Rating: 
Summary: The Most Fabulous Book I Have Ever Read
Review: Anne Bishop creates an amazing new world that the reader is immediatly sucked into. She even goes to the lengths of created new races, a new caste system, new universes, introducing the ranks of power, and even sneaking in a bit of humor where appropriate. Bishop had the power to create a book that allows the reader to forget she is actually reading. I felt like I was watching a movie...the book made me laugh, cry, and scream in anger (no really, just ask anyone who watched me read it) and sigh in relief. It was like I was living in the Keep at Ebon Askavi right along side Jeanelle. When I was done with book- I felt like I had left my family- thats how close I grew to these characters. Enjoy and savor this book because its one you will remember for a lifetime!
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Summary: Darkness Made Light - A Compelling, Superb Trilogy!
Review: Anne Bishop's extraordinary "Black Jewels Trilogy" is one of the most original, truly spectacular reads I have had in a long time. I am not a big fan of science fiction or fantasy novels, but I became totally absorbed at the beginning of the first novel, "Daughter of the Blood," and remained riveted by Ms. Bishop's narrative until the last page of the thrilling conclusion in "Queen of the Darkness."Ms. Bishop has created a unique world and populated it with some of the most unusual characters I have met in literature. This is a world where Darkness reigns and power is determined by the color of one's Jewels. In the hierarchy of the three Realms, Women of the Blood who wear Jewels are naturally dominant because of their innate magical powers. Blood Males who wear Jewels can also be extremely powerful, but they are born to serve their Queens. And magical strength is measured by a person's Jewels - the darker the Jewel's color, the more powerful the possessor. Bishop paints a vivid portrait of two women in a terrible and vicious power struggle. Dorothea, the High Priestess of Hayll, and Hekatah, the self-proclaimed Dark Priestess of Hell, were created to be noble caretakers of the Realms. They have each perverted their Craft and their purpose, infected those who serve them, and threaten to destroy the Realms to fulfill their insatiable greed for power. The plot revolves around a young woman whose birth fulfills an ancient prophecy. Jaenelle Angelline is born Witch. She is the "dream made flesh." By the age of five she is extremely powerful, fiercely loyal, tremendously tender and capable of terribly destructive anger. This young girl-child is also an outcast amongst her own people and has no idea who or what she is or will be. Most of her birth family, unable to appreciate her exceptional powers and abilities, believe she is mad and she is periodically put in an asylum where horrors are performed on the children who are inmates there. When she is not institutionalized, Jaenelle travels between Realms into different lands, befriending the creatures who live there - from her adopted father, Saetan the High Lord of Hell, to her adopted brother, Prince Lucivar Yaslana, and Warlord Prince Daemon Sadi, who will become more important to her than any living soul. Also included in her inner circle are the demon-dead, unicorns, harpies, Healers and Black Widow Queens, Kindred, etc.. They will all impart wisdom to her and teach her aspects of the Craft. They all have important roles to play in the trilogy. The three books trace Jaenelle's life, her education in the Craft, her developing friendships, the terrible hardships she undergoes in her attempts to discover who and what she really is and her efforts to escape from the evil forces that threaten to destroy her. When Jaenelle finally reaches maturity, makes her Offering to the Darkness and becomes Queen of the Dark Court at Ebon Askavi in the Realm of Karleer, she is faced with Realms in chaos and the threat of terrible war and destruction. The Blood, corrupted by the wicked Priestesses must be cleansed. To do this and save everyone and everything she cares for, Jaenelle must make a terrible and shocking decision.
Anne Bishop's prose is beautifully crafted, deliciously rich and evocative. Her storytelling is nothing short of top-notch. The author upends the stereotype of Darkness and shows the reader, time and again, how exquisite the Dark can be. Her wry wit is ever present and the narrative is spellbinding. This series is outstanding and I cannot recommend it highly enough! An easy 5 Stars!
