amiascah's review
3.0
I found this to be a disappointment from what ive come to expect from this series
diaryofthebookdragon's review
2.0
Rather disappointing sequel to Black jewels story. I hoped that she will add more explanations and fill-up some plot holes that are left, not run trough 70-90 years of story and throw a lot of more things at us.
jms26050's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
adularia25's review
4.0
This is a beautiful end to the series. It started with the trilogy I fell in love with, then had a few other books that were wonderful (the Invisible Ring, Dreams Made Flesh), one book I wish could be erased from time and space (Tangled Webs), and a few mediocre books (The Shadow Queen, Shalador's Lady).
But this, this is how I wanted it to end.
Yes, I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I can always reread the series (as I have, many many times - I own them all, I reread them so often.) Before you think I'm being too kind, these short stories aren't all perfect, the follow up to Tangled Webs I could do without (but then, I loathed that book).
What truly makes this book so great for me is that, finally, after waiting for so long, we find out who is worthy of Surreal's affection. I have been waiting since Dreams Made Flesh for her to find that special someone. That story alone makes the book worth it. Well, that and.
And, by writing this ending, perhaps the author can move on from these characters too, to create another series that will grip our hearts as much as this one. (Yes, Anne Bishop has other great series, I own those too, but they are not nearly as long as this series.)
But this, this is how I wanted it to end.
Yes, I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I can always reread the series (as I have, many many times - I own them all, I reread them so often.) Before you think I'm being too kind, these short stories aren't all perfect, the follow up to Tangled Webs I could do without (but then, I loathed that book).
What truly makes this book so great for me is that, finally, after waiting for so long, we find out who is worthy of Surreal's affection. I have been waiting since Dreams Made Flesh for her to find that special someone. That story alone makes the book worth it. Well, that and
Spoiler
Saetan's marriageAnd, by writing this ending, perhaps the author can move on from these characters too, to create another series that will grip our hearts as much as this one. (Yes, Anne Bishop has other great series, I own those too, but they are not nearly as long as this series.)
vaniaasantos's review against another edition
5.0
Esta coleção é, sem dúvida, uma das minhas favoritas.
O primeiro livro, [b:Daughter of the Blood|47956|Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels, #1)|Anne Bishop|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1325423150s/47956.jpg|353853], apareceu por mero acaso. Na altura, estava à procura do [b:Dead Until Dark|301082|Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)|Charlaine Harris|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311115565s/301082.jpg|479517] e, numa promoção, trazia os dois juntos. Assim que o comecei a ler, deparei-me com um tipo de livro completamente diferente do que estaria à espera. Um livro forte como uma chávena de café, como diz na contracapa do primeiro livro. Um livro capaz de me fazer reler assim que o acabei de ler e voltar a reler. Após isto, decidi procurar os livros seguintes e começar a comprá-los e a devorar cada um. As personagens são bem construídas, fortes, reais e envolventes. Ri, chorei, sofri com elas de tal modo que, de vez em quanto, pego num deste livros para apenas reler um pouco e matar saudades. Anne Bishop tornou-se numa das minhas autoras favoritas.
O primeiro livro, [b:Daughter of the Blood|47956|Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels, #1)|Anne Bishop|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1325423150s/47956.jpg|353853], apareceu por mero acaso. Na altura, estava à procura do [b:Dead Until Dark|301082|Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)|Charlaine Harris|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311115565s/301082.jpg|479517] e, numa promoção, trazia os dois juntos. Assim que o comecei a ler, deparei-me com um tipo de livro completamente diferente do que estaria à espera. Um livro forte como uma chávena de café, como diz na contracapa do primeiro livro. Um livro capaz de me fazer reler assim que o acabei de ler e voltar a reler. Após isto, decidi procurar os livros seguintes e começar a comprá-los e a devorar cada um. As personagens são bem construídas, fortes, reais e envolventes. Ri, chorei, sofri com elas de tal modo que, de vez em quanto, pego num deste livros para apenas reler um pouco e matar saudades. Anne Bishop tornou-se numa das minhas autoras favoritas.
