Shalador's Lady

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

I jumped into the Black Jewels series way late in the game (on the final book apparently), but thanks to an intriguing opening with enough information to risk being a data dump if it were less evocative, I was well grounded in the story world and the circumstances leading up to Shalador’s Lady. This is the story of a people who had been oppressed or stuck under vicious rulers for far too long, and that history resonates throughout the story.

The main characters’ culture is heavily sex obsessed, but not in an erotic way with the mature content mostly implied. While clearly intended for an adult/near adult audience between the sexual nature of their magic and some vicious things that happen, show more it is in no way a dark novel overall. The violence is well blended into the cultural form, and the sexual elements include all aspects from virgin crushes to pregnancy and risks. Their magic is tied to earthy natures, and less logic than pheromones (though not addressed in those terms), so it can lead them astray in loyalty or provoke them to serious violence.

The novel also contains tender and humorous moments that kept it from slipping into horror, but at the same time, they did not diminish the serious events. My biggest quibble is with how Kermilla could have been trained in Cassie’s first court and learned nothing of the balance, but it’s not a real quibble. I understand all too well how that can happened based on my experiences with humans, but wish I couldn’t. The girl is broken at the core.

It’s the cultures and world building that really won me over, or rather not just the cultures but the intersections between them. In this story, Shalador’s Lady is a lowborn queen (a designation of power rather than hereditary leadership) brought into a very traditional land to redeem them from the damage of twisted queens (power-mad and unaware of the nurturing aspects a balanced queen would have). Cassie is so different from those twisted queens that not all accept her in such an important role, looking for the trappings and failing to recognize her true connection with the land and its people. It’s a lovely bit of cultural expectation on top of pheromones that rings true even when, to the objective eye, Cassie’s value, and the lack in her opponent queen, is obvious. Cassie, though, is no more objective than any of them, seeing the same weaknesses in herself that undermine the loyalty of those around her, and not seeing her strengths because of her concerns with loyalty based on her troubled past.

Add to this issue the court being composed of those who have been denied their true place and lived in refugee camps in the mountains as they alternately hid and attacked the twisted queens. No one is quite sure how things are supposed to be run, but they all have firm ideas about it, and not just those in this land either. The influence of those who command all queens and their courts is felt, though often enough as requested advice or assistance rather than imposed from outside.

I also appreciated the non-human magic users both for being true to their natures as dogs and cats rather than humans cloaked in fur and for how the humans didn’t always see the meaning behind the jeweled collars they wore, dismissing them as limited because of their fur. They are full characters with important roles, but the dogs also offer many of the humorous moments where dog nature and human nature clash.

Bishop even brings in economics, crops, and the consequences of overtaxing, all blended into the story to show how things can go well or wrong depending on who is placed in charge. I love complex societies with rich histories. Shalador’s Lady has several, and many divisions between them based on history and prejudice so they feel real. I didn’t find any of it artificial or too carefully constructed. These were not characters who marched to the author’s drum but rather ones who lived in and around a solid framework but were able to make decisions, good or bad, that were well grounded in the world. The characters had room to succeed or fail, and to learn and grow, while the story arose from the world and stayed true to it.

As you might have guessed, I enjoyed this book immensely, and plan to seek out others in the series as well. show less

Lady Cassidy is trying to be a good Queen for Dena Nahele except Theran Greyhaven is undermining her at every step. He isn't shy about his disappointment that she isn't prettier and more powerful. Fortunately the rest of her dozen sworn Warlords and Warlord Princes are much happier with her. So are the landen and the other people she rules over in Greyhaven.

She takes a trip to the Shalador Reserve in Eyota to meet more of the Shaladoran Queens and discovers a land parched and almost barren. She knows how to transfer her power to enrich the land but she has never dealt with a land so empty. She almost drains all of her power and shatters her jewels before her Court realizes what's happening and takes her away.

After she recovers, she show more returns to Greyhaven to find the she has a visitor. Lady Kermilla, the Queen who took her Court away from her and ruined her confidence, has come for a visit (and to demand that Cassidy give her money to run her Court). Cassidy tells her to leave but Theran takes one look at her and realizes that Kermilla is the Queen he has been waiting for to cure Dena Nehele. Cassidy is ready to give up and leave until her loyal Court convinces her to return to Eyota and take her Court - minus Theran, there.

