Kushiel's Justice (Kushiel's Legacy Book 2)

This book is just simply amazing! Read it and you'll want more. You'll want to start off with the original trilogy and then read the second trilogy in its entirety. Order all six books! Do it right now! It will be money well spent!

As with the others, I was sceptical. Her fantasy books were barely readable. But this was book was just as exciting and page turning as with all the other Kushiel books. I am waiting for the next installment with great anticipation!

Reviewed by Francesca by Under the Covers Book Blog

It’s always a pleasure to immerse myself in this world. What I’ve noticed after several books is the fact that this second trilogy with Imriel as the narrator is definitely different for me as a reading experience than Phedre’s. That not necessarily a bad thing, but I think what I struggle is the fact that I’m missing that deep level of despair that Phedre was going through. Imriel is a younger character and while he’s still going through a lot of serious things and wow has he matured in two books with what life has thrown at him, he’s not Phedre. And I keep waiting for that same feeling to come to me.

So putting that aside and just thinking about this book, I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first. Imriel doesn’t start out as a “spoiled” child (and I say that loosely because he really never was that bad). We now understand his love for Sidonie and you hurt along with him when they are torn apart not knowing what their future will be. Imriel grows into his sense of honor and responsibility. Which I was proud to see. There was introspection and a level of self awareness that he reaches that wasn’t an easy task for him to achieve and Ms. Carey did a wonderful job at taking us on that journey with him. And of course, any cameos of Joscelin and Phedre always put a smile on my face and we got some of that in this book as well.

If you haven’t read this epic story and are looking for something to transport you out of this world, then I highly suggest these books. Lush world building, lyrical writing and compelling characters will keep you turning the pages.

Carey is banking on her success with Phedre's trilogy to support readers through the book. The main conflict of the plot doesn't start until - I kid you not - after page 600. Before that, it meanders through Imriel's childhood and teen years with no clear goal. as much as I love for characters to have a good backstory, there needs to be a solid conflict driving the story. Until the siege of Lucca, the conflict is...vague concerns about "dark yearnings" that are never really explored? School? A boring affair? A lot of these elements could be great if they were more fully fleshed out, but packed all into one book like this, they get confused and lack any sense of urgency. Somehow the book is too short to contain all the wandering plot threads, but too long to maintain my interest. Tighten it up! I feel like I don't really know Iri. I don't understand his motivations.
That said, Phedre's trilogy was impressive enough and built up enough goodwill that I'll definitely give the next book a read. Sometimes it's hard to switch gears, especially as an author who knows enough about the backstory and wants to share it with the world. Hopefully this book serves more as a bridge between Phedre's story and Imriel's, and the next books will dive deeper into the real meat. We'll see.

Having read--and ultimately enjoyed--the original three books in this universe at the suggestion of my wife, I was hoping to find this new series as enjoyable. Sadly, if this first book is any indication, it won't be.

First, let me say that the book was not terrible. Jacqueline Carry writes very well and creates a cast of characters that are rather three-dimensional. Her odd, alternate-history universe continues to be an interesting blend of early Renaissance and Classical cultures.

But without rehashing the plot as many reviewers have, I will simply say that I found Imriel to be a less than compelling narrator and the story itself similar underwhelming. While I want to feel sympathy for Imriel given his plight in the last book, I instead find myself rather bored by his incessant angst and quasi-adventures.

The book starts rather well. I found Imriel's initial development to be interesting enough. But by the time he heads off to Tiberium (Rome), the book takes a turn. The entire second act was rather uninteresting to me. Not awful, mind you--just not enormously interesting. I rarely felt compelled to read the book--only obligated.

The third act is better than the second, but not what I would call "gripping." Kudos to Carrey for at least making some attempt at portraying a siege a bit more realistically than the (largely ahistorical) "army shows up, army assaults town" strategy that most fantasy authors prefer. Still, the siege does end with an assault of sorts, so I'm not sure how far to extend my appreciation for her attempt to break the mould here. Renaissance siege engines weren't good enough?

I'm hoping the series improves. I found the original series did so: books two and three of the first series were a good bit better than the first, in my opinion. But the Imriel trilogy has a lot more to improve upon than the first trilogy did after Kushiel's Dart. Because Carry's mastery of the English language alone will not be sufficient to carry two more books at this rate.

Whenever asked for "What should I read next?" book ideas I recommend Jaqueline Carey and this series along with G RR Martin or B Sanderson.

I was hesitant at first, when beginning this second trilogy of hers, thinking that replacing Phaedre with a male character in the second trilogy was a mistake, but Imriel quickly grew on me. Carey writes very full and ... desirable... characters and while I think the plot of the first book is not quite as interesting as the two that follow it is still a great introduction to the characters and a pleasure to read.

Kushiel's Justice is the second in the Imriel Trilogy of Jacqueline Carey, and thus the fifth book overall set in her sumptuous alternate history set around Terre D'Ange, the land of angels.

Not for those new to this series or the author, Kushiel's Justice continues to highlight Carey's strongest suit, world-building, as we continue to follow the story of Imriel. The son of the disgraced Melisande Shahrazai matures in this novel, and his refusal to follow the precept of Blessed Elua (with respect to his secret lover) has far reaching, and tragic consequences.

Carey's worldbuilding and Imriel's adventures bring him a marriage, a trip to Alba (England), and the loss of his wife takes him to a completely new land in the series: Vralia (in our world, Russia). The details of her alternate world continue to be teased out, and kept me as a reader continuing to read.Carey has quickly catapulted herself to the level of the best writers of alternate history in this regard.

I am not convinced that Imriel is quite as good a protagonist as Phedre was; I have a sneaking suspicion that in the reversal of the usual problem, Carey writes female characters in far better detail and motivation than her male characters. Indeed, I found the daughters of the Queen, Alais and Sidonie, somewhat more convincing than Imriel himself as a character. Still, Imriel does grow throughout the book and I look forward to seeing if this character growth is sustained in the third and final novel of the series.

