Customer Reviews

Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy)

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After the hideous disappointment of "Banewreaker", I was on pins and needles regarding Carey's return to Terre D'Ange in "Kushiel's Scion." Would the sexy, dark, original voice that had given us Phedre, Joscelin, Hyacinthe, and Melisande be replaced by the boring tediousness of the "Sundering" series? I just knew it would kill me to see that happen to these beloved characters. Furthermore, what to make of the fact that the next three books would not be narrated by that most cunning of linguists? Would Terre D'Ange without Phedre be whipped cream without the cherry?

Thank Elua, all my fears were unfounded. "Scion", while taking the Kushiel's Legacy series in a new direction, is a welcome and worthy addition, and Imriel is an excellent and insightful new narrator. His voice is, naturally, different from Phedre's, but the beautiful, rich language is the same. Carey has done a great job making the transition from anguissette to prince.

Imriel's story is also very different from Phedre and Joscelin's, and part of what makes this book interesting is that he recognizes it. Imri adores his foster parents, but despairs at ever living up to their example. For one thing, Phedre and Joscelin are once-in-a-generation heroes, larger than life and - in Phedre's case - chosen by Kushiel himself. Imri, while a royal Prince of the Blood, is still ordinary, and the son of Terre D'Ange's greatest traitor to boot. More than anything, he wants to be good - but first, he must decide what that means. Can he be good without ever saving the world the way Phedre did? Is it possible to be good with Kushiel's blood - and his mother's treachery - in his veins?

More than anything (and unlike previous books), "Kushiel's Scion" is a coming of age story. Still scarred by his childhood abuse, and troubled by the shadow that his mother Melisande continues to cast, Imriel stumbles through his life, torn between the various factions that either support or suspect him. One of the most interesting things about having him as a narrator is seeing old and beloved characters through his eyes. For instance, while Phedre loves Ysandre and Nicola dearly, Imri doesn't like either of them - and Carey makes us understand why and even empathize. On the other hand, Phedre's feelings towards House Shahrizai (Melisande's family) were justifiably complex, bound up with mistrust and desire. Imriel feels some of that, too, and yet his young Shahrizai cousins are among his closest and most loyal of friends.

The second half of "Scion" has Imriel participating in that most time-honored rite of adolescent independence - going away to college. In this case, it's the University of Tiberium, where Anafiel Delauney studied so many years ago. Imri hopes to find out where Delauney learned the arts of "covertcy", and ends up stumbling into a large and powerful Guild of spies and power-brokers who are quite interested in Melisande's talented son. He also makes a group of international friends, including the Dalriadan Prince Eamonn mac Grainne, the Skaldian woman Brigitta, and a troubled and haunted young Tiberian, Lucius.

The action in the book comes in the form of a large siege and battle towards the very end. Imriel is, at best, a periphery character in the battle itself - he's caught up in it by chance. Yet this, too, is part of his search in learning to be good. He learns that it's not necessary to be a god-chosen hero like Phedre or a great swordsman like Joscelin in order to be a good soldier, a good friend, and a good man. Phedre did heroic things because she was the only one who could do them. Imriel does small things because sometimes, they're all he can do.

Nitpicks - I hope the prudes out there who objected to the explicit sexuality of the first three books are happy, because the sex here is toned down considerably. Indeed, Imri's history means that almost every sexual encounter is entangled with feelings of guilt and horror. Pity. I really started to miss Phedre's exuberant eroticism about halfway through; the sex here feels a little cold and unsatisfying. The ending of "Scion" is likewise slightly frustrating, without as much of a resolution as I might have liked. Still, it does leave me wanting more. The groundwork is laid here for another fascinating triptych of books about an extraordinary character, executed by a brilliant and talented writer. I am, again, on pins and needles - in a good way!

Return to Terre d'Ange with Kushiel's Scion, sequel to the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy. This book follows Phedre's adopted son, Imriel, son of the treacherous Melisande and third in line for the D'Angeline throne. Carey does an excellent job of developing Imriel into a complicated, troubled young man without in any way betraying the character he was in Kushiel's Avatar: haunted but with the proverbial heart of gold.

