Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy)
Book Review: UGH
Summary: 1 Stars
I loved the first trilogy, but this was awful...thin plot line, even more extreme pretentious wordiness than the earlier books, and I felt like almost all the sex was completely gratuitous and it weighed everything down. Read it in one day, was completely disgusted, returned it the next day. I felt so let down because I had been so excited for such a long time. Book Review: Kushiel's Scion Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
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!Book Review: Continuing in excellence
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Page turner of a book
Summary: 5 Stars
I took this book on a cruise and it did not disappoint. The plot started quickly and kept me intrigued and turning pages. The book is delightfully long and interesting throughout. I look forward to the next installment in the series. If you enjoyed the earlier three books have no fear, you will enjoy this one as well. Book Review: Follows the tradition of its predecessors
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll admit I was a little skeptical at first when I found out that Carey had released a new book in her Kushiel series, and that it was centered around Imriel. But the book was true to its predecessors in depth, characterization, and intrigue.
Phedre and Joscelin are no longer the mainstays of the novel, but they play enough of a role that we are reminded why we loved them so much to begin with. Their interactions with Imriel are tender and protective, and it's a joy to read their scenes together. Imriel himself turns out to be a very interesting character, one worth rooting for, and by the end of the novel, one who you're anxiously awaiting to read more about. Torn between his desire to live up to Phedre and Joscelin's legacy and his fear of the traitorous heritage left to him by his birth parents, he comes off as a very believable young adult. Carey did an excellent, subtle job of laying out the twists and pitfalls of his character, steeped in the abuse he suffered in Darsanga and blending that with his acknowledgment of Kushiel's blood. His growth throughout the novel is well paced, and the relationships he forges with others in the book are varied and enjoyable.
Like the previous books, the supporting cast of characters in Kushiel's Scion are also worth mentioning. Ysandre and Drustan are back, and Sidonie and Alais are re-introduced. It's interesting reading Imriel's perspective on the royal family, as well as their interaction with him. Grainne's son, Eammon, also plays a large role in Imriel's life, and I think his character and their friendship adds a nice balance. As Imriel goes off to Tiberium, a new set of characters are introduced, some of whom I think are simply used as plot devices, and others whom I hope we'll see again.
Plot-wise, the novel centered mostly on Imriel's growth, and his coming to terms with himself. There wasn't an epic, grand plan in Kushiel's Scion like we saw in the prior novels, but rather a series of mini-events. Some areas seemed to drag, but for the most part, there was enough development and suspense to keep you hooked. There were also some events that occurred that seemed to be setting the stage for something larger to happen in the later books, so it will be interesting to see how those pan out.
Why I didn't give it a full five stars: mostly plot-related reasons. As I said, some sections of the novel dragged on and seemed unnecessary to the overall story. The concluding "mini-arc" also fell a little flat; it could have been much more compact. While the trysts in this novel have been toned down from the prior ones, there were, again, scenes that I felt detracted from the story and didn't serve any purpose.
All in all, though, this was an excellent novel. Carey maintains the regal world of Terre D'Ange and continues to bring to vivid life the many inhabitants of her world. I look forward to Kushiel's Justice!