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.”

Bridge of Dreams (Ephemera Book 3) Kindle Edition --by Anne Bishop

 ASIN: B006LTZJA0

Publisher: Ace; 1st edition (March 6, 2012

Language: English

File size: 1783 KB

Text-to-Speech: Enabled

Print length: 447 pages

5 Stars

 

The trilogy ends. Sebastian had his book, Belladonna hers, and now Lee, the Bridge, has his. I’m truly sorry the series is ended; I enjoyed these books tremendously. Not only did the Devil get his due, so to speak, but it was great fun to see the characters grow into who they truly were.

 

In this book, Lee is captured, tortured, and eventually finds himself in an Asylum. The only ones who know what he is, are cut off from seeing him; but not before they manage to let him know, that he can’t escape, because they will follow him home to kill his sister, Belladonna. Now blind, among strangers, he must learn new ways to trust, to see, to love.

 

I truly didn’t want this book to end, because the next book is a stand-alone novella in the same universe, but not more about the people I’ve grown to enjoy immensely. Alas, the trilogy ended, no matter how slowly I read. Fortunately, they are mine, and I can reread whenever I want.

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 Queen's Weapons (Black Jewels Book 11) --by Anne Bishop

 Fiction / Fantasy

541 pages / 2126 KB

5 Stars

 

 

This is a coming of age book for Jaenelle Satien, with her cousins and school mates along for the ride. It is about a young aristo antagonist with delusions of grandeur of becoming the next Dorothea and welcomes Jaenell Satien into her coterie. She’s smart enough to set the wheels in motion, but not smart enough to outthink or out wit Daemon Sadi. She is sure if she were ever to dance with the Sadist, she’d win. Oh, child…

 

Surreal and Daemon are mostly clueless on how to raise a teenaged girl. Well, what first time parents of same aren’t? Surreal loves her, but isn’t sure how to show it, especially against such angst (OMG, without the magic, that was me against my mother! Thank goodness my mother wasn’t a trained assassin!), Daemon and Surreal continue to figure out their relationship, while doing their best to protect Jaenelle Satien and keep her safe. 

 

I promised myself one chapter a night. Uh-huh. Read one chapter the first night. Read about four hours on day two, and read all day on day three until finished. I know better. Really, I do. Ms. Bishop’s book are worse than certain potato chips—I can’t eat just one, I can’t read just one chapter of her books!

 

If you are not familiar with this series, I strongly advise you to start at the beginning. Once through the trilogy, I think you can skip around, but there is a lot of back story there for the later novels.

For my reviews of other Anne Bishop books, go here

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   

Twilight's Dawn (Black Jewels Trilogy Book 9) --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy

448 pages / 943 KB

5 Stars

This is a collection of four novellas that take place in the Black Jewels world. Each novella tells a different story, and we are told where in the time span it takes place. 

Winsol Gifts comes after Tangled Webs. Winsol is the traditional time in winter that gifts are exchanged. With the SaDiablo extended family, things can be now and again tricky. 

Shades of Honor comes before Shadow Queen. Lucivar has a full-blood Eyrien as second in command, Falonar. He does not wish to be second in command to anyone, especially a half breed like Lucivar. He sets a deadly trap, and doesn't realize just how deadly until the trap is sprung.

Family comes a decade or so later when Sylvia and her two boys are lured into a trap. Oh, these people really should know NOT to muck about with the SaDiablo family, or their friends. 

High Lord's Daughter takes place decades later. Those of us who have followed the series, at least in part, know that Jaenelle was born to a short-lived race. Daemon knew it, but was loved her, totally. In this story, she has died, but before her death, she made Daemon promise to mourn her for a year, and then start living again. The year has passed, Daemon removes his wedding ring, and is NOT a happy camper. Especially when Sureal comes in and with her 'take charge' (or is that 'take no prisoners?') attitude starts cleaning out Jaenelle's suite. And demanding Daemon start attending social functions. Whatever will the Warlord and future High Lord of Hell do?

I laughed out loud in some places, I cried real tears in others, and I wept. Ms Bishop creates some of the best worlds I've ever visited. If this is, in fact, the last of the Black Jewel books, at least I have the books to reread and can go in and visit whenever I need to escape this world. 

Wild Country (World of the Others, The #2) –by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy

496 pages 

5 Stars

I read fiction for one reason, and one reason only – to escape my reality for a few hours. I have one criterion for fiction – I want to be happier/feel better for having read and finished the book than when I picked it up. That said, this book met my criterion.

Rumors are circulating that this is the last book in The Others series that Ms. Bishop will write. I truly hope not. Her world of Namid is great fun to get lost in. Just not too lost, for you want to be inside during the hours of darkness when the Elders are about.

The world of Namid is similar enough to ours to be recognizable, and different enough to at times be downright scary. The Elders/terra indigene rule the world where humans are tolerated as long as they obey the rules, which really aren't that hard. As long as they remember they are NOT the top of the food chain. It does give one pause to think on that.

If you've read the previous books, this one will re-introduce you to many of the earlier people. If you haven't read the earlier books, I recommend you read Written in Red and the others before this one. 

