The characters from Bishop's Black Jewels series face off against a madman intent on destroying them.

I'd heard that this book was "iffy," and I think that's a valid assessment. It feels quite different from the rest of the series. As Bishop says in her itty bitty intro, this is a smaller story. It's not epic. The world doesn't teeter on the brink of destruction. And to top it all off, it's sort of a Hallowe'en tale, complete with haunted houses and psychopathic killers.

So it's not epic and it's a little bit corny. Oh well. I still got a huge kick out of it.

I care far less about big, world-shaking plots than I do about characters, and I absolutely love Bishop's cast. They are such a family. They squabble and fuss and clash and connect. They care about one another, and it shows. I'm preoccupied with anything that focuses in on family and familial issues. I love a good fictional family, and these folks are a great fictional family. They've quickly become one of my favourites.

I like that Bishop is willing to do quieter things with them, too. (Assuming one can call a book in which someone tries to off the lot of them "quieter...") I like that she's willing to write different sorts of stories that allow them to grow in new ways. Nobody's pushed to their limits here, but they do move forward. They learn new things about themselves and about each other, and they become more comfortable with the way they all fit together. The world-shaking stuff may be resolved, but Bishop's left plenty of room for other sorts of conflict. I, for one, am willing to read it for as long as she's willing to write it.

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

Another great book by Anne Bishop. It lacked the intensity and pacing of some of her previous works. Still interesting and engaging for anyone interested in the Black Jewel series. ( )

Another Black Jewels novel that will leave you begging for more.

Anne Bishop once again takes us into her wonderful world. You will experience every emotion at least once and fall in love with the characters all over again.

There aren’t many words that can describe a story as wonderful as this. Jaenelle is taken with a new author whose books she finds hilarious and comes up with the idea of a “Spooky House”. Surreal is still trying to get used to having all of the men in her life fret over her. Daemon is taking over the family business and is now Warlod Prince of Dhelman replacing his father.

Like I said before this is another mezmerizing book by Anne Bishop and is a must read for her fans. I will put in the disclaimer that this is an adult book and may not be appropriate for those under the age of 17.

(Sorry if this review is a little choppy but I really couldn’t think of what to put down without giving anything away! ( )

How to trap the Blood? This might be a way...

I loved this intrigue and the way Surrel fumble around... It's another story that changes my view of these characters. ( )

Yet another fine realm book by author Anne Bishop. If you have had the priviledge of reading one of her novels, you will know what I am on about. Simply put, I cannot get enough of this series. ( )