Three men entwine their destinies with that of a young girl who may be in a position to restore order to their damaged world.

There's lots of big, sweeping, epic stuff going on in this book, but it's the characters who make the story shine. They don't always act in ways that correspond to Western morality, but you've gotta consider the world they live in and what they've been through. Saetan, who teaches young Jaenelle to use her magical powers, is a Guardian, (read vampire, even though Bishop doesn't call him that), and he's been kicking around for about 50,000 years. His estranged sons, Daemon and Lucivar, have both endured centuries of the worst sort of physical and emotional abuse as pleasure slaves. They've been through hell and it's shaped them, but they're still sympathetic characters. I loved all three.

There are some amazing moments between Jaenelle, Lucivar, Daemon and Saetan, as well as some heartbreaking missed opportunities. Some are big and epic, while some are small and personal, but they're all wonderful. My only regret where the central characters are concerned is that we don't spend any time in Jaenelle's head. We see her entirely through the others' eyes. I do wish we'd been able to spend a little longer with some of the secondary characters, too. I love Surreal, and hope to see more of her over the next couple of books.

I also found the worldbuilding rather interesting. Lately, I find myself moving further and further away from pseudo-medieval fantasy. I still love me some imaginary world, but I love me some different imaginary world. I don't necessarily want instantly comfortable worlds anymore; I want worlds that challenge my preconceived notions of genre. This fit the bill. Parts of this place are surprisingly modern; the fashions, for example, sound like the sort of thing you could wear on the street today. The Blood also have magical systems that seem to mimic technology like photography and audio recording, and their Web Coaches sound like magical trains to me. There are still some pseudo-medieval elements in evidence, including the political organization, but I can deal with 'em.

Then there's the magic. Bishop introduces each element in such a way that it feels completely natural. You don't even have to stop and think about it; you just roll with it. And I want to be able to vanish things, please. That would make my life so much easier.

So I loved the book, but there were a couple of things that threw me for a loop. First and foremost: the gender stuff seemed a little odd, given that the Blood are matriarchal. They still subscribe to a number of standard Western gender constructs, including that of the fragile, waif-like young girl. I didn't entirely buy the way Challiot society treats its daughters. All the young girls we meet seem so sheltered and protected.

I was also a bit iffy on the longevity factor. The Blood live for a long, long time, and yet their families and their society seem to be structured in way that would best accommodate persons with a shorter lifespan. I wasn't entirely convinced that things would be organized in the way Bishop describes.

But I'll admit, I mostly just tried not to think about that. I was enjoying the story too much to let a couple of details get in the way--and when you consider that I am an insanely picky reader who almost never shunts these sorts of concerns to the side, that's saying something.

I highly recommend this, but please be aware that some readers may find the content triggering. The book isn't nearly as dark as I expected, (which probably says something about me), but there's still plenty herein that could bother you.

(A longer version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). ( )

This book was recommended to me by a friend. It took me a while to get into this book. But once I passed the 200th page I enjoyed it. Hence i went on the read the other books in the series ( )

A tired Guardian must find the strength to teach a child how to wield her power. A young Queen, born with powers unheard of before her. She can be manipulated and formed if fallen into the wrong hands. A Black-Jewel Warrior Prince, tired of the life of a court whore, dreams of Witch, but is he ready to see, meet and love her?

This beginning totally took me in with it's characters, history and how it is written. It's a must read to dark fantasy lover. ( )

This book is Magic. The world is very creative and rich with the fantasy of Bishop’s imagination. The different realms, the way the Blood use Craft and the dynamics of the people who populate the world are fascinating. The characterization is well done and you are immediately engrossed in their lives. You begin to really hope that when Witch rises to power, the other characters get what they have been waiting for too.
This was a really good start to the trilogy. A few things left me wishing there had been more explanation behind the world building but most of the problems I could overlook. ( )

High fantasy to be sure, The Black Jewel’s Trilogy follows along the lines of what made this genre popular. Witches, Magic, Enchanted Jewels/rings, Mystical Creatures and Chosen ones- it has it all! And for those of us gals who need it- a dash of romance!

Book 1: Daughter of the Blood.

In the first book, Daughter of the Blood, we are introduced to the characters who will populate the entire Series. Janelle, the once and future queen, is just a child but is already coming into the power that will outshine all in her shadow.

The chosen one whose coming was foretold over 1700 years ago, she would be the one to put an end to the corrupt rule of the Jeweled Blood Queens- witches who rule the people known as The Blood.

But the women in power will not loose their grip so easily and it will take the wisdom of her soul father, brother, and future consort to keep her safe until the time she is ready to come into her own.

Right off the bat I became enthralled with this story. Long a lover of fantasy and romance, I knew this story had the potential to be a great read. I wasn’t wrong.

From the moment Janelle enters the scene, answering the call of the lonely brother of her soul- I was hooked.

I have to admit, it was difficult for me to set aside my preconception of one character before I could truly let myself enjoy the ride though-that character being Saetan of course, the soon to be mentor and teacher of Janelle as well as her father- not of blood, but of soul.

Saetan is a sympathetic character in this tale, long relegated to the halls of Hayll and a shell of the man he used to be, subsisting on blood and darkness. Then Janelle enters his life and life begins aknew for him.

In DOTB, the characters are all locked in their own prisons- Saetan to the fragility of his mind and body and the dreams of what could be and Janelle to the hands of those who should be protecting her but are instead locking her away to keep her in line. Luciver, the brother of Janelle’s soul and her future consort, Daemon, both literal sons of Saetan, are enslaved as pleasure slaves by and for the Queens of the Blood. But by the end of the first book, we find them all beginning to break free.

One will sacrifice his own sanity for the sake of Janelle’s life. Another is left to uncertain future at the hands of his enslavers. One begins to realize his hopes and dreams and for Janelle, the nefarious reasons for her captivity come to a stunning climax that will make you eager to run out for the next installment!

Great beginning to a magical story! (Be warned, the plotting is complex and unfolds over three books, but it is a story not to missed!) ( )