Twilight's Dawn

The Black Jewels #9

by Anne Bishop

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s “darkly fascinating” Black Jewel novels have enthralled readers and critics alike with their mixture of fantasy, intrigue, and romance. Now in Twilight’s Dawn, Bishop returns to the Blood realm with four all-new captivating novellas.

Winsol Gifts

Daemon, the Black Jeweled Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, is settling into his first year of married life with his Witch Queen Jaenelle. But as the thirteen-day celebration of Winsol draws near, Daemon finds himself being pulled in too many directions as he plays host to his formidable family…

Shades of Honor

Still recovering from the ordeal that left her wounded and angry, Surreal returns to Ebon Rih on the orders of Prince Lucivar. And when her former lover Falonar ruthlessly challenges the rule of her family, Surreal may finally succumb to the darkness burning inside her…

Family

When someone lays a vicious trap for Queen Sylvia and her sons, the fallout completely disrupts the lives of the ruling family of Dhemlan. Now, they have to uncover the identity of the warlord known only as No Face, before he returns to finish what he started…

The High Lord’s Daughter

After losing the two most important people in his life, Daemon has assumed his father Saetan’s role as High Lord of Hell and built a wall around his heart. But when he inadvertently forges a new connection, will it be enough to break him free from his loveless life?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Magic, Dark Fantasy, Witches, High Fantasy

435 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Anne Bishop lives in upstate New York where she enjoys gardening, music, and writing dark, romantic stories. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the award-winning Black Jewels Trilogy. She has written a new series, the Others, which is an urban dark fantasy with a bit of a twist.

Crawford Award (2000)




Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Crucio · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILERS!!! WARNING!!! HIGH LORD'S DAUGHTER SPOILERS!!!!!

Jaenelle and Saetan are dead. Surreal comforts Daemon, her true-love all along, by having a one-night stand with him. She ends up getting pregnant with a daughter, a Dreams Made Flesh from the dreams of Surreal, Daemon and Jaenelle. They name her Jaenelle Saetian. Daemon marries Surreal so their daughter doesn't become a bastard. He eventually loves her, but not as much as she loves him. Apparently, she has always loved him ever since she was a little girl and he practically raised her and thought of her as a family member, that's why she never had success with any of her romances before.

I kid you not. This is what High Lord's Daughter is about. There are short glimpses as Surreal and Daemon raise their daughter up to the Birthright Ceremony. I'm convinced that Bishop is punishing her fans for flocking to this series and not giving Ephemera and Tir Alainn as much devotion.

Daemon and Surreal, two of my favorite characters, are reduced to caricatures. The plot seems to be plucked right out of a Harlequin novel. Daemon refuses to get Jaenelle pregnant in fear of her health. She lives to a ripe old age of 80. Surreal angsts about her feelings for Daemon, since she also loved Jaenelle.

This book is a series killer.

[ambyr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grudgingly admit this was less bad than I expected. The second and third stories, in particular, managed to capture some of the charm of the original books. And yet.

Look--these are not by any stretch of the imagination good books. I cheerfully refer to them as my "magical cock rings and unicorns" novels. The original trilogy was an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink, write-straight-from-the-id kind of thing. And, at least for me, it worked. Watching Jaenelle grow up and build a family was compelling. (We'll ignore the overarching plot and scene-chewing villains; lord knows I skip those sections when I reread.) Every chapter there was something new. People with tiger stripes! Unicorns! Baby dragons! Turning off the sun! Learning to paint from the (now-dead) greatest painter who ever lived! It's a crazy patchwork quilt of randomness that left me always curious about what the author would come up with next.

And then, somehow, in the sequels . . . that inventiveness, that shameless willingness to go over-the-top and beyond, faded away. The cast of millions contracted to focus on just a few key relationships, and those relationships became repetitive beyond belief. The tiger people disappeared unmentioned. The endless parade of kindred races became limited to sheepdogs.

Or, to summarize, magical cock ring count in this book? One. Unicorn count in this book? One. Anne Bishop, I am disappointed in you.

I was also more annoyed that I would have predicted by the complete absence of Wilhelmina. For a book that's so focused on family and the importance of family ties, I thought abandoning Jaenelle's one beloved blood relative was bizarre. And while Karla makes an appearance, Jaenelle's other best friend, Gabrielle, has also more or less vanished. I miss the strong female friendships. Even if they were more told than shown, they were one of the things that made the trilogy appealing.

Still, I think I'm glad I read it, if only to see the Falonar and Sylvia threads tied off and know the series is now complete.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Contains spoilers and I didn't feel like checking the box**

I bought Twilight's Dawn yesterday and finished it this afternoon. I'm going to read it again because it's that good. Few writers these days can keep me spellbound like that to where getting a good night's sleep is totally unimportant. The world of the Black Jewels has come to mean as much to me as Pern, Valdemar and Middle Earth.

Twilight's Dawn is a collection of four stories chronicling the time after Tangled Webs and The Shadow Queen. The first one, Winsol Gifts is downright domestic as Daemon Sadi learnes just how hard it is to play host to his powerful and eccentric family, especially his rough and tumble nephew Daemonar. Shades of Honor finally reveals the fate of Surreal's Eyrien ex-lover Falonar (and it's not a pretty one)as well as the aftermath of the events from Tangled Webs as Surreal and Rainier learn to live with the tragedy. Family brings back Saetan's lover Sylvia, the Queen of Halloway as she and the SaDiablo family save her sons and other young boys from a twisted child predator. The last tale, The High Lord's Daughter is about endings and new beginnings.

Yes, Saetan and Jaenelle die here. Daemon marries Surreal. They have a child together. Daemon becomes the High Lord of Hell. I'm okay with all of this because character deaths and other tragic/life-changing events do happen in fantasy. Anne McCaffrey did the same to Masterharper Robinton and Mercedes Lackey had Vanyel die a hero's death. A lot of readers who are complaining about this to the point where they aren't going to read the book have obviously forgotten that the Black Jewels series is Dark Fantasy, NOT romance, and if they cannot handle character death, then this is a genre they really shouldn't be reading. Yes, it does hurt a little because these characters were such an integral part of the story and they became real to me. Still, I can accept Saetan's passing because he lived for 50,000 years and it was very clear (if one actually read the books) that he was tired. He saw no need to continue living since the realms were in the best hands possible--Jaenelle, Daemon and Lucivar--as well as the Queens and their circles he guided. Also most of his family and friends had long since became a whisper in the Darkness and the man was lonely. Jaenelle's death was also foreshadowed (a fact that a lot of people obviously missed) since she wasn't a part of the long-lived races. She also expended a lot of power when she cleansed the realms of Dorothea and Heketah's taint. It only stood to reason that she would age and pass before Daemon did. Of course, Bishop could have cheated and given Jaenelle some sort of magical reprieve, but that would have been lame. Yes, theirs was a wonderful love story, but it was never meant to last.

