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149 reviews for:
The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness
Anne Bishop
4.2 AVERAGE
149 reviews for:
The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness
Anne Bishop
4.2 AVERAGE
This book has all 3 of the series in 1 nice package, however if you do not like reading a big book, this 1204 page book may be better if you read the 3 seperately
Okay, I don't even know how to begin to review this.
It has so many problems and in so many ways is so awful, but I just. I love it, you guys. I love it. It is trashy and there are parts that I still skip to this day because I am So Disgusted or pissed off with how they are handled. I do not like the rape scenes (and there are many, of men and women AND CHILDREN) and I am very much Not A Fan of how mental illness, mental asylums, romantic relationships, and personal sacrifice are handled here. But I love the family scenes, I love the characters, and you know what, absolutely I love the power-fantasy that is Jaenelle. (If it clarifies my ambiguity about this series at all, by far my favourite book in it is the second one: you know, the one where nothing happens, there is no romance between the mains, and we basically get an entire book of nothing but family fluff? Yeah. That one.)
So. Do I personally enjoy it? Yes, definitely. Love it. Would I recommend it to others without a ton of caveats? Absolutely not. This is one book I do not recommend unless I know the other person is into exactly the same type of trashy power-fantasy read that I am and has no triggers whatsoever.
Not rating because whatever rating I gave it would be a lie according to my own personal system, but yep, I still love my trash.
It has so many problems and in so many ways is so awful, but I just. I love it, you guys. I love it. It is trashy and there are parts that I still skip to this day because I am So Disgusted or pissed off with how they are handled. I do not like the rape scenes (and there are many, of men and women AND CHILDREN) and I am very much Not A Fan of how mental illness, mental asylums, romantic relationships, and personal sacrifice are handled here. But I love the family scenes, I love the characters, and you know what, absolutely I love the power-fantasy that is Jaenelle. (If it clarifies my ambiguity about this series at all, by far my favourite book in it is the second one: you know, the one where nothing happens, there is no romance between the mains, and we basically get an entire book of nothing but family fluff? Yeah. That one.)
So. Do I personally enjoy it? Yes, definitely. Love it. Would I recommend it to others without a ton of caveats? Absolutely not. This is one book I do not recommend unless I know the other person is into exactly the same type of trashy power-fantasy read that I am and has no triggers whatsoever.
Not rating because whatever rating I gave it would be a lie according to my own personal system, but yep, I still love my trash.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly one of my favorites for escapism. Still, I'm not blinded to it's faults:
It is really unsubtle, from the obvious character names and all bad guys/gals being sexual predators (which are, but of course, Unquestionably Evil) and their never-ending desire for total world domination.
Also, I got peeved by this pattern in the dialogue:
(Jaenelle casually implies the great awesomeness of her powers with child-like innocence)
(Minor character in the room coughs/whistles/fidgets uncomfortably)
(Saetan smooths everything over with a paternal suggestion)
Listen, I got it. Jaenelle's the most powerful power since forever. Quit reminding me every other page.
But, why do I love this story? Daemon and Jaenelle. You are only going to be reading this trilogy for their story and the flimsy plot is only there to give them a stage to walk upon. Is it the best romance story ever? No, it's a pretty standard all-powerful alpha male whose only weakness is the love of a good woman kind of thing. It is still a well-executed romance, and I still grow anxious anytime Daemon and Jaenelle are in the same room together throughout the three novels.
It is really unsubtle, from the obvious character names and all bad guys/gals being sexual predators (which are, but of course, Unquestionably Evil) and their never-ending desire for total world domination.
Also, I got peeved by this pattern in the dialogue:
(Jaenelle casually implies the great awesomeness of her powers with child-like innocence)
(Minor character in the room coughs/whistles/fidgets uncomfortably)
(Saetan smooths everything over with a paternal suggestion)
Listen, I got it. Jaenelle's the most powerful power since forever. Quit reminding me every other page.
