POWER HAS A PRICE. SO DOES LOVE.Return to the dark, sensual, and powerful world of the Black Jewels in this long-awaited new story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga.After a youthful mistake, Lord Dillon’s reputation is in tatters, leaving him vulnerable to aristo girls looking for a bit of fun. To restore his reputation and honor, he needs a handfast–a one-year contract of marriage. … needs a handfast–a one-year contract of marriage. He sets his sights on Jillian, a young Eyrien witch from Ebon Rih, who he believes has only a flimsy connection to the noble society that spurned him. Unfortunately for Dillon, he is unaware of Jillian’s true connections until he finds himself facing Lucivar Yaslana, the volatile Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.
Meanwhile, Surreal SaDiablo’s marriage is crumbling. Daemon Sadi, the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, recognizes there is something wrong between him and Surreal, but he doesn’t realize that his attempt to suppress his own nature in order to spare his wife is causing his mind to splinter. To save Daemon, and the Realm of Kaeleer if he breaks, help must be sought from someone who no longer exists in any of the Realms–the only Queen powerful enough to control Daemon Sadi. The Queen known as Witch.
As Jillian rides the winds of first love with Dillon, Daemon and Surreal struggle to survive the wounds of a marriage turned stormy–and Lucivar has to find a way to keep everyone in his family safe…even from each other.
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I enjoy all of Anne’s books (and I am, disclaimer, a friend). This Black Jewels book comes from a slightly different direction, reinventing the storytelling line while bringing in familiar faces in support. The story itself is full of complexities, and of characters who make a delicious mess of things while doing the wrong things for the right reasons. I completely succumbed to the “stay up late to finish it” temptation!
After a 9 year gap in the storyline, it’s bound to be difficult to get back into ANY series. Most of the same characters are back, and not all at the same capacity. Biship’s writing style remains the same, though the characters themselves have changed a bit, and in some cases, a LOT. Considering Twilight’s Dawn (Book 9) was my LEAST favorite book in the series, I didn’t have high hopes for the next installment that came out 9 years later. At least this is a significantly long book, but for most of it, I was confused as to why the majority of the book centered around a random new male character and his machinations. I realized early on that it was trying to set up the plot for the next few books and how the cities, towns, people, and climate are changing throughout the territories, but it didn’t necessarily make it more enjoyable to read.
Thankfully Jillian isn’t a complete flake and is able to stand on her own two feet by the end, but the process to get there was rough. Especially the parts focusing on the relationship between Daemon and Surreal who were my second-favorite power couple in the series. It’s just SOO dark and hopeless throughout much of the book that it was hard to finish. I really love this world and the characters in it. I just don’t know if these next few books are going to improve or if it’ll just be a new rendition of the same issues they’ve faced before.
New Black Jewel book!
It has been a long time since I have read anything in the Black Jewels series but now I know why I usually have to read the book again to catch information that I didn’t catch before so I can see buying the books again for my e-reader.
You get to see Lucivar Yaslana and Marian, Surreal SaDiablo and Daemon Sadi with Jillian having issues with her first love. Now I can’t wait to read The Queen’s Weapons.
I was excited to receive a copy of Anne Bishops new book The Queen’s Bargain. She has a refreshing way of redefining expectations of society, gender, and relationships. She continues her great world, and character building in this brief followup into the lives of Surreal/Daemon, and Marian/Lucivar. I would say that this book is more about domestic problems, rather than the romance and danger featured in her previous Black Jewel novels. They spend a majority of the time making scrambled eggs in Marian’s kitchen, and wrangling the mischievous scelties. It is great to see how the family is taking such care to raise their children with love, boundaries, and protection. I enjoyed the chance at seeing these characters find some rest, and deal with a few lingering problems, before the next storm.
You just feel like your covered with a warm comfort blanket. You step back into this world and it feels like yesterday. The same wonderful familiar characters that you have a great connection with. The extra special Scelties who you just love to death. This is a world who you wish you never have to leave. The connection between Daemon and Lucivar is just what family is all about.
Well that was wild, emotional, heart wrenching and beautiful. I went into this book blind and had not read any books in this series before. I never felt lost not knowing any of these characters before, maybe a bit disconnected at first. The relationships, were hard, sweet, horrendous and sometimes hard to watch. I’d love to read the backstory on Daemon and Surreal’s relationship, there has got to be a good story.
There was a lot going on, from before this book and, beginning here. At about halfway I found myself attached to the story’s and can’t wait for more. I will go read the series from the beginning I really enjoyed this. My friends have been trying to get me to read this series for years, I should have listened.
Thank you to the publishers for a copy of this book for an honest review
Daemon Sadi is a Black Jeweled Warlord Prince of Dhemlan and the new High Lord of Hell. Surreal SaDiablo is Daemon’s wife, mother of his child, and his second-in-command. Their marriage is on the verge of collapse. Surreal feels threatened by Daemon’s Sadist personality. Daemon fears the tenuous hold of his sanity will splinter. Who can Daemon turn to for help? And what price will she demand? Will Daemon, Lucivar, and Surreal be able to purge Kaeleer of its current taint?
Jillian is a Purple Dusk jeweled Eyrien witchling. Lucivar Yaslana, the Warlord Prince of Askavi, is the only father-figure she has ever known. On the cusps of adolescence, Jillian is eager to explore her femininity. Lord Dillon is a young, Opal Jeweled Warlord. Dillon wants to train to be an escort and serve in a Queen’s court. However, the machinations of an unscrupulous witch ruin his dreams and destroy his reputation. Dillon believes Jillian is his last chance to repair his tarnished reputation. Can Jillian help restore Dillon’s social status? Or is their relationship doomed at the beginning?
It has been years since I last read the books, so I vaguely remember Jillian. I adore Jillian and Lucivar’s relationship. She is aware that he regards her as a daughter. Dillon, in some ways, reminds me of Daemon in the earlier books, especially his mistreatment at the hands of aristo witches. I understand why Dillon did what he did. He is a young man, who was wronged and forced into a corner with no allies. What I like about Dillon is that he did manage to maintain some sense of himself, enough to help someone during his troubled times.
Daemon and Surreal have always been my favorite characters from the series. However, I am not a fan of them being a couple. I did have trouble with that aspect of the story. It is a little jarring to see Daemon with someone other than Jaenelle/Witch. I feel Surreal got cheated in the relationship department. I adore Daemon’s relationship with his witchling daughter. It reminds me of Saetan’s interactions with Jaenelle. What I love the most about Daemon his how little has changed between him and Lucivar. The two brothers are still a formidable yet deadly team. They are quick to aid each other whenever the need arises.
THE QUEEN’S BARGAIN is book ten in Anne Bishop’s dark fantasy series, THE BLACK JEWELS. I am a longtime fan of this particular series; however, I have not read TWILIGHT’S DAWN, book nine, for personal reasons. These books are not for everyone, especially those uncomfortable with sexual violence and abuse. It is important to read the prior nine books in the series to understand the world’s unique dynamics and the characters’ history and relationship.
THE QUEEN’S BARGAIN is an anticipatory return to an unforgettable series. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment. I cannot wait to learn Daemon’s role in Kaeleer’s future.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies