maniac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
arianwenbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
barlowsbookcave's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
guinevere_s1994's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joie881's review against another edition
3.0
*** 2.5 stars ***
I picked up this series after becoming very impressed with Bishop's The Others series, which I can't gush enough about. The Black Jewels trilogy is a much earlier work, so I was a bit hesitant. Even though I'm not a fan of dark fantasy, this plot was very intricately woven. Unpredictability is always a page-turner in my book, but that was not reached until at least half-way into the second book, though.
I picked up this series after becoming very impressed with Bishop's The Others series, which I can't gush enough about. The Black Jewels trilogy is a much earlier work, so I was a bit hesitant. Even though I'm not a fan of dark fantasy, this plot was very intricately woven. Unpredictability is always a page-turner in my book, but that was not reached until at least half-way into the second book, though.
glitterdeww's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This trilogy is my guiltiest pleasure. I debated even logging it. Insert every content warning.
Technical rating: 3.75 stars... Personal rating 5 stars.
As violent and problematic as a majority of the content is in this trilogy, (and as much as my liking of it may come from nostalgia since I read it as a teenager) I absolutely adore these characters. I've laughed out loud at their antics and banter. And I've revelled in some of the violence. Again, guilty pleasure. 😅💀
Technical rating: 3.75 stars... Personal rating 5 stars.
As violent and problematic as a majority of the content is in this trilogy, (and as much as my liking of it may come from nostalgia since I read it as a teenager) I absolutely adore these characters. I've laughed out loud at their antics and banter. And I've revelled in some of the violence. Again, guilty pleasure. 😅💀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gore, Murder, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Death, Slavery, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Colonisation, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, and Confinement
Minor: Incest
bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
5.0
What an imaginative and wonderfully detailed world Bishop has created in this awesome trilogy! One of the best fantasy stories I've read in a while. Dreams, imagination, magic, political ambitions, war, terror and acceptance all define the shape of the story but, at its core, is love: familial love, friendship love and romantic love. My only complaint about this story are the gaping holes left by the too-easily thwarted "evil" plans concocted by the story's villians. I felt the story would have been much stronger if those details were better fleshed out for the reader. Unfortunately, "Dreams Made Flesh" does not fill in those gaps adequately. Otherwise, a compelling and addictive read.
haewilya's review against another edition
2.0
First book was the best. Second book was meh. Third book was okay.