Anyone who has followed Carey's novels to this point will not be disappointed in Kushiel's Justice.

Along with (apparently) the rest of the world (or at least those who aren't squeamish), I adored Kushiel's Dart. Someday, I will write a review about it, and I suspect the store will reject it for pure length. The following books were not quite so grand. Chosen was fine, if not quite up to par with the first, but Avatar...Avatar I sort of loathed.

I was a little wary, then, of picking up Scion. I knew it had a new POV character, and I was a little fearful of how that would work out. Having finally screwed up my courage, I can say it works out all right.

The book is certainly better than Kushiel's Avatar, thank God. Carey manages the switch from Phedre to Imriel with panache and to her credit is just as adept writing from a male perspective as she is from a female one (particularly with first-person writers, this is not always the case). Imriel feels realistic and well-realized, and though he's perhaps not as entrancing as Phedre was in her introduction, he's still a great character in his own right.

Carey's prose has not slackened in its brilliance either, and there are some moments (Imriel's description of the Shahrizai comes to mind) which were sheer literary gold, some of her best stuff to date. Indeed, all of Imriel's childhood was strikingly beautiful and a little ethereal. I have almost no issues with this section of the book, aside from one minor annoyance, which I'll mention below.

The trouble comes, as per Carey usual, somewhere in the middle of the book. Carey always begins strong, but the fire of her interest seems to wane as time goes on, leading to slow pacing and plodding narrative. This was even true of Dart, but Carey came back almost instantly with Waldemar Selig and didn't stop until the conclusion.

In this case, she tries to do the same thing, but never quite makes it work. The pacing slows substantially as time goes on, and even the prose gets a little listless. Imriel becomes less magnetic as a narrator as well. The journey to Tiberium and all that goes on there is, I suspect, supposed to give us the same thing as Dart (or Chosen, or Avatar...it's hard to say Carey doesn't follow a template, albeit a good one), with the action-packed adventures outside of Terre d'Ange following some sort of crisis (emotional or otherwise) at home. This has sometimes worked and sometimes been...well, not so effective. Unfortunately, Tiberium falls into the latter camp, as it really doesn't feel that relevant. It doesn't have much bearing on Imriel's main plot, and mostly just ends up giving the sensation that Carey is tossing it in as a kind of time-waster. Imriel's narrative itself supports this: he's running away from his issues, and essentially, Tiberium is just a dalliance. While it's still interesting, with an affair and a siege and a bit of intrigue, it also feels like a distraction. The whole thing takes place with the irritating sensation that the "real" story arc is waiting back in Terre d'Ange and all of what's going on is just an extended irrelevant tangent. Do we ever legitimately think Imriel is in danger? No, because he still has to deal with Sidonie back home.

All of this, coupled with Carey's dip in prose style, makes the second half far less enjoyable than the first.

To put things in perspective, however, it must be said that Carey's diminished prose is still light years ahead of what most authors can hope for, and the book suffers only by comparison to the beginning chapters, which were so nearly perfect.

The only complaint I actually have about the opening chapters is the constant lionization of Phedre, which started to get a little old after the twentieth time or so Imriel starts waxing poetic along the lines of "Ah, Elua, to look upon the face of one who had spoken the Name of God..." I know, the poor kid worships her, but after a while, the point had really been made, and we didn't need to hear one more time about how Phedre is still beautiful, or that she's apparently the wisest person on the planet, or what-have-you. It's hard to tell whether Carey just goes a little too far smacking us in the face with Imriel's awestruck admiration, or whether she's having a little trouble letting go of Phedre herself, but this is the sole annoying element in the first section.

Overall, though, I have to say that this book is a definite improvement over Kushiel's Avatar, up there with Kushiel's Chosen. It's more interesting as a set-up than a story in its own right, perhaps, but it still has some legitimately beautiful prose. Three stars as far as the Kushiel series goes, but seeing as it IS the Kushiel series, in terms of fantasy literature in general, I give it four.

This is the second book in the trilogy that takes place in the same world as Phedre's trilogy, but this time from Imriel's point of view.

In this book Imriel makes good on his promise to marry Dorelei and try to solidify a peace between their two realms. The story is epic in proportions and a lot happens to Imri in the course of this book.

This book was again well-written and the story was thoughtfully progressed. I was a little disappointed at how little Sidonie was actually in the story. I constantly felt bad for Dorelei and I wearied of Imri's constant "trying".

I did not find this book to be as engaging as the last one and kind of had to force myself to finish the end of it. There is just a lot here again. Either too much took place for one book or some of it didn't need to be there, I don't know which. I actually didn't think the book picked up pace until Imri returned home.

I am not sure if the story is just lacking or maybe if I am just not as engaged with Imri as a lead character as I was with Phedre; but for some reason I have been finding this trilogy of books somewhat tedious and slow to get through.

So in summary, beautiful writing, lovely story, but somehow I am finding it a bit tedious and lengthy to get through. I don't find myself quickly turning pages but instead looking ahead to find where the end of the chapter is so that I can stop reading. It's hard to say anything bad about this series because, in general, I love it so much. I'll read the next book and hope that it is faster paced than this one.
karissabooks.blogspot.com

Imriel's story continues as he finds himself back in his beloved Terre d'Ange, and secretly in love, but set to leave both his home (and heart) again. Duty as the third-in-line to the throne means he must wed to help maintain royal power... Despite the blessed Elua's bidding that one should love where thou wilt, Imriel must marry Dorelei, the niece of the King of Alba, and bear a child who will eventually inherit the Alban crown. Imriel, the son of one of the Kingdom's most notorious traitors has his own vow he tries to follow: to be good. He tries to be dutiful, and fair to poor Dorelei, who knows she is marrying a man in love with another woman. He grows into his Alban lordship, winning the grudging respect of the men of Clunderry. But he is imperiled by an ancient and outlawed group of Albans. They rely too much on the Sight and it is said to have driven them insane. Now they believe Imriel is a threat, and they will do anything to forestall that threat. And Imriel's arduous rites of passage become ever more grim--as harsh Kushiel's Justice must be done.

