Book Review: The Shadow Queen

The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop

Description: The people in Dena Nehele have been devastated by many bad Queens who have only been interested in what was good for them. They now need a Queen who knows how to do things properly and the war that has been going on there for decades has removed all of those.

So away they go to the Shadow Realm and ask for help. There Lady Cassidy, a Queen without a court, has been waiting for her place in life. She isn't the most beautiful or the most powerful but going to Dena Nehele may be the best thing for her and for the people there. If she agrees to go and be their Queen she will have to stand firm in what she believes in. Deal with a man who wants her so badly and yet has been abused in the past and isn't quite what she is used to. Can she do it?


Thoughts: Lately I have been reading quite a few books that when I got into them I enjoyed them. I don't know if Anne Bishop plans on writing another book that has to do with Dene Nahale or if this was a single book in the larger Black Jewels series but I enjoyed it and would but my vote in for another book.

Cassidy is a strong queen who has done what she needs to for the people (and solved some mysteries in the process). She may not have all the power but she does have willpower and a strong knowledge of what is right. It would also be fun to see how Gray progresses. At first he is a man child who has been hurt so badly he can't age. But upon meeting Cassidy he begins his progression into the man that he could be. We don't get to see this finished progression and it would be great to see where he goes from here.

The Black Jewel books can be a little confusing (which is why the needed glossary in the front is a life saver) but at the same time I think there is so much good stuff and imagination going on there in this complicated world - that it is worth spending the time to figure it out.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal/Fantasy

Overall:

Queen of the Darkness

Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop (Book 3 of the
Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?

Janelle has established her kingdom and is finally ready to take on Dorothea and Hekatah. She would rather not go to war, because she knows that her power could wreak havoc on the kingdom. Meanwhile Daemon has returned and is ready to take on the role of being the Queen’s consort. The history the two have together, as well as individually is definitely going to play a part in how the whole reunion goes.

Janelle must rely on her inner circle of Queens and Warlords to protect her. And must rely even more on her “brother” , “father” and consort. Daemon is a unknown to his brother and father and they aren’t really sure what side he may be on.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It was nice to see things wrapped up. It didn’t go to quickly, giving the appropriate amount of detail. But it was what you were expecting. You knew that Janelle would have to go to battle and save them all.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B+, my favorite in the trilogy I think.

Heir to the Shadows

Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop (Book 2 of the Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?
At the end of the first book Janelle is broken by the rape and abuse that she is subjected to. Daemon, who loves her feels he has betrayed her and isn’t sure what exactly happened to her. Sataen knows he loves Janelle and must save her at all costs.

Janelle now is back and starting to feel better, even though parts of the attack are hidden away in her mind. She has been loved and loved many of her friends and they help her recover in ways that no one else could.

Evil is still trying to get to her. She is so powerful that many want to be her advisors. Can Janelle be the Witch that they all need her to be?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I feel like I have been able to get more into this book. I know more about the characters and what had happened. So I felt drawn to reading this to see how things turn out. Each book can be read on its own and be a great story – but together they arch over a time allowing you to truly get to know the people and the story.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B+

Daughter of the Blood

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop (Book 1 of the Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?
They are the blood, a special race born to powers that are held and used by jewels. The darker the the jewel they wear, the more power. For many years they have lived in a world that is been ruled by ruthless and power hungry Queens. There is a prophesy that one day a Queen would come with extraordinary powers – and everyone has different reasons for wanting to find her.

Janelle is that witch. She is torn between the world that she has grown up in and the world she only wishes she could be in. A world where her family believes she is crazy and institutionalizes her at every turn. A world where the other girls in the institution rely on her to help them, as they are only pawns in a man’s game.

Saetan is a powerful man who loves Janelle as a daughter and wants to help her rule her powers. He is also considered by the pain he sees in her eyes. He needs to make sure she doesn’t let the power rule her. He cannot trust his son Daemon, but Daemon also loves Janelle.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

There is so much going on. So many people, special knowledge, etc that sometimes it is hard to keep track of. Not to mention the characters are complex in that you don’t know if they are good or bad, and many times you cannot just label them one or the other, as they are both. This can be both good and bad depending on what expectations you have of things.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall: B

Tangled Webs

Tangled Webs by Anne Bishop (A Black Jewels Novel)

What was this book about?
The Blood are a race with rules, powers, and a hierarchy. When Queen Janelle and her witch friend Marian decide to open a “haunted house” to scare those that are not Bloods, and feed on their beliefs of what being Blood means, no one thinks it is a good idea. But because it is their Queen when they get an invitation to visit the house they can’t help but give in.

What they do not realize is that Janelle did not send the invitation. The house is a trap. Surreal and Rainier must escape the house that’s only goal is to kill them and the children they brought in with them. The only problem is every time they use their Craft they eliminate an exit, leaving them with the possibility of being trapped in the house forever.

Their family – Daemon and Janelle, Luciver and Marian must rescue them before they are killed.

What was your favorite part about this book?
The haunted house, Craft, and Jewels are an interesting take on the supernatural world. I want to learn more about it.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
Since this was my first Black Jewel novel I felt like I was a little bit behind everything else while reading this. It was good at not going to in depth for the people that had read previous books, and it explained well many of the things that had happened before. It just was spread throughout the book and it took me a bit to get it (and keep everything straight with all the other worlds etc.)

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall: B, Definitely would keep reading series. Going to try to start at the beginning next time though.

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book That Reminds Me A Little of the Meredith Gentry Series.