October, 2024

“Portrait of a Girl” by Dorthe Binkert

Set in the Swiss mountains, this book follows the lives of several people.  Nika, a voiceless orphan, ran away from servitude in a nearby village.  Abandoned as an infant, she was left with a locket and a note in a language she cannot understand.  Segantini, a famous painter, lives in the mountains with his wife and children.  When he sees Nika bent over a lake, he becomes enamored with her, determined to paint her likeness.  Vacationers, locals, and the hotel manager all feature in the story as their lives weave in and out.

This was an odd story.  The point of view was constantly switching, which made it hard to get to know the characters.  It also made the story seem aimless.  The plot revolved around Nika, but her story seemed secondary and then everything was resolved in the last chapter.  Due to these criticisms, this is not a book I would reread or recommend.

“The Plum Tree” by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Set during WWII, this story follows Christine and her family in wartime Germany.  Contrary to the new laws, Christine has fallen for Isaac, a Jew.  For a while they meet in secret, until it becomes too dangerous.  Christine’s father is conscripted into the German army, leaving the family to struggle without him.

I enjoyed reading a novel from the average German citizen’s point of view.  However, several scenes in the story felt completely unrealistic and contrary to Nazi brutality.  The end of the story felt very rushed and unfinished.  Due to these criticisms, 4 out of 5 stars.

Black Jewels Trilogy (Book 1-3) by Anne Bishop

This review spans the first three books in the Black Jewels Series - Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadow, and Queen of the Darkness.

Saeten SaDiablo, Daemon SaDiablo, and Lucivar Yaslana have spent a lifetime waiting for the living myth, dreams made flesh - a queen that they could be proud to serve.  The book opens with a Black Widow witch prophesying the Queen’s arrival.  700 years later, Jaenelle Angelline enters their lives.   Jaenelle’s birth family are blind to who she is, believing that she is an emotionally damaged and eccentric child.  The consequences of her family’s choices are devastating, and long reaching.

I read these books when they first came out in the late 90’s.  I was captivated then, just as I am now.  The male characters are some of the most dark and erotic I have ever read.  The feral energy and strain to contain it adds a dimension of tension to the plot.  Anne Bishop is an amazing world builder and storyteller.   I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series 

“The Invisible Ring” by Anne Bishop

This is a novel in the Black Jewels series by Anne Bishop.  The story is set before The Daughter of the Blood.  The novel follows Jared, a red-jeweled warlord prince bound as a pleasure slave.  After unwittingly killing the last Queen he served, he is at the slave auctions, destined for a slow death.  When the Gray Lady buys his contract, he is instantly terrified by the lady's reputation.  None who crosses to her lands has ever returned.  Instead of taking a coach to her lands, they are waylaid, forced to travel overland.  Along the way, he rediscovers himself and uncovers a multitude of secrets.  

While I love this world, and the glimpses of Daemon SaDiablo, the story itself wasn’t very compelling.  The entire novel was one big chase scene, which is not to my taste.  Despite this criticism the characters were dynamic and well formed.  Overall 4 out of 5 stars.

“Dreams Made Flesh” by Anne Bishop

This is a series of short-stories set in the Black Jewels universe by Anne Bishop.  The stories cover a long period of time, starting with the creation of the blood and the first weaver of dreams.  My favorite story of the bunch revolves around Lucivar Yaslana, and his romance with Marian.  This story is both fun and flirty as Luciver figures out how to let go and love again.  Overall, a well rounded collection of stories that add nicely to the universe!