Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended, but no for the faint of heart
Review: First off - this is not a book for everyone - especially not the narrowminded or the prudish. The few negative reviews posted here have focused on the grimmer aspects of the story - the sexual abuse of children and slaves, and a possibly unwholesome relationship between a man and a child. All I can say is that they are in the book, but must be taken as part of the whole. Firstly - the author is not glorifying the abuse - her horror of sexual destruction of innocence is a shining thread throughout the novel. There are no explicitly described rape scenes offered up for a perverse reader's titillation (unlike so many other SF/Fantasy authors, male and female, who positively wallow in such scenes). In fact, much of the action is left up to the readers imagination. Without trying to spoil a part of the story - one of main characters, Daemon, who was forced into sexual slavery, ultimately rebels and destroys his "captor" - what triggered him, and what he did to her is never stated - only that what was left on the bed was "obscene," leaving it to the readers imagination to fill in the blanks. As to the relationship between the 1,700 year old Daemon and the 12 year old Jaenelle - it is clear that (1) Daemon was shocked to discover how young she was when they first met; (2) that he was disgusted with his own sexual reaction to the child; and (3) that to a large extent, his sexual reaction was part of an almost genetic conditioning between "Blood" males and Witch/Queens. So - don't be turned off by the negative reviews - all 3 (out of 85) seem to be written by the same person, who never actually read the novel. The only improvement would be an index of characters and their general relationship be included - especially in the beginning, it's hard to tell the players without a scorecard. Otherwise, a unique and excellent story that captures the imagination - the protagonists are flawed, and do make mistakes (much to their sorrow and shame), which what makes them so interesting. A breath of fresh air in a genre that has become overpopulated by endless, repetative, boring, silly and worst of all badly written fantasy series (e.g., Jordan, Kerr, Goodkind). Bravo, Anne Bishop - I am looking forward to reading your novels for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Go buy it NOW!
Review: This is the best book I have ever read in my entire life and I have read many books, especially fantasy books. I read it at least three times in the first week I got it and I loved it more and more every time. I didn't love it despite its gruesome parts either. I loved it partially because of them. They really gave you background on the characters and what drives them. It also makes it more amazing when Anne manages to make it a romance and even funny at the same time. She is a fantastic writer and no other book will stisfy me until I read the last one, Queen of the Darkness. January is a loooooooong time. Anyway, if you haven't read it what the hell are you thinking after reading all these rave reviews? Get up and go get it this instant!
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic story
Review: The story about Jaenelle, a black-jewelled witch, who happens to be nothing more than a child. She's an astounding character, her powers are amazingly strong, yet she is so weak because of what happens to her as she grows up. After reading this book, I ran out and HAD to get the sequel, Heir to the Shadows.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: I loved this book! I've read it so many times that the cover is falling off. The world that Anne Bishop has created was enthralling because its so different from a lot of fantasy books i've read. While most of them are light and cheerful with stereotypical characters (strong detirmined female) this was as different as you could get. Have Saetan as a nice guy is a really interesting concept. I can't wait for the third one to come out.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I loved this book! Anne Bishop is proving herself to be a great fantasy writer! Can't wait for the next ones....
Rating:
Summary: Joyce's daughter thought it was great
Review: Im only 15 and I loved this book and the second. THe therd is coming out in january as far as i know and i cant wate to purchase it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books that I have ever read
Review: What can I say about this book. It was one of the best books that I have ever read. The way that Anna Bishop creats the characters is unbelievable. Daemon is my favorite. He came to life through out the book. There are some parts that were graphic and made me cringe but that adds to the fealing of the setting. Once someone got the hang of how the structure of the people are, there class and jewel, everything falls into place. After reading this book, my sterotype Saetan changed forever. The first time that he was introduced, I thought that the name fit because he is the High Lord of Hell. She portrays him in such a way that you end up loving him. This is a well written and very cleaver book.
Rating:
Summary: A superb work
Review: Anne Bishop is one of the most truly gifted authors I have ever read. Her ability to make her characters come to life sets her work apart from all the rest. Her trilogy sets fire to the imagination and ignites the soul with the torrents of passion and emotion woven into her books. They keep you up all night and still have you going in the morning. Anyone who reads this trilogy will instantly fall in love with it.
Rating:
Summary: So ou get the real scoop
Review: This is the best book I've ever read.This is the first bookabout Daemon, Saeten, Lucivar, and Jaenelle. Daemon is a black jewledwarlord prince, the most powerful in the world enen more powerful then Saeten himself. Daemon is a pleasure slave and is forced into dbedience by the ring of obedience. In his 1700 years of life he has been formed into a crule and skilled sadist. He has been howned by years of force, labor, beatings, and humillation. Lucivar is Daemon's brothor and has receved the same treatment Daemon did. Lucivar is a ebony gray warlord prince. Saeten the High lord of Hell, the prince of darkness and once the only male black widow. Saeten is also a black jewled warlord prince. He is a guardin, one of the living dead. A promise made to his Queen made him stay alive waiting for the daughter of his soal. On day she comes. Jaenelle pulls them into the dance of Witch to form a blood triangle. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Anyone who loves fantasy has to read this book!
Review: I got this book when a friend of mind was reading it. She had lent it to her other friend and the second friend was begging for the second book. I read this book and the sequel without skipping a beat. Now most of my friends and i have formed a sort of cult as we wait for the third book to come out. Anne Bishop is and excellent writer and she has created a whole world completely backward from ours where the darkness is worshipped and Saetan is good. Her characters are not perfect, yet I never once questioned their intentions. Their reactions are believable and they are constantly surprising the reader. The book is filled with things that make you stop and think, but it is still enjoyable to read. Some of the ideas are contaversial, but if you can get past that you will enjoy this book.
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