"HEIR TO THE SHADOWS is book 2 of Anne Bishop\'s Black Jewel trilogy"
Jaenelle Angelline has survived experiences that would
break most children, and shatter most young witches, but
not without consequences. As the fallout from the
destruction of Briarwood settles, life changes for not only
young Jaenelle, but also for Saetan, the dead Guardian who
has decided to adopt her. The friends that Jaenelle has
gathered from all across the Realms appear at the doorstep
of SaDiablo hall, determined to find her-and some of those
friends are far different than even those Saetan's wide
imagination could come up with. The years pass, and it becomes clear that evil still
threatens Jaenelle, her friends and family, and the Realms
that they live in. Evil more ancient and jealous than
Jaenelle could know. Between lessons and friendship Jaenelle and her foster
father deal with a Council bent on separating them, an evil
that is seeping deeper and deeper into the Realm's
governments, and the loss of Daemon, son to Saetan, more,
perhaps, to Jaenelle. Events conspire against them all and
Jaenelle is forced to take steps she would rather not. Only
with her friends-her Court-around her can she begin to
prepare for the fight that is coming. HEIR TO THE SHADOWS is book 2 of Anne Bishop's Black Jewel
trilogy. It is essential that the books in this trilogy be
read in order. The story starts soon after the events of
book 1, with the same attention to characterization and
worldbuilding. The hallmarks of this volume are the humor-
filled, loving relationship between Jaenelle and her foster-
father and the pervasive tension over the fate of Daemon,
hung tenuously until the novel winds to a close. For a
middle volume of a trilogy, HEIR is spectacular. Bishop
pens a light-hearted and sometimes emotionally wrenching
bridge through her shadowed story, pulling together
characters and events and setting the stage for what
promises to be a strong conclusion. If you've read and
enjoyed the first of this trilogy HEIR is a sure-buy. If
you're interested in the trilogy, begin at the first volume
and work from there. NOTE: HEIR TO THE SHADOWS, like its prequel and sequel,
contains scenes and depictions that sensitive readers might
find might objectionable, including but not limited to
references to child and animal abuse, torture and graphic
death scenes. Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Posted April 2, 2004
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 18, 2006
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In this violently passionate, "darkly fascinating world,"** the Blood rule: a race of witches and warlocks whose power is channeled through magical jewels. Ambitions unfurl in this second novel of The Black Jewels Trilogy, as the realm's dreams of a liberator have finally been made flesh... Jaenelle, singled out by prophecy as the living embodiment of magic, is haunted by the cruel battles the Blood have fought over her-for not all of them await her as their Savior. Nothing, however, can deflect her from her destiny-and the day of reckoning looms near. When her memories return. When her magic matures. When she is forced to accept her fate. On that day, the dark Realms will know what it means to be ruled by Witch.
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