The Black Jewels Trilogy

It has an interesting premisse. Various realms, including one for the dead (governed by Saetan, the high lord), people ‘of the blood' with magic and jewels received that classify the magic in a complicated and cruel society where women rule.

In that society Jaenelle is born, the prophesized ‘Witch', the dreams of all the magical people in the flesh - but her potential is not recognized by her birth family so she grows up travelling magically to other realms to find friends and tutors.
Two half brothers who don't know who their father was are (pleasure) slaves who are waiting for the prophesized witch to help and protect her. Two ambitious evil women have been plotting for centuries to grab all power, even that of Saetan, and rule all the realms.

The story is fast paced and exiting, the writing is very accessible. It could have been a great trilogy, but it lacks maturity. The gender roles are inconsistent and a bit toe-curling, the characters easily switch from being very wise to being almost pubescent in their reactions and communications, the story regularly makes some weird jumps and the language gets a bit repetitive. The sexual aspects feel forced (for example, the author starts with slaves wearing ‘rings of obedience' around their ‘organ' that can be used to hurt them, but later in the story they also wear ‘rings of honor' their, as if fingers aren't a more logical place if only because they don't change size) and the relationships between the genders and characters are following the same basic cardboard, often illogical and rather immature patterns.

I might have loved this book earlier in life, also because the story is kind of gripping and fast paced. But the flaws build up and started to irritate me.