The story splits viewpoints. We see Cassidy and her Court in Eyota, Theran dealing with Kermilla and Dena Nehele, and Kermilla who is self-absorbed, selfish, hedonistic, and has a major sense of entitlement. It was painful watching Theran making excuses for her and dealing with her very expensive tastes. The contrast with Cassidy and her behavior couldn't have been clearer.

This story also saw Gray finally maturing after the trauma he suffered at age fifteen. He picks wonderful role models and teachers in Saetan, Daemon, and Lucivar. I loved the scelties who came to Cassidy's Court to help and teach and herd their human sheep.

This was a very entertaining entry into the Black Jewels series. show less

Well, Anne Bishop has done it again. Another delightful tale of the Blood that's completely engaging and hard to put down, seasoned generously with the heart and wit that make these books so charming. This tome follows the tale of Cassidy, who we met in 'The Shadow Queen,' as she contines to try and rule her demense. Alas, all is not well within her court, and even as she continues to improve the land, she is betrayed from within. Will she falter, or find the strength to overcome the opposition?

I will say this: the book is about 90% pure politics. Generally I loathe such tomes (WoT suffers greatly from this problem in parts), but her characters! The characters are just so likeable, she actually makes politics interesting.

I think its show more the fact that her characters are just so human, yet more, that makes them so attractive. They glare, they loom dangerously, they spout vast quantities of energy, they speak in spooky voices. But at the same time, they make idiots of themselves, they get all snarly, they bitch and moan. And no one's exempt. Everyone, even the most mighty, is at some point a fool. And that makes the characters so much more believable.

All the characters do a lot of growing and developing in this book - in particular Gray. Also, there is quite a large Sceltie presence in this chapter of the 'Jewels' saga. It adds quite a bit of lighthearted fun.

I found the resolution to be both satisfying and amusing. Not much action in the volume, but a great deal of character growth and major world developments. Not a book you'd want to introduce someone 'Black Jewels' with, but a fun and enjoyable read for fans of the series. show less

Once again, I have flown through one of Anne Bishop's books, getting thoroughly immersed in the world and the characters she has created. This one was much better than [The Shadow Queen], if only because the focus stayed on Cassidy and the people of Dena Nehele. Having Daemon and Jeanelle present is always fun, because I have to know what they are doing in their lives! Cassidy really grew into her own skin in this one, as did Gray and the rest of the First Circle, which was exactly what they all needed to find their strength. The cryptic nature of the Black Widows, as well as the older men, added to the sense of tension in Cassidy's territory. When Kermilla shows up thinking she can steal Cassie's court away from her again - ooh it was show more so great to read the perspective from the men who just were not hearing anything as ridiculous as that. Protocol really enables the boys to boss around their queens, and it just makes their relationships even deeper and stronger.

The whole Dark Jewels series is my favorite by far. The world is so detailed and the characters are so real that I always find myself smiling, crying, laughing, and feeling every other emotion right along with the characters. I LOVE IT AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER! I know one of the series I'll be rereading for some fun this summer! show less

As usually happens with Anne Bishop’s books, I could'nt put this book down. This is the story after the events in The Shadow Queen.

It’s the story of Queen Cassidy and the recovery of Terreile after the Witch storm. It’s also the story of Theran, heir to the land, and how what he thinks what’s best for his land actually isn’t. It can be a lesson about people, a warning to make us look at the larger picture when we’re blinded by love.

It’s a story about personal growth, about facing challenges without running away from them, about the importance of ambition and self-esteem. This is not the typical story when you fall in love with the heroine because she’s perfect. Cassie is good and strong, but she doesn’t know it yet. show more So she’s scared and cries a lot (and sometimes almost faints). In the beginning she has trust issues with everyone around her, mainly because she’s suffered from treason before.

It’s funny that in the beginning of the book there’s a map of Terreile that I swear it’s the map of Portugal without one or two provinces.

In sum, another great book from the Dark Jewels series. show less

(Eighth of 9: The Black Jewels series. Fantasy)

As you may know, from my other reviews, this is not one of my one of my absolutely favourite series, but I keep coming back to it because it is fun. It's almost YA, except for certain explicit words and scenes (which, if I'm being honest, I could have done without).