Imriel's tale has some very slight echoes of that masterpiece, The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. That's not enough of a reason to love the books, but it does enhance my pleasure. Imriel is not quite as compelling a figure as Phedre, the protagonist of the first series of Kushiel books, but he's still very intriguing, and perhaps more subtle and complex, enough to compel me to follow as he makes his way through myriad pitfalls and hazards--both internal and external.

"Naamah's curse didn't frighten me.
Her blessing was another matter."

Imriel has returned home from Tiberium to again play the games of state as the third in line for the throne of Terre d'Ange. Now he has settled with the idea that he will wed the Cruarch's niece, Dorelei mab Breidaia, though he still plays with matters of love and intrigue prior to his wedding. The first and foremost in his mind is Sidonie de la Courcel, the heir to Terre d'Ange and the one woman who has truly captured his heart. They keep their affair a secret owing to Imriel's dubious traitor parentage and, though he doesn't intend it to be so, Imriel loses his heart to the young heir with a fervor that no one in his close acquaintance can believe.

His wedding in Alba causes some mischief though, and Imriel cannot quite forget the woman he gave his heart to. This pining leaves him open for all sorts of foul deeds as a woman named Morwen of the Maghuin Ghonn binds him with his own desire. Now Imriel must suppress all of his longing in order to not succumb to Morwen's will. But, Imriel is D'Angeline, of course, and the noted precept of everything has always been "Love as though Wilt".

"Where do we go when we vanish deep inside ourselves?"

Carey's Imriel trilogy continues on with "Kushiel's Justice", a magnificent story that encompasses many of the familiar themes that Carey is known for; the pursuit of love no matter how folly, good vs. evil, and what happens when people reach their breaking point. There is also present the familiar notions of political intrigue and mythology that Carey always seems to skillfully weave into her books. This is one of Carey's finest tales, one I will file away as a top favorite. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

"I have chosen, my lord," I whispered. "Please, no more losses."

When prince of the blood Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel was a child in Terre d'Ange, his parents abandoned him. Pirates abduct him; they sexually abuse the lad in ways that are unmentionable. Life is bleak for the boy until the anguisette Phedre no Delauney and her lover warrior-priest Joscelin adopt Imriel.

Imriel begins to learn to enjoy life, but still suffers nightmares from parental abandonment and the sexual actions of the pirates. However, his mother, demonic Melisande, though confined to a temple or die, has plans for her offspring. She will use him to seize the throne, something she has failed to achieve in the past. When she vanishes those at court assume that her son helped her escape with a plot to take control. Only the letters his mother wrote him that he has not read might offer a clue to where Melisande hides and what she plans to do next. Though he assumes he has no allies except perhaps Phedre and Joscelin and everyone he sees is an enemy, Imriel resolves to protect Queen Ysandre's daughter Sidonie, who he desires.

The first tale in a new trilogy will excite fans as the adventures move to the next generation. The action-packed story line is fast-paced from the moment Melisande escapes as Imriel has to watch his back at all times. He takes over the prime role from Phedre so smoothly long time Kushiel readers will appreciate Jacqueline Carey's conversion while newcomers will not need the previous trilogy to follow Imriel's escapades though they will want to read about Phedre's adventures.

Harriet Klausner

An excellent book. Imriel is older and wiser (though he is still only 20...). People grow up faster in the imaginary middle ages of Terre d'Ange, as they did in the real middle ages. He falls deeply in love with Sidonie, a development hinted at in the prior book, and which works beautifully.

Sidonie is very far from the cold, spoiled girl she had appeared. She is, in fact, a practiced voluptuary, schooled in the arts of the bedchamber, passionate and intense. That she is only sixteen certainly does not detract from the intensity of the couple's passion, though their knowledge of their own youthful inexperience leads them to doubt. It is this doubt that leads to the major conflict of the book: Imriel's decision to wed Dorelai, the niece of the Cruarch of Alba, for political gain.

It's an interesting, if not quite convincing message, that the wisest course for young people is to follow their hearts, not their heads, but in the world that Carey postulates, this is in fact the message of the gods, and so love is trump card of politics, at least in Terre d'Ange.

A series of missed opportunities leads to tragedy for Dorelai and Imriel must take a hazardous journey to seek justice. Phedre and Joscelin play unexpected roles and the book ends with a long but very satisfying coda, setting us up for the climactic book in the series. I'm looking forward to it.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06)

"Kushiel's Scion" is the fourth book in the Kushiel Legacy series. It is also the first in a new trilogy that takes place in Terre d'Ange. It was the first book for me to read by this author. I was not disappointed. The story focuses on Imriel, who is a prince of the blood. As a child he had to endure serious abuse and betrayal. As an adult with a special gift, he fears that he does not have goodness within him, and that he will misuse his gift. His fears about this endeared him to me. He obviously was fighting to overcome some serious issues.

Carey writes in a manner in which her words flow in such a descriptive way that the visual images easily appeared to me. As a new reader to her series, I did not feel like I was left out. I do want to read her other novels because I enjoyed this one so much; however, the book does well in standing alone. Carey includes a "Dramatis Personae" list that reads like a cast of characters. This is really helpful to those just stepping into her story. I was able to look back at the list when I needed to and find out about certain characters.

The sensuality in the story, along with the intrigue, completely wrapped me up in the story. I did not want to put it down. Watching Imriel's battle within himself over good and evil was very compelling. I look forward to catching up with Carey's other novels.

