Anne Bishop, Tangled Webs

Tangled Webs

Anne Bishop

Roc, Mar 2008, $23.95

ISBN 9780451461605

Queen Jaenelle Angelline fashioned what she calls a silly, spooky fun house that lampoons the magically gifted Bloods. Lady Surreal SaDiablo and magic practitioner Warlord Prince Rainier receive special invitations to tour her creation.

However, neither Surreal nor Rainier is aware that Jaenelle has not sent out any invitations. Insane Jarvis Jenkell has recently learned he is of the Blood too and has developed a maniac plan to inspire his writing of novels. He has built a dangerous haunted house in which he plans to trap Bloods and observe their tribulations; thus he invited Surreal, Rainer and several children, who arrive for the gala only to find themselves in a life and death struggle to survive. Jaenelle's husband Daemon Sadi and his half-brother Lucivar desperately try to free their loved ones from Jarvis' diabolical house of horrors.

The latest Black Jewels fantasy thriller (see dreams made flesh) is an excellent action-packed tale that grips readers once the tour of hell begins and never slows down until the final confrontation. The storyline is fast-paced and the cast seem real. However, what makes Tangle Web great is the Blood magic seems plausible so much so that readers will feel trapped inside Jenkell?s house of horrors.

Harriet Klausner