Imriel is coming of age here, and coming to terms with desires he finds hard to face. Between his molestation at the hands of the Markhagir of Drujan, his anger with Melisande, and the dominant tendencies inherent in his bloodline, Imriel finds sexuality a minefield of issues. He wants more than anything to be a good person, but fears he's fated to be something else.

His quest to find maturity and inner peace will lead him to the Night Court (fans of the Night Court rejoice--we see more of it here than we have since Dart), into court intrigues, and to an Italy still clinging to the ghosts of its glorious past. Imriel finds himself surrounded by schemes, plots, and conflicted desires, and truly comes of age in this hotbed of troubles. I really love what Carey does with his character, and can't wait to see what comes next for him, as it's clear there will be further Imriel books.

The one thing I didn't like at first was that the climactic battle didn't seem to have much to do with Imriel; it was more that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But on further thought, I realized that Phedre, too, was sucked into things she never meant to be involved with, in Dart and Chosen. I'm just so accustomed to the Phedre of Avatar, plunging herself headlong into adventure because she knows she has to--but this is a mature, 30ish Phedre. Like the younger Phedre, Imriel ends up in situations he never intended to be involved with, but becomes a stronger character through these tribulations. In the end, I think the plot works, and really shows how far Imriel has come since the beginning of the book.

In Kushiel's Scion, Carey returns to the lush alternate Europe
she mapped so well in the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy. This is
a fascinating world, grounded in an imaginative religion/mythos
and vividly detailed. And as in the Kushiel's Legacy books, Carey has once again created a narrator with a marvelously unique voice.
As young Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel, foster child to Terre D'Ange's greatest living heroes, shares his struggles to find his place in the world and define how to shoulder the legacy of heroism and villainy he was born to, the reader is enmeshed in Terre D'Ange's past and future. The
device of revisiting the stories in Kushiel's Legacy, through Imriel's eyes, was very well-done. And Imriel's own story as it unfolds becomes just as fascinating as Phedre's once was.

I expected to like this book, if for no other reason than that I was eager to revist Terre D'Ange - one of my most favorite landscapes. But this book far surpassed those expectations, going off in directions I had not anticipated. Imriel is a wonderfully complex character - brooding,angry,
wounded,loving, honorable and intensely driven. I really loved this book and impatiently look forward the next volumne. Kudos to Ms. Carey, for finding a way to include and be true to Phedre and Josceline and to give Imriel his own voice and story. Highly, highly recommended for Kushiel's Legacy fans.

but a good novel nonetheless. This book holds a different tone from the others in the Kusheline series. More character-based than adventure-driven, like the other novels, this novel follows Imriel, Phedre's foster-son. It is largely based on dialogue and Imri's thoughts rather than earth-shattering plot developments, so this book is a bit slower to develop, though still interesting. It keeps Carey's fluid writing style, though the narrative is dramatatically changed from Phedre's graceful melodrama.

Imriel, instead, is a moody teenaged boy. Perhaps more solemn (or haunted) than most, but still full of angst and uncertainty, not ready to fit into the world that is waiting for him.
The first section of the book is interesting, as the reader gets to see Terre d'Ange from new eyes; it takes a different perspective when not from a Servant of Naamah. Disappointingly, there is not yet too much of that to see; Imriel is often to preocuppied with his own discoveries and youth to take much interest in politics. That is quickly cut short as Imriel decides to travel to the University of Tiberium. There, again, it is not filled with the taste of the culture that Phedre would have shown, but Imri's personal antics, challenges, and schemes as he enjoys true freedom for the first time.

Don't worry, though, it's not all deeply introspective & dialogue. Carey keeps her penchant for the philosophical, the scheming, and the bizarrely supernatural, as Imriel is rapidly thrown into situations that would turn his foster-parents' hair grey, from riots and conspiracies to spirits and battles.

Personally speaking, I preferred Imriel's character before this particular book, but I believe that it was because here, he is mostly an angsty teenager, not quite grown up. After coming from a personality as dynamic as Phedre's, which takes a lot to compete, sometimes Imriel's more typical nature makes for slow reading. It promises to pick up with future books, however, as he is greatly matured by the end of the book, and it promises to take note of things perhaps he did not have time for before.

