There is one thing that I find extremely bizarre about this retirement home. The name of it's Briarwood. For those of you who know, Briarwood is the pretty poison. There is no cure for Briarwood! And if you didn't know, that is from Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy. Briarwood is an incredibly disturbing place, and it is one of the main components in Daughter of the Blood that makes it such a dark and emotionally intense read. Considering my fascination with Anne Bishop's realms of the Blood, I found it very interesting that I would find employment at a place with that name, a place that is absolutely unforgettable, in the worst sort of way.
I just recently reread Daughter of the Blood and Queen of the Darkness. I often wonder what it is about the Black Jewels trilogy that draws me to it like no other books have ever done. I've never felt compelled to reread a book the way I am with Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, and Queen of the Darkness. But what is it that's in those books that's not in another? It has the good vs. evil like many other books I've read. It has the man and woman who fall in love, again like so many other books I've read, but what is so special about this book that sets it apart from the rest for me?
"Everyone knows I'm different. It just doesn't matter to some - and it matters a lot to others." A tear slipped down her cheek. "Why am I different?"
Daemon looked away. Oh, child. How could he explain that she was dreams made flesh? That for some of them, she made the blood in their veins sing? That she was a kind of magic the Blood hadn't seen in so very, very long? - Daughter of the Blood
Maybe it's the demeanor of the characters or word choices used. Daemon, when nearing his killing rage will speak calmly and quietly, and often times with his hands in his trouser pockets, with a lazy smile lifting the edges of his lips. But what gives his highly volatile state away are his eyes. The cold and glazed look in his eyes. Daemon Sadi has the most casual yet intense persona, the most vivid and remembered character I have ever read. And even though he may be the most powerful Warlord Prince, he has an incredibly vulnerable side. His love and dedication to Jeanelle is boundless. He is hers, always and forever.
"Daemon opened Cornelia's door, closed it behind him, calmly tugged his shirt cuffs into place and then smashed his fist into the wall.
Lucivar felt the mansion shudder as the power of the Black Jewel surged into the wall.
"Daemon?"
Daemon tugged his shirt cuffs down once more. When he finally looked at Lucivar, his eyes were cold and glazed as a murky gemstone - and no more human.
Daemon smiled.
Lucivar shivered." -Daughter of the Blood
Maybe it's the familial structure that has formed between Jeanelle, Saetan, Lucivar, Surreal and others that make up her first circle. There is a line between Queen and family, and that line is always being explored. It adds a depth to each of the characters, seeing the two sides of them and how they interact with one another. Especially so with Jeanelle and Saetan, and Jeanelle and Lucivar. Saeten being her adopted father and Lucivar her adopted brother. It's always known before an issue is addressed if it's Court or personal, and if not, it's asked. It's interesting to see the difference in Jaenelle, how quickly she can go from being Jaenelle to Witch, when necessary.
"Then who is going to war with Terreille?"
Jaenelle turned around.
For the first time, they were seeing the dream beneath the flesh. Karla stared at the pointed ears that had come from the Dea al Mon, the hands with sheathed claws that had come from the Tigre, the hooves peeking out from beneath the black gown that could have come from the centaurs or the horses or the unicorns. Most of all, she stared at the tiny spiral horn.
The living myth. Dreams made flesh. But, oh, had any of them really thought about who the dreamers had been?
Karla quietly cleared her throat to ask the question she suddenly hoped wouldn't be answered. "Who is going to war with Tereille?"
"I am," Witch said." - Queen of the Darkness
If there is any world I would love to visit, it is definitely this one. I wonder if Peter Jackson knows about this trilogy? Could you imagine? His visionary brilliance in The Lord of the Rings knocked my socks off! He could turn this trilogy into one hell of a three part movie. I could care less if another movie was ever made! It would be epic...beyond epic. Orgasm inducing epic! Peter Jackson masterfully captures the visionary brilliance and emotional poignancy of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels world in Daughter of the Blood, the first movie in an epic trilogy you don't want to miss! Coming this Fall to a theater near you! Okay, I'm delusional, but, oh it's such a fun place to be!
It's been five years since I first journeyed into this amazing world, and I don't think I've ever left it! It's always there, popping in my head. And now it seems my new place of employment will be a constant reminder...Briarwood!
I hope all has been well with all of you. Winter's almost over, but you wouldn't know that here. We've gotten several inches of snow the last few days and it's not done yet. It looks pretty though. In a few more days, however, it'll have that yucky dirty look. But soon the buds will begin to appear on the trees, the grass will begin to turn that beautiful shade of green that I so dearly miss in the winter, and the birds! the birds will begin to chirp, singing their songs. I can't wait!
Have a wonderful weekend!