Besides, I'd always hoped that Daemon and Surreal would find their way to each other. They shared similar backgrounds--she was a whore and and assassin; he was a pleasure slave and a killer. Over the years, they'd developed a close relationship and she was one of the few women he could trust and that he could just be himself around. If any woman could dance with The Sadist and meet him on his own terms, it was most definitely Surreal. Not to mention, they'd been friends for many years and personally I'd known that the tart-tongued Dea al Mon witch had it bad for Daemon Sadi (who didn't). Surreal wasn't trying to replace Jaenelle, because she loved her too. I need to point out something that was obvious to anyone who actually bothered to READ the books, rather than swoon over Daemon or Lucivar--Surreal was NOT RELATED to Daemon by blood. Just like Jaenelle, she was adopted by Saetan, a child of his heart. It is not unusual for friends who turn into lovers, which is exactly what happened here. And hating Daemon because he got a second chance at love? Allow me to refresh the limited memory of those who got blinded by the spoilers:

"You're only eighteen hundred years old, Daemon. You are not going to spend the rest of your life celibate."

"You don't think I can," he crooned.

"I know you can. That's why I want you to promise me that you won't. No one will think you're being unfaithful if you find another lover after the year of mourning. You're not going to spend the rest of your life without that kind of companionship or comfort. If you're not comfortable accepting that as a request from your wife, consider it a command from your Queen." Page 353, Twilight's Dawn

Twilight's Dawn isn't action-packed or full of mortal peril. The overall theme of this novel is family and how family is not always tied by blood. Saetan SaDiablo might have an aristocratic bloodline (and he actually doesn't), but none of that stopped him from adopting the powerful yet wounded Jaenelle or claiming an assassin/courtesan as his children. The incredibly strong bonds between brothers Daemon and Lucivar are so tight, and it shows after Daemon takes care of Lucivar after the Eyrien Warlord Prince comes back from the killing field. What I love is that these two alpha males do not mind showing physical affection for each other--in fact it's kind of sexy that they do. It's also funny how flustered they can get when it comes to their wives, children and even the formidable Mrs. Beale.

So much has happened to the SaDiablo family through the course of eight books--triumph, tragedy, love and sacrifice--but throughout it all, they love each other. Now, that's enough to make me tear up. Thank you Anne Bishop, LOL.

P.S. Can I have a longer Prince Rainier story? I'd always hoped he'd find a good man to settle down with.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel books pretty late. I only started reading them about three years ago and the moment I did, I was hooked. Since I’m not big into dark fantasy, I wasn’t certain if I would enjoy them. I soon became addicted to Anne Bishop’s writing, characters and the world she has created. She combines erotic, sensuality, terror, horror and more than a few lighthearted moments so very well. Every Black Jewel book she published I had to get my hands one. When I heard she had written another anthology of short stories with Twilight’s Dawn, I was more than excited. I couldn’t wait to lose myself with these characters of hers that consumed my every thought.

But then the one story, The High Lord’s Daughter is one that has sent shock waves throughout the fans. This is where Anne had decided to end this series by eliminating the only reason for this series, it’s heart and soul and every that it is. Knowing this, I was wary of reading because this would be the end for me. Twilight’s Dawn is her final goodbye to her fans for staying with her for so long. And if she continues to write this series because of a new character she has introduced, I’m sorry to say I won’t go along for the ride. The dreams made flesh, The Witch is no longer, and anything Anne writes after with this world is a former shell of what it once was.

Overall, Twilight’s Dawn is not a bad book. It’s well written and has those trademark Bishop quirks I look forward to. If I had to grade Twilight’s Dawn on the writing and storytelling aspect, it would definitely get an A grade. But the heartbreaking and shocking The High Lord’s Daughter is where I can’t give this book the grade it deserves. It’s better if I grade the individual stories, rather than the combination of them overall.

The first story- Winsol Gifts is a time of celebration for Daemon Sadi and his family. Winsol is a thirteen day celebration in honor of The Witch, the living myth, dreams made flesh. The Witch is Daemon’s wife Jaenelle, who he’s been waiting over a thousand years to be with. Daemon is more than uncomfortable with the celebration, including his brother, Lucivar, whose young son Daemonar destroys everything he comes in contact with. Daemon prefers a more private and quiet celebration with Jaenelle, while she wants a more open one. Watching Daemon grin and bear it is very funny and adorable.

Winsol Gifts is the lightest story of the bunch. It’s about the importance of family and the acceptance of love. Watching Daemon’s reaction to Lucivar when he admits he may make another baby with his wife Marian is a hoot. Winsol Gifts was a total winner. (A Grade)

Shade's of Honor takes place before The Shadow Queen. This was my favorite story out of the four because it stars Lucivar, who always seems second fiddle to Daemon. A traitor is among the Eyrien people Lucivar rules over who wants to get rid of him. Also, Surreal, the former prostitute and close friend of Daemon and Lucivar is recovering from a horrible event that has scarred her emotionally where young children were killed and she places their deaths on her shoulders. Both Lucivar and Surreal must work through their issues before they are consumed by grief and anger.

Lucivar, how I adore you. I’ve always found Lucivar playful and it really shows here, especially when dealing with his rowdy son and pleasing his wife. But when those he loves is threatened, he’ll take anyone out who forces his hand. There’s a big twist in regards Lucivar if he’s murdered. My jaw dropped when I read it. A very exciting, on the edge of your seat read. (A+ Grade)

Family is the darkest of the four. Jaenelle is turning thirty-seven and she and Daemon are still so very much in love and established in their community. Daemon’s father, Saetan’s lover is brutally murdered and her two boys are marked for rape and death. Daemon and Saetan will try to find the psychopath where Daemon will trick the madman and hopefully put an end to his terror.

Family is heavy reading because innocent children are tortured and killed. But there is some light and happiness as Saetan welcomes a new woman as his wife. This is a small taste of the morbid darkness that Bishop excels writing at. (B+ Grade)


**spoiler alert!**

The High Lord’s Daughter is very difficult reading. I never thought it would come to this, but it has. The story starts a year after Jaenelle’s death. She and Daemon had seventy years together and now he must move on after a year of mourning ordered to him by his queen. This story takes place over twenty years and then further where Daemon tries his best to move on without his beloved wife. Not only has he lost Jaenelle, but someone else special to him and very important to this series as a whole. Then twenty years after Jaenelle’s death, Daemon acts in a way with Surreal that isn’t planned. From this event, Surreal gives Daemon something he never had with Jaenelle, a daughter who they name Jaenelle in honor of his first wife, his own dreams made flesh.

The High Lord’s Daughter is well written, at least I can give Anne that. If Daemon had to go through life with another woman by his side, I’m glad it’s with Surreal. Some may pity Surreal because Daemon will never love her like he loved Jaenelle. But Surreal doesn’t walk blindly into this and understands what her role is. Daemon’s love for Surreal is very different from his love for Jaenelle. Life and death go hand in hand, even if these characters’ ages spans centuries.

There are two things that I couldn’t get behind. I find it very disturbing that you would name your daughter after your first wife you worshiped. Talk about your daughter having a lot to live up to. Also The fact that Daemon was a virgin for over a thousand year as he waited for Jaenelle, and then a few years after she dies, he ends up sleeping with women that disgust him,, has me more than confused. This doesn’t make sense to me. Sex never interested Daemon unless it was with Jaenelle. I’m more accepting of him being intimate with Surreal because they have a connection, but for him to have sex with other women when he had no interest before unless it was Jaenelle isn’t believable. This is a big slap in the face of the amazing relationship Daemon had with Jaenelle. I felt betrayed and empty because The High Lord’s Daughter just doesn’t embody what the Black Jewel Books are about. With Jaenelle no longer in the picture, this world ceases to exist.

I really can’t grade The High Lord’s Daughter. It wounds me too deeply.

