The Black Jewels Series

A landmark step in feminist fiction, this dark fantasy series is unlike anything you've ever read. Bishop takes the physical and typical differences between men and women, highlights rather than diminishes them, and creates a world in which they are acknowledged and accepted. Her work is dark, though. The sexuality is especially dark. It's more of a tool of power rather than meant to be a loving act of any kind. From pedophiles, rape, and incest to torture… it's pretty heavy. Janelle begins as a child, destined to become the greatest witch queen that's ever lived, and this is her twisted, powerful, painful crossing into that role. She is at times cute, at other moments creepy, and at still others downright scary. The fact that she is continually being rescued by the men in her posse knocks it down a few levels on this list for me, but it's touted as a great triumph in feminist fantasy, and it's well-loved by those who enjoy some seriously disturbing storytelling, so it can hang out.

Books in The Black Jewels Series (10)

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Other books by Bishop, Anne

The Black Jewels Series

Heir To The Shadows

"Heir to the Shadows" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 1999 and is the second book in the "Black Jewels" series.The "Black Jewels"... Read more

Queen Of The Darkness

"Queen of the Darkness" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2000 and is the third and final book in the "Black Jewels" trilogy.The... Read more

The Invisible Ring

"The Invisible Ring" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2000 and is a standalone novel set in the same universe as the "Black... Read more

Dreams Made Flesh

"Dreams Made Flesh" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2005 and is a collection of four novellas set in the same universe as... Read more

Tangled Webs

"Tangled Webs" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2008 and is the fourth book in the "Black Jewels" series.The novel follows the story... Read more

The Shadow Queen

"The Shadow Queen" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2009 and is a standalone novel set in the same universe as the "Black... Read more

Shalador's Lady

"Shalador's Lady" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2010 and is the fifth book in the "Black Jewels" series.The novel follows the story... Read more

Twilight's Dawn

"Twilight's Dawn" is a fantasy novel by American author Anne Bishop. It was published in 2011 and is the ninth book in the "Black Jewels" series.The "Black Jewels" series is... Read more

The Black Jewels

Three words to describe the Black Jewels Trilogy: Over the top. Terrible things happen in this book, but they're written with so much drama that you can't take them too... Read more

Tangled Webs

The Shadow Queen

Etched In Bone

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shape-shifters and vampires far more powerful than... Read more