The Shadow Queen (Black Jewels Book 7)

In book 7 of The Blood Jewels we return to Dena Nehele, the land once controlled by the Grey Lady (see Book 4 The Invisible Ring). Theran Grayhaven, now controls Dena Nehele and is desperate to restore his family seat and the lands of Dena Nehele. He needs a Queen who can bring his people together, and who knows the old ways of life, when he contacts Jaenelle for help she has only one Queen who can help; Lady Cassidy is a Queen without a court. This is her chance to become the Queen she should be.I really liked this book and the story but I was ready to kick Theran in his dumb backside! Of all the stupid men, he leads the line. I really had to overlook his chronic stupidity, to get to the end of the book. The story and most of the "other" characters are fantastic, but he just kept getting worse. This is really a fantastic read if you overlook him. His character has to be well written, to provoke me so much! Cassidy deserved more and she finally got it.

This story has two main plot threads. In the largest one, Theran Grayhaven comes from Terreille to Kaeleer to call on an old favor from Daemon Sadi. He is a descendant of Jared and Lia (The Invisible Ring). He is living in a wartorn land. After Jaenelle cleansed the Blood of all of Dorothea's influence, the landen in Terreille revolted. This revolt was put down but Terreille, particularly Dena Nehele, lacks Queens. Those who survived are either to old or too young to create a court and restore the land.Lady Cassidy is a Queen without a court. Her court was seduced away from her by a younger, prettier queen. She knows she's tall, gawky, and not pretty and her confidence has been wrecked by the desertion of the Warlords who should have stayed pledged to her. She is a friend of Jaenelle's and an excellent Queen who cares for her land and her people.Daemon asks Jaenelle who suggests that Cassidy might be the one Theran needs. However, Theran takes one look at her and his disappointment is very clear to her. To him, her lack of beauty and power indicate a woman who won't be able to claim the loyalty of any of the Warlords and Warlord Princes who have fought to keep Dena Nehele.Since the choice is Cassidy or no one, Theran reluctantly brings her to his home knowing that Daemon, Lucivar, and Saetan and other friends will be keeping an eye on the situation.One of the first people Cassidy meets in Gray. Gray is Theran's cousin and a victim of the old Queens. He was captured at fifteen and tortured until he was rescued two years later. He only feels safe when he's working in the gardens at Grayhaven and still has an emotional age of fifteen. However, meeting Cassidy And Saetan, who has retreated to the Keep, after giving control of Dhemlan to Daemon, finds out that even though Dorothea and her disciples are gone homegrown evil still exists which almost brings out the man who destroyed Zuulaman and almost costs him his sanity.This was an excellent story filled with wonderful characters set in a fascinating world.

Author Anne Bishop anchors her fantasy series in detailed, in-depth world building, and it takes more than one book in the series to apprehend that fantasy world.The Trilogy of earlier books -- Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness -- is intense and bigger than life; the villains are desperately evil, while the champions of the common good must learn through excruciating hard experience how to command their powers for the benefit of their lands and their people. The drama is apocalyptic, the sacrifices are a living martyrdom. And the tragedies and transformations of the trilogy lead to an irreversible event which alters everything and everyone forever.The Shadow Queen is one of a two-book series which describes what happens after the great event is over.The protagonists from the earlier Trilogy are petitioned by the survivors, who are disoriented and overwhelmed by challenges which the latter feel powerless to overcome. A transition is upon this world, and the outcome could go either way: it could be affirmative, or everything could fall apart.Shadow Queen is something of a double meaning, as titles go.In fact, the titular "Queen of the Darkness" from the trilogy is still a force to be reckoned with; and yet, she has withdrawn so deeply into the shadows on the sidelines, into the wings of the metaphorical stage, that the question repeatedly arises, is the Queen of the Darkness still a Queen? Is her Court still a royal Court? What does she, and her fellow survivors from the Trilogy, mean to those survivors in the Blood who have to get on with their lives?One of the territories of the mundane, earthly world (Terrielle) petitions the Ruler of a Shadow Realm, a territory in Kaeleer beyond the earthly confines of Terrielle, for a viable Blood candidate to rule and restore order. And from the world of Kaeleer, from a realm in the shadows, the Blood rulers who practice the Old Ways dispatch a maiden of Kaeleer to the battle-scarred territory of survivors that is Dena Nehele.It will take more than one book to relate how this maiden, born to the Queenly Caste from a family that is modest and hard-working, will confront both supporters and adversaries as she is put through a year of probation, making friends out of strangers and accepting the responsibilities for bringing the Old Ways to bear for a new generation.These two books, The Shadow Queen and Shalador's Lady, are far easier to grasp if you have first read the Black Jewels Trilogy named at the start of this review; with the information in those earlier three books, it is possible to follow these younger characters in their struggle to survive and their quest for a better life for themselves and their land. While the end of The Shadow Queen does not really tell you what to expect from Shalador's Lady, the ending is hopeful and affirmative, and a fulfilling resolution appears within reach.

I loved this tale which really had two stories. The main story is about a provisional queen and court struggling to rebuild after the destruction of its Provence by evil queens. Acceptance is difficult but everyone has their own scars and hurts to mend before they can work together. The second story is also about ruling and acceptance of each other’s faults and strengths in the Dark Kingdom. I loved this story it was touching and filled with hope. Even the damaged can repair and accept the way they are.

Yet again Anne Bishop has created another stunning story in which new characters are introduced whilst familiar faces play significant roles. Set two years after Jaenelle purges the tainted Blood from the realms, the Territory of Dena Nehele is on the brink of ruin. The heir to Grayhaven; Theran Grayhaven (a descendant of Jared and Lia from "The Invisible Ring) is determined to ensure the survival of his people and so calls in an ancient favour; petitioning Daemon Sadi for a Queen well versed in the old protocol to rule Dena Nehele.It is Jaenelle that selects Cassidy to take on the temporary role of Queen yet Cassidy lacks confidence in herself after her entire First Circle resigned their positions in her Court to take service with a younger, much prettier Queen with more ambition than Cassidy ever displayed. Theran is disappointed in Jaenelle's choice and fails to conceal his distaste for her looks and the light coloured jewel she wears; however as First Escort in Cassidy's court, he has no choice but to interact with her closely.With plenty of input from old favourites Jaenelle, Daemon, Lucivar and Saetan (unfortunately no appearances from Surreal although she is very briefly mentioned in a conversation) the new males in Cassidy's life begin to realise how important this unassuming Queen is. With quiet control Cassidy begins to show a new peaceful life without fear of harm is possible; however thoughtless actions and cruel comments threaten to drive her away.I thoroughly enjoyed Cassidy's tale; deeply engrossed in her secret hunt to locate a hidden treasure able to restore Dena Nehele to its former glory, her growing love for a Warlord Prince and her battle to establish herself as a worthy Queen. There is also included several side plots involving Sadi and Jaenelle as they encounter an unusual relationship hurdle, whilst Saetan and Lucivar play their own games of domineering males when any woman they care for (including Cassidy) appears threatened. Anyone familiar with the "Black Jewels Trilogy" will be left well satisfied with an extraordinary addition to AB's twisted realms. The courtly actions that curb the savage rage we expect in these characters are abundant; as is the lip twisting humour and moments of pure gut wrenching emotion.

One of my favorite trilogies of all time. Outstanding.

yet another great series from anne bishop

Great series

As mentioned by others, too much of the story was centred around Jaenelle and Daemon instead of remaining with the supposed main characters of this story. However Anne Bishop remains one of my favourite authors and I still enjoyed this book but not wholeheartedly.