Speculative Fiction

Queen of the Darkness

    The final installment of the Black Jewels trilogy is by far the darkest and most intense.  Those seeking to control Jaenelle attempt to start a war between the realms.  Chafing at her refusal to fight, Jaenell's friends withdraw from her, believing her a coward.  They forget that Jaenelle has absolutely no problem killing, usually rather...explosively.
    Jaenelle has foreseen the death of the Blood, with the land soon to follow, whether she fights or not.  So, she makes a desperate bid to instead rid the Blood of those who are corrupted.  To buy her time, Daemon is forced to become an enemy to everyone else he loves, and has just been reunited with.  Meanwhile, anticipating her act, the kindred labor in secret to ensure Jaenelle's sacrifice isn't the death of the Dream Made Flesh.
    The tension in Queen of the Darkness is lightened by the usual dark humor.  The awkwardness of the growing relationship between Daemon and Jaenelle, where each is waiting for the other to begin, is ironic and amusing.
    The characters have grown and changed as the series progressed, yet remain true to their personalities.  The plot line does not falter, and comes to a fitting conclusion.  Though sometimes difficult to read, or reread, due to the tragedies, Queen of the Darkness is filled with equal parts joy.  This is an excellent end to an excellent series, even if it does leave the reader muttering certain oft-repeated phrases, missing the characters, and wishing for a jewel of one's own.

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Black Jewels Trilogy
Anne Bishop

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