Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.99 You Save: $4.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy)
Book Review: A credit to the series
Summary: 5 Stars
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! Book Review: Another fabulous book by J. Carey
Summary: 5 Stars
Kushiel's Scion, like Jacqueline Carey's earlier work, is not for the light reader. However if you are looking for intrigue, originality, convoluted plots, and fascinating characters, this is a book for you. Even with some 700+ pages, there didn't seem time to cover all the twist and turns included in this book.Book Review: Less Epic, Just as Good
Summary: 5 Stars
In many ways, I like this book better than the original trilogy. While the plot is thinner, or at least less epic, Imriel is easy to relate to while still being wry and clever and steeped in the mythology of his world. Also, the supporting cast in this one is just wonderful. I feel like I could have easily read a whole book about Mavros or Lucius. Carey continues to expand the culture she's created for Terre D'Ange in all sorts of intriguing ways -- the inner workings of House Shahrizai being high on the list. Also, her unsettling knack for burying emotional truths in what should be, but isn't, merely a trashy and fun adventure remains.Book Review: A big step down from the first 3
Summary: 3 Stars
Phedre and Joscelin are two of the greatest fantasy characters ever created, and their story, told in the first triology, is one of the more remarkable creations in the fantasy genre.
This new book is a giant step down from lofty heights.
Book Review: Not Impressed
Summary: 3 Stars
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.