The Queen's Bargain (Black Jewels Book #10) --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy (Adult/Dark)

427 pages / 2251 KB

5 Stars

I picked up the first Black Jewels Trilogy back in 2016 and became hooked on both Ms. Bishop's writing, and her universe. I have since read several of the Black Jewels books, though not in order (If this is a new series to you, I strongly advise you to read the first three books to get a feel for the style and the characters and the underlying stories, and then read them as you get them).  I have read all of her Other books, and loved them, too.

Lord Dillon made a youthful mistake, from what he thought was undying love, and his reputation has been besmirched. He needs to get it repaired, but is hounded by his past.

Daemon Sadi and his wife, Surreal are in the throes of marital discord, though neither truly knows why.

Jillian is still works in Lucivar's household, and has met her first true love, the Lord Dillon. 

Lucivar knows something is wrong with his brother, Sadi; something is wrong with Lord Dillon; something is wrong with...well, you get the picture. 

Oh, and the Scelties are having their problems, too. Especially with Janelle Satien who broke trust with one of them.

I tried reading a couple chapters a night. That lasted  maybe three nights, then I read the rest of the book the next day. I have little won't power where this world and these characters are involved.  Or any of Anne Bishop's novels.

Other books I've read and reviewed, by Ms. Bishop

Etched in Bone (A Novel of the Others ) http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/12/etched-in-bone-novel-of-others-by-anne.html

Vision in Silver, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/vision-in-silver-by-anne-bishop.html

Marked in Flesh http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/03/marked-in-flesh-by-anne-bishop.html

Murder of Crows, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/murder-of-crows-by-anne-bishop.html

Written in Red, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/written-in-red-anne-bishop.html

Wild Country, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2019/03/wild-country-world-of-others-2-by-anne.html

Lake Silence, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2017/10/lake-silence-by-anne-bishop.html

The Black Jewels Trilogy http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-black-jewels-trilogy-by-anne-bishop.html

Twilight's Dawn (Black Jewels #9) http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2020/01/twilights-dawn-black-jewels-trilogy.html

The Invisible Ring (Black Jewels #4), http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-invisible-ring-black-jewels-book-4.html   

Etched in Bone (A Novel of the Others) –by Anne Bishop (Available 7 Mar 17)

Fiction / Urban Fantasy 

416 pages

5 Stars

Legalities first: I read an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have heard rumors this is to be the last book of this series. It could be. But then, it might not be. We shall just have to wait. Sometimes rumors are false. I truly hope this one falls into the 'false' category.

The human uprising is over—and life goes on in Lakeside, with a few changes. Lakeside was relatively unscathed, thanks in no small part to Meg Corbyn and Simon Wolfgard and the understanding they have brought between Others and Humans. Until a human brings his wife and two children to Lakeside, expecting a hand-out (no free lunch in Lakeside), and his cop brother to protect him. No one wants him to remain in Lakeside except the two Elders (aka: The Teeth and Claws of Namid) who have taken residence in the Courtyard and refuse to have him sent away. The Elders want to understand why he is the way he is. To them, it is important to understand him, and to the humans it is extremely important. The Elders are not yet through winnowing humans. They may decide to kill them all.

Meg, the resident Cassandra Sangue (blood prophet), has a positive impact on both her human pack and the Others with whom she lives and works, and on the two resident Elders who learn manners in order to get cookies. She knows danger exists, is coming to the Courtyard, to Lakeside, and to herself. When it manifests, Simon Wolfgard, the leader of the Courtyard finally faces his thoughts and feelings about Meg, and vice versa. Can a wolf and a human find true love and happiness? Read the book and find out!

If you have not yet read the other books in this series, I strongly suggest you do so before reading this one. You don't have to, but I think if you start at the beginning, it will make smoother reading. You will have the opportunity to meet and get to know the characters without having to try to figure out the backstory. I suggest you buy all the books, check into a hotel with decent room service, and hunker down for a good read. You'll thank me when you have done so.

Anne Bishop has created a marvelous alternate world. She has populated it with great and wondrous Others, who are the dominants. Humans are the upstarts, and at best, tolerated. They do provide certain goods the Others can't make. And upon occasion, they also provide a meal. Silly humans, they decided they should be the dominant race, and agitated for an uprising, which was short, bloody, and painful. This series is great fun to read with our modern mind-set and imagining what it would be like to live in such a world. Can you imagine a large area of your town set aside for Shifters—wolves, crows, vampires, etc., not to mention various Elementals? Can you imagine what it would be like to cut yourself and reveal prophecy? Cutting is the only thing to bring you relief, but too many cuts and you'll die. Can you imagine having no ownership of your body, your blood, but being forced to prophecy to the highest bidder? You will by the time you've finished this series.

Warning: Bishop writes page burners, do not start her books—any of them—unless you have the time to sit and read. The dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. The Others, not so much. (Check into that hotel. Trust me.)

