Rating: 
Summary: gripping tale, writing still needs some polish
Review: I really read this through fast. It was so involving and gripping, I did not want it to end but I really wanted to know what happens on the next page - both these attributes are rare, and I thank Anne Bishop for writing books that offer both. And - and this makes Anne Bishop outstanding for me - she manages this with quite a number of flaws in her story: Jaenelle's friends are not quite fleshed out (such a lot of names, such a lot of alliances between them and none of it told, all of it just mentioned in passing - I had no chance of even remembering who is who), there are a lot of jumps in her story where transitions are sketchy and a few sentences thrown in are supposed to explain a battle or disaster scene of many pages, the emotional growth of Jaenelle (respect for her body, e.g.) just happens in a page or so, Sadi is "forgotten" by everyone for endless amounts of time and the justifications for that are sketchy, Jaenelle's marriage just happens in passing. So, yes, I had a lot of criticism after thinking it over, or even while reading. But, and that is why this book gets five stars, I still wanted to read it, I enjoyed it, it kept me hooked and completely distracted from all else. I hope that Anne Bishop's writing gets even better, but even if it never does, I will wait for each of her books and look forward to them with anticipation - and have pleasure from reading them. Finally, to respond to other comments: I found the violence and the sex all necessary to the story and not excessive at all - it fit into her dark tale very well.
Rating: 
Summary: Pray that Queen of the Darkness is better
Review: Heir to the Shadows definately did not appeal to me. Although Daughter of the Blood was one of the most enthralling books I have ever read, Book 2 of the Black Jewel Trilogy definately does not retain the reputation of Book 1. Heir to the Shadows definately lost the dark edge that Daughter of the Blood has. One of the main characters, the Sadist, is barely mentioned. I think Anne Bishop should have included him in the story more. The only true villans in the story aren't even powerful enough to cause any trouble longer then two pages. They pose no real threat to Jaenelle . Any attempt they make is automatically thrawrted. Where is the Suspense!!!!! Anne Bishop's comical side is definately shown . It would of been better if that was a side unseen by the readers.But what reallyconfuses me is how Jaenelle heals one person and is exhausted yet she is able to destroy an army of 6,000 men in a matter of seconds and just stomp angrily off . The whole book is about Jaenelle coming of age and doesn't get interesting until the last ten or so pages. I just hope that Queen of the Darkness is a lot more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguingbut, I want Daemon!!!
Review: I absolutely love this series and can't wait for the next one.I read this in one afternoon and couldn't believe what has happened to Daemon.Anne Bishop write a fabulous book and everyone should read this. You'll love each character and I don't see how Saetan was acting childishly.I just wish Daemon was in it more
Rating:
Summary: Its the middle chapter of a story
Review: I know lots of people are upset that this book is "not as good as Daughter ofthe Blood" but everyone has to remember... this is the middle of the story. Instead of looking at the books as single novels... see them as installments of a LARGER novel. :)
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: Anne Bishop is still going strong in her "Black Jewels Trilogy." I think her strong, evil villains and her even stronger Heroes and Heroines are compelling. She has further developed her characters and further involved us in the story. I eagerly await the next book and will intorduce these two to my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun but where's the plot?
Review: Well, I am kind of disappointed with the plot of the book. It basically just chronicles the coming of age for Jaenelle and a showpiece for Anne Bishop's humour. However while it may be funny it seems at odds with the original dark tone of the first book. The plot goes nowhere except for hints of Daemon's return and Jaenelle's taking of power. The political intrigue is clumsily done and whatever evil plots were hatched were cursory described and ditched in favour of humour. It only starts to pick up at the end but only at the end! To be fair, maybe the third book might just be all too dark and the second book is just to prepare us for it. In any case, the book is fun to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon but definitely not as addictive as the first.
Rating: 
Summary: rather less than the first one...
Review: This was an interesting read, but I really missed Daemon. :) Who wouldn't? Jaenelle did seem to have a very speedy recovery, and Saetan, for a High Lord of Hell does seem very... foolish at times, given to frustration et al. Hey, how can we blame the guy? He's a parent! :) Besides, I like him. I can't wait for the third book, Queen of Darkness. Daemon's coming back. It was rather heart-rending to see the developments coming so slowly. Argh! What _is_ this fascination with the Twisted Kingdom? All in all, it is better than most novels, but still pales in comparison to the first one, in terms of characterization and subject matter. Or maybe it's just because it's not fun without the Sadist...
Rating:
Summary: Reads like a First Draft - OK, not great
Review: I am a total loss as to understand why so many people are praising this book so highly. The first book was quite wonderful, but this one is quite dull. Most of the book is the uneventfull telling of Janelle comming of age under Saetan's guidance. Missing from most of the book are the first book's most complex and compelling characters, Daemon and Surrreal. The bad guys, Heckta and Dororthy are laughable in their clumsy attempts to hurt Janelle. They are too weak to be a proper threat to her. Many of the sections of the book are disjointed as Janelle out of the blue stumbles into danger, but no matter because the problem is all cleared up within a few pages. Tons of characters have a few lines here and there but no character development. Even the main characters have little depth - they were much better defined in the first book. When I read Daughter of the Blood, I was impressed with the world Bishop created and wondered how she would be able to sustain the story through three books based on what she presented. Well the answer is she couldn't. Comparing this work to Anne Rice in top form is just silly. The writing style, plotting, and serious handling of moral issues in Rice's book are light years beyond Bishop. Bishop still shows talent and luckly for her there is such a large market for S&M influenced stories no matter how slopply done, that she will no doubt have ample oppurtunity to increase her skills. All in all a very disappointing follow up to a wonderful first book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read in a very long time.
Review: I just wanted to write this not because my opinion has any weight, but because I wanted to express how very impressed I was with this book. I normally don't read any fantasy books, but I was told that Daughter of the Blood was such a good book. At first I wasn't so convinced of its reputation as a great book, but I slowly came to believe it as I read further and further into this dark world that Anne Bishop has so amazingly put together. The very next week after I finally finished Daughter of the Blood I went out and bought the sequel, Heir to the Shadows. I found that book to be even better. I couldn't put it down and I have just finished it today. I just stumbled over this web site looking for the next book and well I thought I would write and just express how very happy I was with the two novels that Anne Bishop has written, and I am eagerly awaiting the third book of the Black Jewel trilogy!!!
Rating:
Summary: A good sequel to the Daughter of the Blood.
Review: Generally, I don't read sci-fi, but for some reason I picked up the Black Jewel Trilogy's first installment and read it in one sitting. Heir to the Shadows is a good sequel. Janelle's development as Witch was fascinating. Furtherrmore, I really enjoyed Lucivar's expanded role. However, Daemon's diminished role in the book was understandable, but disappointing. As with the first novel, the scenes in the Twisted Kingdom were the most touching. I look forward to the third and final installment in the trilogy where hopefully the lovers will be reunited.
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