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Their Vampire Queen #4

Queen Takes Rook

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A Reverse Harem Vampire Romance

The epic showdown between the last Isador queen and House Skye begins.

Strengthened by her new queen sib, Shara Isador plans to return to her mansion-in-progress for some much needed rest. She especially wants to get to know her new twin Blood and fears she may have made a mistake in taking them. She does not love them. Yet.

However, the sun god and the queen of New York City have other plans.

The snares are set to capture the young but extremely powerful vampire queen. Someone inside Zaniyah's nest has betrayed them, and Shara's trusted butler calls to inform her that a large package has arrived-from Marne Ceresa, the queen of Rome. A trap, surely. Or could the unknown gift be an olive branch from the feared Triune queen?

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First published April 24, 2018

1145 people are currently reading
1829 people want to read

About the author

Joely Sue Burkhart

118 books2,012 followers
I write books. Sometimes I even finish them!

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5 stars
2,998 (45%)
4 stars
2,217 (33%)
3 stars
1,127 (17%)
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1 star
39 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,917 reviews1,440 followers
May 10, 2021
When it comes to erotic vampires, I believe this series is now my all time favourite. Between Shara's lethal powers and her snark, I am in love with her. It isn't just her Blood who want her. Powerful women can not help but desire her too. She calls others to her because she is the one everyone has been praying for ... someone who can bring justice back into their world. And she will payback in ruthless retribution. Each book in this series just gets better and better. I am not sure how Ms. Burkhart writes these complex plots with creative world building and characters with so much depth ... so quickly. She writes these books, has it edited so quick and within a blink of the eye, it is published!

I believe Ms. Burkhart's super power is her written words. This story pulls me in immediately and I'm loving every word. I try to slow down and savour every deliciously steamy scene. I revel in Shara's power when she fights back. Her ability to use her Blood's best assets and her commitment to not lie is impressive. She's a character of worth and she is not ashamed of what she loves and enjoys.

From a female prospective, I love how sex is made honest and acceptable. It isn't something dirty that a woman should never admit to. I love how periods are celebrated as a sign of power and fertility because it should be. I love the underlying messages of how power never comes without sacrifice. And Shara's attitude about never asking someone to do what she wouldn't do herself resonates so strongly with me. After reading this story, I feel like I need to don on leather, pick up a sword and start training my team to be warriors. I want to roar and I am pumped to go into battle. Shara is an inspirational character.

I love this passage:

I take what I want. Even Blood other queens would use as weapons, or Blood other queens would kill outright, or simply reject because they’re too dangerous.”...“I take Blood because I want to fuck them. So I probably fuck. A lot. And it gets messy, bloody, and yeah, dangerous.”
He leaned in and inhaled deeply, his mouth on my throat. “You’re obsessed with fucking monsters, aren’t you, my queen?”


Oh my lord. I am melting here. And her monsters are sexy hawt. Dangerous and complete with rough sex, sharp claws, talons, barbs and teeth. Her sex is my kind of sex. Dark and primal and raw. I love it. Even with the amount of delicious sex, there is a strong plot and this story moves along rapidly. We are getting near the end because the next book is rumored to be the last in this series. I can't wait to read the next book because based on the first four, it will be marvelous.

This erotic novel is highly recommended to kinky as fuck readers who celebrate sex, life and truths.

*I received an advanced copy
Profile Image for Just Josie.
1,140 reviews193 followers
May 18, 2024
▪️Vampires, Aztec mythology, magic, shapeshifters and POWER! ▪️

This series has so many great parts!
Sometimes a bit cringe-worthy, but I have to admit, I am extremely fascinated by the story.
It also slightly bothers me that the Blood keep telling Shara that “ You could kill me right now and it would be my pleasure”. Ehm.. lets pull down that a notch because it’s repeated quite often. Like I know she is your everything, but give her a little fight?

The last half of the book was by far the best. It had a lot more action. More emotions, more angst.
Since it’s an RH, the “RH-part” is heavily focused on, and very well executed too, but I also crave a plot. Action. Power.
We get a lot more of that in this book compared to the prior works. It’s not that there isn’t any plot, quite on the contrary. It just “skims the surface”. I prefer a deeper connection. A deeper storyline, but ONLY and ONLY because the author has so many brilliant ideas and I want her to dig deeper. To give her great ideas a chance to really shine. To develop.
It is a bloody good book anyways, but dig Buckhart. Dig.

