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: Imriel Comes of Age
Summary: 4 Stars
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
Book Review: Very Moving
Summary: 5 Stars
This book had me smiling and crying. This truly is Imriel's story but you do get a chance to see the characters from the Phedre Triology. I think it really shows how Imriel is developing from the boy in Phedre's last book to the young man he ends up being by the end of this book. He truly goes through many things in this book that helps make him a stronger person and a wiser person. I'm looking forward to the next book of Imriel's. Book Review: Kushiel's Line throws as true as Kushiel's Dart
Summary: 5 Stars
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!
Book Review: A pleasure.
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Book Review: Different but still great
Summary: 5 Stars
Kushiel's Scion is wonderful, though quite different from the previous Kushiel books. There is less political intrigue, and more growing-up on the part of the characters. This book also seemed less resolved at the end, rather than the previous three books which ended on a clear closing note. However, I cannot wait for the next book, and am eagerly anticipating more Kushiel.