Twilight’s Dawn will be a heavy blow for Anne’s fans. It was a blow for me. All I can say now is thank you Anne for introducing me to a world that consumed me from the start as I turn my back on any future books you may have planned in this word. This is my final goodbye.

RIP Black Jewels. I’ll miss you so very much.

[Maddy Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those readers who were disappointed with the 4th novella, I like to remind you that this is not a romance novel where Happily-Ever-After is guaranteed. And if Janelle isn't unhappy with Sadi then why should we be? I liked all the stories and I hope that someday Ms Bishop will return to the Realms and tell more stories of the Blood.

That's not a review of the book, tho, is it? It's hard to do a review of these novellas without spoilers, so I'll just say that I loved seeing my favorite characters again. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters which showed off their personalities and relationships. I sometimes wonder what it is about these books that appeals so strongly to me and I think the relationships between the characters are a huge part of it. The respect, love and balance of power between the males and females draws me in, makes me want to be part of this world. Kudos to Ms Bishop for creating an original world and culture that is not a lukewarm copy of other worlds.

[black lamb · Rating 1 out of 5]

** Major spoilers within **

I have a lot of feelings about this series.

I am not a big reader of romance novels - I'm gay, so reading about women fawning all over men who are the exact opposite of what I'm attracted to is just not interesting to me. Nothing against romance as a genre, in fact I think it's super cool that a genre that is so specifically female is finally becoming really mainstream and there's a neverending stream of new books on the subject. Mostly by women authors. That's awesome.

I'm not a romance fan, but I am a fantasy fan; have been since I was a kid. I remember reading a review for these books that was pretty scathing about how ridiculous they are, specifically the bit about magic cockrings. A few years later, I picked it up, and that review was right: these books are really, really ridiculous. But fun ridiculous. I liked the setting, I loved the idea of a fantasy culture that a) is matriarchal and women-focused, and b) worships the darkness, flipping that age old light=good, dark=evil dichotomy on its head. It seemed to me like there was a lot of room for nuance here and exploring gender roles and sexuality in a way most fantasy frankly doesn't. (Also, I feel like the only one who read Bishop repeatedly referring to many characters' brown skin as meaning they literally had brown skin - that is, were people of colour! That's so refreshing in a genre that worships pale Europeans. Maybe I read too much into the books, though...)

The first book didn't do much of that, unfortunately, but I did find the character of Jaenelle (as Mary Sue as she is) compelling. I liked the way her admittedly over-the-top backstory was handled, and I liked how a lot of the first book was a story about men who hate women where said men are the villains. The series began falling apart for me in the second and third book; it felt like, when we got to Kaeleer, this society we'd been told was matriarchal and woman-focused was flipped around so that women only nominally had the power they're said to have and the super, super paternalistic men in this society actually are able to exert a great deal of control over them. But I still really enjoyed reading about Jaenelle growing up, her awkward adolescence, her funny misadventures, her cute friends - all of that I really liked. I even liked the third book, seeing them all as grown adults with responsibilities but still mischievous and fun. The villains in this series have never done it for me - they've always been one-dimensional and over-the-top - but the strength of the other characters was enough to keep me engaged.

Then we got to the post-trilogy books. Tangled Webs was all right. The plot device was actually really interesting, I would have loved it as a horror film - as it was, the characters involved were too neutered and the character who ended up saving the day was too powerful; Bishop ruined the suspense of her own story. A shame. Feels like she wrote herself into a corner so she had Lucivar just bash right through all the danger. Dreams Made Flesh was worse, I think. I'm not a big fan of Lucivar's emotional manipulation of Marion, his possessiveness, his aggression (I don't care if it's hardwired into him because he's a ~Warlord Prince~; threatening to seriously hurt someone, especially someone with a history of violent sexual assault, is NOT OKAY), how controlling he initially is of her, and yeah, more of that Kaeleer paternalism - but after having read worse offenders, it doesn't bug me as much.

Which brings me to about where I started having major issues with the series: the short story Dreams Made Flesh Kaeleer's Heart. (Sorry, got these titles mixed up!) The story itself is fine, although aggravating because I hate stories where the conflict hinges on assumptions made and a failure to communicate like adults, the actual plot with the villain was pretty weak... the issue I was having at this point was with Surreal.

When we met Surreal, she was a major badass. She was a hardened, wisecracking assassin and prostitute who had seen it all and could more than take care of herself. She lived a harder, tougher life than most of the pampered aristocrats in the series. Over the course of the books, though, she became watered down more and more - despite the fact that she wears the third most powerful Jewel, she has always been treated as significantly weaker than the men in the series, even ones who wear Jewels close to her power level. That aggravating paternalism rears its head again as these men in her life literally control her every decision, including whether she can walk to the bookstore, or what she eats and when, like she's a naive teenager and not an adult woman and a warrior in her own right. Basically, post-trilogy, we've gotten a lot of TALK out of Surreal, but no action backing that up, and it bugged me more and more until we got to this mess.

Here, Surreal is no longer a tough street chick who doesn't take shit from anyone. Apparently she's been in love with Daemon her entire life - Daemon, who raped her, by the way, and knew her when she was a child, which is creepy and weird - and when he impregnates her after a frankly super rushed and slightly out-of-character one night stand, his reaction is so over-the-top that it goes way beyond "oh it's romantic because he's so protective of his family" into downright abusive behaviour. She's terrified of him. She thinks he's going to kill her. So she marries him, under his demands, while he has her literally locked in his house and has made it clear he doesn't care about her but only about her kid.

God. Could. Not. Deal. I'd quote the most egregious passages from that short story, but honestly I'd have to paste half the damn thing here.

It's not that this book is sad and doesn't have the happy ending fans of the series might have liked (Jaenelle lives forever, she and Daemon have like a million gamine precocious brown-skinned, blue-eyed kids, etc). It's that it represents a decline of the setting we were introduced to, a watering down of ideas - what happened here, I think, is that Bishop wrote the first book off the cuff, it's pretty obvious she was making things up as she went along given how many retcons she did in the second book alone. As she filled in those details she hadn't thought of before, elaborating on more and more, she watered down the magic until we got this book: joyless, depressing, ultimately unsatisfying, but more damningly, entirely unoriginal. It reads like the epilogue of someone's bad fanfiction series where they just have to pair all the major characters together and give them kids named after other, dead characters... because that's exactly what it was.

There were things in this series that never got explored that I wish had. How queer people function in this heteronormative society, for one thing. (Rainier and Karla, the canon queer characters, are entirely celibate.) How gender-variant people function, for that matter! The myriad of races which are introduced in HttS and never seen again. (The Tigrelan? The Fyreborn Island dragons? Katrine? The satyrs?) The territories we get a brief glimpse of, then nothing. The function and lifestyle of non-aristocratic Blood who don't have enough money to buy private islands or whatever other ridiculous extravagances the SaDiablo family does.

Then there were things that did get explored but in a way I felt was like one step forward and two steps back. The gender roles in this novel just ended up being your standard heteronormative, gender essentialist schlock, emphasized most strongly by the stories in Twilight's Dawn. In the end it ended up being typical of fantasy cultures: the women have a little bit of power, enough to feel Empowered, but the men are real manly men who ultimately are the ones in control, whether or not it's brute force (Lucivar) or emotional manipulation (everyone).

There was a lot of opportunity for subversive world-building in this that fell through. Real shame.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was a collection of four shorter works rather than one continuous story. But it features the same crowd and deals with issues following from the previous books, hooking my interest quite easily. I must say that I find this imaginative world to be a bit on the silly side, but the lives and loves of the characters keep me reading.