Read:04/01/2019
Cover: 5 stars (they are all phenomenal)
Genre: RH/Paranormal/Romance
1st rating: 4 stars
POV: Multiple
Will I recommend: Yes
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
801 reviews9,301 followers
December 21, 2021
In the fourth book of the series, Shara and her Blood return home following a draining, if enlightening, trip to House Zaniyah in Mexico City.

Learning she can no longer sit back, Shara comes to grips with the fact that she must face enemies on several fronts. In an effort to meet the New York queen’s threats head-on, Shara and her Blood travel to NYC to go to battle with Keisha Skye, former queen to her Alpha, Rik, and beloved warcat, Daire.

While I am a lover of smut, I was pleased that there was considerably more focus on progressing the storyline in this installment than in the previous. Don’t get me wrong, there was still a lot of smexy time taking place, but it was better placed and purposeful as opposed to seemingly gratuitous.

I look forward to the continued action, character growth, and seeing what the aftermath of the NYC trip looks like and which threat Shara will face down next.
Profile Image for Katyana.
1,805 reviews291 followers
April 29, 2024
I really loved this one ... probably my favorite so far. The vampire politics moved to the forefront, and were fascinating. I am really enjoying watching all the threads of this plot unfold.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
February 20, 2023
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/23/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Bárbara Morais.
Author 14 books506 followers
Read
June 25, 2022
a cada volume fico mais surpresa (positivamente)
esse aqui tb teve uma cena excelente de sacrifício kkkkk
Shara a grande rainha comunista etc
Profile Image for Rain.
2,587 reviews21 followers
September 23, 2021
I really do love the deepening relationship between Shara and Rik.
Rik was mine. Wholly, irrevocably mine. My rock. My always. Forever. He looked at me like I was the moon and stars, and he’d die if he took his eyes off me for a single moment.
I like that Shara states that she’s a jealous queen and refuses to share her Blood (men) with others. It’s not a free for all like in other queen’s territories.

With each new gift from the Goddess, she is given more power, but that also means more to fear. This latest power comes with a heavy price. Ah yes, and her period has started again.
A woman visibly bleeding from her period, in public, without a care. Entering a huge room crammed with ravenous vampires.
Could just be me, but this seems a little reckless.

The torture/violent sex in this book was a bit much for my delicate sensibilities. It really was gruesome and I was hoping this particular kink didn’t show up again. I might need to take a break from these books, the sex and blood sharing is getting somewhat monotonous. Plus, there are SO MANY MEN NOW. I’m getting confused at who’s doing what to whom.
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,669 reviews4,499 followers
September 30, 2020
So, this was still really fun. But I will probably tap out at this point before it goes downhill for me. The story is getting a bit too complicated. While I freaking love the polygamous love and sex happening, it does start to get overwhelming with just the sheer amount of partners. I love romance and connections and that is starting to slip for me.
Profile Image for Jessica Robbins.
2,598 reviews50 followers
May 10, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

Just when I think these books can't get even better Joely throws in a new surprise and my mind is totally blown. Shara is one kick butt main character and it is awesome to follow her along her journey into a remarkably powerful vampire queen. All her Blood combine nicely to form a group that will make anyone happy and they say they protect her so sweet. From nothing to a court of hundreds in a month is some skill and power. The finale will be amazing and I am so looking forward to how she blows my mind next. If you enjoy great world building, characters you can love/hate, lots of action, and steamy scenes all combined into one book you won't be able to put down then you have to read this book/series. I loved it so it gets 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for cátia .
641 reviews149 followers
March 8, 2025
ok this one had more fight and she finally killed that other queen now she just needs to kill a god i mean no matter piece of cake i guess but shara what a powerful queen damn the series seriously is really intriguing and so easy to read it's fun
518 reviews86 followers
June 20, 2020
Their Vampire Queen reviews:
Queen Takes Knights ❤❤❤❤❤ here
Queen Takes King ❤❤❤❤❤ here
Queen Takes Queen ❤❤❤❤❤ here
Queen Takes Rook ❤❤❤❤❤ See below!