JANA
Rating: 
Summary: Darkness reigns througout
Review: Anne Bishop's trilogy creates a dark and sinister world that pitches female against male and role reverses placing females into the positions of power. This book doesn't shy away from topics of sex, violence or the ugliest side of human emotions. A well crafted storyline and nicely designed world with characters (witches, demon-dead, warlords) you will hate and like, and some you will hate again. The only drawback of the story was the authors overuse of certain discriptive words such as snarl or snarling (really over 100 times), it seemed at times the only discription used. With that aside, overall the book was an enjoyable and disturbing read into the quest for love, the quest for power and how both can be ruthless and maddening.
Rating: 
Summary: It wasn't so great
Review: As far as I can see, there was nothing to particularly recommend these books. The ideas behind them were nothing special, the writing was clunky, and i found the plot boring and repetitive. I only finished the second half of the trilogy because I figured, well, I've come this far, so I may as well finish it. It didn't get any better. If I were you I'd save my money.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Fantasy - Not for the Faint of Heart
Review: Fast moving, sympathetic characters, plot twists - but very dark. Not for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: I can't tell you exactly what it is about this trilogy (and The Invisible Ring, a novel that takes place in the same universe) that keeps me coming back. It might be the originality - everything about this series is new and different. It might be the characters. I tend to think that it is the universe itself that Anne Bishop has created - so intricate and detailed!
The first book of the trilogy (Daughter of the Blood) was much more gruesome than the other two, so if you are squeamish, push your way past it. It will be worth it!
I have only one complaint about this series: all of the likeable female characters tend to follow the stereotype found in so much fantasy today: beautiful but stubborn; proud and bitchy but with a heart of gold. Only Wilhemena doesn't fit this stereotype, and she is my favorite character for it.
All in all, an amazing read. I would recommend this to anyone who likes dark fantasy.
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Summary: Good Demons?!
Review: I haven't read this book. I will make it short and to the point. Is no one else even slightly disturbed that all the good guys ARE FROM HELL?!?!?!
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Summary: Capitivating!!!
Review: I love to read but I takes a hell of a book to hold me for 1,204 pages. I would suggest the Black Jewels Trilogy to any lover of fantasy.
Bishop creates a wonderfully unique world of "The blood" where the strongest are powerful female witches. They rule all the kingdoms in each realm and the men of the blood have an inherent need to serve them.
The story begins with a prophecy of a witch that will come and bring an end to the corruption that has plagued the realms.
Thousands of years later we meet Jaenelle. A mysterious child that has powers beyond the comprehension of those that encounter her, mainly the stories three heroes; Saetan, Lucivar and Daemon. I am sure the similarities to the names of the devil was on purpose. Saetan is the high lord of hell and the other two are his sons.
Anyway if you can get past the fact that all the good guys are from hell. And Bishops overuse of the word snarl, your are in for a real treat.
Black Jewels trilogy is a colorful layered adventure of rich well developed characters, a dark powerful plot and even a romatic tale that is not offered up as a cheap lighthearted relief, but is etched right into the violence and pain that takes place.
Rating:
Summary: Black Jewels Trilogy
Review: I picked this omnibus edition up on a whim. I'm so glad i did! it was excellent. While i would have liked to get in Jaenelle's head a little more, i can understand why the author told the story for everyone but Jaenelle's point of view. The males were strong presences, which i have loved! Lucivar,Daemon and Saetan were just great, and The Coven and boyos were great friends for Jaenelle.
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get much better
Review: I picked up this book on a whim and I'm so glad I did! As a lifelong reader of SciFi-Fantasy I find it difficult to find a writer with a "fresh" plot and Anne Bishop deals it out in spades. Not too many writers can haul out the old female-dominated world plot and make it seem new.
The heroes are lovable, multi-dimensional and strong (I'd give anything to meet Lucivar in a dark alley). I hope Ms Bishop continues to write in this world for years to come.
I will add that these books are not for everyone, they are very dark with a lot of deviant sex and may offend some.
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