Humans, at least some, survived the Great Predation. Will they survive each other?

Lake Silence --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

5 Stars

NOTE: This book is not yet available, but will be soon. Very soon. Pre-order it so when it is available, you won't miss it.

DISCLAIMER: I had the marvelous opportunity to read an early, unpublished version of Lake Silence for review, it may not be quite the same as the one currently for sale, though I seriously doubt the basic story will change. Some of the plot points may shift.

When I read Etched in Bone, the last of the series about the Others, I was truly sad. I enjoy that world and was delighted when I heard rumors there were two more stand-alone books coming. The same world--new characters. (I do understand why an author wants to move on from a world. There are so many new worlds out there to create and visit, but there is something about this world that resonates with me more than most.)

Imagine being married to a real scumbag, who hangs around with lowlifes in high places. Imagine being divorced, and for your part of the settlement, he 'gives' you his great grandmother's old home and "resort" called The Jumble out on a remote lake, by a tiny village, controlled like the rest of the world by The Others. The Jumble in disrepair, it has a private beach, and your ex generously 'gives' you just enough cash to repair the old place and writes something in the divorce decree that if it isn't all done within a specified period of time, he gets it back. You are two weeks over the time limit.

Now, imagine you get things going, have a tenant in one of your cabins, a member of the Crowgard (a crow/human shapeshifter), and murder happens and you are suspected, and arrested and a most yummy, delicious man you've never met walks into the jail and announces he is your lawyer. He is obviously rich, well-heeled, and you haven't a clue who he is or why he's there. Those crows aren't stupid, y'know? Oh, and did I mention that your new and yummy lawyer is a Vampire, and controls the land on which both the village and the The Jumble sit. And he likes you, and he doesn't like the low-lifes trying to take The Jumble away from you.

This is a stand-alone novel, and I don't think you need to read the series first, though it wouldn't hurt (read in order, by the way). Doing so will give you a better idea of the world; however, it isn't necessary, you'll quickly pick it up. Also, and this is really, truly important, don't start at bedtime. This is not a book to give you nightmares, but it is a book designed to keep you reading until the dawn and The End come together.

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

The Invisible Ring (Black Jewels, Book 4) --by Anne Bishop

Fantasy 

416 pages

5 Stars

This book is set in the same universe as the Black Jewels trilogy, only considerably earlier. This is a stand alone book, not part of a set (but is part of the series), so we only have one book to meet the characters, and read the story.

I read the trilogy first, so knew a bit of the background; however, I think one can read it without knowing everything the trilogy has to offer. Knowing some of the characters helped, though.

Jared, a young warlord, is tricked into becoming a pleasure slave, and eventually reaches his breaking point, and kills the queen who abuses him. Slated for the mines, he is bought by a young queen, and freed, only to be held by the invisible ring, which is stronger, and more powerful than the crippling pain-inducing ring of a pleasure slave.

Anne Bishop not only develops unique characters, but unique universes. Seldom have I enjoyed playing in such diverse and well developed places with such marvelous people. I really do hate to reach those final two words, The End, or her novels, because I want more. I don't want to come home to dishes and unmade beds, I want to stay outside and chase the fireflies, or whatever. When the books end, I hate to say "Goodbye" to my new and best friends.

Marked in Flesh --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

416 pages

5 Stars

This is the fourth in the series about "The Others" by Anne Bishop. The main, and only problem, I have with her books is I read them sooo much faster than she writes them! Ship the kids to Granny, send the husband to work, call your boss and take a sick day (mental health counts!), make a pot of coffee (or whatever you drink) and sit back and go for the ride. Better yet, check into a hotel with room service. Fewer disruptions. And they'll let you read while luxuriating in the hot tub.

If you've not read the first three books, stop right now, go get and read them. Although you can read this one as a stand alone, it will make so much more sense if you read the others first. Besides, then you can stay a whole week in that hotel with room service—and your husband's credit card ;-)

Yes, these books are that good!

Problems come to a head when an international ring of pig-headed humans decide it's time to get rid of The Others and claim Earth as theirs, and theirs alone. They have lived with The Others for generations, and have become complacent in what they are, and what they can do. They have signed treaties they don't like, and now think the time has come to arise, and put Humans First, Last, and Always.

All of our favorite characters are here, especially Simon Wolfgard and Meg Corbyn. We meet new friends, lose a few friends, and fight a war of survival.

Meg, a human blood prophet, comes up with ways for her fellow blood prophets to hopefully get away from cutting themselves to see prophecy and possibly lead more "normal" lives.

Simon, the leader of the pack, must do his best to save at least some of humanity from the wrath of the ancient Others. The older ones are by far the most powerful, and truly desire to rid the entire planet of humans. All humans. But not all humans deserve annihilation.

Some authors have a hard time carrying a story from book to book, but not Ms. Bishop; each book reads better, faster, and ever more engrossing than the preceding one. I don't know how many books are scheduled in this series, but I will be sorely sorry when it's over. I really enjoy my time with Meg and Simon and all the characters in the Courtyard.