I highly recommend "Kushiel's Scion" to readers who enjoy sensual, intriguing, fantasies.

Received book free of charge.

All the promise of Imriel de la Courcel in Jacqueline Carey's last novel of Terre d'Ange has been fulfilled. The greatest triumph, I think, of this first book in Imriel's trilogy is that Carey gives Imriel a voice of his own, a life of his own, and a story of his own. She is not rewriting the books that made her a bestseller: this book is a brilliant and distinctive continuation of the story of Terre d'Ange.

This story begins several years after Kushiel's Avatar ended, and Imriel carries all the courage, determination, and yes, baggage that he had at the end of that book. He's a young man living in the shadow of his infamous mother and his famous foster parents, damaged by Darsanga, and struggling to find his own way in the midst of d'Angeline intrigue. And that is the sum total of the plot of this book. Imriel first overcomes the trauma of abduction and slavery, his fears about the dark side of his own nature, and then seeks to become a man in his own right and in his own way.

Everything in Kushiel's Scion is geared toward setting Imriel on his way, and very likely, I'm guessing, setting up the confrontations in the second and third books of the trilogy. New characters are introduced, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Eamonn, (or Prince Barbarus), as well as Maslin and the adult Sidonie and Alais, Queen Ysandre's daughters.

Best of all and most promising is, as always, Melisande. As is usually the case, her influence is unseen (yes, that was an intentional pun) but definitely present. Her plans for Imriel remain hidden, but she makes her first try for her son in this book, and I'm sure that she won't be absent in the next two books. Melisande is without question one of the best and most original female villains in all literature, and seeing Imriel contend with her and her minions is an absolute treat.

I think my favorite element of this book was Imriel himself. Carey is impressive in assuming his voice and his view of the world: even the things Imriel chooses to describe, sees, feels, and thinks are different from Phedre's point of view. While Phedre noted the contents of a dinner table down to the candle sticks, Imriel is mostly concerned with the quantity of food he can put away, for example.

Phedre herself is on the periphery of this novel; Joscelin, as Imriel's role model, mentor, and hero, has a greater impact. Which is as it should be, in my opinion, and I loved seeing Joscelin through Imriel's eyes.

And now that Imriel has made his peace with who and what he is in this book, now that he's killed to defend himself and his friends, sacrificed, and assumed his responsibilities, I can't wait to see what challenges Terre d'Ange, his mother, and Carey throw at him next.

Time to start counting down to the next book.

Kushiel's Scion continues the alternate-history fantasy series started in Jacqueline Carey's first novel, Kushiel's Dart, albeit with a new protagonist. The shift in point-of-view from Phedre Delaunay in the original trilogy to Imriel de la Courcel in this story is fascinating, in that it allows Carey to show us how many of the elements of the previous books in Kushiel's Legacy were dictated by the point of view of the character. The same feminist and humanist sensibilities play throughout this book, but in new ways.

Since Imriel is not only male but from a younger generation, but one that grew up in the shadow of the betrayals and wars that dominated the first three books in the series, he is allowed to voice some distaste at the nationalism and ethnocentric chauvenism that is such a prominent part of D'Angeline society. This new level of cultural criticism, along with Imriel's ongoing struggle to overcome the legacy of his traitorous mother, elevates the story from an otherwise fun but not necessarily memorable romp through a series of ghost stories, coming-of-age romances, and large-scale battle scenes. It makes it into a truly character-driven piece, as Imriel has to come to terms with both his family history and the reputation his nationality has earned for being self-obsessed, haughty, and condescending toward neighboring nations.

In the end, it's not the ornamentation that Carey has added to this story that sells it. The more prevalent role of magic, the secret-society intrigues of the Guild, and the always-present travel romp into a new corner of her re-imagined medieval world are nice. Don't get me wrong there. They're just not terribly new or exciting, either. No, in the end, the reason you should read this book is that underneath the blockbuster-style action sequences and the slick plotting, there is a very touching sketch of a young man with an unfortunate family history, and all he wants is to understand what it means to be good.

That spare, simple, and emotionally powerful internal journey does so much more than any fantastically ornamented fantasy ever could--it puts us in touch with our own humanity and it invites us to consider the true motivations and lasting effects of our own choices and to ask the question of ourselves: How can I be good?

From the beginning (of the previous volume, Kushiel's Scion) Imriel was a rather dislikable adolescent lacking Phedre's warmth, compassion, and dazzling heroism. He appeared a moody teenager, reckless and rude. His treacherous mother bequeathed him a violent side and scores of enemies determined to murder him for her crimes. Imriel had to deal with these threats, as well as with the damage done long ago during his capture by a king of great cruelty and evil. Beside Phedre, his heroic and above all loving mother, Imriel seemed childish and aggravating, through crude sex and uncaring violence. Then he grew up.

In book 2, Imriel is far more balanced, accepting of himself and the violence of his birthright. The books all offer incredible description and amazing writing, filed with adventure and wonder: this one is no exception. As always, the historical accuracy is commendable, rich and thrilling.

Imriel is not Phedre, but he slowly grows into responsibility and maturity, turning from an irritating adolescent into an honorable adult. All the beloved characters from previous books return, one way or another. Through everything looms the shadow of Imriel's treacherous mother, Melissande, scheming behind the scenes. A new generation, harboring the grudges and complexities of the previous one has surfaced. The younger princess, Alais, is lively and fun, though she may need to make an uncomfortable political marriage to appease her people. The elder princess, Sidonie, is cold and calculating, yet offers Imriel a perplexing bond. He begins a tumultuous affair with his future queen, the woman to whom he's pledged all his loyalty. But how can he reconcile passion, devotion, and honor, with an arranged marriage awaiting him in Alba?

Imriel starts as a gawky adolescent, intruding into the world Phedre has delighted readers in for three books. However, Imriel has his own unexpected journey to make, with action as thrilling and compelling as any of Phedre's journeys. How he follows his journey from childhood to maturity will, in the end, enthrall its readers.