These four vignettes take us far into the future compared to the last book. It's like each section was an idea that the author needed to write, but none of them required a whole novel to explore. But it does act like stepping stones, transitioning us to a new generation, and giving her new scope for the subsequent books.

Get ready to say goodbye to a couple of longstanding characters while welcoming new children, who grow up to fill their parents' lives with excitement. Young Jaenelle Sadi in particular is going to lead her father Daemon a merry dance. And it's not just the genetic children—there are a number of strays who get folded into the family in these stories and who will feature in the next volume, according to my snooping ahead. After a long hiatus (2011-2020), Bishop has produced three more books centered on these youngsters. Their elders are too settled to provide the necessary drama!

Not to everyone's taste, but fun and fast.

Book number 512 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review on this is going to be short. Mostly because I read three of the stories and started into the 4th and then stopped because it was too soon and I had very strange feelings about it overall, I just wasn’t ready to read that tale.

Windsol gifts – It is a cute little holiday story that include all of the family getting together and just proves that Saetan is smarter than the rest of them since he knows how to distract an inquisitive child with a present they are supposed to break. Cute and happy little story.

Shades of Honor – Or it could be called why Falonar is a douchbag. I mean I liked him a little in the third book of the series but he seemed to have issues with woman of strength and while I hoped that Surreal could teach him some life lessons it seems like he just couldn’t get over some of his misogynist ways.

This was a great story about someone who thought they were strong enough to take on Lucivar and learned the hard way that well they are not. I really liked this story overall and meeting some new characters along the way.

Family – Saetan has loved Queen Sylvia from afar since he spent so much of himself to help cleanse the realm and bring Jaenelle back. But when Sylvia crosses the Family comes together to protect her boys and make sure that some evil in the land doesn’t get away with killing off children. I really liked this story even though it was dark it brought Sylvia and Saetan together again.

The High Lord’s Daughter – This is the story I started and then stopped. For one it is set years later when Jaenelle has died. Daemon and Jaenelle had a fantastic life together and this story begins a year after she has gone. I don’t know why but I thought as Witch maybe she would live longer and they would have more time. I really wasn’t ready for this so it was a blow and living in Daemon’s grief as he tries to move on as he has promised her he would do was difficult. Then there is another heartwrenching death in this. I see why but again I was not ready and it was emotionally taxing.

Then there is the part where Daemon is moving on. Even though I liked the set up for how he is moving on overall since it seemed like the only way it was going to happen so soon (like 5-6 years post Janeall’s death) I struggled with it and this is when I walked away from the story for a few months.

This is a difficult story I do like where it ended up and I really can’t wait to see what the new holder of Twilight’s Dawn does with it. Plus seeing Daemon as a father is really adorable and his little witch child is going to be just as much trouble as her namesake. Still I miss Jaenelle and didn’t want the story to progress without her. But the human’s lives are short in this world and Daemon’s will be long, he was already over a thousand when he met witch.

I hope this is a set up for some new adventures with lil’ Jaenelle and the kindred. I think you are going to have to read this story before the next in the series. I’m a little nervous for what is in story in The Queen’s Bargain. I like that Witch saw parts of the future and helped to form it for Daemon, I’m just sad that she can’t be more of a part of it and found a way to stay with him longer than a human life.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four different novellas that tie up in a neat bow, a few things that were left undone. One (or two) that will break your heart. But don't despair too much. I know what is coming next, and it is not so bad.

[Hwm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply awful. Killed my enjoyment of the whole series.

[Bree]

Reread in September 2011

--

I have no idea how to rate this book. Hrm.

Okay, a day later. Three of these stories I enjoyed. Shades of Honor I enjoyed a LOT. The fourth...the controversial one...was NOT the story I wanted to read. I read it anyway, for series closure. Or because I'm crazy. Or curious.

It was not the story I wanted to read...but not for the reasons I expected. I think a lot of the spoilers I'd read were unfair to the realism of it. It was an odd blend of stark, brutal unhappiness that I honestly might have enjoyed more without the heart-warming full-circle bits. (Okay, let's be frank. It had its cheesy moments, and they probably seemed more cheesy compared to the gut-punch misery around them.)

It was not a happy ending. It was not the ending I wanted. But it was never my ending to decide, and (for me) it won't outweigh 11 years of buying Anne Bishop books on the day they come out and re-reading them until the mass markets fall apart on me. (Multiple times.)

I don't usually post big long reviews about books, but this one will be sticking with me. I've been reading these books obsessively since Heir to Shadows was a new release, so I've got 1/3 of my life invested in this world and these people.

And I STILL don't know how to rate the book. So for now, it just stays unrated.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twilight's Dawn is an anthology containing four stories set in the Black Jewels world, all set after the end of Tangled Webs and beyond. I'm going to talk about each story separately but I apart from a few shocks along the way I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. My review will be spoiler free for the first 3 stories but I can't talk about The High Lord's Daughter without giving away MAJOR spoilers so be aware of that before you continue reading.

Winsol Gifts:

This story is set during the first year of Daemon and Jaenelle's marriage and shows the whole family come together to celebrate the winter holiday Winsol. It's a really light hearted and fun story that shows the whole family together and one of the highlights was watching Daemon, Lucivar and Saetan trying to corral Daemonar so that he doesn't destroy all of the presents. I enjoy spending time with this whole group, especially when they're enjoying some downtime together rather than rushing from one disaster to the next.

Shades of Honor:

Surreal has avoided spending time in Ebon Rih since her break up with Falonar but after events in the spooky house both she and Rainier need time and space to recover. Lucivar considers her a sister and wants to make sure she's looking after herself so he brings her home where he can monitor her condition. While there Surreal realises that there's a traitor amongst the Eyriens and that Lucivar's life is in danger.

This was easily my favourite story in the collection, I adore Lucivar and his family and we never saw as much from his point of view in the main books so I love any chance to spend more time with them all. Some of the Eyriens might think that Lucivar is a pushover because he's done his best to make his people welcome in his home but when the traitor tries his luck he'll soon realise he's made some dangerous enemies.

Family:

When Queen Sylvia and her sons are targeted by a vicious trap it's up to Daemon and Saetan to try and protect Sylvia's boys while they hunt down the warlord who attacked them. This was a really dark story that was quite upsetting in places, there is a warlord out there targeting young children for rape and murder after all, but I did like the way things turned out for Syliva and Saetan. I did always like them as a couple so it was great to see them find that happiness again, even if it was in the most horrible circumstances.

The High Lord's Daughter:

This is the most controversial story in the collection, something I didn't know before I read this book because I always avoid reviews and blurbs for books in series that I'm already invested in. Anyway, I went into this blind and was completely shocked by not one but TWO deaths in this book. To be honest I'm still not completely recovered from this story now!

The High Lord's Daughter actually starts a year after Jaenelle's death and I honestly couldn't believe that she was really gone, I know she wasn't one of the long lived races like Daemon but I had it in my head that Witch would somehow survive through the centuries at Daemon's side! They had seventy happy years together but that doesn't really seem like much considering he waited a thousand years for her to be born in the first place. Events in this story take place over more than 20 years, at first Daemon is understandably consumed by grief but Jaenelle made him promise to keep living so he has to find a way to try and move on with his life.