description

***I received an ARC copy of this book and voluntarily decided to leave my honest review***

Do you know the feeling you get when you try to review a truly amazing book?
Naturally, you want to write a review that does it justice, but it’s hard guys, really hard. Firstly, I’m no way near as talented with words as Joely Sue Burkhart is. Secondly, I’m still processing all the new information I’ve received in this latest instalment so my thoughts are all over the place
.

description

We pick up pretty much where the third book left us and Shara is enjoying spending time with her new Sib, Mayte. Shara is proving to be quite indulgent when it comes to the new Isador heir and with the help of Isis she gives Mayte’s daughter a truly amazing gift. No matter how much they’d wish to be able to just enjoy life and each other, a traitor in their midst rob them of this and when Ra is back, Shara and her Blood has to be extra vigilant in order to protect their, now extended, family.

Though, Skye is not her greatest enemy Shara has to deal with her sooner or later, so she goes to New York. When Skye evokes the ancient Triune Law Shara and her Blood has no choice but to pay her a visit, which leads to the long-waited showdown between the two Queens. But nothing ever really is as it seems and Shara learns not only the horrifying truth about Skye, but she also receives some heart-breaking news about her mother, the Cobra Queen.

description

I absolutely loved this book. With each instalment I’ve been thinking “this is my favourite”, but each book keeps getting better and better. In this book we truly see how Shara has grown leaps and bounds from the scared girl Rik and Daire found in the first book. She not only continues to grow in power, but she’s also getting a hell of a lot smarter about things. She’s truly embracing the path, she’s walking!

When Shara is forced to think of what kind of house she, as the Isador Queen, wants to represent, she also learns more about herself and where she comes from. She continues to be a compassionate, generous and merciful Queen and she’s gaining a better understanding of her duty.

So far things have come relatively easy for Shara, don’t get me wrong, I know she’s literally died to protect her nest, but she’s had the powers and answers to deal with more things. I have a feeling that the final book won’t be so straight forward, especially not now when she’s accepted a gift without knowing who has to pay the ultimate price.

As many questions as Joely has answered at least twice as many has come to mind.

So, here’s to the former virgin Queen, may she get be the one to declare Checkmate in the fifth and final book.

description

WARNING: This book contains detailed sex scenes with M/F, M/M, M/M/F scenes, along with a strong adult language use, so I wouldn't recommend this series if you're easily offended. If not, I personally think it suits the world created here, and I don't find it cheesy or forced!
Profile Image for Mummy's Naughty Corner.
1,513 reviews88 followers
May 4, 2020
Well what can I say a lot happens in this little book. For one there is little to do with sex! I was getting used to a large sex scene every few pages. I like how the story is going and this one was heartbreaking for a few reasons. I'm glad she did what she did in the end.
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,532 reviews308 followers
May 14, 2020
At this point I’m really loving this series. The book picked up right where the last one ended. Shara goes from the powerful (now allied) and peaceful clutches of one of Queen to another, this time a greatly feared enemy. I thought this would be a battle to go on in the series but alas Shara is a badass and likes to get shit done. Besides with so many threats hanging over her head it’s hard to schedule time with all her men. Shara is still learning her place in the world but still leaves her mark-letting it be known she will take zero shit from anyone. It’s really cool how each of her men have multiple purposes for her, one always has knowledge of something or can help. With one threat eliminated, Shara and her men are still a ways off from finding peace but I’m enjoying the road thus far and looking forward to what’s to come.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
769 reviews1,083 followers
October 4, 2021
Loved this one! Shara is called to New York to face off against the other American Vampire Queen, who just happens to be the former queen of her alpha Rik and other first blood Daire.

This just highlights how clever Shara is and her mom was.