This is a continuation of the story in The Shadow Queen, picking up from where Cassidy has finally been accepted as the Queen of the Territory of Dena Nehele. Theran Grayhaven, who is the last scion of the leading family of Dena Nehele and descended from legends, had brought her to his Territory to restore the land, after it was devastated by the rule of degenerate Queens. But now the Black Widows have woven their tangled webs show more and foresee danger ahead for Dena Nehele.

Although Cassidy proved herself in The Shadow Queen by dint of hard work and compassion, Theran still feels that a 'proper' Queen would have more style and polish. When an old acquaintance of Cassidy's comes to visit who seems to have that style and polish, Theran is dazzled by her, and forms a magical bond with her, in spite of the fact that she is rather shallow. As a result of this, he has a difference of opinion with the rest of Cassidy's court of twelve Blood males, and the Court moves to one of the Shalador reserves; Shalador being another Territory that was decimated by the bad Queens and whose people were given refuge in Dena Nehele.

Cassidy continues with her work ethic of doing her best for the people, both Blood and landen, so we see the contrast between the two Queens, and when things come to a head, we know which Queen is best for the land.

I liked this better than The Shadow Queen because it focussed on Cassidy's story without so many side-tracks into the lives and sex lives of Jaenelle, Daemon and co. The humour, though, is not as subtle as I prefer it, which knocks it down the list.

I did think that the justice meted Cassidy's 'friend' seemed fair, though her protégée (lead astray by her) didn't get such a chance. I must confess I'm still confused by the multiple hierarchical structure, and a map of the Territory would have been helpful.

(With apologies to die-hard fans of the series), I find it light fluff, fun to come back to once in a while.

Three and a half stars show less

74 points/100 (3.75 points/100).

Dena Nehele is on the edge of disaster or healing. What is Cassidy going to do to tip the balance one way or the other?

Overall, I liked the Dena Nehele arc. I enjoyed seeing the aftermath of what happened after Jaenelle cleansed the blood. However, I was left.. disappointed in the end. The entire book, and frankly the last book, Bishop was building up to something. I was expecting something to happen at the end. However, it ended so.. blandly. All that build up went nowhere. Well, that isn't true. It went into paperwork.

I think The Shadow Queen and Shalador's Lady could have been combined into one book had Bishop been a bit more selective. There was a lot of wasted time, things that didn't have to be show more shown, plot lines that were started up but weren't really explored. Between the two books, so much of the story was spent on Cassidy's looks and her previous court and on the selfish, horrible woman that is trying to take Cassidy's territory again. I refuse to believe the rest of the Queens in Kaeleer couldn't have taken care of Kermilla in their own way. That she wasn't punished for her actions in Kaeleer, not even connected to Cassidy or Dena Nehele at all, is ridiculous. There are so many "second chances" it is more like "hundredth chance".

One thing I really liked was with these two books, and this one in particular, we see what the difference between Dark Jeweled users and Light Jeweled users. It really shows how differently they solve their problems and how differently they rule. It also shows how much work the Dark Jeweled users have to take on because the Light Jeweled users rely on them so much. I also really liked how we saw how a good man could be twisted by a bad queen. That drive by the men to follow the one they are meant to follow is overwhelming and makes them blind to the truths. I felt sorry for Grayhaven, but mostly I feel sorry for everyone in history that has had something similar happen to them.

In The Shadow Queen I said that I thought the original crew was around too much and had too much of their story, and I hoped it would fall back in this book. Unfortunately, the author added even more plot points on top of it. And then Bishop abandoned those threads midway through without really finishing any of them. I suspect that the novella collection, Twilight's Dawn, is going to finish up all these threads. However, I am just left feeling really annoyed that this happened at all. I would have liked those plots even if they only were in Twilight's Dawn. Instead, I felt left wanting for more of what she introduced here. Also, this will mean I can't just recommend to skip this arc if you want only more of the original crew because the beginning is in these books. Overall, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, a solid end to the Dena Nehele arc, even though I was disappointed in the hows of how it ended. This arc showed something that was easily in need of being shown (though only because Bishop decided to continue the story after the third book). show less