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The Queen's Bargain

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The Queen's Bargain

By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Gary Littman
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About this listen

 POWER HAS A PRICE. SO DOES LOVE.

Return to the dark, sensual, and powerful world of the Black Jewels in this long-awaited new story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga.

After a youthful mistake, Lord Dillon's reputation is in tatters, leaving him vulnerable to aristo girls looking for a bit of fun. To restore his reputation and honor, he needs a handfast--a one-year contract of marriage. He sets his sights on Jillian, a young Eyrien witch from Ebon Rih, who he believes has only a flimsy connection to the noble society that spurned him. Unfortunately for Dillon, he is unaware of Jillian's true connections until he finds himself facing Lucivar Yaslana, the volatile Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.

Meanwhile, Surreal SaDiablo's marriage is crumbling. Daemon Sadi, the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, recognizes there is something wrong between him and Surreal, but he doesn't realize that his attempt to suppress his own nature in order to spare his wife is causing his mind to splinter. To save Daemon, and the Realm of Kaeleer if he breaks, help must be sought from someone who no longer exists in any of the Realms--the only Queen powerful enough to control Daemon Sadi. The Queen known as Witch.

As Jillian rides the winds of first love with Dillon, Daemon and Surreal struggle to survive the wounds of a marriage turned stormy--and Lucivar has to find a way to keep everyone in his family safe...even from each other. Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Romance Marriage Royalty

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Critic reviews

"Lavishly sensual...a richly detailed world based on a reversal of standard genre cliches."--Library Journal on Daughter of the Blood

"The Black Jewels novels are seductive--once you start, you just cannot stop reading."--Romance Reviews Today

"Rich and fascinatingly different dark fantasy."--Locus on Heir to the Shadows

"Vividly painted . . . dramatic, erotic, hope-filled."--Lynn Flewelling on Daughter of the Blood

"A storyteller of stunning intensity, Ms. Bishop has a knack for appealing but complex characterization realized in a richly drawn, imaginative ambience."--Romantic Times

"Surges with spellcraft and engaging romance."--Publishers Weekly on The Shadow Queen

"Vivid and sympathetic characters, a fascinating and fully realized magical system, lavish and sensuous descriptions, and interesting world building . . . many compelling and beautifully realized elements. A terrific read."--SF Site on Heir to the Shadows

"Intense . . . erotic, violent, and imaginative."--Nancy Kress on Daughter of the Blood

"Daemon, Lucivar, and Saetan ooze more sex appeal than any three fictional characters created in a very long time."--The Romance Reader on Heir to the Shadows
All stars
Most relevant
Loved this book! Although I found some of the characters development bit disappointing it was like visiting family.

Lovely book

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I enjoyed this book the narrator was ok but having listened to John Sherringham for the other books in the series several times some of the characters portrayed as they were grated on the ear, depends on what you are used to. I will listen again

The Queens Bargain

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This is a book it makes no sense to listen to unless you are already familiar with the Black Jewels saga as it is a continuation a little while after the events in book 9 Twilight's Dawn

I love the primary characters in this series and I found it easy to drop back into the world of Daemon Lucivar Surreal and the others

The plot is interesting but frustrating in places -It interweaves two main strands
One revolving around Dillon and Jillian I loved, and it was great to see Jillian having a fairly prominent role as she matures.
The other one around Daemon and Surreal was a bit more frustrating as they have always been 2 of my favourite characters and you would think given their years of experience they would have behaved with a bit more maturity, Their story is the reason the story only gets 4 rather than 5 stars

Its a shame there is a narrator change - having listened to John Sharian for the previous 9 books in the series a narrator change is always annoying. Gary Littman doesnt do a bad job but its just not the same as John was perfect and impossible to follow. If thats a problem you may be better reading the book rather than listening but I found I could cope.

Looks like we need to wait another year to find out what happens next ....

Enjoyed revisiting this world

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