Tangled Webs (Black Jewels)

Tangled Webs is a continuation that takes place after the short stories in Dreams Made Flesh. The plot mainly focuses on Surreal, with lots of character involvement from Lucivar, Janelle, Damian and others. It provides a larger view into what normal life is like for the Blood, as well as having a murder mystery type story to solve.

The plot is convoluted, which fits with the mystery, but it does not flow smoothly. Along with the expected excitement, there are spots where you feel the characters are not acting in character.

I enjoyed it overall, but am looking forward to the next book.

So I really loved the Black Jewels Trilogy and The Invisible Ring only to be thrown off completely by her next two world-building attempts. The Gaian series and Sebastian/Belladonna were terrible and I was so close to giving up on an author I had considered a favorite... but here she is, incredible again. Although we are revisiting the Blood, the storyline is very different from the previous four stories (plus Surreal's short story that's republished here) that we've seen before from this world. However, having said that, it was incredibly enjoyable, and it was wonderful to return to Kaeleer to see how our favorite characters are doing after the purge. I highly recommend this one, even if you, too, had nearly given up on Anne.

Without a doubt, the Black Jewels trilogy is dark fantasy at its best. After reading the first book alone, it became clear that Bishop excelled in world building and characterization; Daemon and Lucivar are impossible to forget, and the rest of the cast is just as dynamic. But the emphasis is solidly on fantasy elements in the original trilogy. With Tangled Webs Bishop has, to an extent, created a mainstream Black Jewels book that introduces the hook and tension of a suspense novel into the plot. Therefore, a comparison can hardly be drawn, especially since the quality of writing is still present. Speaking for myself, I immediately fell back into the world of the Blood; it was like I had never spent time away. Once I began, there was no putting the book aside. I had to finish it. And I did - in one sitting.

Tangled Webs takes a close look at Lucivar and Daemon, and their various relationships; it was a look that I thoroughly enjoyed, and in fact want more of. Surreal takes center stage in "the spooky house" and thus the suspense arc of the plot. She was a good one to throw in there, too, as her sharp tongue and even sharper attitude heightens the tension. My one complaint - and it is a minor one at that - is that their adversary could have been more lethal, more dangerous, without the use of props in the house. There's nothing quite like "watching" Lucivar and/or Daemon stalk their prey.

Overall, I was more than satisfied with this offering; in fact, I loved it. And while I think readers unfamiliar with this world would benefit from reading the trilogy first, I also believe that Tangled Webs is accessible, that it's a kinder introduction to a brutal society. As for established fans, well, it's what you make of it. If you go into it expecting the same thing, the same feel, of the original Black Jewels books you may or may not be let down. Tangled Webs is different, not for better or worse, it's just different, but if you love the characters I think you'll enjoy it, as well.

After reading some of the other reviews about this book, i decided to write my own. Many of the reviews i read were very negative and critical, but personally, this book did not disappoint me in the least. I have read every one of Anne Bishop's novels in The Black Jewels Series, and have yet to read one that i didn't absolutely love. This novel, just like the five previous ones in the series, was amazing. The story was full of suspense and went very quickly, and I think the negative reviews are very misleading. I hope anyone who enjoyed the other novels will not hesitate to read this one, it is worth it.

Queen Jaenelle Angelline fashioned what she calls a "silly, spooky" fun house that lampoons the magically gifted Bloods. Lady Surreal SaDiablo and magic practitioner Warlord Prince Rainier receive special invitations to tour her creation.

However, neither Surreal nor Rainier is aware that Jaenelle has not sent out any invitations. Insane Jarvis Jenkell has recently learned he is of the Blood too and has developed a maniac plan to inspire his writing of novels. He has built a dangerous haunted house in which he plans to trap Bloods and observe their tribulations; thus he invited Surreal, Rainer and several children, who arrive for the gala only to find themselves in a life and death struggle to survive. Jaenelle's husband Daemon Sadi and his half-brother Lucivar desperately try to free their loved ones from Jarvis' diabolical house of horrors.

