lisalark's review against another edition
4.0
This was a ton of fun and is an example of a book doing a great job of being itself to perfection - it didn't wander off in strange directions and really embraced the fun and creepiness of the haunted/spooky house.
Best read after the main Black Jewels trilogy and more a fun side story/revisiting of beloved characters than a major plot builder. But when done well, I really love books like that - Bishop gets to play around a bit and be really creative and bit silly without worrying too much about whether it's super sellable - she knows she has an audience already! Sort of like Fantastic Beasts etc.
Best read after the main Black Jewels trilogy and more a fun side story/revisiting of beloved characters than a major plot builder. But when done well, I really love books like that - Bishop gets to play around a bit and be really creative and bit silly without worrying too much about whether it's super sellable - she knows she has an audience already! Sort of like Fantastic Beasts etc.
filipacm's review against another edition
3.5
Tanto a escrita como a história deste livro são cativantes. As personagens a que Anne Bishop nos habituou, com a Trilogia das Jóias Negras, continuam a ser tão interessantes quanto antes.
Ainda assim, o vilão que nos apresenta e as suas motivações pareceram-me ser um pouco fracas, levando a que o investimento requerido pelas suas ações não tenha suporte suficiente.
Ainda assim, o vilão que nos apresenta e as suas motivações pareceram-me ser um pouco fracas, levando a que o investimento requerido pelas suas ações não tenha suporte suficiente.
nixwhittaker's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best of the series it is still an interesting read. They are led into a house to slowly get picked off and killed they are desperate to escape and keep the children safe as well. They are willing to sacrifice anything.
I think the reason why I didn't like this one as much as the others is because the relationships aren't as strong in this book as they are in the others.
I think the reason why I didn't like this one as much as the others is because the relationships aren't as strong in this book as they are in the others.
rellwood74's review against another edition
4.0
A "Spooky House" set up to lure some high-ranking jewels to prove a point about who is and isn't a power.
Dark themes, but in the end it all turns out ok - Or does it?
Dark themes, but in the end it all turns out ok - Or does it?
vickis's review against another edition
3.0
It was fun to see the characters again and there was a good story about dealing with threat and danger. However, I did feel at points that too much of an effort was being made to show the brothers Daemon and Lucivar as domesticated. Yes, they are happily married dangerous bad boys but I felt that the author was trying a little too hard on that point.
This was a book I read for enjoyment and entertainment. I was entertained and did enjoy it. It was not, however, as good was some of the other books in the series and also did rely on the reader's familiarity with the characters from other books. So, a good book but not a totally excellent book.
This was a book I read for enjoyment and entertainment. I was entertained and did enjoy it. It was not, however, as good was some of the other books in the series and also did rely on the reader's familiarity with the characters from other books. So, a good book but not a totally excellent book.
storiesxstitches's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking for a mind blowing read, pass this over. While still fantastically written, the pace of this book is much more muted than the epic trilogy. Aimed more at satisfying readers' cravings than pulling in new victi- I mean, new readers, Anne Bishop builds on what we already know from the trilogy and plunges into story telling.
The characters are still as charming and funny, and it's so easy to fall in love with them again. Surreal and a new character, Rainier, feature most in this novel, but we get to see Jaenelle, Daemon, Lucivar, Saetan and other beloved characters again. I'm a little disappointed that Jaenelle has given up her Ebony Jewels.
What could have added a little more oomph to the story was watching Daemon deal with the antagonist. However, the book is a little vague on how the SaDiablo family dealt with him, choosing instead to focus on well known characters.
Included at the end of this novel is 'By the Time the Witchblood Blooms', a short story featuring Surreal. It takes place before the trilogy, and shows Surreal on one of her assassinations. Not as bloody as you think; Surreal has style.
The characters are still as charming and funny, and it's so easy to fall in love with them again. Surreal and a new character, Rainier, feature most in this novel, but we get to see Jaenelle, Daemon, Lucivar, Saetan and other beloved characters again. I'm a little disappointed that Jaenelle has given up her Ebony Jewels.
What could have added a little more oomph to the story was watching Daemon deal with the antagonist. However, the book is a little vague on how the SaDiablo family dealt with him, choosing instead to focus on well known characters.
Included at the end of this novel is 'By the Time the Witchblood Blooms', a short story featuring Surreal. It takes place before the trilogy, and shows Surreal on one of her assassinations. Not as bloody as you think; Surreal has style.
eyan_birt's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite of the Black Jewels world, but a strong book. This is the book that gives us more Surreal, and Surreal in a way that is enjoyable and makes sense with her characterization from the original trilogy.