I was so shocked and horrified when I first started this story that I nearly just quit reading the book there and then. I was heartbroken by Jaenelle's death and then totally blindsided a second time when another major character dies later on in the story. I thought I would hate everything about it but I surprised myself by liking how things turned out. Daemon ends up finding peace and although he'll never forget Jaenelle he does move on and find a new kind of happiness which I was really pleased about. I didn't want to think about him potentially spending centuries alone and I thought he was well matched with the person he ends up sharing his life with so I was happy for him in that respect.

This still seems like a strange story to have as part of the series and I can understand why so many people hated it but this is a dark fantasy series and that means we were never promised a happily ever after for all the characters involved. I suppose we should be grateful that some of them got to have their happy endings.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me awake half the night crying. I should have figured it out from the book flap, but I didn't believe it. It's the end of the Black Jewels series, one of my all time favorites. This installment is a collection of four short stories set at different times.

The first is a "Christmas" story showing everyone happy, living life to the fullest, making good memories together, growing together as a family and cherishing every moment. Heart warming and uplifting - a gift to readers, and one I appreciate.

The second is set in Lucivar's town. It's the story of Surreal and Prince Rainier healing and moving on from injuries sustained in a prior novel. It also features Lucivar learning to be the leader he needs to be and foiling a coup intended to kill him.

MILD SPOILER: The third is a dark story of a sick-o murdering children. When Queen Sylvia defends her boys from attack, she ends up demon dead (which is kind of like a mindful zombie). The SaDiablo family traps and brutally punishes the murderer, and also brings her children into the fold. Sylvia and the High Lord rekindle their love affair and are married for many years before she fades into the darkness (decides on a final death.)

The last story is the one that killed me. HUGE SPOILER:

It's around 50 years in the future and Jaenelle had died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90 from natural causes. She's seen into the future in the way she has, and prepared everyone for her passing as best she can. Daemon must keep to his promises to Jaenelle to morn only one year and then pull him self together, and eventually date and not become a monk to her memory. A few years later, Saetan, Daemon's and Lucivar's father, now widowed after Sylvia decided on final death a while ago, decides to fade into the darkness in final death after prolonging his life 50,000 years. You can't say the guy doesn't deserve a break, but it's a huge blow to Daemon and also makes him the new High Lord of Hell, in charge of all demon dead, in addition to his mortal territories. Surreal has long been his second in command and is also devastated by these losses. They find solace in each other and get "accidentally" pregnant, though in truth, Jaenelle set the pregnancy in motion ages ago with a spell. Through love for his daughter, Daemon begins to heal, and after many years is healed enough to love his 2nd wife, Surreal. The spirit of Jaenelle lives on in the mist and is a sort of godmother to his daughter, so she's not mortal anymore, but she's not entirely gone either, just mostly inaccessible. It's a gut-wrenching story of grief and loss and slow healing. I can't even think about it without tearing up, but it gives hope.

The author wrote on her website that this is the end of the series, though she reserves the right to come back to this universe in the future. There will be no more stories for Jaenelle Angelina, may she rest in peace. Anne Bishop said she's been writing this series for 20 years and wants to move on to another new series she has ideas about. Again, easy to understand, but very hard to accept when you've loved a group of characters as much as I love the characters in this series. Why can't writers continue your favorite series forever???? Demanding, unreasonable fan I am, I know. So so sad.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the people who are shocked by the spoilers and say it came out of nowhere, really need to go re-read the books.

EDIT 3/3/11 : OMG I loved this book,it reminded me why I loved this series so much! I can't put into words how much I loved all 4 stories; they were all special in different ways, but I got to admit The High Lord's Daughter was by far my favorite!!!!

I know alot of people refuse to read this book because of that story. And you know what? I only have one thing to say to those people; no offence but that's stupid! Sure the deaths were sad; well one death anyway, the other one was selfish. But that didn't even come close to ruining the series for me. Neither did the romance;all the people who are upset about that,really need to give it a chance! If it was anyone else I could understand;but if you didn't see this one coming you were blind. i'm not gonna lie I actually been wanting this to happen since Daughter of the blood. Don't get me wrong I loved Jaenelle/Daemon but I wanted the other two together way before I even considered them as a couple. Because it just makes sense.

Overall an amazing book that all true Black Jewels fans would love!

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this collection of novellas was disappointing, especially considering it's the last Black Jewels novel - almost makes me wish I hadn't read it. It felt, to me, as though there was something missing from the novellas in this volume - there wasn't the same connection to the characters that I've come to know and love and their relationships and interactions with one another seemed to fall flat in places.

I'll admit the events of the last novella, The High Lord's Daughter, have influenced my reaction to this book. While I'm a huge supporter of the Jaenelle and Daemon relationship, it wasn't the fact he moved on that bugged me about the last story - it bothered me that he moved on with a character I'd come to see as a sister/cousin to him thanks to various mentions of them being family in the previous books, so that felt a bit weird, and it bothered me that his daughter was basically Jaenelle mark 2, even in her name. That, in my eyes, wasn't necessary - it would have been enough for him to have a daughter and form a bond with her and interesting to see that relationship dynamic; she didn't need to be a dreams made flesh replica. Jaenelle Angelline was loved and such an interesting character because she was unique and should have, in this reader's eyes, stayed that way.

In closing, I've loved the Black Jewels series since I first stumbled on it six years ago. I'm not sure now, having read how it all ends, if I'll still be able to enjoy rereading it as much as I have in the past and would therefore recommend other fans of the series stay away from these stories - the Black Jewels universe can exist and be loved without them.

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

This finale of the series totally broke my heart. I've been so betrayed by one of my Top/Favorite authors. Sure ~ they are her characters. But I've my legitimate claim on Jaenelle/Witch and Daemon/the Sadist, too. Luckily, I can use the word "zuulaman" as a verb. I've now zuulamaned that SS female! Gone! I don't need her to have Jaenelle Saetien 💕 Because this is an Amazing Fantasy 💖

This just dawned on me after another sleepless night of being haunted by Daemon and Witch.

Witch's True Self:
"The tiny spiral horn in the center of her forehead. The golden mane that wasn't quite fur and wasn't quite hair. The delicate pointed ears.

I finished the entire series in about three weeks or so. Rated every book Five Amazing Stars. Now I'll go to my notebook and grieve. I'll hold the Ever-Lasting Mourning Ceremony for Jaenelle/Witch and Daemon/the Sadist, my Beloved HEA couple ~ who were so betrayed by their creator, who should've protected them and done right by them. But allow me repeat anyway: This is an amazing F-A-N-T-A-S-Y 🔥

[Mitticus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Twilight's Dawn es una serie de 4 relatos que suceden después de la trilogía principal Black Jewels.