But, why do I love this story? Daemon and Jaenelle. You are only going to be reading this trilogy for their story and the flimsy plot is only there to give them a stage to walk upon. Is it the best romance story ever? No, it's a pretty standard all-powerful alpha male whose only weakness is the love of a good woman kind of thing. It is still a well-executed romance, and I still grow anxious anytime Daemon and Jaenelle are in the same room together throughout the three novels.
The concept of these books is fun- witches and magic that is ranked on jewels, and a culture that centers on the power of women and darkness. Most of what I liked about this relates to the idea of the world, and the interaction between characters.
However there were quite a few things that bothered me as well- the kindred just seem like convenient sidekicks. Do we really need animals that can talk in an already incredibly complex world with different races that seem to occasionally have animal-like Jaenelle is a bizarre juxtaposition of deus-ex-machina strength, and absurd frailty. Daemon's sexuality is like a horse- he seems to be able to reign it in or let it loose on will. Saetan, guardians, and demon dead aren't ever really explained- after you die if you have enough magic you keep living as some kind of corpse that feeds on blood- but not for forever? The lands of Hell and the lands of the living (precisely why is Kaeleer a "shadow" realm?) are connected, and certain people may travel between them, but who and why they are able to do so isn't really explained. Which races are long lived? Why? How did neighboring areas like Terrielle and Kaeleer come to be so utterly different?
This book could have been better with ONE overarching plot line, and a lot more world-building. Instead of hundreds of small plot moments that feel out of place, I would have liked greater small moments that contributed to one great plotline- and the climax of the story shouldn't have been resolved in 15 or so pages. I constantly found myself frustrated by sudden events introducing huge new parts of the world (the attack on that one village by a several thousand enemies of a previously unknown race that is never again mentioned except once in passing conversation) that afterward seem to disappear from the world. I feel a grand scheme for Hekatah and Dorothea should have been introduced in book one, and perhaps we could have had fewer is-she-dead-or-isn't-she moments with Jaenelle.
However there were quite a few things that bothered me as well- the kindred just seem like convenient sidekicks. Do we really need animals that can talk in an already incredibly complex world with different races that seem to occasionally have animal-like Jaenelle is a bizarre juxtaposition of deus-ex-machina strength, and absurd frailty. Daemon's sexuality is like a horse- he seems to be able to reign it in or let it loose on will. Saetan, guardians, and demon dead aren't ever really explained- after you die if you have enough magic you keep living as some kind of corpse that feeds on blood- but not for forever? The lands of Hell and the lands of the living (precisely why is Kaeleer a "shadow" realm?) are connected, and certain people may travel between them, but who and why they are able to do so isn't really explained. Which races are long lived? Why? How did neighboring areas like Terrielle and Kaeleer come to be so utterly different?
This book could have been better with ONE overarching plot line, and a lot more world-building. Instead of hundreds of small plot moments that feel out of place, I would have liked greater small moments that contributed to one great plotline- and the climax of the story shouldn't have been resolved in 15 or so pages. I constantly found myself frustrated by sudden events introducing huge new parts of the world (the attack on that one village by a several thousand enemies of a previously unknown race that is never again mentioned except once in passing conversation) that afterward seem to disappear from the world. I feel a grand scheme for Hekatah and Dorothea should have been introduced in book one, and perhaps we could have had fewer is-she-dead-or-isn't-she moments with Jaenelle.
Daughter of the Blood:
This is another of my most favorite series. I love all of Anne Bishop's book and this is a re-read for me in preparation for 'Twilight's Dawn' coming out in a couple of months. I read the book in the HUGE trilogy book all together in one sitting but I decided to separate the books for review so I could better explain my love for each book.
This is the first book in the series and I think it's the darkest of the three. Bishop openly and widely talks about rape, slavery, and pedophilia...I know, I know what you are thinking...sounds like 'WHAT!?!?!' huh? Yes, these are all themes in the series...as are family, trust, friendship, and love. This book, as I said before, is dark. It starts out pretty gruesome and then continues on and gets a bit worse, and then ends horribly, and the whole time you read it all you can think is 'I can't do anything but keep reading!!'
