Veena’s review of The Queen’s Bargain (Black Jewels, Book 10) by Anne Bishop
Paranormal Romance published by Ace 10 Mar 20

Be careful what you wish for! Like many fans out there, I was very disappointed when Ms. Bishop brought the Black Jewels series to an end.  I was very excited to see this book and to learn that there are more stories to be told in the Black Jewels world, but….change is inevitable and we can’t really ever go back. But, even so, I will say that I have very mixed feelings about this return….

The Sa Diablo family – or what is left of it – continues to live in much the same fashion as they did before. Surreal and Daemon have found peace and contentment in the love of their daughter and in their marriage, but an unexpected twist throws things for a loop and definitely not in a good way. Thank god for family and unexpected old friends who come to the rescue in unexpected fashions. But, as they say, a price must be paid for all things and for some the price may be too steep.

Jillian, the young Eyrian witch, is growing up. For years she has run freely in Lucivar’s home, but suddenly her new maturity reacts to Lucivar’s sexuality. Looking outside her home, she discovers a young man in her local village whom she wants to experiment with. Unfortunately, this young man is using compulsion spells, and trouble is suddenly knocking on Lucivar and Marian’s well-ordered lives.

While Lucivar, Daemon, Tersa, and Marian still retain the old core of honor and family that was the emotional heart of the original series, the way some of the other characters have grown and are portrayed in the story with the same feeling and connection does not seem to exist.  Daemon’s daughter Janelle might be dreams-made flesh, but she is a far cry from her namesake in her character and goodness. She does wear the twilight dawn and Daemon will have to quickly grow from an indulgent father into a strong teacher and guide in order to ensure that Janelle grows up in the tradition of the Sa Diablos who have gone before her.

Surreal is the character who I find the most irritating. When we originally met Surreal in the series, she kind of grew on me. However, in this book I wanted to hit her over the head for the blockhead she is.  She has all the support that she can possibly need, yet she acts like a mean girl toward Daemon and then a wise woman of the world at other times with every one else.

As always, Ms. Bishop does a masterful job of painting the light and dark of the human psyche, and there are some laughs to be had with the demon dead queen of Little Weeble. Karla, one of my favorite witches, is back as a demon dead witch, and god help all of the queens under Lucivar’s leash that she’s going to be his administrative contact for.  Another favorite is Chaosti, who is also now demon dead and still a good friend to Daemon.

So much has changed and yet some things remain the same. This book definitely reads like a set-up book to a new story arc, so, readers, sit back relax and enjoy the ride.

Grade: B

Summary:

POWER HAS A PRICE. SO DOES LOVE.

Return to the dark, sensual, and powerful world of the Black Jewels in this long-awaited new story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga.

After a youthful mistake, Lord Dillon’s reputation is in tatters, leaving him vulnerable to aristo girls looking for a bit of fun. To restore his reputation and honor, he needs a handfast–a one-year contract of marriage. He sets his sights on Jillian, a young Eyrien witch from Ebon Rih, who he believes has only a flimsy connection to the noble society that spurned him. Unfortunately for Dillon, he is unaware of Jillian’s true connections until he finds himself facing Lucivar Yaslana, the volatile Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.

Meanwhile, Surreal SaDiablo’s marriage is crumbling. Daemon Sadi, the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, recognizes there is something wrong between him and Surreal, but he doesn’t realize that his attempt to suppress his own nature in order to spare his wife is causing his mind to splinter. To save Daemon, and the Realm of Kaeleer if he breaks, help must be sought from someone who no longer exists in any of the Realms–the only Queen powerful enough to control Daemon Sadi. The Queen known as Witch.

As Jillian rides the winds of first love with Dillon, Daemon and Surreal struggle to survive the wounds of a marriage turned stormy–and Lucivar has to find a way to keep everyone in his family safe…even from each other.

Read an excerpt.