I had a very good friend tell me that Anne Bishop writes amazing stories. He gave me no indication on what to expect, just that it was one of his favorite books. So I bought the ebook and then I got it with an audible credit. I enjoy utilizing both formats especially with novels.
Written by Anne Bishop
Bishop started out publishing short stories, but she is best known for this Black Jewels Trilogy that has expanded to several more books in The Black Jewels Series. She writes dark speculative fiction.
Our main character grows up working her way through males in a female dominant society. She uses witchcraft along the way. The fact that this came highly recommended was enough for me to check it out. Once I started, I was hooked. The use of witchcraft made it all the better.
There are a lot of characters, main and supporting, I am going to introduce you to the three that are prominent in mind. This means that I am connected to these characters somehow, and that doesn't usually happen with other people characters.
We meet Jaenelle at a young age, as she grows, her beauty and power grow as well. I was immediately drawn to her. I became engrossed on what she was doing. The way she behaved as a strong young girl and older. I loved this line from Jaenelle. “I’ll send you to the bowels of Hell,” Jaenelle said, her voice rising with her rage. “I’ll feed you to the Harpies you helped create. I’ll shave you if you ever touch my sister. I’ll shave you all!”
With Daemon, I picture a handsome man, muscular, with dark hair, and tanned skin. He is filled with pride and honor. One of my favorite lines is “No,” he said gently when her words finally stopped, “they don’t want you. They don’t love you, they can’t love you. But I do love you. The Priest loves you...We need you to walk among us.”
Saetan is the other character who plays a strong role in this story. Both he and Daemon have a special bond with Jaenelle and it’s beautiful to watch it grow. Here is a favorite line from Saetan This was how it must feel to be a dried-out husk. “There are two ways,” Satean said stiffly. “The easiest way requires skill with a knife. It also requires physical contact. The other way is subtler but requires knowledge of the male anatomy to be effective. Which would you like to learn?”
Those were the most memorable characters for me. The other characters: Lucivar, Surreal, Kartane, Hekatah, and a few others distributed throughout Terreille, Kaeleer, and Hell all were weaved together in a creative fashion. These realms that Bishop has created are magical and inviting. She is able to draw the reader in and keep them interested.
The story flowed along at just the right pace, introducing characters gradually. Black Jewels really do come into it somewhere, but you will have to read it to find out how.
While I think this book is geared toward young and old adults I would warn there is explicit language. I enjoyed this book immensely and am excited because I have already purchased book 2 and I am ready to jump into “Heir to the Shadows.”
Ms Bishop definitely earned her 5 out of 5 stars with this, if I could give a 6 out of 5 rating would
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Reviews with images
Good book
I've always enjoyed this series but it was packaged with heavier items with only paper as a cushion. The book arrived bent but not so much that's it's worth going through the process of returning it.
Top reviews from other countries
Sally81
A fun re-re-read - but a lot darker than I remembered
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2020
Chrissy’s Book Shelf
Captivating and Dark Fantasy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2021
Isabelle Klein
würde es 10 Sterne geben, dieses buch würde sie bekommen!
Reviewed in Germany on June 3, 2005