Kushiel's Scion continues the alternate-history fantasy series started in Jacqueline Carey's first novel, Kushiel's Dart, albeit with a new protagonist. The shift in point-of-view from Phedre Delaunay in the original trilogy to Imriel de la Courcel in this story is fascinating, in that it allows Carey to show us how many of the elements of the previous books in Kushiel's Legacy were dictated by the point of view of the character. The same feminist and humanist sensibilities play throughout this book, but in new ways.

Since Imriel is not only male but from a younger generation, but one that grew up in the shadow of the betrayals and wars that dominated the first three books in the series, he is allowed to voice some distaste at the nationalism and ethnocentric chauvenism that is such a prominent part of D'Angeline society. This new level of cultural criticism, along with Imriel's ongoing struggle to overcome the legacy of his traitorous mother, elevates the story from an otherwise fun but not necessarily memorable romp through a series of ghost stories, coming-of-age romances, and large-scale battle scenes. It makes it into a truly character-driven piece, as Imriel has to come to terms with both his family history and the reputation his nationality has earned for being self-obsessed, haughty, and condescending toward neighboring nations.

In the end, it's not the ornamentation that Carey has added to this story that sells it. The more prevalent role of magic, the secret-society intrigues of the Guild, and the always-present travel romp into a new corner of her re-imagined medieval world are nice. Don't get me wrong there. They're just not terribly new or exciting, either. No, in the end, the reason you should read this book is that underneath the blockbuster-style action sequences and the slick plotting, there is a very touching sketch of a young man with an unfortunate family history, and all he wants is to understand what it means to be good.

That spare, simple, and emotionally powerful internal journey does so much more than any fantastically ornamented fantasy ever could--it puts us in touch with our own humanity and it invites us to consider the true motivations and lasting effects of our own choices and to ask the question of ourselves: How can I be good?

From the beginning (of the previous volume, Kushiel's Scion) Imriel was a rather dislikable adolescent lacking Phedre's warmth, compassion, and dazzling heroism. He appeared a moody teenager, reckless and rude. His treacherous mother bequeathed him a violent side and scores of enemies determined to murder him for her crimes. Imriel had to deal with these threats, as well as with the damage done long ago during his capture by a king of great cruelty and evil. Beside Phedre, his heroic and above all loving mother, Imriel seemed childish and aggravating, through crude sex and uncaring violence. Then he grew up.

In book 2, Imriel is far more balanced, accepting of himself and the violence of his birthright. The books all offer incredible description and amazing writing, filed with adventure and wonder: this one is no exception. As always, the historical accuracy is commendable, rich and thrilling.

Imriel is not Phedre, but he slowly grows into responsibility and maturity, turning from an irritating adolescent into an honorable adult. All the beloved characters from previous books return, one way or another. Through everything looms the shadow of Imriel's treacherous mother, Melissande, scheming behind the scenes. A new generation, harboring the grudges and complexities of the previous one has surfaced. The younger princess, Alais, is lively and fun, though she may need to make an uncomfortable political marriage to appease her people. The elder princess, Sidonie, is cold and calculating, yet offers Imriel a perplexing bond. He begins a tumultuous affair with his future queen, the woman to whom he's pledged all his loyalty. But how can he reconcile passion, devotion, and honor, with an arranged marriage awaiting him in Alba?

Imriel starts as a gawky adolescent, intruding into the world Phedre has delighted readers in for three books. However, Imriel has his own unexpected journey to make, with action as thrilling and compelling as any of Phedre's journeys. How he follows his journey from childhood to maturity will, in the end, enthrall its readers.

"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

This is a continuation of Jacqueline Carey's popular Kushiel's Legacy series, focusing on Phedre and Joscelin's adopted son Imriel. As several plot strands are left untied, it appears to be the beginning of a new trilogy. I said in reviewing the earlier series that it was perhaps the best fantasy series I've ever read. This book isn't as good as the earlier ones; still it is good enough to merit a recommendation.

Readers should be warned that the plot is much slower than Carey fans are used to. Only in the last 1/3 or so of the story is Imriel in any real danger. Mostly this book is a sustained character study of a damaged adolescent. And in that sense, it isn't fully successful. Imriel is much less messed up than you than you would expect of a child who survived the horrific events of "Kushiel's Avatar". Still, he comes off as rather whiny and depressed, and after a while these elements get overly repetitious in his first-person narrative, in particular Imriel's constant self-loathing.

The first half of the story is Imriel's experiences in Phedre's holding of Montreve and the Terre d'Ange court, where Imriel is caught between his heritage through his adoptive parents and that of the large and powerful Shahrizai family that spawned his traitorous mother Melisande. The second half, containing almost all the adventure in the tale, tells of his journey to college in Tiberium (Rome). While there, Imriel encounters the shadowy organization that originally trained Phedre's mentor Anafiel Delauney in spycraft, as well as getting caught up in a battle for control of a friend's home city.

As in any Kushiel novel, there is a good deal of sex. I disagree with the reviewer who complained it had been toned down excessively. In fact, I thought the sex was more explicitly described than in earlier Carey stories, although there was less of it. Still, the novel is inappropriate for kids, who would in either case be turned off by the bulk and relatively slow action.

When I read the first Kushiel trilogy I was overwhelmed and I fell in love with the main characters, especially Phedre. Every book in that trilogy mantained the same energy level and I admit I was doubtful of whether the author could pull it off in a new trilogy,with a male as her main character.

I was pleasantly surprised by the result. While I don't think any book she ever writes will match that first one for me...this one nevertheless comes close. It is, without a doubt, an incredible work of fiction.

The world she has created touches on ours in familiar and interesting ways, and we see more of those similarities to our world in this book, yet it is clearly a unique and fully-developed stand-alone world as well. The countries and cultures she has developed are amazeing, and her characters are nothing short of incredible.