As gruesome and horrifying this book is, it is balanced by the amazing characters, the love and devotion you feel for this world in every page, and the sheer addictiveness of the writing. There is not one single part of this book I skip over, even on the fourth re-read. I can't stress to you enough how amazing this story is as a fantasy...be warned though, this is not for the weak-minded or the weak-stomachs.
Heir to the Shadows:
This the second book in the Black Jewels series. It is still somewhat gruesome, but way less horrifying and somewhat hopeful. I read this book as the last one in one sitting, all in one day. I can't even begin to describe to you the addictive quality of this author's work...if you she writes a short story on a napkin, I would sit down and read every single bit of writing on it, crinkling my neck the whole way.
The characters and the entire world together, perfectly blended are what make this story the amazing piece of literature that it is. I feel in love with Jaenelle and Daemon in the first book (who I imagine in my head to look Damon for VD a tad bit older) and I keep falling in love with them as I continue to read...they are a love story beyond love stories. I was sad we had to spend most of this book without Damon but...I know he comes back in full color in the next.
I loved meeting all of Jaenelle's true family and friends in this book. It is amazing to imagine a world so large and so wide-spread and yet, she got here there and everyone to be with everyone when she was a child. I like this book more the the first one and less that the third. Once you dive in, you won't be able to come back out. I love this series so much!
Queen of Darkness:
This is the third book in the Black Jewels series and my absolute favorite. This book is in my top ten favorite books of all time, oh yes. I have gone on and on about this author's ability to write and make her entire world an addictive need for a reader. I have no told you have well she spins a tale. It is amazing the small details she has expertly woven into this world and these characters. The tiniest little things that separate a story from a fantasy.
By this point I am so emotionally invested in these characters I can't imagine the ending when I have to close the book...I don't want to even think about it, it is that devastating a though as I read. This book had a bit more of Ms. Bishop's signature darkness in it's pages but less than the first still. I loved seeing a different side of some of my favorite characters. You only show your true colors when there is real danger and real need and some of the characters in this book, truly do that.
I will say again, I love this series, I love Janaelle and Daemon and that, I promise you, will not be the last you hear about my love of this series.
This is another of my most favorite series. I love all of Anne Bishop's book and this is a re-read for me in preparation for 'Twilight's Dawn' coming out in a couple of months. I read the book in the HUGE trilogy book all together in one sitting but I decided to separate the books for review so I could better explain my love for each book.
This is the first book in the series and I think it's the darkest of the three. Bishop openly and widely talks about rape, slavery, and pedophilia...I know, I know what you are thinking...sounds like 'WHAT!?!?!' huh? Yes, these are all themes in the series...as are family, trust, friendship, and love. This book, as I said before, is dark. It starts out pretty gruesome and then continues on and gets a bit worse, and then ends horribly, and the whole time you read it all you can think is 'I can't do anything but keep reading!!'
As gruesome and horrifying this book is, it is balanced by the amazing characters, the love and devotion you feel for this world in every page, and the sheer addictiveness of the writing. There is not one single part of this book I skip over, even on the fourth re-read. I can't stress to you enough how amazing this story is as a fantasy...be warned though, this is not for the weak-minded or the weak-stomachs.
Heir to the Shadows:
This the second book in the Black Jewels series. It is still somewhat gruesome, but way less horrifying and somewhat hopeful. I read this book as the last one in one sitting, all in one day. I can't even begin to describe to you the addictive quality of this author's work...if you she writes a short story on a napkin, I would sit down and read every single bit of writing on it, crinkling my neck the whole way.
The characters and the entire world together, perfectly blended are what make this story the amazing piece of literature that it is. I feel in love with Jaenelle and Daemon in the first book (who I imagine in my head to look Damon for VD a tad bit older) and I keep falling in love with them as I continue to read...they are a love story beyond love stories. I was sad we had to spend most of this book without Damon but...I know he comes back in full color in the next.