Not her best book, a little slow in places, but a good solid start to a trilogy that should prove very interesting indeed.

I was thrilled to return to the world of Terre D'Ange, even just for a few days. Jacqueline Carey is the greatest writer of Fantasy to come along in recent memory. I was especially moved by her first-person narrative of young Imriel, who is desperate to find his way in the world with the eyes of his people firmly fixed upon him. In my opinion, Carey took a big risk by moving the emphasis of the series away from Phedre and onto Imriel. But she succeeds admirably. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Unlike other epic fantasy series out nowadays, Kushiel's Scion doesn't disappoint! Jacqueline Carey writes so beautifully that reading her prose is a true joy. Her imagery and phrasing is beyond compare and it often feels to be as if I'm reading poetry disguised as a novel. It just flows perfectly.

Kushiel's Scion takes up a few years after her previous trilogy, and follows the story of Imriel, the young boy that becomes more than just a plot device in the third book of the series. This is a rich wonderful world and Ms. Carey has gleefully cherry picked some of the best of European history to play with. Imriel deals with his own demons, and this story is much more of a character piece than the novels of Phedre and Joscelin, though one cannot ever discount her characters.

This young man has a major amount of issues to work through, and I feel that she handles them with a delicate touch. Some reviewers disliked the toned down nature of the sensuality, but to me this is a necessary part of Imriel. Someone that was denied and damaged so much that he needs to learn to appreciate all matters of sensuality, not just in the physical. He has shut parts of himself off just to keep himself alive and this book slowly peels the layers of that protection from him.

His journeys from his home in Terre d'Ange to travels in Tiberium, the scale is somewhat less grand, but is more internal, referencing back to the character piece this is. There is action, there is combat, and this time not shown by the dual natured Phedre and Joscelin, but by one single character at war with himself rather than a relationship that struggles constantly but keeps love at its core. Both have value, but neither is less than the other.

I truly look forward to reading more of Imriel and his journeys, not only of distance and adventure, but of learning and maturity, of love and death, and sacrifice and passion.

"Kushiel's Scion" is the fourth book in Jacqueline Carey's thrilling fantasy series of life in the exotic realm of Terre d'Ange, a world somewhat similar to our Earth, during a period reminiscent of the Renaissance. The preceding "Kushiel's Legacy" trilogy, composed of "Kushiel's Dart," "Kushiel's Chosen," and "Kushiel's Avatar" are all extraordinary novels, and although it is not necessary to have read them in order to enjoy this one, they do provide a fantastic reading experience and a wonderful introduction to Jacqueline Carey's latest protagonist, Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel. "Scion" is also the first novel in a new trilogy which will chronicle the life of de la Courcel, the foster son of Phèdre nó Delaunay, the Comtesse de Montreve, peer of Terre d'Ange, and her consort, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil.

Imriel, a royal prince of the blood, was abandoned in infancy by both of his treasonous parents. Captured in childhood by pirates, the boy spent his youth in slavery, subjected to abominable & depraved torture until he was rescued by Phèdre and Joscelin, who love him as a son. Now, a handsome and accomplished teen, Imriel is experiencing the normal restlessness and insecurities of adolescence, but is additionally burdened by his past experiences. He finds it difficult to live down his mother's, Melisande Shahrizai's, reputation as an arch villainess who would sell her soul and her son, seemingly, for a kingdom and power. When he unwillingly become involved in court intrigue, Imriel decides to study abroad and takes on an anonymous identity to do so.

Much more than a coming of age tale, Ms Carey dramatically and skillfully changes her point of view from the mindset of a mature woman to that of an adolescent boy with an unusual amount of baggage. Unlike most young men of his age, Imriel must struggle with an infamous heritage and nightmarish memories. While this boy-man is not anywhere near as complex a character as the mature woman, Phèdre nó Delaunay, Imriel is no slouch either. He has yet to acquire Phèdre's life experience, and that is what this novel is about - acquiring experience, adventuring and building character. There are enough complexities in this tale to satisfy the most demanding and discerning reader.

