Page 7 of 9 Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop
Submitted by Surreal 
(Jan 27, 2002)In The Black Jewels Trilogy, Anne Bishop blends fantasy, romance, and suspense to draw you into a world that is dark enough to be realistic, but not so dark that one can have no hope. She follows the tale of a young woman called Jaenelle Angelline, who is more than the person she seems to be. Her family considers her an eccentric, emotionally unbalanced child; People from the Dark Realm, Hell, are her friends and protectors; She walks the paths of madness to lead back a friend; The Blood who believe in the old ways and despise the poisoning of their lands and culture await her as Savior; Evil people want her for a puppet; And she will rise as Queen of the Darkness, for despite the trials and terrors she will face, nothing can change the fact that she is Witch, dreams made flesh, and no one can stop her from acheiving her destiny.
By never telling the story from the veiw of Jaenelle herself, Bishop creates a spell-binding , intoxicating world that puts new spins on old social injustices: racism, sexism, ageism, the power of a government tainted and gone out of control; and that shows you a bright new future.
Her intricate plots and vibrant characters draw you into the point that you don't just read the story, you live it. You see and feel the frightening rage and considerable kindness that are the dark-jeweled Warlord Princes; You live the shock of hearing the kindred for the first time. You share the joy of the Dark Court being formed and the pain and fear of Deamon's time in the Twisted Kingdom.
Through madness, sanity, youth, age, death, and life, strong, proud characters, and weak, cowardly ones bring to life a world that is too like our own to not relate to, and enough unlike it that it truly is a walk into fantasy.
These are the first examples I have read of Bishop's work, and I hope to see much more in the same tradition. She weaves a tangled web with this trilogy that leaves nothing to be desired, not even a happy ending.
As I read these books in the three days after I bought them, I found characters I cared about, characters that were real in a way that I haven't seen in my reading since Mercedes Lackey's Last Herald-Mage Trilogy. I can see why so many people seem to care so much about Deamon, but I cared most for Surreal. I'm not sure why. Maybe you have some idea why a 13 year old girl would care most about her and the emotional troubles she has. I hope that if you read these novels, you enjoy their suspense, emotion, and tangled plot as much as I did.
Happy reading!
Submitted by Kate
(Dec 03, 2001)Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy is a work of dark genius. Her characters are well developed and layered, and her worlds are brilliantly layered. Bishop works her story around Jaenelle, without ever bringing it through her, only through the people who are affected by her strength. This technique helps to create Jaenelle's air of mystery.
The books contain everything that a really good Fantasy novel should - magic, romance, danger, excitement, sadness and joy. Not to mention the anger. But there is also a certain realism in her work that really draws you in.
These are not the only reasons I found this trilogy so wonderful. Bishop works in many issues that are problems in our society (sexism, racism, etc.) yet gives them different viewpoints and targets, so that they are seen fresh.
Bishop's writing is skillful, and magical. Her descriptions are never lacking, and her imagination never fails to astound. Bishop has created a world as full, rich, and believable as our own.
Don't read this if you can't cope with anything really heavy - this is about as heavy as it gets. The emotions these books rouse are not the kind you can brush away lightly, and Bishop's characters draw you in with their troubles, their pain, and their joy. There are lighter moments, and situations when you can't help but laugh, but some of these are bittersweet. (The scene with Daemon and Jaenelle near her witch's blood.)
But if you can cope with the characters drawing you in, read the books - you'll find that this is probably the best piece of Fantasy you've ever read.
And so you know, my favorite character is the Sadist - read these and you'll soon see why.
Submitted by Kimm
(Nov 23, 2001)Mesmerizing!!! I am 14 years old and I read all three 400+ page books in about 2 months. I LOVE THEM!!! I am just sad that its over and it pains me is that they end. I thought some parts were ronchy and not needed in the story but only a few parts were like that. EVERYTHING else was great. The characters and the plot. What would you do if there was a person with so much power that they could rule the Earth? Would they destroy you? Help you? Its scary and this book portrays that with many different views. I was warned about the first one and its tough beginning but strangely I JUMPED RIGHT IN. I cried when Daemon went into the Twisted Kingdom. I have never cried over a book before. I felt so connected to the characters so IN the story. My favorite character is Karla. She is so much like me.
Submitted by Kaitlyn
(Oct 30, 2001)Anne Bishop's Black Jewel's Trilogy are the best books I've ever had a chance to read. You don't even have to start off reading the first book--although it does help. i, myself, saw Heir to the Shadows in a bookstore, and what caught me most was the title and picture. I don't read the back/sides of books to get my interrest--to me, they give away to much. Anyway, when I picked it up, I started to read the first chapter and was instantly drawn into the book, and I just had to buy it and read it. and when I got home, I saw at the top that it was book 2 of a trilogy; I didn't think I'd ever be able to find the other books, so I didn't really think about it until I finished the book. then, I was determined to find the first and last copies. After I read Daughter of the Blood, I again read Heir to the Shadows--it made much more sense this time. then I ordered Queen of the Darkness and was awestruck at how the story was unfolding. (the only part I didn't like was how the it started off with that b**ch Dorothy--i wanted to know how Daemon and the others were!..so I kinda skipped half of her speech and got to the good part, then after awhile, I finished reading her speech) ^_^ I just can't fathom how a person such as Anne can think up all these completely fantastic worlds--with no questions hanging in your mind from poor description on the author's part. if I were Anne, I'd go crazy because I wouldn't be able to actually live in the stories that are what inspires the mind. I hope to see many more of Bishop's books on shelves everywhere. and what makes me sad is to know that not everyone has read them, and when someone walks past one of them in a bookstore, they don't even know that they just walked right by the best book series ever written.
Submitted by -hmpf-
(Oct 29, 2001)Loved it. Picked up the first book then finished the entire series in 2 days. For once, not everything goes smoothly. Readers get to squirm in agony as they watch their favourite characters undergoing abuse and trauma, but thankfully, everything works out in the end. Bishop has beautifully characterised her protagonists, who are complex and intriguing in their many faces, though her villains tend to be too one-sided and sketchily drawn. The humour grows with each book - a definite plus.
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(43 ratings)