The invitation is signed "Jaenelle Angelline," and it summons her family to a special soiree. But when her guests enter the house, they find themselves trapped in a living nightmare created by the Black Widow witch--and if they try to use Craft as protection, they risk being sealed in the house forever. But Jaenelle did not send the invitation. And now she and the rest of her family must rescue the others inside--and then find out who has created such a place, and why...
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"Another quick read from Anne Bishop. This book, while following also a Black Jewels Novel, is a story within the larger story of the Black Jewels. If you enjoy Anne Bishop, then you've enjoyed the Black Jewels novels, and this just continues along that path of good and distracting reading."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
" A nice visit into the Black Jewels realms but not as amazing as the original trilogy. "
— Martina, 2/20/2014" I've you've made it through the original trilogy and are looking for more, this is an entertaining little story. Romantic, dark and melodramatic to the point of ridiculous (which is something I like at times - it's part of what escapist reading is all about). The villain is somewhat Mary Sue-ish (which was a nice twist, even though he was flat as most of her villains) and I encountered another haunted house plot device in a Tanya Huff book I read a few years ago, so I could've wished for something a little more original, but it's nice to see Bishop enjoying her characters and looking for new ways to heal them. "
— Cindywho, 2/18/2014" Love this just as much as all the others in the series. I was hoping there would be a little more detail about Jaenelle and Marian's spooky house but I did really enjoy the story. Also I would have liked a little more story about Jarvis but overall I love the book. "
— Whitnie, 2/17/2014" It was dark, even for Bishop. Children dying and torture are not my choices for pleasure reading. But Bishop's world is excellent and her characters are engaging as always. "
— Liz, 1/30/2014" Another book I really wanted to like, but didn't do much for me. I loved the trilogy that started this series off, but I read it a few years ago. Though this story picks up with familiar characters, I didn't feel like they were the characters I remembered. And a lot of the story felt contrived. There was so much the reader didn't get to see. And there was real understanding or depth to the villan, which made me not really care. I have to say I felt like this was a weak installment in a generally good series. "
— Lauryn, 1/23/2014" This is a nice little sequel book, a peek at "what happened after" the events in Bishop's big Black Jewels trilogy. The centerpiece is a haunted house trap set up for some of the lesser characters in the main story. There's a novelist who discovers that he's of "the Blood" and considers himself slighted by those with more power who laugh at his ignorance and pretensions. So he decides to get his revenge, and do some research for his next book. Two of the trilogy characters are trapped (the assassin/prostitute and the gay Warlord Prince) with a number of ordinary human children in this deadly house, and every time they use magic, one of the escapes closes. They wind up getting rescued by Lucivar, but it's a good rescue. Most of the emotional content belongs to the heros and heroines of the original trilogy, but everybody gets some good stuff. It's a nice little read. "
— Gail, 12/28/2013" Not as good as her books of short stories about the Blood. "
— Mary, 12/15/2013" The Black Jewels series gets ever richer - this time another member of the SaDiablo family gets centre stage - Surreal. Another fascinating tale. "
— Maggie, 11/20/2013" I enjoyed this book in the series the most. I can only stand the snarling, growling males so much and this was a much needed break from them. Oh, they were there, just not as dominate as in the other books of the series. "
— Joyce, 10/24/2013" I loved Anne Bishops Black Jewels Trilogy so much, I'm disappointed her editor doesn't seem to feel a need to give her feedback anymore. The characters are still fun. The situations are a little goofy. "
— jess7ica, 10/24/2013" I don't know why I keep reading her books. They're characteristically trite, but I find myself checking their availability at the library anyway. "
— Bonny, 4/29/2013" It was great to catch up to what has been happening to all the main characters in the Black Jewels Trilogy. The plot is a little far-fetched, but the book is still very good. "
— Gaynell, 2/13/2013" This is a continuation of a series that I've really enjoyed. Highly recommend if you like sexually charged fantasy with a bit of D/s thrown in. "
— Chris, 11/28/2012" Wish there was more to this. I wanted the stories to continue. "
— Jessi, 11/10/2012" Anne Bishop continues to milk her otherwise excellent Black Jewels trilogy. "
— Jason, 5/9/2012" I love that this story focuses on Surreal. She was one of my favorite characters from the original trilogy. "
— Dani, 1/30/2012" Surreal trapped in a haunted house specifically designed to kill the Blood. Not as gripping as the original Black Jewels trilogy, but an entertaining read around this time of year. "
— Wielli, 1/26/2012" This one was pretty good. It was nice to visit the much beloved characters but didn't have the feel of "epic" that the original trilogy and even the subsequent book of short stories had. Still, not a bad read all in all. "
— Suz, 6/22/2011" This one was pretty good. It was nice to visit the much beloved characters but didn't have the feel of "epic" that the original trilogy and even the subsequent book of short stories had. Still, not a bad read all in all. "
— Suz, 5/23/2011" It was dark, even for Bishop. Children dying and torture are not my choices for pleasure reading. But Bishop's world is excellent and her characters are engaging as always. "
— Bodagirl, 5/22/2011" While not quite as good as the original trilogy (The Black Jewels 1-3), this was an entertaining read. While the premise was a bit stupid, it was worth it to learn more about my favorite characters Jaenelle, Daemon, and Lucivar. <br/> <br/>Hint: This would be a good book to read around Halloween. "
— Angela, 5/21/2011" Loved it as usual. Really gave a different take on a "spooky house". "
— Nicole, 5/8/2011" Not my favorite book in the series. It was okay. Mainly she's just trapped in a haunted house. "
— Jolene, 4/12/2011" It took me a little bit to get back into the Black Jewels world, but once I got there, I couldn't put it down. Very interesting addition to the collection. "
— Marissa, 4/6/2011" It was great to catch up to what has been happening to all the main characters in the Black Jewels Trilogy. The plot is a little far-fetched, but the book is still very good. "
— Gaynell, 2/13/2011" Good addition to the Black Jewels world. It is always fun to come back to this world. "
— Angie, 1/30/2011" A letdown from the rest of the series. "
— Kadie, 12/29/2010" Loved it. Great idea with the spooky house and I loved reading about Surreal. "
— Krissque, 10/3/2010" Just finished re-reading this a day or so ago to get a feel for Bishop's writing style before I start on my fan fiction. Hands down my favorite of the Black Jewels series, if only because Surreal and Lucivar far outshine the Mary Sue that is Jaenelle. "
— Emily, 8/22/2010Anne Bishop is
the New York Times bestselling author
of Bridge of Dreams and a winner of
the William L. Crawford Memorial Fantasy Award for her Black Jewels trilogy. She lives in Upstate New York.