While I miss the submission theme from the first trilogy I am really looking forward to seeing more of this character, Imriel.

The first trilogy was brilliant, this first book in the new trilogy is just as good.

This is a brillantly written novel, as are all of Carey's work.
You get the same things you get in the first trilogy, great action, eroticism not just in deed but in thought and enough politics and intrigue to fill Five volumes of a lesser author's work.

There is only one diffrence in this book, and that being the main protagonist is male and not female. I know that Phedre is probably the best female protagonist in the fantsy fiction world, but don't let this put you off, Imriel de la Courcel is just as good.
Read this novel you will not regret it

P.S, After this trilogy has been concluded Carey is said to be writing another trilogy set in the same world just a couple of hundred years in the future.The main protagonist will be FEMALE.

"Kushiel's Justice" is a sprawling adventure that begins where "Kushiel's Scion" left off. Not only does it surpass "Scion", but it is right up there on par with the earlier "Kushiel" novels.

Imriel has arrived home from his adventures in Tiberium and Lucca, and has finally read his mother's letters. The content of those letters only increases his tumultuous emotions, as Imriel continues to try to do the right thing, and to be good, in the hopes of making up for his mother's treachery. With his decision to wed the Cruarch's niece and secure Terre d'Ange's place in Alba's line of succession, he seems set on this path.

But neither he nor Sidonie reckoned on their explosive connection, as the two begin an illicit affair that, if discovered, could split the realm asunder. But they are young and unsure, and both hope fervently that their feelings will fade. And so Imriel goes forth to marry his Alban bride, Dorelei mab Breidaia, and forge a life as an Alban prince. There, he is caught in a web of Alban magic, as the country's oldest inhabitants struggle to discern the shifting future.

After a startling twist halfway through the book, Imriel's life is shattered and he embarks upon a mission of vengeance that takes him into unknown lands. That journey tests him and changes him in ways he could never have expected.

Words cannot adequately describe the beauty and mastery of "Kushiel's Justice". The story unravels and weaves and unravels again in breathtaking succession, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. The power of Carey's descriptive prose is on display here, as she sets up new lands and new characters and guides us expertly through their histories and motivations. I loved the many intricacies in the plot, the way certain things tied together, and the way so many unexpected obstacles prove that such journeys are never easy. Imriel learns this, too, as even the man against whom he has sworn vengeance shows him that even an idea as righteous as justice or an emotion as clear as hatred is not always so simple.

During the course this book, we see Imriel at his best and at his worst. We see the nature of the Shahrizai and Courcel blood in him, as well as the influences of Phedre and Joscelin. We see him lose himself and find himself repeatedly, and we see the forging of a powerful young man who has finally come to terms with himself. Other main characters include:

Sidonie, in whom readers finally glimpse the subtle cracks in her cold exterior, the insecurities she has struggled with. There is not as much focus on Sidonie's individual character as there is on her interaction with Imriel, but we still see the strength and intelligence and compassion in the young woman.

Dorelei, who serves to ground Imriel and put things into perspective for him. I really enjoyed the portrayal of her character, and found it to be realistic and refreshing.

Alais, who finally comes into her own in Alba. Like Imriel, she begins learning more about herself and her heritage in "Justice", and an interesting groundwork is laid for her in the next novel.

Urist, the commander of the forces who serve Imriel as Lord of Clunderry in Alba. He's an experienced man who doesn't miss much, and his support of Imriel provides a nice balance during their travels.

Many other characters also make appearances throughout the novel, including: Ysandre and Drustan, and his heir, Talorcan; Eammon and Brigitta, and the Lady Grainne; Hyacinthe and Sibeal and their children; Maslin de Lombelon, with whom there's a surprising and satisfactory twist; and of course Phedre and Joscelin, who, despite their comparatively small roles, prove to readers that at heart, they are who they've always been.

I simply do not have enough good things to say about "Kushiel Justice". My only criticism pertains to certain repetitive phrases in the writing, which at times did become a little annoying, but in most places were easily overlooked. If the upcoming "Kushiel's Mercy" is anywhere near as good as this book, Carey will have ended her second "Kushiel" trilogy by setting a standard that few authors today can meet.

Kushiel's Scion takes the Kushiel's Legacy series in a new direction with Imriel as the new narrator. Carey uses beautiful rich language to impart the young Prince's insights to the reader.

This is very much a coming-of-age story centering on Imriel. While many of the characters from previous books remain, they are not the focus of the story. Phedra and Joscelin are his adoptive parents and Imri adores them, but finds it difficult to live up to their reputation.

Still scarred by his abduction and subsequent abuse, he finds relationships difficult to understand - and what teenager doesn't? He is also overshadowed by his mother's treachery. Because of her history, his loyalties are questioned at every turn. He tries hard to be good and deserving of Phedra's love and Joscelin's approval, but counts himself short more often than not. Note for fans of the first books, the sex in this book is toned down considerably from the previous books, in keeping with the discoveries of a boy coming into his manhood.

The second half of Scion has Imriel going away to the University of Tiberium, where he ends up stumbling into a large and powerful Guild of spies. He finds himself embroiled in schemes and plots, most of which he wants nothing to do with. In addition to spies and power brokers, Imri makes friends with students from other countries, forming ties that may come into play in the future. The one thing that seemed out of place was the ending battle. It didn't seem to have much to do with Imriel; it was more a case of circumstance than design.

While slow at times, Carey's skill with prose makes certain the book doesn't become boring. Like any epic book, this one could probably have been cut down, but doing so would have been a loss of information and insight into the character. If you loved Carey's other books, you will enjoy Kushiel's Scion as well.

Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder

6/29/2006

I have to admit, I am disappointed. The first trilogy (Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and Kushiel's Avatar) was incredible. This was not. While Imriel is an engaging character with his own flaws, weaknesses, strengths, and desires, I just don't think he can compare with Phedre. Furthermore, in this book at least, all that really happens is the set-up, a lot of whining, and some limited self-discovery. In Kushiel's Dart we had all that plus an over-arching plot, a deadly struggle, and many battles (both physical and political). Here, Imri goes to college. Hardly the same scale, is it?

Jacqueline Carey is an incredible writer and her writing style here is, as always, beautiful, eloquent, and evocative. Yet, the plot falls through. The reader finds him or herself caring more about Phedre and Joscelin (who are little more than cameos, here), Alais (whose importance declines very quickly, and just about everyone else more than Imriel.

So, on the whole, for those who really loved the first three books, this one is worth a read. However, don't get your hopes up.

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.

The writing was decent, and the story was just okay.

Carey writing the voice of a male was passable, but not really believable. Given the boy's background, he acted rather strange and girlish with some of his male friends. One thing that annoyed me was her constant repetition. She would say something in a paragraph, and repeat it in a sentence below the paragraph. I found it unnecessary, and felt that it detracted a little from the quality. Although I'd read this book before, I didn't remember much of the story. After having finished it again, I felt as though I could just as easily have not read it without feeling like I was missing out on a great story. Certainly not thrilling, but I wouldn't say it was boring either. Mostly, he just complains and struggles with his inner thoughts and feelings. I also don't feel like you need to read this in order to read the next book.

An okay coming of age story about learning to balance freedom with responsibility.

Imriel de la Courcel loves one woman, yet he marries another as part of his duties as a Prince of the Blood. He must help secure a favorable succession for both Alba and Terre d'Ange. Imriel's children will one day rule Alba, securing the mixed bloodlines on the thrones of both nations.

Blessed Eula, however, had one precept for his people: Love as thou wilt. Imriel's arranged marriage satisfies the political needs of two nations, but it violates Eula's precept and gains the notice of the gods.

Even Kushiel's Scion is not safe when dark powers take notice of his trespass.

Darker than the first book in this second series set in the world of Terre d'Ange and Alba, Kushiel's Justice lets Imriel more fully explore the man who he has become. He faces real challenges, real loss, and in the end, gains a real sense of what he needs to do.

Imriel's quest to avenge and find love takes the reader on a complex journey of emotional growth, physical strength, and political maneuvering. Along the way, he finds out where he really stands and who his true allies are.

A sensuous, exciting book, Kushiel's Justice offers readers enticement to turn every page and draws them along in a whirlwind ride to its satisfying conclusion.

Armchair Interviews says: Fans of Carey's books will not be disappointed and new readers will find many reasons to go back and pick up all her other books.

I enjoyed this book, as all of Jacqueline Carey's books have been enjoyed by me. The depth of character involvement, the feelings you can't help but feel for the characters, well, that is what makes a writer and not a hack. Jacqueline Carey is not a hack writer!

This book went deeper into characters feelings, which I also liked. Instead of trying to be just "racy" which just about anyone can do, she took the tough route and had her characters grow. Even justice, when finally achieved, came with a price to the giver. That is true in life and always has been. A GREAT book. I will read the entire series again and again through the rest of my life. And look forward to seeing what else she writes.

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy is a series I adore. I was thrilled to find out she was continuing on with this series. Everything is very well written, but it is not as intense as the first three. It is still very much worth reading and I fully intend on purchasing her next one. The characters are well-developed but it's sad to see less of Joscelin and Phedre though it's interesting to hear a new point of view. I think it takes a little time to accept that this story is from a new p.o.v. The sensuality and grandeur and beautiful writing is still here. What doesn't make it great for me is because of my own expectations--this book was by far more introspective and a bildungsroman rather than an adventure compared to her first three. Still, this is a wonderful story.

Beautiful, lovely, tender... savage, brutal, bleak. Kushiel's Justice walks the line and finds the right balance. Fans of Jacqueline Carey's other works in the Kushiel's series will feel satisfied with how Carey continues to develop the character of Imriel de la Courcel. This is one hero whose journey is at times moving, at times painful to witness, always very real and engrossing. Carey doesn't shy away from anything. Her world-building is extraordinary, her writing is tight and even the smallest detail may come to play a role later in the story. She's a terrific author and this is a terrific story.

This first in a trilogy of novels follows Prince Imriel de la Courcel, Ysandre's nephew by the exiled criminal Melisande de Shahirizai. It is narrated by Imriel himself rather than Phedre, in a turn that takes a reader of the saga a bit to get used to. Carey pulls it off, however, and manages to portray Imriel's inner struggle with his identity and his wish to somehow be a hero like his foster parents very clearly.
The book moves a bit slower than earlier works, but in the end Imriel jumps head first into the action and discovers a little more of who he is and who he can be.

Following Kushiel's Scion, this book is a return to what made Jacqueline Carey's work so intriguing. It's actually possible to have skipped the events of Kushiel's Scion to read this book if you understand the precedent that was set up by the original trilogy, particularly the lines of the D'Angeline and Alban thrones.

On the one hand, it's a refreshing change to have Imriel as the protagonist. While "Scion" was meant to reorient the reader into his personality and life, it was, alas, boring. He does not have the same magnetism as Phedre and I sensed a slight difficulty to write as the opposite gender. Imriel has been established as not being "Phedre Jr.", but it is only in "Justice" that he makes his mark on what kind of man he actually becomes. This book also sets him out on a quest which sends him into completely new territory and follows up a small loose end from Phedre's journeys. While interesting to see new parts of this fantasy world interpreted in Ms. Carey's unique way, they are outshadowed by the reason for the journey itself, in a far different way than has ever been presented by Ms. Carey, at least in the first person.

