Comments on: REVIEW: Tangled Webs by Anne Bishop http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/ Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult, Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Sun, 27 May 2012 18:46:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Alisa http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-166771 Alisa Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:32:06 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-166771 Truthfully, I was a bit disappointed by <em>Tangled Web</em>, and I had been look sooo forward to it. That does not mean that I don't like Anne Bishop's writings; it's just the opposite. I LOVE the Black Jewel Trilogy and the Fae trilogy. I kind of gave up on reading Ephemera; it was getting a bit too complicated at the time. I am, however, again looking forward to another Black Jewel book coming March 2009, called <em>The Shadow Queen</em>. I really hope that this one will live up to my expectation. Truthfully, I was a bit disappointed by Tangled Web, and I had been look sooo forward to it. That does not mean that I don’t like Anne Bishop’s writings; it’s just the opposite. I LOVE the Black Jewel Trilogy and the Fae trilogy. I kind of gave up on reading Ephemera; it was getting a bit too complicated at the time. I am, however, again looking forward to another Black Jewel book coming March 2009, called The Shadow Queen. I really hope that this one will live up to my expectation.

]]> By: Christina http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-161520 Christina Tue, 06 May 2008 19:23:52 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-161520 I have read and re-read all of Bishop's novels, I own them all and open up any one at random when I'm having a bad day, its so easy to just fall right into that world, she is an excellent writer. As for the covers, I like some of the old ones, especially better than the one that link leads you to, which is terrible! (she looks creepy, not at all like she is described) As for the Fae books, the third one was the first one I ever read, picked up at random from the bookshop at the library, and I really like them, they have excellent female character development and so what if there is just one really bad big male evil character, you are missing the diverse personalities and relationships, Selena and her sister, for example, are really great! they make me laugh and remember to call my sister to chat, and the moral dilemma of the Gatherer and her fall from grace is such a driven storyline. Brianna is probably my favorite character though. I think they are definitely worth the read. I have read and re-read all of Bishop’s novels, I own them all and open up any one at random when I’m having a bad day, its so easy to just fall right into that world, she is an excellent writer.
As for the covers, I like some of the old ones, especially better than the one that link leads you to, which is terrible! (she looks creepy, not at all like she is described)
As for the Fae books, the third one was the first one I ever read, picked up at random from the bookshop at the library, and I really like them, they have excellent female character development and so what if there is just one really bad big male evil character, you are missing the diverse personalities and relationships, Selena and her sister, for example, are really great! they make me laugh and remember to call my sister to chat, and the moral dilemma of the Gatherer and her fall from grace is such a driven storyline. Brianna is probably my favorite character though. I think they are definitely worth the read.

]]> By: Diane http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150246 Diane Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:32:25 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150246 Hi Jia, Thank you very much for the info. I appreciate your prompt reply. Regards, Diane Hi Jia,

Thank you very much for the info. I appreciate your prompt reply.
Regards,
Diane

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150193 Jia Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:42:25 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150193 Diane: I did some Googling and it turns out all of Anne Bishop's backlist will be coming to audio. No dates yet, but Penguin has bought the rights so audiobook lovers, rejoice! Information found here: http://jenniferjackson.org/index.php/2008/02/27/anne-bishop-books-coming-to-audio/ Diane: I did some Googling and it turns out all of Anne Bishop’s backlist will be coming to audio. No dates yet, but Penguin has bought the rights so audiobook lovers, rejoice!

Information found here: http://jenniferjackson.org/index.php/2008/02/27/anne-bishop-books-coming-to-audio/

]]> By: Diane http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150146 Diane Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:02:22 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-150146 I have read and reread Anne's Bishop Black Jewels novels and enjoyed them. As Jia mentioned in her review, these novels are different and have something in them that appeals very much to me. I am looking forward to read this new one. I am wondering if Ms. Bishop is considering having her novels also published in audiobook format (CDs or MP3). I have discovered audiobooks when I had surgery for my hands. I can no longer hold books for hours on. It took a little getting used to (listening to audiobooks), now I enjoy them very much. I can listen to books almost anywhere and any time. Regards, Diane I have read and reread Anne’s Bishop Black Jewels novels and enjoyed them. As Jia mentioned in her review, these novels are different and have something in them that appeals very much to me. I am looking forward to read this new one.

