“Tangled Webs” by Anne Bishop

This is the 6th novel set in the Black Jewels Universe.  It is set after the events in Queen of the Darkness and Dreams Made Flesh.   When Surreal SaDiablo receives an invitation from Jaenelle Angelline, her Queen, she rushes to the spooky house.  Rainier and Surreal enter the house together along with a group of landen and half-blood children.  Once they cross the threshold, the trap is sprung, and the game turns deadly.

I enjoyed reading about Surreal SaDiablo, a secondary, yet important, character in the previous books.  This story gave her some dimension and character growth as she struggles to protect herself and Rainier    Overall, another excellent book by Anne Bishop.

“Across the Ages” by Gabrielle Meyer 

Caroline lives in both 1727 and 1927.  Each morning she wakes in the other timeline, alternating her days.  In 1727, Caroline finds a note from her mother, hinting that she is also a time-crosser.  Running away from her plantation, she sails to the Bahamas.  Before she can find her mom, the ship is boarded by pirates and she is conscripted as a cabin boy.  In 1927, Caroline is the daughter of a famous preacher.  Her two brothers are rum running, and one is cheating on his spouse.

Out of the two storylines the 1727 storyline was much more intriguing than the other.  The 1920’s storyline seemed less developed and less flushed out.  I’ve really enjoyed this series, and hope that the author continues writing these books.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Shadow Queen” by Anne Bishop 

This is the 7th book in the Black Jewels Universe.  It takes place after the events in Tangled Webs, however it can be read out of order.  In Tereille, Theran Grayhaven is the last Warlord Prince of his name.  He can trace his ancestry back to Jared and Lena (from The Invisible Ring).  Out of desperation, he travels to Kaeller to ask that a Queen be sent to Dena Nehele to help restore the blood and the old ways of living.  Jaenelle Angeline sends Lady Cassidy, a rose jeweled Queen to serve for one year.   Gray, Theran’s cousin, was tortured during the last Queen’s rule and was left damaged.  When he meets Lady Cassidy, he is instantly drawn to her, knowing that he “belongs” to her.  Theran chafes against Lady Cassidy and is alarmed at Gray’s behavior.

I enjoyed reading a novel set in the Black Jewels Universe that revolved around a different set of characters.  The novel gave me a greater understanding of the Universe.  It was well written and featured a nice push/pull dynamic between the characters.  Overall, highly recommended.

“The Queen’s Cook” by Tessa Afshar 

When the Persian empire puts out a kill order for the Jews, Roxannah and her family are devastated.  When her drunken father is injured, Roxannah seeks out a Jewish physician, Adin, to help her.  Roxannah and Adin have an instant connection, one they both fight.  When her father is killed, Adin finds a position for Roxannah as a cook’s assistant for Queen Esther.

It took quite a while for the story to build and the plot to come together.  While the main characters were well developed, the secondary characters felt a bit stereotypical and flat.  The plot twists were resolved quickly with predictable results.  Overall, a well written book, but the story could have used some work.  3 out of 5 stars.

“Shalador’s Lady” by Anne Bishop 

This is the 8th book in the Black Jewels Universe and is a sequel to The Shadow Queen.  Lady Cassidy has agreed to serve in Dena Nehele as Queen for a year.  She has run into opposition from Theran, and found fierce supporters from the other members of her camp.  After Theran brings her enemy into his house, Cassidy and the rest of the court relocate to the Shallador camps.  There she finds reluctant hope, as the people dream of a better future.

I enjoyed this novel as both a sequel to The Shadow Queen and as a novel set in the Black Jewels Universe.  Anne Bishop continues to deliver hit after hit.  I look forward to reading the next set of books set within this universe.  Overall, highly recommended.

“Twilight’s Dawn” by Anne Bishop

This is a collection of short stories set in the Black Jewels Universe.  The events take place after events in The Queen of the Darkness.  I found the stories to be very satisfying and well developed.  I particularly enjoyed Shades of Honor.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars. 

“The Queen’s Bargain” by Anne Bishop

This novel is set in the Black Jewel’s universe after the events in Twilight’s Dawn.  In Ebon Rih, Lucivar’s unofficial daughter is caught up in the blush of first love.  Lord Dillon has moved from town to town after a series of disreputable relationships.  When he decides to pursue Jillian, he is shocked and dismayed to find himself facing the Warlord Prince.  Daemon SaDiablo and Surreal’s marriage begins to crumble.  Trying to leash his nature, cracks begin forming in Daemon’s mind.

It was interesting to get to know these characters outside of their day-to-day relationship with witch.  I thought the build-up of tension between Daemon and Surreal was masterfully done.  The push and pull in their relationship was full of tensions.  Jilian and Dillon’s story was interesting, in the fact that it showed more of the relationship dynamics and courting process within the universe.  Overall, highly recommended.

“The Queen’s Weapons” by Anne Bishop

This is the 11th book set in the Black Jewel’s Universe.  This novel is set in the events after The Queen’s Bargain.  Daemonar has begun to assume the role of warlord prince, protecting his younger sister, and trying to leach his cousin’s adventurous ideas.  When his sister is emotionally hurt from someone she once called friend, Daemonar begins his tutelage under Witch.  Joining his sister and cousin at school, Daemonar slowly becomes aware of a taint in the blood, one developing among the younger witches, those who see witch as merely a myth and legend.

I enjoyed this novel immensely.  It was extremely gratifying to read about the younger characters as they slowly came into their own.  Admittedly, some of their choices were heartbreaking.  Overall, highly recommended.

“The Queen’s Price” by Anne Bishop

This is the 12th novel in the Black Jewels Trilogy.  This novel takes place after the events in The Queen’s Weapons.  Daemon SaDiablo has opened the Hall up to teenage blood as a school.  With strict rules, and consequences, he does his best to step into his father’s shoes.

I enjoyed the training school element.  It tied the story back to the original trilogy, when the young queens and princes circled Jaenelle.  The book was slow at times, I wish the secondary characters had been more developed and flushed out.  Saetien’s storyline finally came together, and finally made sense.  Overall, a nice conclusion to books 10, 11, and 12.