Helpful Score: 6
A story set in the same world as the Black Jewels Trilogy. Actually takes place waaaaaay before the events in the trilogy, and is actually refenced in the last part.
Does not have to be read first even though it takes place chronologically first. It is a nice suplimental read if you enjoy the world of the Black Jewels.
Does not have to be read first even though it takes place chronologically first. It is a nice suplimental read if you enjoy the world of the Black Jewels.
Helpful Score: 5
I loved it!
This story is set in the world of The Black Jewels trilogy, but is not directly connected to it. I'd heard that Daemon Sadi makes a brief appearance, and I'm happy to report that it actually wasn't as brief as I was expecting! Jared and the Gray Lady have a great story here. Highly recommended for dark fantasy fans!
This story is set in the world of The Black Jewels trilogy, but is not directly connected to it. I'd heard that Daemon Sadi makes a brief appearance, and I'm happy to report that it actually wasn't as brief as I was expecting! Jared and the Gray Lady have a great story here. Highly recommended for dark fantasy fans!
Helpful Score: 5
I found the world refreshingly different from most fantasy settings. It's darker in general, even if you take the current ruler out of the equation. I was a little annoyed with Jared because he didn't figure out the puzzle of the Invisible Ring until much later than I did, but the story was interesting nonetheless.
Helpful Score: 5
This is the prequel, sequel, whatever you want to call it, to the Black Jewels Trilogy. Amazingly wonderful, and it provides a different side of what happens in the final book of the trilogy, and the answers I was curious about. Truly wonderful!!
Helpful Score: 4
A very good book with traditional magic, adventure, good vs evil, etc. In addition, it is set in the Realm of the Black Jewels where people are ranked by their birthright jewel. It makes for an interesting read.
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful story full of action and honor. Seet in the Black Jewel world but not tied closely to the trilogy.
Helpful Score: 2
If you loved the Black Jewels Trilogy . . . you'll love this one too.
Tess M. (duplica123) -
So, after the third or fourth time reading this, I finally liked it okay.
Jared is whiny, self-centered, and dense. But, he get's his training from Daemon Sadi and eventually becomes a pretty decent man. The Grey Lady and the others are all interesting, with neat back stories.
Definitely not as in-depth as the original black jewels trilogy, The Invisible Ring at least gives the reader an idea of what the Realm of Terreille was like several centuries before the Trilogy began.
With all of Ms. Bishop's books I feel I learn a bit more about the world of the Blood. For that alone it is worth reading this story. And, after reading "The Shadow Queen," I felt it was really necessary to re-read this one because of everyone mentioned in TSQ. People who loved the Trilogy will be happy about the Daemon cameos. Fans of Saetan, however, will be disappointed. Lucivar is only mentioned in passing, too.
All in all, I finally saw the merit in this book. The first two copies of this book I had, however, I was happy to post. The third copy, however, I think I will now keep.
Jared is whiny, self-centered, and dense. But, he get's his training from Daemon Sadi and eventually becomes a pretty decent man. The Grey Lady and the others are all interesting, with neat back stories.
Definitely not as in-depth as the original black jewels trilogy, The Invisible Ring at least gives the reader an idea of what the Realm of Terreille was like several centuries before the Trilogy began.
With all of Ms. Bishop's books I feel I learn a bit more about the world of the Blood. For that alone it is worth reading this story. And, after reading "The Shadow Queen," I felt it was really necessary to re-read this one because of everyone mentioned in TSQ. People who loved the Trilogy will be happy about the Daemon cameos. Fans of Saetan, however, will be disappointed. Lucivar is only mentioned in passing, too.
All in all, I finally saw the merit in this book. The first two copies of this book I had, however, I was happy to post. The third copy, however, I think I will now keep.
As mentioned by another reader of this book, it is more of a prequel than a sequel to the Black Jewel Trilogy. But when the series is read in the intended order, with The Shadow Queen coming after this book, it all makes sense. Knowing about what was to be expected for Sadi's future, made the book more readable. And as previously mentioned, this story connects the initial trilogy with The Shadow Queen. I truly enjoy the series and think it would make a really good mini series along the lines of "Thrones".
This was the first time that I have re-read this book and I think I enjoyed it much more the second time around. The first time, I think I was too busy being disappointed about the absence of so many of the major characters and with Daemon's "guest star" status. That, and the fact that this is more of a prequel than the fourth book in the series... This time, I enjoyed the story more. It is a good story and I'm excited to re-read one more Bishop book before reading her newest.
A novel set in the realm of the Black Jewels Trilogy