I am wondering if Ms. Bishop is considering having her novels also published in audiobook format (CDs or MP3). I have discovered audiobooks when I had surgery for my hands. I can no longer hold books for hours on. It took a little getting used to (listening to audiobooks), now I enjoy them very much. I can listen to books almost anywhere and any time.

Regards,
Diane

]]> By: (Jān) http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148588 (Jān) Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:13:09 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148588 I didn't like the Fae novels at all. They were full of cliches and either very very good witches or very very bad men who hunted them. I didn’t like the Fae novels at all. They were full of cliches and either very very good witches or very very bad men who hunted them.

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148568 Jia Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:00:20 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148568 I personally didn't like her fae novels all that much. Oddly enough, I don't hear many people talk about those. Everyone seems to read either her Black Jewels books or the Ephemera ones. I guess that says something right there. I did like this one but it is a change from the previous books in the series. If you've read the collection, the final novella "Kaeleer's Heart" (I believe that's the name) is similar in tone and execution to this book. I don't think it's for everyone and I was annoyed at the end when Surreal got pushed to the side <em>again</em>. I personally didn’t like her fae novels all that much. Oddly enough, I don’t hear many people talk about those. Everyone seems to read either her Black Jewels books or the Ephemera ones. I guess that says something right there.

I did like this one but it is a change from the previous books in the series. If you’ve read the collection, the final novella “Kaeleer’s Heart” (I believe that’s the name) is similar in tone and execution to this book. I don’t think it’s for everyone and I was annoyed at the end when Surreal got pushed to the side again.

]]> By: Danielle http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148465 Danielle Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:05:01 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148465 Okay so I've been with the series from the start--even though I'm only 19 right now lol. Anyway I don't know what to expect from this new novel after reading this. Another reviewer hated the book but I read the first two chapters or so of what was given on her website and it was interesting enough. Truth be told though I might need to start the series over because its been such a while haha. By the way the only things I haven't touched are the Fae novels. Are they any good? Okay so I’ve been with the series from the start–even though I’m only 19 right now lol. Anyway I don’t know what to expect from this new novel after reading this. Another reviewer hated the book but I read the first two chapters or so of what was given on her website and it was interesting enough. Truth be told though I might need to start the series over because its been such a while haha. By the way the only things I haven’t touched are the Fae novels. Are they any good?

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148214 Jia Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:54:12 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148214 It just came out yesterday. It just came out yesterday.

]]> By: Devon http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148198 Devon Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:21:38 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148198 Oooh this is out? I'm so excited. I love these books. Love Jaenelle too. Her Mary-Sue-ness never bothered me. Oooh this is out? I’m so excited. I love these books. Love Jaenelle too. Her Mary-Sue-ness never bothered me.

]]> By: Estara http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148115 Estara Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:30:43 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148115 Awww, it's Heyne what can you expect. They're not known for good quality paperback taste (not even in romance). ... I'm speaking about the German covers. Have you seen some of the German ROMANCE covers? They got stuck in the 80ies, bodice-rippers every single one, and there was a publisher who had edged all the pages IN RED!! You almost didn't dare to buy the books anymore. There are no other edged-in-red paperbacks on the German market, not even erotica. Awww, it’s Heyne what can you expect. They’re not known for good quality paperback taste (not even in romance).

…

I’m speaking about the German covers. Have you seen some of the German ROMANCE covers? They got stuck in the 80ies, bodice-rippers every single one, and there was a publisher who had edged all the pages IN RED!!

You almost didn’t dare to buy the books anymore.

There are no other edged-in-red paperbacks on the German market, not even erotica.