The plot and subplots are unique and stunning. The excitement just doesn't stop. Ms. Carey combines swashbuckling adventure, romance, eroticism, political intrigue and world building. Her imaginative use of historic detail, diverse cultures, the creation of many varied characters and their development, make this series so special. A riveting novel - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended
JANA

As Scion began, I really thought I was going to enjoy it. In fact, I was enjoying it, at first. Imriel's youth and adolescence is at least interesting, but that's about it.

Usually Carey's Kushiel books are a mixture of intrigue, sex, action, and adventure. A very good, pretty well-balanced mix. Unfortunately Scion is largely sex and intrigue. Now, I like both of these things, but they vastly outweighed the action and adventure in the book. I really like the way my boyfriend put it: It's like having a sundae that's made completely of hot fudge and whipped cream. Sure, those are an awesome part of the sundae, but eat too much of only those, without the ice cream and other things, and you start to get sick of it, not to mention a bit queasy.

The whole middle of the book is a bogged down mess of intrigue and sex, sex and intrigue, with a bit of intrigue and a hint of sex thrown in. And none of it was very interesting, either. Imriel's waffling personality and uncertainties make the sex mostly annoying. And even once the scene moves to Tiberium (Rome) the intrigue is just meh. Okay, not a professional term, but that's really the best way to describe it: Meh. I just wasn't that caught up in it.

Imriel doesn't help the matter. Where Phedre was a fascinating, believable character, even in her gift/curse, Imriel's issues just read false. As I said before, he flip flops constantly in his uncertainties. He just comes to accept who he is and something happens to make him go right back to doubting. Most of the situations are, unfortunately, not very convincing. With a distinct lack of real personality and what I can only a call an angsty, emo teenager attitude, Imriel just isn't enjoyable to follow. Some of the supporting characters are a lot of fun though, adding some bright spots. And the ending, the last 100 or so pages, picks up considerably.

Scion isn't terrible, but it was bad enough that the hardcover of Kushiel's Justice has been crossed off my Christmas wish list. I'll wait for the paperback, thanks. This one just didn't leave me wanting to read the next one that badly.

After reading a review that claimed that one could skip reading Kushiel's Scion and go on to read Kushiel's Justice and not have missed anything of consequence made me quite upset and angry. Now that I have read Kushiel's Scion I know that the person that wrote that review was mistaken. Kushiel's Scion sends the perfect ideas about light and dark and the cycles of life that with the bad comes the good and vice versa. The struggles that Imriel faces are well substantiated in the emotional intricacies of his life as Phedre's were in the previous three novels. The wording is exquisite and I am not sorry for reading this addition to the series. Every addition to this series is worth reading for their is much insight and knowledge to be gained from the emotional turmoil of life.

I was anxious to read the new Kushiel book, but a bit worried because it would be from a totally new view point, that of Imriel, Phèdre's adopted son, the child of Melisande. My concern was needless, as I was swept away into the world made familiar in the previous Kushiel trilogy, and it was just as rich and sensual and redolent of everything that made the previous books so enthralling. Imriel slowly comes of age, and the shadows of his past captivity as a child follow him through life, making him fearful of his budding desires. Imriel wants to be good, something he must reconcile with the feelings and yearnings he has as Kushiel's Scion. He is very mindful of his mother Melisande's treachery, and the powers that be are mindful of his heritage. The Queen would make Imriel, third in line for the throne, a true Prince of the Blood, and court intrigue swirls around him no matter how much he'd wish otherwise. His relationships with his royal cousins, his friendships and adversaries are strong, rich stories that pulled me in and made me one with the Kushiel universe once again.

Fans of Phèdre rejoice, as she is a strong presence in the book, if not the lead character. There are many familiar characters in the book, and several wonderful new faces. We also get a look at more of the world beyond Terre d'Ange and the equivalent of our Rome, Tiberium, as Imriel seeks out answers to questions of the past. Phèdre has taught him the art of Covertcy, as her mentor Anafiel Delaunay had done for herself, but who and where had passed these teachings to Anafiel Delaunay? This and other questions Imriel will seek answers for, and find even more questions along the way.

The reading was gorgeous. Throughout I felt a deep welling ache that was both sadness and joy. This is a worthy successor to the original Kushiel series.