sunrise

It has been a while since I read the earlier books in this series, but there was no ramping up. I was grabbed from page one and back into the story as if I had never left. Good adventurous fantasy from an author with a wonderful imagination. I highly recommend this book, and all of its prequels.

A heart pumping and exhilarating read that will literally have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath for pretty much the whole book. Amber does not lead a boring or an easy life. With every new chapter, eery new risk, she takes on more experience, responsibility and grows ever more into her powers. An uber power? Absolutely not, she makes mistakes, relies on her friends and allies, takes risks and and often questions the costs of her decisions. All of this makes Amber one of my favourite characters in urban fantasy ever. If I ever wanted to sum up the genre in a perfect package for another reader with a series that delivers it all this world comes up there at the top.In this outing Amber is of course trying to do too much, in too little time, with each of her superiors demanding something of her. I really felt though that we are finally seeing her develop into the person she is going to become. More than ever her triple nature is beginning to meld and her wolf, athanate and adept natures are settling with each other and Amber is coping capably with them all.She is finally allowed to leave Denver, and take on a trip that will help both Were and Athante politics, and settle something more personal. I loved the Were mission to rid the world of a slice of evil, her team working together in a way that was a joy to read. Harking back to her secret ops days, I felt like I lived every second with her. Amongst all the big problems, there are chances to do little things that make big differences and Amber's kindness and humanity is always on display. But life can't be simple and unexpected problems crop up, and it appears that there is threat that was unanticipated and Amber must accept help from a very new and dangerous quarter, and tackle an extremely dangerous foe.You can't read this book on it's own, the whole Bite Back series must be read in order but if you haven't then you are in for an enormous treat. Truly wonderful, l loved every second of this.

We have waited a long time for this, but it's a good one!I don't want to say much about what happens becasue almost anything I say will be a spoiler and I don't think you would thank me for it.So I will contain myself to saying that there is plenty of action for those who want that, but it isn't gratuitous violence - every fight advances the long term story arc. I'm not going to say how, but this book does link right back to how Amber got involved in this hidden world and her specific house background.As ever, don't start reading this series here. Go back to at least book 1 "Slight of Hand", personally I'd go to book 0 "Raw Deal", and do take the diversons to the novellas as they have been woven back into the main plot arc with great skill. Not every book in the series is as good as this one: there are some I re-read more than others.There are some details which are opportunities for short stories in their own right. These are omitted from this book becasue this is Amber's tale and what Scott get's up to with the Belles doesn't belong here. I'd still like to know.I'd also like a whole series of notes, diary entries or something of the whole saga written from Agent Ingram's point of view. We know he wrote it all down becasue he mentioned it to Amber. There's no good reason why he should have stopped writting his case notes just because he found the Hidden Path and those who walk it.Emergence draws closer. What will happen then? I'm beginning to worry that there might not be too much more to read in this saga.

You start as something simple, like a top flight, best of the best, special ops trooper. Then you find out the wild creature attack in the jungle you barely survived made you Athanate (vampire). But your spirit animal is a wolf, because you have lycan heritage, based around old school magical groups, which means you have witch-shaman abilities as well. But you're only showed to be one! Aren't you? Then you get embroiled in a supernatural war across continents and political divides, involving all of the group's you are part of. And the opposition gets bigger and bigger, until you find yourself facing an enemy (or is she?) supported by a god and other gods too. What do you do? Accidentally enlist the help of another god. But this one wants to take over the world as well. Oh bother.Just another day for Amber Farrell

It’s been far too long since book 6 but Mark’s back with a bang - several actually, not to mention the were challenges magic battles and an honest to goodness naval cannon. Add to that Amber’s continuing character growth and the ever closer approach of emergence and it all adds up to a fantastic addition to the series. Just don’t make us wait as long for the next, please!

The first 6 books in this series were books of becoming. Amber Farrell was coming to terms with her different parts. Her werewolf, her athenate (vampire) and her adept (witch).With book 7 she has fully entered the supernatural world and is beginning the next phase, her mission to usher in emergence and fighting a secret war against her enemies.Great book, great series.