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148 reviews for:
The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness
Anne Bishop
4.2 AVERAGE
148 reviews for:
The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness
Anne Bishop
4.2 AVERAGE
It has an interesting premisse. Various realms, including one for the dead (governed by Saetan, the high lord), people 'of the blood' with magic and jewels received that classify the magic in a complicated and cruel society where women rule.
In that society Jaenelle is born, the prophesized 'Witch', the dreams of all the magical people in the flesh - but her potential is not recognized by her birth family so she grows up travelling magically to other realms to find friends and tutors.
Two half brothers who don't know who their father was are (pleasure) slaves who are waiting for the prophesized witch to help and protect her. Two ambitious evil women have been plotting for centuries to grab all power, even that of Saetan, and rule all the realms.
The story is fast paced and exiting, the writing is very accessible. It could have been a great trilogy, but it lacks maturity. The gender roles are inconsistent and a bit toe-curling, the characters easily switch from being very wise to being almost pubescent in their reactions and communications, the story regularly makes some weird jumps and the language gets a bit repetitive. The sexual aspects feel forced (for example, the author starts with slaves wearing 'rings of obedience' around their 'organ' that can be used to hurt them, but later in the story they also wear 'rings of honor' their, as if fingers aren't a more logical place if only because they don't change size) and the relationships between the genders and characters are following the same basic cardboard, often illogical and rather immature patterns.
I might have loved this book earlier in life, also because the story is kind of gripping and fast paced. But the flaws build up and started to irritate me.
In that society Jaenelle is born, the prophesized 'Witch', the dreams of all the magical people in the flesh - but her potential is not recognized by her birth family so she grows up travelling magically to other realms to find friends and tutors.
Two half brothers who don't know who their father was are (pleasure) slaves who are waiting for the prophesized witch to help and protect her. Two ambitious evil women have been plotting for centuries to grab all power, even that of Saetan, and rule all the realms.
The story is fast paced and exiting, the writing is very accessible. It could have been a great trilogy, but it lacks maturity. The gender roles are inconsistent and a bit toe-curling, the characters easily switch from being very wise to being almost pubescent in their reactions and communications, the story regularly makes some weird jumps and the language gets a bit repetitive. The sexual aspects feel forced (for example, the author starts with slaves wearing 'rings of obedience' around their 'organ' that can be used to hurt them, but later in the story they also wear 'rings of honor' their, as if fingers aren't a more logical place if only because they don't change size) and the relationships between the genders and characters are following the same basic cardboard, often illogical and rather immature patterns.
I might have loved this book earlier in life, also because the story is kind of gripping and fast paced. But the flaws build up and started to irritate me.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
AMAZING!!! The best fantasy trilogy I have ever read. The language Anne uses, as well as the dialogue and internal struggles she gives her characters is amazing, and draws readers in to this fantastical world where you never want to leave.
Though Anne Bishop has continued the story that she starts in this trilogy in other books, these are the heart and blood of the story.
Janelle is at the center of the story but I found the males whose lives entwined with hers to be the more fascinating characters.
Fantastic world building, great characterization and an overturning of conventional tropes make these some of my favorite books of all time.--Rebekka
Janelle is at the center of the story but I found the males whose lives entwined with hers to be the more fascinating characters.
Fantastic world building, great characterization and an overturning of conventional tropes make these some of my favorite books of all time.--Rebekka
While I did read these books in the compilation version, I rated them all individually also.
This whole series was incredibly compelling. So well worth the read.
A few things, I wish the author had given some of the other characters more time. I guess really I just would have liked more. =)
This whole series was incredibly compelling. So well worth the read.
A few things, I wish the author had given some of the other characters more time. I guess really I just would have liked more. =)
I read these on a recommendation from a friend, and was not disappointed. Bishop gives a very unique fantasy storyline, and if you can get past the myriad of planes and places, you will find yourself within a fascinating world. You will grow to love the characters even as they grow to love each other. These are a part of the handful of books that I have trouble putting down, even when I am re-reading them.
Only managed the first book. Weak, predictable and boring.
I read the first book and decided that I could not be bothered with this level of drab. I
found it incoherent and just plain dull. Could not bring myself to pick up volume two.
I read the first book and decided that I could not be bothered with this level of drab. I
found it incoherent and just plain dull. Could not bring myself to pick up volume two.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I checked this book out to read Daughter of the Blood, which I did.
I may pick the rest of this series up on a rainy day, but I wasn't especially impressed by the first book. It was fairly cheesy, had way to much awkward sexual innuendo, a severe lack of explanation of the world and I just didn't really enjoy it. Click to read my full Daughter of the Blood review.
Due to the cliff hanger at the end of DotB, I started to read HttS. I read about two chapters and then picked up several other books and decided that finishing this is not top on my list of things to read. I may pick it up again on a rainy day, but I may not.
I may pick the rest of this series up on a rainy day, but I wasn't especially impressed by the first book. It was fairly cheesy, had way to much awkward sexual innuendo, a severe lack of explanation of the world and I just didn't really enjoy it. Click to read my full Daughter of the Blood review.
Due to the cliff hanger at the end of DotB, I started to read HttS. I read about two chapters and then picked up several other books and decided that finishing this is not top on my list of things to read. I may pick it up again on a rainy day, but I may not.