ARC Review: The Queen's Bargain by Anne Bishop

The Queen's Bargain
Author: Anne Bishop
Series: Black Jewels (Book 10)
Publication: Ace (March 10, 2020)

Description: 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.

My Thoughts: It was great to return to the world of the Black Jewels and catch up with favorite characters in this 10th book in the series. Lots of things are going on.

Daemon Sadi is entering into a new level of maturity which could signal the end of his marriage with Surreal if she can't accept all of the man he is. His new sexual energy feels like it is threatening her independence which is the bedrock of her life. They love each other but these conflicts could shatter their relationship.

Lucivar Yaslana is also having some issues too. His wife is fading away after giving birth to their thirds child and he doesn't know how to help her. Also, his foster daughter Jillian has met a young man who wants to court her. Unfortunately, Lord Dillon's intentions are not pure since he was done wrong by a woman he fell in love with and had his reputation ruined. He sees Jillian as his last chance to redeem his reputation and will do anything  to get her to fall for him.

Looking into Lord Dillon's past indicates that all is not well and Lucivar is going to have to take over lands that he had previously left in the Queens' hands to prevent a return to the bad old days from the land where he and Daemon were raised.

This was an engaging story. I loved the relationships between the characters and kept hoping that things would work out well for all of them. I enjoyed the Scelties both for the humor they added to the story and for their personalities. I enjoyed Daemon's power struggles with his little girl as he tries to raise an ethical Queen.

People who have been waiting for more in the Black Jewels world will be very pleased with this new adventure.

Favorite Quote:

*I did a wrong thing,* the Sceltie whined. "There is blame.*

*Jaenelle Saetien did a wrong thing. You made a small mistake. We can talk about the correct thing to do when  I get back.*

I got this one for review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.