-"Winsold Gifts" es bastante sencillo, siguiendo la dinámica de la familia SaDiablo en el periodo de las fiestas que equiparan a Navidad (incluso con el arbol) bastante fluff. aunque es despues de lo ocurrido en la casa encantada y sus consecuencias,

-"Shades of Honor" demuestra algo más , sobre todo porque habla de la sociedad Eyrien, y por fin sé con certeza que le ocurre a Falonar (quien desaparece según sabemos por los libros de Shalador y Shadow Queen). Todo el rato estoy preguntandome como en otras ocasiones porque sencillamente no disponen de él, sabiendo que es un traidor que da la mano y apuñala por detrás, pero aqui vemos una vez más que se deja a la gente decidir que haran y a quien seguir mientras ocurren esas cosas. Para nadie es un secreto que Lucivar siempre ha sido mi favorito, y es interesante esta novella .
Aqui salen tambien Surreal y Rainier sufriendo despues de la casa encantada de Tangled Webs

-"Family" presenta una traición a Queen Sylvia , y estoy todo el rato nooo. Muestra además que pasa con sus hijos Beron y Mikal después de eso. Y Saetan quedando con Sylvia lo que es bittersweet

y

SPOILERS SPOILERS

-"The High Lord's Daughter" es la razón de que no haya leído este libro hasta ahora. Muchos fans de esta serie en su momento nos quedamos enojados después de saber que ocurría acá. De hecho creo que todavía estoy en denial. Nunca me gustó como a otros Surreal, asi que el hecho de que después de la muerte de Jaenelle, que Daemon se haya casado con Surreal fue el gran WTF del fandom. A la luz de haber leido ahora la trilogia más cercana con la hija de ambos, puedo leer esto y puedo ver el trainwreck que fue esto desde el comienzo, como amigos con ventaja y... si, pero como esposos, siempre se dice que la única que lo podría haber entendido en todo lo que es él , como Sadist , era es Witch.

Por otra parte me mató la muerte de Saetan, mi personaje favorito de la serie junto Lucivar. Siempre me encantó Saetan, terrible y tierno señor del Infierno. Siempre le echaré de menos.

Un libro para fans-

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, if this is your first Black Jewels novel or first Anne Bishop: STOP. Go back and read at the very least the original trilogy of Daughter of the Blood, Heir of the Shadows and Queen of the Darkness. This book really isn't a standalone. If you read it before the others, it will lose a lot of its impact, you may feel lost, and you will definitely encounter spoilers. I'd also definitely recommend as well that you read Tangled Webs and the novella "Kaeleer's Heart" from the Black Jewels anthology Dreams Made Flesh. If you haven't read the Black Jewels trilogy before, well, if you love dark fantasy I think you're in for a treat. It's an unusual, imaginative, and vividly drawn world and Bishop had a way with her characters that made me fall in love with them.

I admit I squeed inside when I saw Twilight's Dawn in stores and immediately grabbed it. If you do love the Black Jewels books, I doubt you'll be disappointed. The three stars reflects where I'd place it among the other Black Jewels books. I didn't, as with some past books in the series, tear up or laugh-out-loud. I wouldn't put this with my favorites, and I don't think it's as strong as the original trilogy or the three books set in Shalador, but I did enjoy all the stories.

The flyleaf calls this a collection of four novellas. Actually, I'd say the four stories do share an overarching thread and theme, and I'd call two of the stories short novels, particularly Shades of Honor. Fans of the series might remember cryptic comments about Falonar in Shalador's Lady--this tells the story of what happened in a clash between Lucivar and Falonar, as well as the process by which Ranier and especially Surreal heal physically and emotionally from the events of Tangled Web. I loved the subplot about the process by which Surreal healed. I loved less that Bishop made Falonar an out and out villain. I rather liked him in Queen of the Darkness and felt that just because he and Surreal didn't work romantically and Falonar and Lucivar clashed in personality and philosophy didn't mean he had to be the heavy. (And how he acts in this story puts him in the too-stupid-to-live category.)

The two novellas "Winsol Gifts" and "Family" are both entertaining stories, the first, which opens the book, centered on the SaDiablo family on the day which is that world's equivalent of Christmas. Sentimental and sweet. The other, "Family" is darker--a tale of what happens when Sylvia and her family become threatened by a predator.

Finally there's the bittersweet near-novel The High Lord's Daughter, which closes the book. Some indeed might be disappointed with it--those who are of the kind who think love is not love if you can recover from the death of your loved one and heal your heart enough to share it again. I love the story. If I closed the book with mixed feelings, it's because I felt Bishop had finally given closure to the main series characters in this story, and I wonder if we'll see them again. Although I wasn't dissatisfied with the end of Queen of the Shadows, I thought it left a lot of questions about the fate of several characters, and this story answers a lot of those questions.

Edit Looking at the reviews on GoodReads and Amazon, I can see I was right that the last story would provoke a very negative reaction from some. I can't agree with those who call it a "series killer"--and given the ratings, I don't think most readers do either. Frankly, if the developments in the last novella are a shock, then I think you haven't been paying attention, and these events were largely foreshadowed throughout the series. Without getting into spoilers, I can say I don't agree at all with the criticisms of the central romance--but I do rather agree with some criticisms of the title character--that she should have stood on her own, rather than being made into the copy of another character down to the name.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers exist in this review.

There are four short novellas in this novel, and I found them all to be excellent and well in keeping with the other tales from the Black Jewels world. The first story, "Winsol Gifts," is an absolutely delightful story of Jaenelle and Daemon's first winter holiday together, and I was actually laughing out loud at some of the parts. Next up is "Shades of Honor" which follows Lucivar as he deals with a situation in his realm that has been too long in the making. Third is "Family," which is just as dark as the earliest parts of Jaenelle's life, but ends with a few bright spots. Finally, the last story entitled "The High Lord's Daughter" is the story of what happens with Daemon, Surreal, and Saetan after Jaenelle's death. This last story seems to be causing lots of people to be upset, but I found it very good and definitely keeping with the known character of the people written with in it. We all knew Jaenelle was from a more human lifespan race, not one of the milennia-lifespan races, and we all knew that Daemon would outlive her. This is the story of part of what he does after she is gone, and it is both heartwrenching and heartwarming as he moves on with his life. If you're a fan of the Black Jewels universe, this is definitely worth the read. The stories will be entertaining if you're not familiar with the backstory, but a lot of the detail and subtleties will escape you.

[Megzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate it when authors do this kind of crap, build up the characters in so many books and then destroy them not only physically but to go against everything we loved about them and turn them 360 degree around. I would have never touched her books if I knew this is what I am going to get, but I guess it is my fault. After seeing how easily she got rid of all the demon-deads in the 3rd book, I should have known she has no remorse in killing ANY major character but I didn't expect her to kill the main character the books were based on or to turn Daemon into someone completely opposite of who he was. What a shame! I expect such a maneuvers from Fan fiction authors when their work in progress is not getting enough review and they need to create drama to get reviews, but not from someone who had success with a series.

[orannia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caveat: I do get on my soap box with these thoughts on the book (I won't go so far as to call this a review).

Three and a half stars.

When Twilight's Dawn was released last year I, like others, became caught up in the furore over one of the novellas - The High Lord's Daughter. At the time I decided not to read it, so I put it to one side on my library hold list where it has languished until the beginning of this week. And then I picked it up. I like to think that I didn't bring last year's baggage with me. But I did bring expectations. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed the book, but each novella evoked a different response.

The first novella - Winsol Gifts - made me laugh (which is a good thing :) It was the second novella - Shades of Honour - though which was my favourite of the four. Lucivar, Surreal and Rainier are three of my favourite characters (Daemon is the other), so any time spent with them was good. And I liked the premise...I just wish it had been longer. (I think that would be a wish for not just this novella but also the following one - Family. They all suffered [i.e. felt rushed because of the lack of detail] because they were so short.) And...if I'm honest I wasn't a fan of the ending. TBH there haven't been any good (as in scary) villains since the original trilogy. The characters all have so much power that they can deal with most potential villains relatively easily. So...no tension. And this was exactly what happened with Falonar. Daemon swooped in and...game over. It felt anti-climatic.
And...I think Falonar would have suffered more where he was. And..perhaps, put under pressure, he had the potential to change? Kermilla (from Shalador's Lady) was given that chance - why not Falonar? And that's another thing - the characters that enter and exit with no resolution to their story arc. What did happen to Kermilla? Mikael? Rainier?