Readers who expect to see a lot of Phedre and Joscelin in this book will be sorely disappointed. While present, they are secondary players and their involvement is clearly only to support -- but this is exactly what a reader should expect given the focus on Imriel and the way in which they have raised him so far. What readers will see is more insight into the dealings of the D'Angeline and Alban courts. While Phedre had a privileged view of the court given her social standing, Imriel has had court intrigue thrust upon him.

And here is where the key difference in this book of the series lies. For the first time, we see Imriel involved in a relationship which involves true emotion rather than lust. Oh yes, there is lust, but I have always found that Ms. Carey's writing is far more involving when there is love at stake. This was made even more clear by the dearth of any such emotion in "Scion". The real kicker to this particular twist is that it also involves the D'Angeline beliefs about the nature of love that eventually sets up the major events in this book.

Readers who do not want spoilers but at least want to be prepared for what's in store should remember the precept of Blessed Elua: Love as thou wilt. And it is the return to this simple statement, which lies at the core of this fantasy world that has me giving this novel 5 stars. It isn't flawless but it made me remember what makes Ms. Carey's work so memorable.

The main arc of the story is credible, even gripping. The book suffers a bit, though, in comparison to the earlier trilogy, as Imriel, while a well realized character, is nowhere near as fascinating as Phedre. He has his demons to contend with, his issues to confront, but he's a pretty standard hero, in the end. Phedre was a complete original. The first 500 or so pages worked beautifully, as did the last 50. I found myself skipping large portions of the siege of Lucca, however. It was quite obvious that Imriel would encounter adversity, would grow, and would come out of it wiser, stronger and more mature. This whole episdode, therefore, was predictable and just a bit boring. I did find it amusing how Imriel keeps comparing himself unfavorably to Joscelin, but whenever he actually gets in a fight, he completely destroys his opponent. No doubt we're being set up for more significant encounters in the future, and I'm looking forward to them.

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.

What most people fail to notice is that Kushiel's Scion and Kushiel's Justice are part of a series separate from the first three books (Kushiel's Legacy). Kushiel's Scion, Kushiel's Justice, and the upcoming Kushiel's Mercy are part of the Imriel Triology.

I enjoyed Kushiel's Justice even more than Kushiel's Scion. Carey gives Imriel a depth of character that surpasses even her development of Phedre in the first trilogy. Imri's journey from passionate adolescence to a mature adult - with all the realizations that come of witnessing the consequences of your own actions, short- and long-term.

My only complaint about the book is actually about the book itself, not the story - no more than a day or two after I purchased the book from Borders, the actual shape of the book began to warp.

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.

When I sat down to read Kushiels Scion I promised myself I would only read 5 chapters a night and savor it. At 3 o'clock the next afternoon I was looking down at the end page with a feeling somewhere between replete and remorseful. Jaqueline Carey has elequently continued with the next generation of Deuleney's spies, and we see intricatley played out and repeated the court intrigues that gave birth to Deluaney and Phedre. The love that Phedre and Josciline had fought for, for so long is now brimming over and exemplified in their adopted son Imriel. I am proud of Jaqueline Carey for her tender insights into the mind of an abused teenage boy and the musings of a young man who wants to be good. The setting of Tiberium is a rich back drop to Imriel's character and the looming spectre of Melisande beautifully shades the portrait of Imriel's life. Though I still find myself pining for the do or die love of Josciline and Phedre I am sure that Imriel will find his own way on Elua's path. And if anything I am glad that the sense of a greater power and the mysteries it holds are still ever present in Phedre, her knowing eyes seeing the truth to all matters. Any fan of Terre'de Ange and its people will be thrilled with this new adventure. Enjoy!!!

This is the second volume in the second series set in Terre D'Ange. It continues the story with Imriel as the main character (the first book that does this is Kushiel's Scion ). When I first got the book, I was afraid that Imriel was the one who would feel Kushiel's Justice and although he does in a sense, the book is really about the conflict between the two cultures - the D'Angeline and the Alban and how lack of trust punishes everyone. I have loved these books since the first one Kushiel's Dart  and haven't been disappointed yet.

The characters! How could you not love them. I loved this book; it was deep, developed and richly painted. I risked my job by sneaking my e-reader to work and reading; it was worth it. Keeping tack of the names was near impossible while some of the syntax was difficult which I found distracting, but the story prevailed. I will definitely continue the series.

I picked up this book surprised that there was another in the series. I had read the first 3 in high school and I was just looking for something to read while traveling. Little did I know that it would be such a great find. It is beautifully written as always and it is hard to put down. It will bring a tear to your eye and put a lump in your throat, but that is the skill of Carey. I bought Kushiel's Justice and I hope that Kushiel's Mercy comes to paperback soon!

Have read the original trilogy some time ago, I was afraid that I would not be able to get back into to caring about the characters without first re-reading the originals. That was not the case at all! My memory was certainly rusty to begin with, but this beginning of a second trilogy pulls you right in and includes gentle reminders of past occurrences whenever necessary, without burdening the reader with a lot of wasted time reviewing "what has gone before." I was also afraid that a new trilogy, focussing on a new main character could not possibly live up to the originals. I was completely wrong. The story is every bit as rich and engrossing as any of the first three books. I was captured immediately and couldn't put it down. Read this book. If you haven't read the first trilogy, read those too. You won't be disappointed.

The Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey was the best surprise of my summer reading. Her characters have depth and realism. Her plots are intricate and involving and the society/world she has created to put them in is delightfully detailed. The small amount of "magic" (my word, not her's) she employs, does not demean the overall effect. I liked every book, although there were some situations so scary that I was almost afraid to read on. The somewhat erotic nature of the subject is done so naturally that it is not distracting or offensive. Sometimes sexy, often bloody and tense, always entertaining, these books were addictive.

Hero's and legends, magic and love. Tragedy intertwined with adventure of the most noble cause. Beautifully written, this story draws you into the story of love, politics,and the progression of love in its many forms.