Rating: 
Summary: Gripping story despite superficial flaws
Review: The continuation of the Black Jewels Trilogy keeps up with the promise Bishop seems to make with the reader in the first novel - a highly readable, enjoyable, unrelenting view of the world she created. Even more so than the first, I could not put this book down. When I did, it's because I was so tired my brain could no longer comprehend the idea of "sentences" and "words." Again, there are a few apparent flaws that need to be discussed in an honest appraisal of the book:
(1) The descriptions of characters can get repetitive. You can only read that Jaenelle does something no one has ever done before in all of history so many times before you're like "alright already, I get it!" And you'll read the description "membranous wings" more times than you care to.
(2) Some phrases are repeated ad nauseum to make dramatic points. "Briarwood is the pretty poison" and something along the lines of "Everyone pays the price" are constantly inserted between paragraphs or after a particular event for dramatic effect, but again, it's a case of "enough already" the fourth or fifth time.
(3) As more characters are introduced (which many are in this book), they become more stereotypical and progressively less interesting. And the introduction of intelligent animals (members of the Blood called "Kindred") made me roll my eyes a bit, but overall they worked out. Definitely wasn't "Lassie" or "Flipper" even if it seemed a bit corny at first.
(4) The jumps in years seem a bit awkward at times. In this book, Jaenelle ages about 10 years. It's a little aggravating that Bishop introduces this evil little plot by the antagonists, and then when you go to the next part, it's two years later. What happened in that time??? Granted, if she did fill in those details, this trilogy would probably be drawn out like the Wheel of Time saga or the Song of Ice and Fire series.
Despite my criticisms of her style, however, Bishop's creative energy and constantly-moving plot kept me firmly embraced by her characters, her plot, and her world, and sets the reader up well for a gripping finale. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: what's all the hoopla about?
Review: I have read alot of books in my lifetime and can't quite understand how these books get such high reviews. The first book was ok., a little boring but I thought it would pick up in the second book. Wrong... it just got more boring, "Mother Night"! If I had to read that expression one more time I think I'll barf.This is a book where almost nothing happens and the characters are so flat and boring except of coarse Dameon who is the White Knight/ Don Wan of the story. Oh well they have pretty covers and they look good in my collection. At least they are good for something.
Rating: 
Summary: A little frustrating...
Review: I read this entire book and couldn't put it down. I was waiting for Daemon and Jaenelle to at least meet each other again! It was a little frustrating at times, but if you can muster up an ounce of patience, It's a good middle book for the series.
Rating:
Summary: The story just gets better!
Review: Heir to the Shadows would be worth reading, I think, entirley for the scene when all of Jaenelle's friends from the various places she's traveled show up on her birthday. Anne Bishop has an extraordinary talent for creating supporting characters. All of them have a personality all thier own, and it is utterly charming.The book takes up three years after Daughter of the Blood left off, although not much has changed. Fortunatly, quite near the beginning of the book, Jaenelle pulls out of the Twisted Kingdom, and Lucivar is reunited with Saetan. The confrontations between the male characters are fascinating. Bishop has drawn the characters of Saetan, Daemon, and Lucivar with such grace, it is painfully clear that they are family, but each is so distinctive. Jaenelle continues to expand as a character as well, and she only grows more interesting with age. The relationship that develops between her and her family is humourous and heartbreaking as all our relationships with our parents and siblings are. Heir to the Shadows was a lovingly written book, it is engrossing, funny, tragic, and it will twist your heart and make you laugh all in one page.
|
