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frogggirl2 's review for:
The Black Jewels Trilogy
by Anne Bishop
Trigger warnings for rape (male and female), pedophilia, incest, cannibalism and graphic/on page violence (including organ and limb removal).
There are three distinctly separate books in the black Jewels trilogy. The first book is the most problematic and the cause of most of the spoiler warnings. This book is very pre-me-too movement. It's examining the pain and suffering caused by sexual violence but it's disturbing and only somewhat successful because it's almost trying to titillate - it's interspersed with graphic bondage and S&M sex scenes and there's themes of bondage and S&M throughout the magic system. Combining sexual mores with horrific rape and abuse and conflating them muddies the waters. It would be a more successful reflection on abuse and more able to condemn it (which I think the book is trying to do) without these aspects. Also, the "men are really feral beasts barely able to restrain themselves" toxic masculinity perpetuated here can just die now.
I'm really bothered by Daemon's creepy grooming. Even in 1998 it was unacceptable that this grown man was "in love" with a 12 year old and giving her her first kiss. Especially in a book concerned with a world system supporting pedophile rings and grooming young girls, it doesn't add up that the very male character grooming this girl was a victim of abuse and is adamantly against grooming. The book sets him up to be a hero for not abusing her although he's thinking about her sexually (which alone is unacceptable).
Book 2 features one of the worst tropes in literature, movies or TV: conveniently placed amnesia! Heketah is a weak villain who has stereotypical evil plans that are easily foiled. At the same time, Jaenelle and Saetan, who are allegedly the most powerful people alive or dead, spend the book just reacting, which is frustrating.
Book 3 features another one of the worst tropes: misunderstandings easily solved in a two sentence conversation with the person in front of you. Jaenelle is so OP that the conclusion feels foregone.
What shines in these books:
Saetan is a great character and I really love his paternal concern for this 12 year old girl and how it evolved to support her as she grows and becomes a leader. I love his complexity - he is powerful, strong, occasionally angry but always compassionate and loving.
The Kindred are adorable and I want one for my BFF. I read a lot of fantasy but this is the first one in a long time it actually has a unicorn (which made me happy).
The sense of found family is strong and very sweet. There are many layers of family and the complexities and overlaps are consistently charming.
I love that this doesn't turn into a stupid, forced love triangle (which was my fear in the beginning).
The jewel based magic system is very well defined and interesting and I like how they explain the backstory of magic in the world very much. Lorn FTW.
This 1200 page tome is a page turner which did not bore me at any point, which is both unusual and impressive.
I have conflicting feelings about this in many ways but overall I enjoyed the experience and I'm glad I read this trilogy.
There are three distinctly separate books in the black Jewels trilogy. The first book is the most problematic and the cause of most of the spoiler warnings. This book is very pre-me-too movement. It's examining the pain and suffering caused by sexual violence but it's disturbing and only somewhat successful because it's almost trying to titillate - it's interspersed with graphic bondage and S&M sex scenes and there's themes of bondage and S&M throughout the magic system. Combining sexual mores with horrific rape and abuse and conflating them muddies the waters. It would be a more successful reflection on abuse and more able to condemn it (which I think the book is trying to do) without these aspects. Also, the "men are really feral beasts barely able to restrain themselves" toxic masculinity perpetuated here can just die now.
I'm really bothered by Daemon's creepy grooming. Even in 1998 it was unacceptable that this grown man was "in love" with a 12 year old and giving her her first kiss. Especially in a book concerned with a world system supporting pedophile rings and grooming young girls, it doesn't add up that the very male character grooming this girl was a victim of abuse and is adamantly against grooming. The book sets him up to be a hero for not abusing her although he's thinking about her sexually (which alone is unacceptable).
Book 2 features one of the worst tropes in literature, movies or TV: conveniently placed amnesia! Heketah is a weak villain who has stereotypical evil plans that are easily foiled. At the same time, Jaenelle and Saetan, who are allegedly the most powerful people alive or dead, spend the book just reacting, which is frustrating.
Book 3 features another one of the worst tropes: misunderstandings easily solved in a two sentence conversation with the person in front of you. Jaenelle is so OP that the conclusion feels foregone.
What shines in these books:
Saetan is a great character and I really love his paternal concern for this 12 year old girl and how it evolved to support her as she grows and becomes a leader. I love his complexity - he is powerful, strong, occasionally angry but always compassionate and loving.
The Kindred are adorable and I want one for my BFF. I read a lot of fantasy but this is the first one in a long time it actually has a unicorn (which made me happy).
The sense of found family is strong and very sweet. There are many layers of family and the complexities and overlaps are consistently charming.
I love that this doesn't turn into a stupid, forced love triangle (which was my fear in the beginning).
The jewel based magic system is very well defined and interesting and I like how they explain the backstory of magic in the world very much. Lorn FTW.
This 1200 page tome is a page turner which did not bore me at any point, which is both unusual and impressive.
I have conflicting feelings about this in many ways but overall I enjoyed the experience and I'm glad I read this trilogy.