The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

The Black Jewels Trilogy is written by Anne Bishop.  This trilogy is a powerful, dark fantasy trilogy centered around a world rich with magic.  The truly unique thing about the writing style of Anne Bishop is that the entire series is written from the perspectives of the people around Jaenelle.  Jaenelle’s point of view is never presented.Before a review can be made of this trilogy, some of the underlying structure must be acknowledged. 

Magic in this world is used by way of jewels.  There are two types of jewels; birthright jewels and jewels received during the offering to the darkness.  The “offering” jewels are gifted to their bearer during a ceremony similar to a coming of age ceremony.  The darker the stone gets, the more powerful the magic is. 

The Black Jewels Trilogy is not for the faint of heart or those opposed to sex and violence.  This trilogy is riddled with sexual references and dark themes. 

One thing can be said about Anne Bishop, she isn’t afraid to subject her characters to rape, torture, maiming and death.  This book centers on Jaenelle who is the Queen of the Darkness.  She is a black jeweled queen of immense powers and was created through dreams of humans and kindred (animals with magical capability). 

At the outset of the book, you are introduced to Daemon.  Daemon is a powerful warlord prince who is used as a pleasure slave.  He is told that Witch is coming and spends the next hundreds of years searching for her in order to be her lover.  When he finds her, turns out, she’s just a child.

Jaenelle is being abused at home.  She is being committed to an institution that is supposed to be for troubled children but in reality is a place for “uncles” to go and sexually abuse children.  This leads to a significant instability in Jaenelle that influences events in the next few books.

Saetan is a Guardian or one of those half living and half dead.  He is the reigning lord of hell.  He enters the picture as Jaenelle’s teacher of magic and protector.  He is presented as both a doting father and as a creature of immense power to be feared. 

Jaenelle is opposed by Dorothea and Hekatah who both scheme to be ruler of all the realms.  Dorothea owns Daemon and wants him to eliminate Jaenelle.

There is a caste system in this story and the relationship between males and females is based on a certain code.  Stepping outside that code is a surefire way to die.  The sense of justice is askew in this book as murder is not illegal however rape is. 

The book is rife with phallic symbols such as mental communication between males referred to as “spear to spear” communication.  There is a ritual called the Virgin Night which is basically a female’s initiation into sex.  Unfortunately, if done incorrectly, this can strip the witch of her powers and leave her “broken”.  There is a ring of obedience which is placed on the man’s penis used as a restraint and inflicts pain to gain compliance.  This is how a black jeweled warlord prince is kept as a pleasure slave.

The character development of this book is outstanding.  The characters motivations and actions are believable.  The complexity of the characters is well thought out and planned. 

This book is a must read.  I can truly say I’ve never read a book like this before.

After surviving a brutal rape, Jaenelle is basically comatose at the start of this book.  Saetan has gained custody of her through the dark council and is looking for ways to bring her back.  He has convinced Hekatah that she is dead.

Daemon is slowly slipping into madness.  The effort taken to keep Jaenelle alive has shattered his self control. 

Once Jaenelle returns from her coma, the book goes through her growth as a person from adolescence to early womanhood.  As part of Jaenelle’s instability, she has amnesia regarding anything to do with the rape including Daemon.

The book climaxes when she learns that her friends the kindred unicorns are being slaughtered and the only way to save them is to set up the Dark Court and become Queen.  She goes through the offering to the darkness ritual and comes out more powerful than any person has ever been.  She sets up her formal court and saves her kindred friends.

Anne Bishop continues her excellent development of her characters.  She adds new characters such as Lord Jorval, Karla and Chaosti and this brings in more conflict and tension.   

The setting continues to tantalize the mind with images of unicorns and dragons.  The dialogue in this series does start to get a little repetitive with phrases such as “Mother Night!” and “Thank the darkness”.  In addition, the overdramatic responses of the males get irritating.  You can only read about Saetan almost fainting or collapsing in his chair so much before you wonder if they have to keep smelling salts in their pockets when around him.

A definite page turner, Heir to the Shadows continues the momentum and sends the reader scouring the book shelves for Book 3; Queen of the Darkness.

Daemon returns home causing a tension in the ranks of the court.  His loyalty is only to Jaenelle and as such is capable of anything to protect her.  Tension arises between Saetan, Daemon and Lucivar (Daemon’s brother).

This book centers on the relationship between Daemon and Jaenelle.  There is war on the horizon and Jaenelle has planned a spell to eliminate the taint in the Blood.  Unfortunately, this will result in her death; a tidbit she doesn’t share with Daemon.  She orders the court to remain at the keep and the secrecy required for such a spell leaves them angry at her seeming “inaction”.  In the end, Daemon ends up putting on a charade for Dorothea and Hekatah to free Saetan, Lucivar and Lucivar’s family.  This charade is brutal and his family learns why he is called the Sadist.  The backlash from Jaenelle’s spell wipes out the “taint” in the Blood. The spell was a sacrifice spell and everyone believes that Jaenelle dies. 

You can tell the writing ability of an author if they can move you to tears.  The scene where the Demons say goodbye to Saetan as they sacrifice themselves is emotionally charged. 

Queen of Darkness is full of tension between the court and Jaenelle.  Anne Bishop continues her excellent character development and keeps the pace of the story moving forward.  Queen of the Darkness fulfills the promises that the first two books made.  This is a truly fabulous story.