Dreams Made Flesh by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Demons, Winged People, Warlords

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Jaenelle is the most powerful Witch ever known, centuries of hopes and dreams made flesh at last. She has forged ties with three of the realm’s mightiest Blood warriors: Saetan, the High Lord of Hell, who trains Jaenelle in magic and adopts her as his daughter; Lucivar, the winged Eyrien Warlord who becomes her protector; and the near-immortal Daemon, born to be Witche’s lover. Jaenelle has assumed her rightful place as Queen of the Darkness and restored order and peace to the realm…but at a terrible cost. Collected here are the beguiling stories about the origin of the mystical Jewels, the forbidden passion between Lucivar and a simple hearth witch, the clash between Saetan and a Priestess, and the choice Jaenelle must make between her magic and happiness with Daemon…

This is a bunch of short stories that take place at different times during the series. Each story is just another layer to this brilliantly written series. I found each one very well done. I loved seeing Lucivar and his wife with their relationship. And anything about Jaenelle is great. The story about Saetan and Priestess was good as your seeing another side to Saetan. The whole book is a great addition and I loved it a lot.

Publisher: Roc

ISBN: 0451460707

Pages: 464

Series: The Black Jewels

Volume: 5

The Invisible Ring by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Demons, Winged People, Warlords

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: In a world where magic is power and social status is everything, the color of the jewel you wear determines the course of your life… Jared is a Red-Jeweled Warlord bound as a pleasure slave by the Ring of Obedience. After suffering nine years of torment as a slave, he murdered his owner and escaped – only to be caught and sold into slavery once again. Purchased by a notorious queen, Jared fears he will share the mysterious fate of her other slaves – never to be seen again – and so prepares himself for death. But the Gray Lady may not be what she seems and Jared soon faces a difficult decision: his freedom, or his honor…

This is a standalone story that is in the Black Jewel universe. This story is of Jared who has been a slave and comes right back to being another slave. Only it isn't the same as before. As the Gray Lady isn't what people believe. Their relationship is one that melted my heart as they grew closer. This is a brilliant story. It is so well written that you don’t want to put the book down. I loved this story as it shows another side to the Black Jewel that I couldn't get enough of.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451462068

Pages: 352

Series: The Black Jewels

Volume: 4

Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Demons, Winged People, Warlords

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The Dark Court has been formed. Jaenelle Angelline has made her Offering to the Darkness, and reigns as Queen of Ebon Askavi. No longer will the corrupt Blood slaughter her people and defile her lands. But where one door has been closed, a windo may be opened…or broken through. Even Witch cannot protect the Shadow Realm alone. Somewhere, long lost in the madness of the Twisted Kingdom, is Daemon, her promised Consort. His unyielding love for Jaenelle will complete her court and secure her power. Yet, even together, their strength may not be enough to stave off their enemies. In the end, only a terrible sacrifice can save those Jaenelle loves…

This is the third book in the Black Jewels series. And it is so far my favorite. The way Daemon was so unsure of himself and where he stood with Jaenelle was brilliantly played out. The intrigue between the characters and what side everyone was on, made you sit on the edge of your seat. The climax of this story had me at tears thinking that not only was Daemon going to lose Jaenelle but also his mind again. I loved it all.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451461711

Pages: 416

Series: The Black Jewels

Volume: 3

Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Demons, Winged People, Warlords, The Black Jewels Novel

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Dreams Made Flesh. The Blood have waited centuries for the coming of Witch, the living embodiment of magic. But Jaenelle, the young girl singled out by prophecy, is haunted by the cruel battles fought over her – for not all the Blood await her as their savior. Some dismiss her as myth. Some refuse to believe. And still others look forward to using her, making her a puppet to their whims. Only time and the love of her guardians have healed Jaenelle’s physical wounds. But her mind is still fragile, barely able to protect her from the terrible memories of her childhood. Nothing, however, and keep her from her destiny – and the day of reckoning looms near. When her memories return… when her magic matures… when she is forced to accept her fate. On that day, the dark Realms will know what it means to be ruled by Witch.

As the story continues we see Jaenelle grow. Meeting many of her friends who come and stay with her to learn and share along side Jaenelle. I was very happy when Lucivar found her again. But sadden that Daemon was in the Twisted Kingdom forgotten by Jaenelle. The story is starting to take on a darker path. As you meet more characters there are those that we loose. The way this is written you can’t help but to wonder what will happen next. How will it all turn out? I loved this book and am looking forward to reading the next book, The Queen of Darkness.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451461517

Pages: 432

Series: The Black Jewels

Volume: 2

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

Genre: Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Demons, Winged People, Warlords, The Black Jewels Novel

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The once and Future Queen. Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch saw an ancient prophecy come to life in her dazzling web of dreams and visions. Now the Dark Realm readies itself for the arrival of its Queen, a witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But she is still young, still open to influence – and corruption. Whoever controls the Queen controls the Darkness. Three men – sworn enemies – know that. And they know the power that hides behind the blue eyes of an innocent young girl. And so begins a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, where the weapons are hate and love…and the prize could be terrible beyond imagining…

A world that has three different levels, where women rule. The men do most of the fighting as the women are more dangerous. This story is very well done. It’s a flip of our world with some added elements. Even our religious views are turned on their head. I loved how the world is described. The teaching of magic to the prophesied queen and how she comes in and out of the picture is very interesting. I thought that this was a great start for this series. It was so dynamic with the character view point changing, with it not causing any confusion. Great book and enjoyed reading it.

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

ISBN: 0451461487

Pages: 384

Series: The Black Jewels

Volume: 1