And that leads me to the High Lord's Daughter. I must confess to never being a massive Jaenelle fan. I don't dislike her, but Daemon, Lucivar & Saetan, and eventually Surreal & Rainier are my favourites. (Whoever said they don't have favourite characters has more willpower than I :) So...we've established that I like Jaenelle, yes? As for her relationship with Daemon? Hmmm...I wouldn't say I was massively invested. I have always approached this series as fantasy rather than
romance novel, although I am invested in Daemon's well-being :) But...Jaenelle was always from one of the short-lived races and so I was aware Daemon would outlive her (although I didn't think the author would actually go there). And I could never work out how Daemon felt about Jaenelle, because it was tied up in how he felt about Witch, although I will concede that at the end of the Queen of Darkness it was Jaenelle he wanted. So...when I realized where the author was going with this novella I wasn't up in arms. Plus, I like Surreal. I have always wanted her to have...something (bearing in mind this isn't necessarily a romance series). But...I have to say...the whole novella left me with an...off feeling. How to explain? As I said, I had no problem with Surreal & Daemon 'together', and in a way it kind of made sense. But...we didn't get any of the slow development of their relationship. The first night they got together I kept thinking 'This feels off'. And that feeling never went away. Surreal never acted like Surreal. This series has never really got inside the characters' heads, but this novella out of all the stories had me feeling...disconnected. It didn't help that the timeline kept changing. I have OCD tendencies. I like to know...stuff. Lots of stuff. And I never felt like I did in this book. How old everyone was. What the timeframe was in relation to..anything. I would love to know more about Protocol. We get snippets, but it's never enough.

And then there is the child. I mean...seriously? Could she be any more...like Jaenelle? Let us count the ways. The name for one. *shakes head* And then she's all precocious (like Jaenelle). And the Kindred make an appearance (like Jaenelle). And she's talking to a 'special friend' (who is Jaenelle/Witch). And then at her Birthright Ceremony (and I still can't work out if Daemonar's Birthright Jewel is Green or his Descended Jewel is Green) she is given a 'special Jewel' - Twilight's Dawn (like Jaenelle). It's like the author killed Jaenelle off, but then missed her so much she all but regurgitates the character. And to make matters worse we have the scene in which Tersa tells Surreal that Jaenelle hadn't come back as Jaenelle Saetian. Seriously? Because (to all intents and purposes) she has. TBH Jaenelle Saetian should have been a boy. And if she had to be female, then she shouldn't have been a Jaenelle replica but been her own character. And to top it all off (in cherry form) we have a whatever of Witch making an appearance to Daemon and telling him it's OK to love Surreal, but that's he'll never be alone in the abyss? Way to go to allow Daemon to 'move on'. Nope. Not. Going. To. Happen. I don't buy how Daemon feels about Surreal because I don't feel he has had time to move on. Moving on doesn't mean not remembering Jaenelle. And I feel cheated on Surreal's behalf because I feel she deserved more. Does any of this make sense? I guess what I'm trying to say is...I have no problem with the premise, but the execution didn't work for me. It all just felt...wrong.

From the comments on the Dear Author review of Twilight's Dawn Anne Bishop is planning more Black Jewel books at some point. I almost feel like she could have stopped the series at Dreams Made Flesh. I enjoyed the Shalador duology, but again...here were these big powerful characters sweeping in and awing everyone. I like the rebuilding/renovation trope, so I would love more along that line. But with new characters.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I wait so very long to read this book? It is because I didn't want the dream to end. When Dream is made Flesh, the world is a fabulous and miraculous place. When the dream ends, what is there left? What is left except desolation and yearning for a something that is never going to come back? There are some series which go on forever and need to end. Then there are some series, one wishes never ends. This is one of the few series which I wished never ended and I've loved every book (except one) and have read all of them so very many times. Does this mean Ms. Bishop is my favourite author? I believe based on quantitative measurements, it is so.

Why do I love this series? It's hard to explain. I love the characters, every single one of them. They are all unique and yet they are bound by a common thread. It's not Jaenelle. It's a sense of honour and loyalty which can not be shaken. This is the end of era in someways and I wasn't ready to let it or these characters go. I know this book is about moving on and tying up the loose ends. For most readers, they must have a happily ever after. Authors end right at that happily ever after to guarantee that experience. I'm not a person that requires a happily ever after. However, in this case, it's not the lack of happily ever that drives me to my knees. It's that Ms. Bishop intrinsically understands death and how it applies to the living. She understands the natural progression of life requires death and she delivers it in a loving manner no matter how devastating the blow. I believe I've cried through this entire book. Each story moved me and breaks my heart just a little as there is loss. Loss of loved ones, loss of innocence, loss of love and loss of family. There is also healing and growth from this loss which makes it bearable. For readers who loved this series, there will be two reactions. Either they are angry at the way Ms. Bishop brings to life what happens after "happily ever after" or they will go through the same pains and sufferings with the characters. I am of the latter which I'm grateful for because I was really fearing being in the former. Which is one of the reason why it took me so long to get to this last book.

Before I read this book, I reread through the original Dark Jewels trilogy. I fell in love again with Daemon, Lucivar and Saetan. These three men are so similar one would think they are interchangeable and yet they are different enough that the three of them together is overwhelming. To be the focus of these three would take a stronger person than me. And that is what I love about Jaenelle as we see her one last time in this collection.

The four stories in this book are fabulous. Secondary characters are featured more and yet the main ones still are just as strongly in the stories. The stories are a window into their life which Ms. Bishop gracious shares. I loved every single story. Each one moved me. What I liked most is the last one despite many who are horrified by the High Lord's daughter. To me, it looks like a possible opening for Ms. Bishop to write another series. This one, perhaps focused on the High Lord's daughter and what is to come. Because the wild kindred are back. As Surreal ponders, what is it they know that the rest of us do not? I wonder too and only hope that a story or two may come of it.

After waiting so long to read this final book and re-reading the first three, I noticed certain parallels between the kindred here and the Others in Ms. Bishop's latest series. This opened my eyes into why her new young adult series resonates so well for me. Because whilst her new series is a completely different symphony, the style and love in it is still the same. This is a lovely final chapter in the lives of characters I've loved for a long time. Perhaps they will return again one day. Highly recommended to fantasy lovers who enjoy great characters told in a lovely and humours manner.

[Manda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning: Anthology

Ok, so I read it, and you know what, I'm glad. The first 3 stories are full of nostalgia and awesome secondary characters, and lets face it: the secondary characters make this series. If Jaenelle and Daemon were it for this series, I would have given up long ago.

