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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
The first book was a hardcore struggle bus to get through. It was just a ton of information overload from world explanations, character development, lots of jumping back and forth. The other 2 books were 1000 times better. Easier to read through, story line was better and loved how the introduction of new characters took place. I will always recommend this as a read!!
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Cannibalism
I laughed. I cried. It's definitely one for the keeper shelf.
When I realized the world-building meant this story would be peppered with torture, rape, and murder (often against young girls), I put it down for a while.
But I like Bishop, and I'm a big fantasy fan, so I gave it a second chance. The story invested me just enough to get to the end, but overall I enjoyed less than liked.
Bad people do bad things. A lot. Unremitting rape, and smarmy creepy conspiracies to carry out that rape. The core of the conflict is people who want more power, and will lie, cheat, murder, torture, etc., to get it. No matter the consequences, they just keep going. So there's a gratuitous amount of suffering the protagonists and crew go through. It seems unnecessary, and weakens the end. I will read more by this author, but not in this series.
But I like Bishop, and I'm a big fantasy fan, so I gave it a second chance. The story invested me just enough to get to the end, but overall I enjoyed less than liked.
Bad people do bad things. A lot. Unremitting rape, and smarmy creepy conspiracies to carry out that rape. The core of the conflict is people who want more power, and will lie, cheat, murder, torture, etc., to get it. No matter the consequences, they just keep going. So there's a gratuitous amount of suffering the protagonists and crew go through. It seems unnecessary, and weakens the end. I will read more by this author, but not in this series.
I am almost done with Book 2: Heir to the Shadows. There is an intro from the author in the beginning of this comdendium that helps explain some of where this world came from. I like that she is working with the dark side of fantasy where what would normally be considered evil and dangerous is made into the heroic aspects of the story while all that presents itself as good and clean is actually the real dangers.
I loved the first book, Daughter of the Blood. It is very much an adult story, violent and scary. However, it seems that the second book wanders into young adult territory. Now there is some very good fantasy written for young adults these days but this feels like an awkward transition. I hope that when I get to the third book there is a more even tone.
Edited 5/8/08: Now that I have read the final book of the trilogy I am happy to say that everything improves from Book 2. I can see how much of Book 2 was left unclear because it was setting the stage for the final conclusion/confrontation. These characters are rich and deep and have earned a place in my heart.
This trilogy has been a bit of a journey but one that I am happy I took. I am looking forward to reading more from this series. I am not done with these folks yet.
I loved the first book, Daughter of the Blood. It is very much an adult story, violent and scary. However, it seems that the second book wanders into young adult territory. Now there is some very good fantasy written for young adults these days but this feels like an awkward transition. I hope that when I get to the third book there is a more even tone.
Edited 5/8/08: Now that I have read the final book of the trilogy I am happy to say that everything improves from Book 2. I can see how much of Book 2 was left unclear because it was setting the stage for the final conclusion/confrontation. These characters are rich and deep and have earned a place in my heart.
This trilogy has been a bit of a journey but one that I am happy I took. I am looking forward to reading more from this series. I am not done with these folks yet.
Wow. This series was fantastic! The author provides a very creative, beautifully designed world that you just want to delve into and spend all your days. I got the three books in one and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend them to any fantasy lovers.