The latest Black Jewels fantasy thriller (see DREAMS MADE FLESH) is an excellent action-packed tale that grips readers once the tour of hell begins and never slows down until the final confrontation. The story line is fast-paced and the cast seem real. However, what makes TANGLE WEB great is the Blood magic seems plausible so much so that readers will feel trapped inside Jenkell's house of horrors.

Harriet Klausner

I was vastly disappointed in Tangled Webs. Other people have shared similar views regarding the plot and story line so I won't go into that further. I would just like to add that for me it was very clear that it is unlikely Anne Bishop even wrote this book. In every nuance it screamed 'inexperienced writer' and as we know, Anne Bishop herself writes beautifully. No, I'm afraid this is yet another example of a writer who has someone else write for them, an understudy as it were. What it means is the quality we expect is not there. I am very glad I got the book from the library and did not pay money for it.

This is a book definitely written for the already-won fans of the Black Jewels Trilogy. It is wonderful to catch up with favorite old characters and there are plenty of juicy tidbits about everyone's lives after the war to make the fans happy. The plot of the novel is a little contrived, and one never feels that the main characters are ever really in jeopardy, as they were in the original novels (The Black Jewels: Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood / Heir to the Shadows / Queen of the Darkness). Still, it's an exciting story with plenty of action and a very rewarding read overall. I hope to see much more of the SaDiablo family in Ms. Bisop's future writings.

Well.... it's a return to characters I adored... but it's sort of, like, she's not inspired by them anymore. Phrases and concepts that were edgy and integral in the first books are tired and rote in this one; I get the feeling too many people begged her to write another story with these characters in this world so she complied, and it just doesn't work.

This book was very disappointing, none of the magic of the original series was in this book. While discussing it with a friend we came to the conclusion that it was like reading a fanfic composed by a 14-year-old, none of Bishop's depth or skill to be found. The book felt forced and contrived. I don't understand why they published it in this condition, surely it could have been re-worked to actually be interesting.

Tangled Webs: A Black Jewels Novel (Black Jewels)

Ann Bishop has done it again.This new part to her black jewels novels is a must read if you loved the first four. I was up all night until it was done as it kept me wanting to know how it ended.MS. Bishop never lets you down she takes you to other worlds and beyond.

If you liked the Dark Jewels Trilogy, don't taint your love of it with this book. It smells of a publishing quota and has wrung all imagination and whimsy out of the Trilogy.

The premise of the book is a Bad Idea--that Surreal and Rainier get trapped in a haunted house. The characters that were lovingly crafted in the Trilogy get drained past demon-dead in this novel, becoming mere puppets. Anne Bishop is no Jacqueline Carey, but she's better than this sad dishrag of a novel.

I loved the Black Jewels trilogy as well as Dreams made Flesh, and have reread them many times. This latest offering was horrible, with a ridiculous plot centered on a haunted house of all things. I was very disappointed with this book and feel cheated out of the cost of the hardback. I would definitely NOT recommend this book to anyone.

My book was mailed via USPS on Decenber 31, 2008. As of January 28, 2009 I have yet to receive it. All I get from the seller is an apology for the US mail being so slow. Since there is no tracking record for this book I don't know what to do. I paid for it up front so I'm left in limbo. Has anyone had this experience and did they ever receive their product?
Unhappy in California

Love all of the Black Jewel Series, I actually purchased them at this time for my sister as a Christmas gift. My sister had read the first 3 but hadn't had the opportunity to read any of the others so I purchased the entire series for her. She loved the first 3, I'm sure this one will be no different. These books are definitely not for the kindhearted and I would describe them as dark and disturbing for most of the series, they can be graphic, horrifying, fantastic, whimsical, saddening and much much more. I have found myself actually laughing out loud, and crying so hard I had to put them away for a while. I've read and reread them probably close to 10 times and can say that I feel they blow most other writers and writing styles out of the water. Everyone is all about 50 Shades of Gray for its sexual content and heat but, in my opinion, nothing beats these books in that aspect as well as many others, I find myself wishing I could step through the pages and live in their world. These books are definitely something you read with an open mind and they are by no means written for children. Tangled Webs is a nice change of pace I think because it makes you see how vulnerable the characters really are, and that even some of the strongest characters can be caught off guard.