Heir to The Shadows by Anne Bishop
Narrator: John Sharian
Series: The Black Jewels #2
Published by Penguin Audio
Published on: August 7, 2007
Genres: Fantasy
Length: 18 hrs & 52 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | GoodReads
Enough time has passed for the young girl Jaenelle, heir to the magical Darkness, for her physical wounds to heal, while amnesia keeps her frightening memories at bay. But with Saetan--a Black-Jewelled Warlord Prince and Jaenelle's foster-father--to protect her, she will continue to grow. Her magic will mature. Her memories will return. And Jaenelle will face her destiny when she remembers Daemon, Saetan's son, who made the ultimate sacrifice for her love....
 |
 |
 |
It took me a full year to build up the courage to listen to HEIR TO THE SHADOWS after being thoroughly traumatized by book 1. I really love Anne Bishop’s THE OTHERS series, and I’m a firm believer in second chances when it comes to authors, so after twelve months of mental preparation, here we go again. It’s with a massive sigh of relief that I write this review because A) no nightmares & B) this installment was a vast improvement upon the previous one. It was slow paced, and was more about the dialogue than the action, but we’re definitely getting somewhere.
This novel concentrated on Jaenelle’s road to recovery; after two years in a coma, she must battle her way back to sanity, and then take the necessary steps in order to become the Queen she was meant to be. The story followed Angelline from the age of twelve to twenty, so it’s best to minimize the number of sessions spent reading this book in order to avoid confusing the timeline. Lots of character development takes place, both where the protagonist was concerned as well as the secondaries, and all of the chess pieces were brought to the fore, including the kindred—wolves, unicorns & dragons!
Even though THE BLACK JEWELS series now has nine volumes under its wing, it was originally a trilogy, so this installment felt like it was the limbo between books 1 & 3 which explains its lack of major intrigue. By the end of this novel everything was in place for an earth-shaking payoff, except the love interest. Daemon Sadi was off in cuckoo land, but other than that I was able to better appreciate Bishop’s Dark Fantasy because this story was minus the truly heinous tidbits; however that doesn’t mean that the author dons kid gloves. Every character is still fair game.
John Sharian’s narration didn’t creep me out nearly as much as it did in DAUGHTER OF THE BLOOD. I still question the producer’s decision to go with a male voice for this series, but Angelline’s entourage is a sausage fest, so with the more disturbing aspects behind us, he’s growing on me. Sharian’s ominous tone actually worked to his advantage when he mimicked Jaenelle’s ‘midnight voice’, and I thought that he was reasonably adept at keeping the plethora of personas separate, although he does goof on occasion, and slips into his staple timbre when he shouldn’t.
HEIR TO THE SHADOWS was almost good. I’m eager for Anne Bishop to bring it home with QUEEN OF THE DARKNESS.
  My Review |
  |
  |
  |
|
  |
  |
  |
  |
  |
Was this review helpful to you? If so, please vote for it on Amazon or like it on GoodReads!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I’ve been wanting to re-read the original trilogy for awhile. I have/read them in an omnibus so all three at once. I just remember loving the set but definitely a dark series.
Kristina D recently posted…mini Reviews ~ Night Shift
I really like Bishop’s writing as well but I have only tried her Other series but I have liked it so far!
I had no idea book on of this series traumatized you! You are brave to give it another go. Glad it worked out for you this time. 😉
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett
I still have not read book 1
blodeuedd recently posted…The Pyre – David Hair
I loved the Others series as well and so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one. It’s a bit intimidating being a long series, but I’m glad it improved upon the first book.
Jeann recently posted…Chatterbox: A Book Hoarders Mentality
This sounds really interesting but its a shame about the lack of intrigue! I’m curious to read your thoughts on book 1 – did you review it previously?
A great review! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Jesse’s Girl (Hundred Oaks) by Miranda Kenneally
I still need get to this series. I didn’t realize there were so many in it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong
I’m impressed that the narrator was able to creep you out with his narration of the first audiobook. Would I be scared to go to bed if I read the novels? I have a low scary tolerance XD
Kris recently posted…Review: In a Dark Wood by Joseph Luzzi
I have the most love for The Others series so I’m rather curious to check something else by Anne Bishop, but reading that the first book in this series was so traumatic, even if this second installment wasn’t, it really gives me pause!
Pili recently posted…The Broken Hearts Society of Suite 17C by LeighAnn Kopans Blog Tour!!