Written in Red  http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/written-in-red-anne-bishop.html

Murder of Crows  http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/murder-of-crows-by-anne-bishop.html

Vision in Silver http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/vision-in-silver-by-anne-bishop.html

Marked in Flesh http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/03/marked-in-flesh-by-anne-bishop.html

Forged in Fire: An Urban Fantasy (Moonlight Dragon Book 4) –by Tricia OwensFiction / Urban Fantasy 151 pages / 4283 KB 5 Stars Legalities: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. WARNING: Do not start this book until you can devote the time to finish it! It is, truly, a one-sit read. Anne Moody is still cursed. I almost feel sorry for her; however, if she wasn't still cursed, we wouldn't have this terrific series to read. She still gets caught up in adventures not of her choosing, and she still is a (reluctant) worker for the Oddsmakers. Anne Moody is also cunning and has a few secrets of her own. Once again, we are on a romp through a Las Vegas that isn't on my AAA Map with Anne, her friends Melanie, Christian, and Vale. Once again, Vagasso makes an appearance—in Anne Moody's yard, for starters. Once again, Anne Moody is told by the Oddsmakers to leave Vagasso alone, to behave, and to mind her own business. Does Anne obey them? Well, if she did, we wouldn't have this fantastical book. We wouldn't get to return to the Tomes, or the most unusual art gallery. We wouldn't get to an exotic animal breeding farm, either. Did I say 'get' to go there? More like dragged, kicking and screaming, through claustrophobic tunnels, and mad scientist labs. And we wouldn't have such a spectacular showdown with Vagasso, either. Will Anne Moody be able to defy the Oddsmakers? Will she be able to save her beloved friends? Will she be able to save Las Vegas and the world from the demons of hell? This is book 4 of the Dragon books, and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first 3. The Moonlight Dragon Books is one of the best urban fantasy series I've read. The characters are well developed, fun, believable, and are welcome in my house any time. This series belongs on the shelf with Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher—all excellent authors, and all with unique voices and stories.

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

151 pages / 4283 KB

5 Stars

Legalities: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING: Do not start this book until you can devote the time to finish it! It is, truly, a one-sit read.

Anne Moody is still cursed. I almost feel sorry for her; however, if she wasn't still cursed, we wouldn't have this terrific series to read. She still gets caught up in adventures not of her choosing, and she still is a (reluctant) worker for the Oddsmakers. Anne Moody is also cunning and has a few secrets of her own.

Once again, we are on a romp through a Las Vegas that isn't on my AAA Map with Anne, her friends Melanie, Christian, and Vale. Once again, Vagasso makes an appearance—in Anne Moody's yard, for starters. Once again, Anne Moody is told by the Oddsmakers to leave Vagasso alone, to behave, and to mind her own business.

Does Anne obey them? Well, if she did, we wouldn't have this fantastical book. We wouldn't get to return to the Tomes, or the most unusual art gallery. We wouldn't get to an exotic animal breeding farm, either. Did I say 'get' to go there? More like dragged, kicking and screaming, through claustrophobic tunnels, and mad scientist labs. And we wouldn't have such a spectacular showdown with Vagasso, either. Will Anne Moody be able to defy the Oddsmakers? Will she be able to save her beloved friends? Will she be able to save Las Vegas and the world from the demons of hell?

This is book 4 of the Dragon books, and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first 3. The Moonlight Dragon Books is one of the best urban fantasy series I've read. The characters are well developed, fun, believable, and are welcome in my house any time. This series belongs on the shelf with Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher—all excellent authors, and all with unique voices and stories.

Crowbones --by Anne Bishop

 Fiction / Urban Fantasy

Ace

March 8, 2022

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B096WYLSW2

ISBN ‏ : ‎ 9780593337332

363 pages

Kindle price: $14.99

Print price: $28.00

5 Stars

 

I have now read all the books in The World of the Others series, and I truly hope there are more. Ms. Bishop is a master world builder, and all the worlds she’s built that I’ve had the pleasure of journeying through are wonderful. But the World of the Others is my favorite. Well, unless I’m reading the Black Jewels books, and then…

 

I won’t repeat any type of a synopsis, there are over 2,000 reviewers before me, and I’m more than sure most contain story lines. Suffice it for me to say that the writing is engaging, the characters are more real and alive than some people I know. And definitely more fun to spend an afternoon or evening with. ;-)

 

I think these books would be appropriate for teens of any age. The one thing I heartily recommend is when you get one of Ms. Bishop’s books, you check into a nice hotel with room service, tell everyone you’re on a trip out town (that’s not a lie, you will be in another universe!), call room service when needed, and enjoy the book. If you’re married, you may tell your spouse where you are, but not your kids, they’ll want to come, too, and you’ll get no reading done.

 

Other Anne Bishop books I’ve read and reviewed:

http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/search?q=anne+bishop

The Black Jewels Trilogy --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy

1216 pages

5 Stars

Daughter of the Blood

Heir to the Shadows

Queen of the Darkness

I first became enamored with Ms. Bishop's writing in reading her series about the Others. When I saw this book, I was pretty sure I'd be in for a great read. Boy Howdy! Was I ever!!

