The Invisible Ring
A novel by Anne Bishop

Even your strongest genre-loving chick needs a little romance now and then, and Anne Bishop provides it in a provocative, if some times formulaic, manner in The Invisible Ring. The book returns readers to the world created in The Black Jewels Trilogy (beginning with Daughter of the Blood), set well before the birth of Witch and the events that occur there in. The dark and sensual world makes an engaging stage for Ms. Bishop's captivating storytelling. Despite the whole boy-meets-girl plot, I found myself not so much reading the book as devouring it, and even its romantic nature didn't leave so much as a tell-tale aftertaste.

Those familiar with the world of witches, queens and pleasure slaves will understand my dilemma at trying to find the words to describe it. It's fantasy. It's dark. And it's not for those with a squeamish nature when it's come to sexual situations. I could say it's a world based on gender role reversal but it's more than that. Yes, women rule and men serve, but it's not that simple. Let it suffice to say that I found its differences refreshing and enjoyed the edge it brought to the story.

If the book was just about role reversal and romance it wouldn't really be the kind of fantasy that is usually discussed in this magazine (Editor's note: well, except here and here), but it's all about magic and queendoms and quests. The ruling class known as Blood are gifted with magical abilities that, in theory, they are supposed to use to protect the land. The extent of these abilities is measured by the color of the jewel that they wear -- the darker the jewel, the greater the power.

Our hero Jared, a red-jeweled Warlord, finds himself on the auction block after killing his latest queen, or rather owner. Seems nine years as a pleasure slave has taken its toll on Jared, and he's on his way to the salt mines for sure. That is until a mysterious queen known as the Gray Lady buys him. It seems this Queen not only has a reputation for making slaves disappear, but she is also one of the few enemies to the rising corruptive force of Dorothea SaDiablo. Dorothea and her new Master of the Guards decide to take advantage of the Gray Lady's trip to the slave auction to eliminate this pesky rival.

The Gray Lady and her band of newly purchased slaves travel overland to avoid Dorothea's traps and it is there we find out that all is not what it appears to be, no one is who they seem. As each truth is revealed, relationships become more complex and cause additional stress outside the task of avoiding the Master of the Guard's increasingly desperate attempts to capture the Gray Lady and her slaves.

Pretty standard plot, you say? You'd be right. However, Bishop's intricate and deadly sensual universe gives life to a storyline and characters I've read too often in your standard fantasy novels. The characters are not only intent upon their goals, fighting not just their situation, but their emotions and complex social strictures. The hero's quest is entangled in his physical urges, as well as his cultural taboos, making his inner journey the novel's focal point.

The book succeeds admirably as a stand-alone adventure, not requiring that the reader have any prior knowledge of the Blood and their Realms. Sadly, it is not as strong a book as Ms. Bishop's other works, but it would serve as a fine introduction, or help you steer clear of committing to a trilogy. The book does bring back one of the main characters from the Jewel books, Daemon Sadi, as well as mention a smattering of others. In fact, Sadi's gifts are even explained in fuller detail, which was a definite added treat.

With The Invisible Ring you get your classic fare of a boy and his sword, a queen and her quest, and a really nasty bad guy, but all served with a zesty secret sauce -- a yummy bit of reading indeed.

RE-READ FACTOR: I'd love to revisit Jared and the gang. I don't see this one heading to the used bookstore any time soon.

SEQUEL FACTOR: Since this is a prequel, then The Black Jewels Trilogy is the sequel. The story left room for development, if not with these characters than other stories set in that universe.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: This book is just chock-full of strong chicks. Be they good guys or bad. The Grey Lady defies the encroaching reign of Dorothea SaDiablo. Dorothea knows what she wants and while her measures may be extreme, she gets what she wants. Even the young Lady Arabella Ardelia, an at times cliché heroine, never backs down from a challenge.

-- Torrey Daily Simms

The Invisible Ring, published by Roc Books, is currently available in paperback.

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