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148000 Jia Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:14:42 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-148000 IIRC, when <em>Dreams Made Flesh</em> came out, the publisher reissued the original trilogy to have matching covers. Judging by the price listed on Amazon, I assume they're in trade paperback like <em>Dreams Made Flesh</em> was. I'm not sure if they did the same thing for <em>The Invisible Ring</em> though. It doesn't look like it. <blockquote>did you see the German covers?</blockquote> I've never seen those, no. That's pretty special. Is that supposed to be Jaenelle? I can see Dorothea maybe. Although is that supposed to be an axe? Maybe it's Titian. IIRC, when Dreams Made Flesh came out, the publisher reissued the original trilogy to have matching covers. Judging by the price listed on Amazon, I assume they’re in trade paperback like Dreams Made Flesh was. I’m not sure if they did the same thing for The Invisible Ring though. It doesn’t look like it.

did you see the German covers?

I’ve never seen those, no. That’s pretty special. Is that supposed to be Jaenelle? I can see Dorothea maybe. Although is that supposed to be an axe? Maybe it’s Titian.

]]> By: (Jān) http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147998 (Jān) Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:03:50 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147998 Ooh I hadn't seen the new covers! Pretty! I always hated those old covers. The omnibus version is my favorite. OMG, did you see the German covers? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Die-schwarzen-Juwelen-03-Schatten/dp/3453530454/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204686123&sr=1-22" rel="nofollow">German book 3</a> Ooh I hadn’t seen the new covers! Pretty! I always hated those old covers. The omnibus version is my favorite.

OMG, did you see the German covers?
German book 3

]]> By: Caffey http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147946 Caffey Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:32:38 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147946 I have never read this author or the Black Jewel Trilogy but when I started getting into fantasy reads, hers have been recommeneded to me. I saw the trilogy was printed in one book and finally came out in 3 separate books as well as this new additon book. So I'm planning to get the individual books of the trilogy. I've been fastinated with all I've read about them. I think too these newer covers are much more fitting and beautiful as the stories sound. Thanks for always having info up on books I'm looking to find info on! I have never read this author or the Black Jewel Trilogy but when I started getting into fantasy reads, hers have been recommeneded to me. I saw the trilogy was printed in one book and finally came out in 3 separate books as well as this new additon book. So I’m planning to get the individual books of the trilogy. I’ve been fastinated with all I’ve read about them. I think too these newer covers are much more fitting and beautiful as
the stories sound.

Thanks for always having info up on books I’m looking to find info on!

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147878 Jia Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:57:08 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147878 Jan: I do think her writing's matured a lot. For example, I don't feel like this book lost steam towards the end in the same way the original trilogy did. I just wished Surreal had more of an active role in it, rather than being pushed to the back to showcase Daemon and Lucivar again. Peggy P: Bishop's recent covers have been very nice. I know the original Black Jewels trilogy was recently reissued with brand new covers, which I think are prettier than the originals. Jan: I do think her writing’s matured a lot. For example, I don’t feel like this book lost steam towards the end in the same way the original trilogy did. I just wished Surreal had more of an active role in it, rather than being pushed to the back to showcase Daemon and Lucivar again.

Peggy P: Bishop’s recent covers have been very nice. I know the original Black Jewels trilogy was recently reissued with brand new covers, which I think are prettier than the originals.

]]> By: Released! Bast, Bishop & Kittredge « Urban Fantasy Land http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147875 Released! Bast, Bishop & Kittredge « Urban Fantasy Land Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:41:54 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147875 [...] Dear Author,  [...] [...] Dear Author,  [...]