gmarieb3's review
5.0
I really liked this whole series. I also enjoy these short stories about the characters, I especially like the happy ending she gives to her characters in the last story "High Lord's Daughter". However after I read her books I am always left wondering if she is going to write anything more. Once again at the end of these books I had the impression she might move one to stories about the next generation. Which would be somewhat weird at this point. I mean there have been 10 books with these characters. I did like this book as she wrapped up some of the lose ends with characters that she hadn't gotten to previously.
katleap's review
3.0
I bought this book when it first came out. I was planning a reread of all the Black Jewels novels and instead it ended up sitting on my shelf. I will admit it was because I heard some rumors and did some flipping at the end of the book and couldn't bring myself to read it. However with the new Black Jewels book coming out and its been 9 years, I figured it was time.
Winsol Gifts
4 Stars
This was good Daemon and Jaenelle story. But I can't remember the details so it was fine.
Shades of Honor
5 Stars
This is the best story in the entire book. If you only read one thing, read this one. It has dangerous Lucivar, and scary Daemon. This deals with Surreal and Rainier figuring out how to live with the fallout from [b:Tangled Webs|997846|Tangled Webs (The Black Jewels, #6)|Anne Bishop|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475296189l/997846._SX50_.jpg|2510728]. It also has Lucivar take on a rebellion and remind everyone why he is so dangerous.
Family
3.85 stars
This one ended up being a little lukewarm for me. The mystery was solved way way too fast and there wasn't enough drama or explanation. It was more like a vehicle for Jaenelle accepting being a queen again and reuniting Sylvia and Saetan. So yeah not my favorite.
The High Lord’s Daughter
2 Stars
I can't deal with this story. I just can't. Mostly because its wrong. Surreal and Daemon don't fit together. She is too afraid of him and it will just go wrong.
Winsol Gifts
4 Stars
This was good Daemon and Jaenelle story. But I can't remember the details so it was fine.
Shades of Honor
5 Stars
This is the best story in the entire book. If you only read one thing, read this one. It has dangerous Lucivar, and scary Daemon. This deals with Surreal and Rainier figuring out how to live with the fallout from [b:Tangled Webs|997846|Tangled Webs (The Black Jewels, #6)|Anne Bishop|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475296189l/997846._SX50_.jpg|2510728]. It also has Lucivar take on a rebellion and remind everyone why he is so dangerous.
Family
3.85 stars
This one ended up being a little lukewarm for me. The mystery was solved way way too fast and there wasn't enough drama or explanation. It was more like a vehicle for Jaenelle accepting being a queen again and reuniting Sylvia and Saetan. So yeah not my favorite.
The High Lord’s Daughter
2 Stars
I can't deal with this story. I just can't. Mostly because its wrong. Surreal and Daemon don't fit together. She is too afraid of him and it will just go wrong.
eb00kie's review against another edition
5.0
Two stories recap.
One for Saetan.
One for the future.
A fitting closure, a work of art.
One for Saetan.
One for the future.
A fitting closure, a work of art.
jj7twin's review
5.0
Update Oct 2019: Not the final book and I'm still counting this as a favorite saga to re-read.
The final book in what was probably one of the first sagas I've ever read. The list has gotten longer but this will always be a favorite. Similar to "Dreams Made Flesh" in that it's broken up into four stories featuring our favorite family living life and demon-death, with the last tale being a continuation of the lastest novel. I loved all the stories and found that even if I skipped around with overall series reading order, I'd still enjoy the flow of the books. But no matter what, I will always cry on the final story and not even the HEA will change that. Unless Anne jumps back to this world centuries from now but I doubt that will ever happen.
The final book in what was probably one of the first sagas I've ever read. The list has gotten longer but this will always be a favorite. Similar to "Dreams Made Flesh" in that it's broken up into four stories featuring our favorite family living life and demon-death, with the last tale being a continuation of the lastest novel. I loved all the stories and found that even if I skipped around with overall series reading order, I'd still enjoy the flow of the books. But no matter what, I will always cry on the final story and not even the HEA will change that. Unless Anne jumps back to this world centuries from now but I doubt that will ever happen.