TW for blood play, violence, past torture of one of her mom’s Blood
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,597 reviews164 followers
July 2, 2021
Holy fucking shit! this was epic! Shara is such a badass! I said I couldn't wait for her to destroy everything and she fucking did! Queen Shara fucking Isador. I bow down to you!
Profile Image for Raj.
750 reviews64 followers
November 17, 2018
This series just gets better and the only complaint would is that each book could be a bit longer,
Profile Image for Anna.
733 reviews70 followers
April 28, 2018
Gods.. That was... I just... Damn.
That fucking hurt, but in the best possible way. And Shara? She was magnificent, there is no other word for it. She certainly came a long way from that scared girl she used to be. She became so empowering, so in her element, it was an amazing thing to watch. I just couldn't tear my eyes off the pages, I had to soak it all in as fast as possible.
So much has happened here that I still cannot wrap my head around. I need some time to process everything...
“But it wasn’t over. It would never be over. Dread would hang over my heart until I knew which one of my loved ones would die.”
Just holy shit I need the next book.
Profile Image for Stacy B.
662 reviews5 followers
September 5, 2024
Again, wow!!

I feel like I have left the exact same review for the previous three books. I can't believe there is only one more book left in the series. These books have been action packed from page 1, there's hardly any break and the book is impossible to put down once you start.
Profile Image for Bubbles The Book Pimp.
955 reviews
May 1, 2018
Book four in this Vampire/Reverse harem series

Once more, we dive straight in after the events in book 3.
Shara Isador, last in The Isador line descendant to The Goddess Isis and Vampire Queen, with the aid of her ‘blood’ alpha Rik, Daire, G, xin, mehen, Navarre, Ezra with two new bloods X and I ( I can barely say their names never mind spell them ) with her new ‘Sib’ Queen Matye are left recovering after cementing their joining and a further attack from the sun god Ra.

The enemies are drawing their lines in the sand and Shara is forced to make and take somepianful gifts from the divine... with no other options Shara will suffer heartbreak no matter what she chooses, even if she decides to not use her developing powers and gifts... so Shara being the kick ass Queen she is decides to strike whilst she is in the position of power... her enemies have underestimated her and her devoted bloods... ‘a lover of monsters’ they have no clue but they will all learn... even if Shara has to beat it into them.

I freaking love this series! Each book is filled with story and plot and emotion, they are an absolute joy and pleasure to read... I mentioned in earlier reviews that this series has refreshed my love for the vampire genre and this book continues to do so! With its fantastic cast and intricately woven story, yes... this book is bloody...and descriptive.... but show me a vampire book that isn’t and it will be deemed lacking!! Not this book tho!! This book is filled with chemistry and heat and ADULT THEMES!
Consider yourself warned... HERE BE MONSTER.. HAWT LOVING ADORING MONSTERS 💚

Yes Shara’s blood is growing in numbers and despite Rik 💚 being the focus love interest... no one is left out or isolated. We continue to have fantastic insightful POV from our fave charachters which I absolutely adore, they bring new dimension and perspective from each charachter which I cannot fault!

I stretched out reading this book.. which was so painfully hard for me, I’m a fast reader, but I took my time reading this book... because in all honestly I really didn’t want it to end...
Profile Image for Leigh Kramer.
Author 1 book1,423 followers
October 17, 2021
The showdown with Keisha finally happened and it was worth the wait. But this series is starting to feel a bit repetitive to me and Shara is coming across as Not Like Other Vampire Queens. Still, there’s no denying I love this bloody bananas series.

Character notes: Shara is a 22 year old mixed race (Egyptian-white) half vampire, half god. She’s a cobra shifter and wyvern, and now has a black jaguar with wings and lion head form. Alrik is an 88 year old white Blood vampire, Alpha, and rock troll shifter. Daire is a white Blood vampire and war cat shifter. Guillaume is a white Blood vampire and hell horse shifter who used to be a Templar Knight. Xin is a 1300+ year old Chinese Blood vampire and wolf shifter with the gift of invisibility. Mehen is a centuries old Black Leviathan (dragon shifter) and king. Nevarre is a white druid raven. Ezra is a white vampire and bear shifter. Itztli is an Aztec vampire and dog shifter and his twin brother is some sort of dragon shifter; they are both 500 year old virgins. The Bloods appear to be bisexual but some could be pansexual. This is set in Eureka Springs, NYC, and Mexico.