But the last story.....
First, one must overcome the incestuous feeling of a relationship between Surreal and Daemon. Daemon was the one that cared for Surreal as a child. he got her into school, gave her a place to live, etc. Remember that seen in the original trilogy where surreal tries to convince Daemon to sleep with her because it would be a "feather in her cap"? Remember how uncomfortable that situation was? Yeah, so lets decide to basis a marriage on that feeling. Great.
Next lets discuss how creepy naming your new child after your dead wife is. And then the ghost of your dead wife participates in the upbringing of that child. I suppose that in this series, this turn of plot is not uncalled for, but I must admit to some eye-rolling at the notion.
Daemon had long ago lost my interest. truth be told, he never had much of it to begin with. But Surreal, Surreal used to be a favourite. And yes, Tangled Webs killed much of the joy that was Surreal... but she was slowly making her way back into cool in the later books.... well, at least not lame. But this! reduced to groveling for Daemon's affection? Competing for Jeanelle 2.0's attention? No longer murdering people? "For shame!" I say
Saten dying and daemon becoming the High Lord was a good story, but Daemon marring Surreal and having Jeanelle 2.0 was not! I didn't want a happy ending, but that is what Ms. Bishop awkwardly wrote.

[Jenn Nelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like I was reading really bad fan fiction. I could have saved my money and found this on fanfiction.net. very disappointing

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

so i skimmed through this before i started seriously reading it, because i admit it - i read the spoilers. i knew what was coming. i was totally horrified and stunned by what was going to happen and i wasn't sure how i felt about the idea of it at all BUT... i love this series. so i bought the book, and sat down to read the last novella first. yes, i know, but still. i had to.

what i found very much surprised me. i loved it. it made me cry, but it really worked. i bought it all, hook line and sinker.

we all knew that jaenelle was going to die well before daemon. he is from one of the long lived races, she is from one of the short, and there has never been any indication that witch, in spite of her massive amounts of power, is capable of extending her lifespan past that of any other short lived person. i was actually far more upset about saeten. he is already dead for goodness sake! couldn't he stick around for the children who are still alive? it depressed me that he would choose to end his life deliberately just because jaenelle dies. it seems so selfish and unlike him. i mean really, what about poor daemon? as if he wasn't destroyed enough already! drink the blood wine already, and fade away *after* your very highly strung and incredibly powerful totally devastated child has had a few decades to recover!

all of the novellas in this book have hints about what is to come. it does a good job of subtly bringing to the fore surreal's feelings for daemon, and by the time we get to last book i was more than resigned to her fate.

i hated the fact that surreal - who i have adored from the first - does not get her own huge flamingly wonderful love story, it broke my heart that she gets her happy ending but she will always be second best. at the same time, i really can't imagine who else could she have ended up with. who else could put up with her strength and crabbiness. who else knows her inside and out and doesn't hold any of her past against her... who else could put up with daemon, for that matter!

and daemon, well he needed someone who knew HIM, who he is and what he could do. he needs someone who knew the self he left behind in terreille. i was GLAD he could turn to surreal. she is perfect for him, even though he isn't particularly perfect for her, at least at first. no he will never love surreal the way he loved jaenelle, but he loves her. he loves her almost as much, even if it is different, and she is going to be around for a good long while.

i'm going to be picturing them happily off in the future, with more children and a whole slew of the kindred. even if it doesn't happen in a book it's happening in my head, and i am quite happy that way :)

[PlotBunnyAdvocate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise, surprise, I loved another of the Anne Bishop stories set in this Black/Dark Jewels world. The only negatives I can think of to say is: I want more!!! and I wish it had a short of Saetan's early life, we have gotten hints throughout the series, and bits and pieces, but he's such an interesting character (to me he's only second to Surreal in my favorites). Actually, thinking on that, I'd have also liked a short on the early life of Tersa, a later story of Rainier, more on Cassidy, etc etc etc, such wonderful characters are developed that you want to know everything of all their lives.

Well, bah, I was trying to write an actual review and comment on specific parts, but I started glancing through the book for specifics to write on, and now I'm getting sucked into it again and must read this, if not all of these once more.

I do have to say, in response to the ones complaining about a particular relationship that develops in the last story: To those thinking it came out of nowhere I have to ask: Really? Did you read the other books? Did you not observe the very natural trend of friendship eventually leading to more? This occurs over and over again (Where does friendship develop into more you ask? Why look at Marian & Lucivar, Saetan & Sylvia, Cassidy & Gray, I'm sure there are others I can't think of to name, and friendships developing into intense love that may not be a romantic love but are not in any way less than loving relationships.) Yes, maybe it didn't take so long in other cases, but the hints are there through the series.

I'll try to write a real review at a later point, but as for now, I must re-immerse myself in this series and wish to all the literary muses that they strike the author and force her to write more books for me to purchase very very soon.

*Years later edit ;) If you liked this series you may want to look into the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, it has the dark fantasy, snark, violence, and later in the series both magic, and phrases and mannerisms that feels like the author read and appreciated Anne Bishop's Jewels Books and let it influence her. Would also recommend Uprooted by Naomi Novik, does not have the same flavor of Bishop and Maas, but was a pleasant find while in a wait for publication dates.

[Ruman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like skipped Winsol Gifts, Shades of Honor, and Family. Its not that I found it uninteresting, it's just that I really wanted to read about The High Lord's Daughter - and after reading that, I could not bear reading the first three stories because, frankly, I'm fairly disappointed with it.
Jaenelle dies. Daemon is left "alone" - family is the only comfort, but even then it's not much. Surreal loves Daemon - has loved him since she was a little girl. Daemon sleeps with random women for release. Surreal and Daemon sleep together when Saetan dies. Surreal gets pregnant. Daemon and Surreal marry. Daemon realizes his love for Surreal (obviously not like his love for Jaenelle) when their daughter Jaenelle Satien has her Birthright Ceremony.
Daemon is completely out of character by sleeping with other women. Surreal is no longer the sassy and snarky assassin; nope, she's a housewife (but not as awesome as Marian).
I am disappointed; I really do not like it that Jaenelle dies - I really wish she was one of the long-lived races like Daemon.

[MasterSal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the next book in the series so I am looking forward to seeing if I still like / love this series.

This particular collection of short stories ended a pretty good run of books. The first couples were actually enjoyable but the last one - the infamous High Lord’s Daughter - was pretty awful.

The issue is not that characters die or that the story moves on, but when you stuff an entire novel worth of plot into a short story you are unlikely to do justice to the characters. And for everyone who says that this is fantasy and characters die etc etc. - I would counter that this is more fantasy-romance and the draw is the characters. The love story between Janelle and Daemon is such a big part of the draw for me, that killing her off and giving Daemon another love interest felt cheap. It also didn’t help that it reduced Surreal into just another love interest pining after Daemon. She deserved a fully fleshed out love story all of her own.

Still - I am going to read the next book.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm finally fed up. I didn't even realize this book was also made up of 4 novella's until I started reading.

Truthfully I'm not okay with Daemon and Surreal ending up married with children. I shit you not.

This is a piss poor way for you to fuck with a trilogy that turned into a somewhat series, with bullshit novella's that tried to explain crap the author left out.

I'm not finishing this copper penny shit that has been tarnished and tried to shine back up. Figure out your fucking series ahead of time author. Don't go back with shitty novella's after the fact to close out story line's. Make it linear, otherwise leave it a trilogy.

If the Other's (series by Anne Bishop) has this issue, I'm done with the author.

[Imalady · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible ending. This is the way to do it when you want to lose the faith of your readers. I enjoyed the original trilogy (despite the Mary-sueing, easily thwarted plots made unnecc. convoluted, eye-roll inducing moments etc), but High Lord's Daughter basically soured me on the whole series (wish I was aware of this ending before I even started the series). I feel for those who actually read and waited as these books were released only to have garbage as your ending.

I can only think something soured for the author on the way to writing that last story.