The Shadow Queen (Black Jewels)

I love all the books in the Black Jewell series including this one. I loved the story, but unlike the other reviewers I loved reading more about Janelle, Lucivar, Daemon. They are what makes the story powerful. Yes, they are humanized and I don't understand other people's disappointment. The best part of the series is the fact that these powerful people have the same insecurities, loves, and problems as the people in their kingdoms. The aforementioned characters are needed in these books, because as rulers of the realm it is their job to teach and train their people. This is one of the better books in the series. Cassie is awesome. Her court is still growing and with the help of some powerful friends, her kingdom will be one to be reckoned with. I cannot wait until the second book!!!

I have said it in the past and I reiterate it here again now...the only thing that I do not like about the Black Jewel books is that I never get enough of the story. If Ms. Bishop would be so kind...please write, at least, a 300 page book with two or three stories from the realms and make it available every four to six months. I know that this is asking alot, but I really love to hear about all of the old characters from this series and I enjoy meeting new characters from this series and that includes the blood and the kindred. Also, and I hope this is not a spoiler reference for anyone who has not read The Shadow Queen (if so do not read beyond this point), but will the Queen and Prince of Ebon Askavi every become parents? I would like to hope so; Lucivars son deserves to have a like minded playmate. I can image the little tykes now wondering down into the bowls of the castle to visit with a certain dragon. Please keep the books of this series coming! Thank you.

I just finished reading The Shadow Queen. And I loved it! Several weeks ago, I read the reviews posted here and came away with the sense that readers were disappointed with the interweave of Cassie/Theran/Grey's story with Janaelle/Daemon/Saetan SaDiablo family story. Come on, y'all! In the past books, Daemon was shattered and slowly painstakingly pieced his being back to sanity. Jaenelle burned through all the threads that made up her being, was pieced together by the love & faith of the Kindred & came back to human body too quickly. Did you not yearn for the continuing tale of their lives, their healing, their adjustments to the new world formed by Witch's sacrifice? I did! And now we are gifted to follow that journey, alongside Terreille's healing journey through Grayhaven. I find Ms. Bishop is masterful & convincing in describing the journey out of trauma & dissolution. To me, these characters are not "characters"; they are real & internally consistent. I'm delighted to have insight into their continued development. For those readers who only see Jaenelle & Daemon's story as a distraction or just filler sex, my recommendation is to re-read the series, appreciate the development of character, of relationships & of plot. My hat is off to Anne Bishop both for her rich imagination that described these worlds and for her crafting of story - skillful & eloquent & engaging.

Once again, Anne Bishop doesn't disappoint, producing another great Black Jewels book. This book takes place after Witch has cleansed the realm and answers the question: what happened in Terreille after the cleansing of the Blood? Readers familiar with the series will be happy to see that Janelle, Luciver, Daemon, and Saetan have reappearing roles. However, the main characters of this book are Lady Cassidy and the Court that she forms in Dena Nehele. Dena Nehele has found itself without any Queens who are able to rule the territory, and make the daring request to have one of the Queens in Kaeleer move into their lands and set up a Court, based on the Protocol of old. The problem is, they aren't completely ready to accept all the entanglements that can accompany learning the Old Ways. Cassidy must learn to work with her new Court while overcoming a horrible bout of homesickness. Just when she is ready to give up, she meets Gray, a man so brutalized that he is still a boy in a man's body. It becomes clear that they are meant to be together, but first, he must overcome his past and become the man that she needs him to be. All this and a mystery to boot! There are tales of a treasure hidden on the estate grounds- a treasure that will help the Territory heal from the trauma of the cleansing. It is a treasure that only the new Queen can find as she slowly gains acceptance in her new home. Overall, I loved this book. I can agree with others who have pointed out that the scenes with Janelle and Daemon can be distracting. I wouldn't have them cut, as I am always hungry for any scene with Daemon. Perhaps this should have been cut into two different stories, like "Dreams Made Flesh". One warning: avoid the kindle version. There are so many formatting problems that I demanded a refund and read the hardcover. Trying to read it in the kindle edition will ruin the entire experience.

Just finished and it's amazing. Simply amazing. Two main story lines in the novel, and one of them revolves around Daemon, Sadi, and Jaenelle so fans of the trilogy are going to be happy so much time is spent with these beloved characters. The other story line expands and answers questions from The Invisible Ring book. Plan on this being one of your re read books...