Rating: 
Summary: A good read.
Review: Well, I too loved the Dark Jewels trilogy and was lookingforward to this book. The Invisible Ring is set in the same universe,a couple of hundred years before the trilogy takes place. The book wasnever intended to be compared to the others, but to give a glimpseinto the world of the Blood and the corruption that is beingspread. It follows the story of a Warlord Prince who must try toregain his honor and find a reason to still believe in the ways of theBlood amid the abuse and taint he has endured. I thought this book wasgood, because it shows this point clearly throughout the book. It hasadventure, magic, treasury and romance. And the appearance of DaemonSadi in the book was an added bonus. So don't compare it to thetrilogy, because of course it cannot compare. Just take it for what itis and enjoy it. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Well.....
Review: When I choose to read this book I picked it up already knowing the future of the story. (from the Black jewels trilogy) So keeping this thought in mind I read the book as a story onto itself, and I was not dissapointed. The Invisiable Ring has much of the same wit, charm, and darkness in it that the Black Jewels has. In this story we met some new friends but also we met up Sadi again as well. While for me Sadi was a major player and love of the Black jewels his is truly not the only story in the realm. Here we meet a new queen tring to stand against Dorthea and we meet the Warlord that is tormented by the twisted ways of Hayel. We learn more about how they use the jewels, how the offering works, and the virgin night and why it can break a witch. So while the book my not be as stong as the Black Jewels it is still a strong story by a very talented author. If you pick up the book remembering that you know the future and take the story on it's own you will not be dissapointed. As with the Black Jewles Trilogy this one is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: The cover looked good
Review: When I finished this ( i use the word lightly ) book I ripped it up and threw it in the garbage. I have read a ton of books some I like, some I don't, hardly ever do I feel this strongly about about one. This book has nothing to recommend it. The characters are weak the plot is old and overused and worst of all badly told. I read stories that are not original but nonetheless well told, not this one. I felt cheated the art on the cover was the best part of the book and it was not worth my seven dollars.
Rating: 
Summary: a definate step down
Review: While the Black Jewels trilogy is one of the greatest dark fantasy series around, it is clear that Anne Bishop has succombed to the sequel syndrome with this new addition to the Black Jewels universe. In the previous trilogy, you had multi-layer plots, three dimensional characters, subtle hints, dark and disturbing writing, mesmerizing individuals. In this new book, the plot plods along, nothing is subtle; what little bit is presented subtly is then blatantly spelled out, the characters - which are sadly uninteresting - are only one or two dimensional, the writing seems forced. While going back to the time of the "Grey Lady" and seeing how she solved the problem of separating "the blood from the blood", was a great premise, it was poorly executed. Even the few scenes with Daemon Sadi don't add to the mystery. Instead, it takes one of the greatest and most fascinating individuals and actually detracts from all the character build up made in the first three books. In the future, and I sincerely hope that Anne Bishop chooses to write more books - and more books set in this universe, I will read the books from the library before deciding to actually spend money on them. I wish I had with this one. Definitely worth reading, not worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: Anne Bishop
Review: Yes, The Invisible Ring was enjoyable, but it was definately lacking something. The Black Jewels Trilogy had passion and icy hatred mixed with dark obsessions and unwavering loyalty, but this strange prequelish continuation? Almost every character in this book seems like a washed up reflection of someone else in the amazing novels it's based off of. Jared seemed like he was meant to be somewhat of a mix between Daemon and Lucivar, but it just didn't work for me. He just didn't have enough... personality to carry the male end of the story.
Still, I am in love with the world that Bishop has created. I forgive the book for the majority of it's rough ends. Any story even remotely related her rich, detailed world is definately worth my time. I'm waiting for more...
Rating:
Summary: good, but not up to jewels standards
Review: Yes, The Invisible Ring was enjoyable, but it was definately lacking something. The Black Jewels Trilogy had passion and icy hatred mixed with dark obsessions and unwavering loyalty, but this strange prequelish continuation? Almost every character in this book seems like a washed up reflection of someone else in the amazing novels it's based off of. Jared seemed like he was meant to be somewhat of a mix between Daemon and Lucivar, but it just didn't work for me. He just didn't have enough... personality to carry the male end of the story.
Still, I am in love with the world that Bishop has created. I forgive the book for the majority of it's rough ends. Any story even remotely related her rich, detailed world is definately worth my time. I'm waiting for more...
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