Anne Bishop – Shalador’s Lady

The seventh book in the Black Jewels series, published March 2010.



For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. Now that their land has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore it and prove her ability to rule.

But even if Lady Cassidy succeeds, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land-and Lady Cassidy-forever...


Today I have re-read this great book, again. And I still love it. It still has the power to make me cry or laugh. I love Cassidy as a Queen, and Gray who is coming into his own, just so he can be with her. I still dislike Theran and his blindness because Cassy is not pretty as he thinks a Queen has to be. But of course, pretty is as pretty does, and his beloved Queen Kermilla may have a beautiful face and good manners, but she is a very bad Queen.
Yes, I admire Cassy for what she does for the land and the people of Shalador, and how they slowly learn to trust her with their secrets. How her first Circle learns what it takes to stand for their Queen and Court.

I will probably read this book many more times, and am really looking forward to the next instalment in this wonderful series.

If you like Fantasy with some romance in it, try the Black Jewels books. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. Anne Bishop has a great writing style, she really sucks you into her world and won’t let go. The main and secondary characters she has created are unique and awesome.

9,5 stars.