Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels, #1) in Reverse Harem Revolution

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Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels, #1)

Anne Bishop

Start date: March 20, 2024

Finish date: April 5, 2024

Discussion: The Heretics' Corner (NON-RH)

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By Marguerite (M鈥� , adulting hard · 782 posts · 255 views

last updated Feb 13, 2025 10:22AM

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What Members Thought

Dec 26, 2007 Shannon rated it liked it · review of another edition

I think that, if there had been a few different stylistic choices made, this book would have been a keeper for me. As it is, I like it well enough that I'll probably continue the series, but there were definitely some issues that I had.

What works for me is that the setting is appropriately grand and epic--a complex world that has obviously been created with diligence and thoughtfulness. And I like political intrigue, of which there was a lot. And I even liked the depths shown by our PoV characte I think that, if there had been a few different stylistic choices made, this book would have been a keeper for me. As it is, I like it well enough that I'll probably continue the series, but there were definitely some issues that I had.

What works for me is that the setting is appropriately grand and epic--a complex world that has obviously been created with diligence and thoughtfulness. And I like political intrigue, of which there was a lot. And I even liked the depths shown by our PoV characters. And there was something in the storytelling that was compelling and kept me reading even when I realized afterwords that I was reading the bastard love child of Laurell K. Hamilton, Christine Feehan and George R. R. Martin.

The setting is very dark, which was an aspect I liked, overall. The people in power are essentially terrified that they're not strong enough to hold it, so they abuse those weaker than themselves. And I have to admit that the concept of a Ring of Obedience brings a smirk to my face.

Unfortunately, though I did enjoy this book, there were flaws. First of all, though our three male protagonists were nicely fleshed out, the female character who is the center of all the drama never quite worked for me. She really is, essentially, a Mary Sue, looked upon by people who generally adore her. That kept me pretty distant from hjer, and so I pretty much failed to see what was so compelling about her.

As for the other secondary characters, most of the women seem to be either evil or brainless, and the men either bow before the awesomeness that is Jaenelle, queen Sue of the Universe or they rape little girls for fun. (No, I'm really not exagerating about that.)

That also being said, I found the struggle of Jaenelle's eventual love interest over his feelings for her a bit squicky, especially at the end, given that Jaenelle is twelve.

So would I recommend it? Maybe. I think I'd have loved it had I not read George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which is a lot darker and actually contains a whole cast of multifaceted characters. But it's a nice enough read if you simply want to be taken to a fascinating, original world.
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Sep 22, 2014 mirba rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dark

It's a good serie but, having just read her other serie "The others", this one pales in comparison.
There are too many characters, and you never get emotionally involved with any of them, except maybe the one that have a POV. The story Should be drammatic and dark enough to give me nightmares for weeks, but I just don't really feel it.

There are sudden jumps in time and space that get people confused. Also, sometimes someone dies and that you realized that it was an important character for the m ...more

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Aug 10, 2022 础蝉迟别谤辞辫锚 rated it it was ok

Shelves: x_children-featured-focused, fiction, y_emotionally-tortured-angst-etc, x_captive-slave-hostage-etc, title_family-relations, g_fantasy, x_vampire-demon-etc, did-not-finish_abandoned, x_magic-witch-shaman-etc, tw_rape-sexualassault-dubcon

I rarely DNF a book and I wasn't planning on it, but after some thought I think it's best to just stop where I am at. I have about 100 pages left. If this wasn't book 1 of a trilogy I might have just finished it. As it it, I don't really have any desire to read the other 2 books (all 3 are one main story) and so there's little point in continuing with this one.

There wasn't one thing that did it for me, it was more just the overall vibes of things. I'm not sure what to think about this book. I w I rarely DNF a book and I wasn't planning on it, but after some thought I think it's best to just stop where I am at. I have about 100 pages left. If this wasn't book 1 of a trilogy I might have just finished it. As it it, I don't really have any desire to read the other 2 books (all 3 are one main story) and so there's little point in continuing with this one.

There wasn't one thing that did it for me, it was more just the overall vibes of things. I'm not sure what to think about this book. I was confused for a good portion reading it. I sort of felt like I was missing something, some important info? I don't know. I don't think I'm alone in this, looking at the many status update comments of others that are also confused. I think perhaps the world building and relationship between the characters could have been more clear. Maybe it's just the author's style? I think this was her first novel, way back. I know her Others series is more popular, so I'd be willing to try those.

This book also had a lot of, we'll just say problematic elements (rape, abuse, incest, etc). It's definitely not a light fantasy world. Which is fine, I don't expect everything and every fantasy world to be sunlight and unicorns. I am not sure how I feel about many of the characters either. Also, I wish Jaenelle was aged up to at least 16, not 12. It'd make her young still, but would remove a lot of more creepier elements IMO.

I found the book mostly boring but at times interesting as well. The author did make an interesting world (or the potential for one), it's just not one I found really appealing or exciting enough to stay and read 500+ pages more. I kept reading hoping for things to change, or for Jaenelle to have another age jump (she was 7 in the beginning, then 12). None of the characters are ones, at least now, you'd like and root for. Perhaps Jaenelle? But even though she's the MC, it's like you're seeing her through a hazy lens. I don't know.

Too bad. I'm going to move on and just consider this series not for me. ...more

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