THE SHADOW QUEEN is part of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series. About the book:

In a tumultuous world ruled by witches and warlocks who wear their power as jewels, one Queen’s chance at redemption is the last hope for a desperate people…

Dena Nehele is a land decimated by its past. Once it was ruled by corrupt Queens who were wiped out when the land was cleansed of tainted Blood. Now, only one hundred Warlord Princes stand—without a leader and without hope…

Theran Grayhaven is the last of his line, desperate to find the key that reveals a treasure great enough to restore Dena Nehele. But first he needs to find a Queen who knows Protocol, remembers the Blood’s code of honor, and lives by the Old Ways.

Languishing in the Shadow Realm, Lady Cassidy is a Queen without a court, a castoff. She is not beautiful. She thinks she is not strong. But when she is chosen to rule Dena Nehele, she must convince bitter men to serve once again.

Theran’s cousin Gray is a Warlord Prince who was damaged in mind and body by the vicious Queens who once ruled Dena Nehele. Yet something about Cassidy makes him want to serve—and makes him believe he can be made whole once again.

And only Cassidy can prove to Gray—and to herself—that wounds can heal and even the whisper of a promise can be fulfilled…

If you've been reading this blog for more than five minutes, you've probably heard me singing the praises of Anne Bishop's original Black Jewels Trilogy at least once or twice. THE SHADOW QUEEN is set in the same world as the original trilogy and features many of the characters, though the main story is not focused on them. The main plot is closely related to THE INVISIBLE RING, another great book set in the Black Jewels world.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt the last visit to the Black Jewels world was more of an action-based peek in on the characters but in THE SHADOW QUEEN, we see Bishop getting back to the character-centric storytelling she really excels at. There are new developments in old relationships (Jaenelle, Daemon, Saetan) all of which continue to add an unexpected but welcome depth and growth to the characters. Cassidy's story is classic Black Jewels material and fans of the original trilogy will appreciate the new take on an existing Queen/court dynamic.

All in all, a very satisfying read with several heart-tugging moments. Go! Buy! Love! (And for heaven's sake, if you haven't read the original trilogy, please do! You won't regret it.)