Content notes: murder, attempted murder, violence, FMC stabs secondary character at his request (pseudo-suicidal ideation) and removes his heart before replacing it, misogynous villain wants to enslave all women, torture of secondary characters (past and present), child kidnapping (rescued), FMC has vision of her mother giving birth to her, Bloods’ desire for menstrual blood compared to addiction, death of pony and injured horse during attack, graphic blood, breeding/family planning discussion, on-page sex, menage, gendered insults, ableist language, mention of twins’ mother who was raped and impregnated, reference to human sacrifice
Profile Image for Lady Elizabeth.
456 reviews17 followers
April 4, 2019
WARNING:
BLOOD is an intrinsic part of this story and its characters. If you are NOT SURE you’re comfortable with blood + sex and bisexuality I would recommend you step with caution in this book. If you just CAN’T stand the idea, DON’T read this book.

SPOILER ALERT:
If you HAVEN’T READ the books, this review will inevitably have some kind of SPOILER, since this is the 4th book in the series.

I was calling this book the final showdown but I was wrong, this was just the beginning of the final showdown if that’s even possible now.

Waiting for Queen takes Rook was a blessing and a curse because with the drops of information in Queen takes Queen I was sure of one thing: Skye will die. I had no doubt that the Evil Queen of New York City had to die in this book and there is no secret, from the last book to this one, that the mission was being planned.

Joely Sue Burkhart has managed to surprise me and left me with my jaw hanging open on more than one occasion with this series. This book was no exception. The plot twists were awesome and the last one… I’m still regrowing pieces of my brain after it was blown over by the unveiling at the end of this story.

The characters keep growing and evolving into bigger and better people from book to book. Itztli and his twin brother Tlacel took the center stage at the beginning in a way that was phenomenal. After those two, Rik found a way to melt my heart and make me love him more than I already did. And we have a possible, definitively, new knight for Shara *smile*

I was not expecting for Shara to have the ovaries to go into Skye territory in the way and fashion that she did. She was suicidal or a badass, only those two options were in my head when I read that part and OMG it was so worth it.

Queen takes Checkmate is the next book in the series and I’m freaking scared. Something happened in this particular book that left me with my heart beating out of sync and the speculation about the next book is just plain crazy. I can’t wait and I don’t want it to happen at the same time.

This book was awesome. I would say read it now but you need to read the previous books in the series first. Yes, is a stand-alone but you would miss a lot if you started the series with this book first.

Raise your hands if you are a fan of this series and want to know what Third Treasure in Shara’s chest was. *smile*

❣An ARC of this book was given to me for reviewing purpose
Thank you Joely Sue!
(*-*)
Profile Image for Tiera McMillian.
1,160 reviews47 followers
September 27, 2018
Yes!! Shara is tired of the crap and is taking ass and kicking names! I am riveted! I’ve always hated when our kick A heroine is always sleeping and passing out after battles. I always feel like umm hello some dudes in the back are still standing get your powerful girl butt off the floor. The author has taken this into consideration and written in reasons!

Shara has really blossomed and is now playing the game in her snarky I bring monsters to heel way! Her show down with Marne and house of sky is pretty epic! So much is happening! Enemies are everywhere.

I can’t give anything away but I love a reverse harem novel with a story! More and more questions are being answered. Shara is struggling with her need for justice and safety for her new family, and her not wanting the extra responsibilities of more family. With each passing obstacle we find more and more how each blood contributes to the group and Shara’s powers as a whole!

With one book next how in the world are we going to wrap up Shara’s struggles with both the Triune and Ra, and how will Shara deal with sacrificing one she loves to complete her goals?!!
Profile Image for Yeri (wildflowerreader).
1,517 reviews78 followers
April 27, 2018
This series keeps getting better and better. I'm a little heartbroken next installment, Queen Takes Checkmate, will the last...

Shara and her Blood have blown my damn mind.
And that witch Skye has finally gotten hers.
I can't get enough. The series has been hot, gory, sexy, magical and so freaking good. The author's writing is spectacular and addictive.

Long freaking live Joely Sue Burkhart and her brilliant mind!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews

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