Anne Bishop creates marvelous worlds, fantastical and yet believable. The world of the Jewels is unlike any I've ever read. It is spellbinding, it is dark with shafts of brilliant light. It is the story of Jaenelle Agneline, born Witch, the "dream made flesh" and her struggles to stay sane, and free from the asylum where her family locks her away and unspeakable horrors are perpetrated on her and the other children who have magic.

The three books take us into the Realms, where we meet Saetan, the adopted father of Jaenelle, her adopted brother, Lucivar, and the man she loves, Daemon Sadi. We meet Priestesses who corrupt the magic and try to destroy all men. And all the while we cannot put the book down, we cannot stop turning the pages until we get to the end, with it's surprise and more than satisfactory conclusion. I don't want to say too much, because I want you to read the books. I can assure you they are not what you think they are. They are infinitely better than you can possibly imagine. Did I mention there are dragons, among other wonderful Kindred?

Anne Bishop is perhaps one of, if not the, most polished writers of fantasy I have ever read. I know better than to go to bed and start one of her books – unless I go to bed really, really early, because I know I will read until my eyes burn and no longer focus, then will get up in the morning and promise myself just one more chapter until the book is finished. I began this trilogy on Thursday afternoon, and finished it Sunday evening. I think I took time out to eat, but am not positive. You are warned.

Speaking of warning you, I should mention this is a fantasy series for adults. It contains sexual matter, and not the kind you want your kids reading. I know that can be a real turn-off for some, so keep that in mind.

Sebastian (Ephemera Book 1) Kindle Edition --by Anne Bishop

 ASIN: B000PC0SD2

Publisher: Ace (February 7, 2006

Language: English

Text-to-speech: Enabled

File size: 705 KB

Print length: 460 pages

5 Stars

 

If I have told myself once, I’ve told myself a bazillion times, “Self, DO NOT BUY the entire series at the same time! You will never pause between books to write your reviews!” I confess, and humbly apologize if this review is also a partial review of Book 2, 3, and or 4. I know better, but I must be honest, if the series is by Anne Bishop, the temptation is too great! And I’ve never been disappointed.

 

Once again, Bishop has come up with a fantastic series, where certain people (Landscapers) can communicate with the world, Ephemera. And there are Bridges who can open gateways/bridges between the countries or lands that are cared for by the Landscapers. And, there are Wizards, who for the most part are not nice people. Oh, and demons. Oh, yes, the demons are wonderful beings.

 

While Bishop’s other universes tend toward darkness, Ephemera has a nice balance, and some downright humorous situations. Sebastian lives in the Den of Iniquity, a land his cousin, Glorianna Belladonna cares for as a Landscaper and built for him. Several sub plots, which get finished before those dreaded words, “The End.”

 

Once started, I had a hard time putting the book/s down. Yes, this book is erotic, and sexy, and I really, really, Really, did not want to reach those dreaded words, “The End.”

Trouble with Gargoyles: an Urban Fantasy (Moonlight Dragon Book 3) –Tricia Owens

Fantasy / Urban

pages 161 / 2880 KB

5 Stars

Oh, botheration, lets get the legalities out of the way first, OK? I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am, truly, a very lucky lady!

Anne Moody is still cursed. Poor girl, she's going to be cursed forever, which is really too bad for her, but really, really good for us. The longer she's cursed, the more books we'll have to read. This is the third book in the series, and it was ever bit as gripping and fun as the first two. The cameos in her store are still calling out curses to her, this time they warn of betrayal, but they don't tell her who the betrayer is, or who the betrayed is. And Anne Moody is in for a true surprise, as is the reader.

This would have been another one-sit read, but life interrupted. Admittedly, I was not pleased--I wanted to read. When I get my hands on a book that is as much fun as these are, I want to escape into that world, and not be called back to this one until I'm darned good and ready – or when the book ends, whichever comes first.

Trouble with Gargoyles takes us back to her parents and their untimely death. It shines a bit more light on the Oddsmakers and why they are so interested in poor, cursed Dragon Sorceress Anne Moody, and why she feels the way she does about them.

A monster has arrived in Las Vegas, and is hunting Anne Moody and her friends. The cameos warn of betrayal, and Vale (her gargoyle boyfriend) is a prime suspect. Anne takes us to an old time speakeasy, populated with shifters of various degrees, and learns why she isn't liked, let alone trusted.

Vale's brother, heir to the Gargoyle Throne drops in, and Anne sees brotherly love and competition up close. Is this the betrayal the cameos warn her of?

And we get to see Lucky in his full glory, no holds barred, as he finally is allowed to become Dragon as Anne carries out orders imposed on her by the Oddsmakers. Is her biggest fear realized when this happens? Is Anne Moody now Dragon, and no longer Human?

Some old friends return, and new friends are made in this book. While this series can be read as stand alone books, I think they just might be more fun if read in order. If you are a fan of Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and or Anne Bishop, give Tricia Owens a read. Escape into a Las Vegas you'll never see, except through the eyes of poor, cursed, Anne Moody!