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xavia's review
5.0
This is probably my favorite book in the series.
Like The Shadow Queen the stakes in this book are not as high. Even with the SaDiablo-Yaslana family there aren’t any potentially deadly situations (or at least, not the type we’re used to). At the same time though, the stakes are sky high, because Cassidy is working to make sure the people she rules are taken care of while working against a Queen that is far more concerned about her wardrobe than her people.
Theran Grayhaven is annoying in the first book. There’s no way around it. He’s a jerk. And at the beginning of this book, my opinion is that he is still a jerk. But, I find that everytime I read this book, I feel more and more sympathy for him. He doesn’t like Cassidy, and she doesn’t like him, and you know? That’s okay. But he really does want what is best for his people and he wants to take care of them and help them prosper - he’s just drawn to a bad Queen.
I like that we get to see a diluted version of what makes a Queen twisted and how they may have risen to power. Hindsight being 50/50 I know that this is a subject expanded on in the last(latest?) books in the series, but here, it’s on a less comically evil scale.
Kermilla is spoiled, and greedy, and selfish. She is a pretty girl with a semi aristo background that knows how to present herself to advantage. She is entitled and believes that just because she is a Queen she should be forgiven for being a bad person. It’s not hard to see how a Territory could start out with a Kermilla, and end up a Heketah or Dorothea a few generations down the line.
And really, Kermilla was more realistic. The High Priestesses made for great drama but Kermilla is someone we’ve all met at one point or another.
We also get to dive into what makes Shalador unique among the short lived races and I just fall in love with them everytime. I would love to read more about Shalador and/or Shalador Nehele.
While we’re on the subject, I wouldn’t mind some stories about Jaenell’s other friends. This book and the last bring up Aaron a couple times but we don’t actually know anything about him. Give me his story. What about Chaosti? Or Sabrina? Or Karla? Anne keeps bring back the SaDiablo family (and if you read my review of The Queen’s Bargain and The Queen’s Weapon you know how I feel about that), but we were given so many other characters that we could explore!
Anyway. This is my favorite book in the series, for lots of reasons.
Like The Shadow Queen the stakes in this book are not as high. Even with the SaDiablo-Yaslana family there aren’t any potentially deadly situations (or at least, not the type we’re used to). At the same time though, the stakes are sky high, because Cassidy is working to make sure the people she rules are taken care of while working against a Queen that is far more concerned about her wardrobe than her people.
Theran Grayhaven is annoying in the first book. There’s no way around it. He’s a jerk. And at the beginning of this book, my opinion is that he is still a jerk. But, I find that everytime I read this book, I feel more and more sympathy for him. He doesn’t like Cassidy, and she doesn’t like him, and you know? That’s okay. But he really does want what is best for his people and he wants to take care of them and help them prosper - he’s just drawn to a bad Queen.
I like that we get to see a diluted version of what makes a Queen twisted and how they may have risen to power. Hindsight being 50/50 I know that this is a subject expanded on in the last(latest?) books in the series, but here, it’s on a less comically evil scale.
Kermilla is spoiled, and greedy, and selfish. She is a pretty girl with a semi aristo background that knows how to present herself to advantage. She is entitled and believes that just because she is a Queen she should be forgiven for being a bad person. It’s not hard to see how a Territory could start out with a Kermilla, and end up a Heketah or Dorothea a few generations down the line.
And really, Kermilla was more realistic. The High Priestesses made for great drama but Kermilla is someone we’ve all met at one point or another.
We also get to dive into what makes Shalador unique among the short lived races and I just fall in love with them everytime. I would love to read more about Shalador and/or Shalador Nehele.
While we’re on the subject, I wouldn’t mind some stories about Jaenell’s other friends. This book and the last bring up Aaron a couple times but we don’t actually know anything about him. Give me his story. What about Chaosti? Or Sabrina? Or Karla? Anne keeps bring back the SaDiablo family (and if you read my review of The Queen’s Bargain and The Queen’s Weapon you know how I feel about that), but we were given so many other characters that we could explore!
Anyway. This is my favorite book in the series, for lots of reasons.
amorrison5's review
5.0
It was another good installment of the Black Jewels. I liked what happened with Cassidy and her court, and how the book played out. Definately had a queen you could like and a villain who was easy to hate.
adularia25's review
3.0
The story this time is a bit better than "The Shadow Queen" - the darker-jeweled blood do tone it back somewhat in this book, as if they realize they need to let the lighter-jeweled blood work out their own problems without stepping in all the time. But Sadi and the gang do still manage to steal the show at times. In terms of characters, Cassidy is better in this book than the last, and seems to grow as a character, but these books do lack the desperation and desire that were present in the original trilogy. Again, I can't help thinking that it is time to let the new characters share the spotlight. Let new stories grow. And as much as I love Sadi and the gang, it is time for them to go - they have had their stories, now let them have a well earned rest.
eb00kie's review against another edition
5.0
A most delectable book is one where people grow into their skin. Another unique theme is that of how lust/obbsession/maybe-love can pervert one's soul and personality, that is, more. As part of this unique set of books, this one didn't dissapoint.
jj7twin's review
5.0
The finale book in this Black Jewels spin-off trilogy is exactly what you want it to be in most cases. Personally I wouldn't mind if a few people had their brains explode without breaking the skull. Some people didn't like the side story from our old friends in both books but I think it keeps their progress up to date and it makes sense to tie in these people. They aren't just showing up for funsies.
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
3.0
And the reread concludes (I've def read this before but I guess I never logged it? O well). Nostalgia and sweeping emotion purge achieved.
jwels's review
3.0
I'd probably rate this one 3.5 stars if I could. I like this series and I liked this book. It was a "quick" read and more of a story about the land, it's traditions and it's recovery so there wasn't much "danger" in them as has been in the past. Through the reading I realized that I might have missed some of the books or I don't remember some of the details and I think that would have made it a bit more interesting. Overall a nice book, but nothing to write home about, not horrible not great.
***After looking through my book collection and then looking at Wikipedia and Anne Bishop's bibliography, I did miss a book in the series, specifically [b:The Shadow Queen|3598830|The Shadow Queen (The Black Jewels, #7)|Anne Bishop|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1226637548s/3598830.jpg|3641533]. I guess I'll have to go back and read it.
***After looking through my book collection and then looking at Wikipedia and Anne Bishop's bibliography, I did miss a book in the series, specifically [b:The Shadow Queen|3598830|The Shadow Queen (The Black Jewels, #7)|Anne Bishop|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1226637548s/3598830.jpg|3641533]. I guess I'll have to go back and read it.
dja777's review
3.0
I'm vacillating between giving this three or four stars. I love the Black Jewels universe, and am always happy when I have an opportunity to return to it. But Bishop's edge has softened a bit with her later books. Her world has gotten a little prettier, a little less dark, and it's not as entrancing as it once was. I think the biggest weakness in this book is that the main character is overshadowed quite a bit by the supporting characters.
crysta's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jacalata's review
3.0
Good continuation of the Black Jewels world, adding more depth to characters from the first in this trilogy. Enjoyable and re-readable.