I loved meeting all of Jaenelle's true family and friends in this book. It is amazing to imagine a world so large and so wide-spread and yet, she got here there and everyone to be with everyone when she was a child. I like this book more the the first one and less that the third. Once you dive in, you won't be able to come back out. I love this series so much!
Queen of Darkness:
This is the third book in the Black Jewels series and my absolute favorite. This book is in my top ten favorite books of all time, oh yes. I have gone on and on about this author's ability to write and make her entire world an addictive need for a reader. I have no told you have well she spins a tale. It is amazing the small details she has expertly woven into this world and these characters. The tiniest little things that separate a story from a fantasy.
By this point I am so emotionally invested in these characters I can't imagine the ending when I have to close the book...I don't want to even think about it, it is that devastating a though as I read. This book had a bit more of Ms. Bishop's signature darkness in it's pages but less than the first still. I loved seeing a different side of some of my favorite characters. You only show your true colors when there is real danger and real need and some of the characters in this book, truly do that.
I will say again, I love this series, I love Janaelle and Daemon and that, I promise you, will not be the last you hear about my love of this series.
Lots of triggering subjects and events in this world. Child abuse, sexual violence towards anyone, no matter the age (thankfully child violence is only strongly alluded to aside from one brief scene in DoTB), and torture are all throughout this world but not so much in later books because of the events in QoTD. If you can not stomach reading anything like that do not pick up this book or have a friend redact an used copy for you. I love this saga and I still get emotional and rage filled when re-reading those parts.
This was the version I read when I first discovered The Black Jewels novels. Thankfully I was late to the party because the library waitlist for the next 2* books was short and I was always in the top ten to read the upcoming book after I caught up to present day. Anyone who took a chance on the first solo book when it first came out is a champ cuz boy! the agony to wait for the rest would have hurt me too much.
I've read this series almost every year since 2007*. Not sure when I first read this bundle but I grabbed all the other Anne Bishop books in this series and her Empherma* series before I even finished reading the first book.
DoTB starts out as a loving and suspenseful introduction into the key players. We get comfortable and hope that soon Witch will be safe and happy. Then it goes wrong very fast and guts you with the pain our characters are feeling. In the final scenes of the first book you are given hope that time will make things better and it's that hope that pulls you into HttS.
In HttS they woke the beast and now the debts must be paid. The climax has you holding your breath on the rise and crying thanks to all the emotions you can't escape. After the fall you're still emotional and just hoping for HEA all around and did I mention emotional?
QoTD is somewhat of a coming of age story for Witch. She has healed and grown into a young adult with her adopted family and friends by her side. In the end she does what she must to save her love and her extended friends from the taint spreading through the Realms.
This was the version I read when I first discovered The Black Jewels novels. Thankfully I was late to the party because the library waitlist for the next 2* books was short and I was always in the top ten to read the upcoming book after I caught up to present day. Anyone who took a chance on the first solo book when it first came out is a champ cuz boy! the agony to wait for the rest would have hurt me too much.
I've read this series almost every year since 2007*. Not sure when I first read this bundle but I grabbed all the other Anne Bishop books in this series and her Empherma* series before I even finished reading the first book.
DoTB starts out as a loving and suspenseful introduction into the key players. We get comfortable and hope that soon Witch will be safe and happy. Then it goes wrong very fast and guts you with the pain our characters are feeling. In the final scenes of the first book you are given hope that time will make things better and it's that hope that pulls you into HttS.
In HttS they woke the beast and now the debts must be paid. The climax has you holding your breath on the rise and crying thanks to all the emotions you can't escape. After the fall you're still emotional and just hoping for HEA all around and did I mention emotional?
QoTD is somewhat of a coming of age story for Witch. She has healed and grown into a young adult with her adopted family and friends by her side. In the end she does what she must to save her love and her extended friends from the taint spreading through the Realms.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
dark
funny
slow-paced