]]> By: Peggy P http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147872 Peggy P Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:32:52 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147872 Wow, this is weird, just logged in after work tonight...got my laptop and a book I picked up on my lunch hour and planning to spend all night with a good read, out of the ice storm going right now here. Just kinda wandering through Borders and this paperback with a pretty cover jumped out at me and I'm in a reading slump anyway...so I bought it. It's Sebastion by Anne Bishop. I've never heard of her, don't read too much SF or fantasy but what a "pretty boy" cover! So I'm really glad to see this isn't a waste of $8 and looking forward to a new(to me)author. Thanks for the review and now another backlist to check out! Wow, this is weird, just logged in after work tonight…got my laptop and a book I picked up on my lunch hour and planning to spend all night with a good read, out of the ice storm going right now here. Just kinda wandering through Borders and this paperback with a pretty cover jumped out at me and I’m in a reading slump anyway…so I bought it. It’s Sebastion by Anne Bishop. I’ve never heard of her, don’t read too much SF or fantasy but what a “pretty boy” cover! So I’m really glad to see this isn’t a waste of $8 and looking forward to a new(to me)author. Thanks for the review and now another backlist to check out!

]]> By: (Jān) http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147855 (Jān) Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:21:11 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147855 Thanks for the review Jia. I too was eagerly looking forward to this one. Jaenelle is on the line for me as a Mary Sue for me for one main reason: It's programmed into the males to adore and serve their witch and leader. Since it's part of the world building, it's not part of her character so much. But she's so close. She is self-sacrificing, a martyr when she doesn't need to be one. And her negatives, well, I have trouble coming up with any scenes where she does something for a bad reason. Her character flaws are all like what we come up with at interviews when they ask our negatives: "I work too hard at things", "I care about people too much". She never does what I would do and takes one of those black stones and oh, uses it in a fit of road rage. Assuming they have that with wagons. However, in the anthology I thought all the characters moved toward a rounder characterization. Bishop's writing matured a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing if it's done it still more. Thanks for the review Jia. I too was eagerly looking forward to this one.

Jaenelle is on the line for me as a Mary Sue for me for one main reason: It’s programmed into the males to adore and serve their witch and leader. Since it’s part of the world building, it’s not part of her character so much.

But she’s so close. She is self-sacrificing, a martyr when she doesn’t need to be one. And her negatives, well, I have trouble coming up with any scenes where she does something for a bad reason. Her character flaws are all like what we come up with at interviews when they ask our negatives: “I work too hard at things”, “I care about people too much”. She never does what I would do and takes one of those black stones and oh, uses it in a fit of road rage. Assuming they have that with wagons.

However, in the anthology I thought all the characters moved toward a rounder characterization. Bishop’s writing matured a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing if it’s done it still more.

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147829 Jia Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:57:26 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147829 <blockquote>Is this a collection of novellas?</blockquote> No, it's a full length novel. The only collection of novellas she's put out that I know of is <em>Dreams Made Flesh</em>. <blockquote>But Jaenelle a Mary Sue?</blockquote> It depends on your definition of Mary Sue, I suppose. Jaenelle hits mine: she was dreamed into existence, she is the most powerful witch to ever live (her original jewel was darker than the black, which until her was considered the most powerful), all the important males in the series love her in one way or another, and everyone either wants to serve her or kill her. She's not the most obvious Mary Sue because the books are never told from her point of view but from that of the people surrounding her. If the books were told from her point of view, I think it might be a little more obvious.

Is this a collection of novellas?

No, it’s a full length novel. The only collection of novellas she’s put out that I know of is Dreams Made Flesh.

But Jaenelle a Mary Sue?

It depends on your definition of Mary Sue, I suppose. Jaenelle hits mine: she was dreamed into existence, she is the most powerful witch to ever live (her original jewel was darker than the black, which until her was considered the most powerful), all the important males in the series love her in one way or another, and everyone either wants to serve her or kill her.

She’s not the most obvious Mary Sue because the books are never told from her point of view but from that of the people surrounding her. If the books were told from her point of view, I think it might be a little more obvious.

]]> By: Darlynne http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147822 Darlynne Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:37:53 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/03/04/review-tangled-webs-by-anne-bishop/#comment-147822 I had no idea another book was out, thanks for the information and review. But Jaenelle a Mary Sue? I don't see that at all. I had no idea another book was out, thanks for the information and review. But Jaenelle a Mary Sue? I don’t see that at all.

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