Collections
Publication
Pan Macmillan (2004), Paperback, 704 pages
Description
Erotic Literature. Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt. Phèdre nó Delaunay is a woman pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has been strange and dangerous, and through it all the devoted swordsman Joscelin has been at her side. Her very nature is a torturous thing for them both, but he is sworn to her and he has never violated his vow: to protect and serve. But Phèdre's plans put Joscelin's pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture, a bargain he struck with the gods-to take Phèdre's place as a sacrifice and save a nation. Phèdre cannot forgive-herself or the gods. She is determined to seize one last hope to redeem her friend, even if it means her death. The search will bring Phèdre and Joscelin across the world, to distant courts where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world. And to a power so mighty that none dare spe… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member Aerrin99
The most irritating thing about this book is its cover, which features a woman with Phedre's marque, which apparently not only fits on half her back, but also curves around her ribs. Pft! If one is going to bother to include important descriptive elements from the book, one might at least notice
Ahem. But the /book/. Better than the first, not as good as the second, due in part to some elements that simply pushed my comfort level further than I would have liked (the BDSM comes out in intense fullness here) and in part to a plot that twists and weaves and turns a few times too many.
Melisande Shahrizai, the greatest traitor Terre D'Ange has ever known, has a son, third in line for the throne. He has been missing since the events of the second book, a span of ten years. And now, he is /missing/ - he's disappeared from his hiding place, and his mother requests Phedre's help in finding him. She buys Phedre’s help with the promise of information – information that could free her true friend Hyacinthe from a curse he took on for Phedre’s sake in the first book.
Phedre's quest gives Carey the opportunity to keep drawing her world outward, now exploring the middle east and portions of Africa to fascinating effect, but this time the trip feels a little too windy. I could have done with a few less curves, a bit more to-the-point.
For the first time, as well, I see some validity to the description of Carey's work as 'overwrought.' It doesn't bother me overmuch - I like my works thick with emotion, even emotional pain - but it's heavier here, and heavier-handed, than her other works. Part of this is because the journey Phedre takes in search of Melisande’s son, Imriel, is very, very dark. This is not a book I’d hand to people who are wary of that for any reason.
What’s interesting about this book, though, is that it asks questions about justice and fairness (Phedre believes that Imriel’s disappearance is due to his mother’s sins against Terre D’Ange), as well as about the nature of service to a god, or to a grander plan. It also explores some questions of choice and sacrifice – Phedre has spent ten years trying to rescue Hyacinthe, but her choice to follow that path now would mean abandoning a child to a nasty fate – as well as about power.
I also continue to adore Joscelin through this book and like Imriel surprisingly well (ten years old tends to be a hard write for many authors, with the in-between of child/teen that the age involves). Phedre edges a bit close to ‘too perfect, too capable’ a few times, but Carey walks the line. I’m pleased to see significant changes and growth in relationships in that ten-year gap between the last book and this one.
Show More
the extreme importance of the /placement/ of said details.Ahem. But the /book/. Better than the first, not as good as the second, due in part to some elements that simply pushed my comfort level further than I would have liked (the BDSM comes out in intense fullness here) and in part to a plot that twists and weaves and turns a few times too many.
Melisande Shahrizai, the greatest traitor Terre D'Ange has ever known, has a son, third in line for the throne. He has been missing since the events of the second book, a span of ten years. And now, he is /missing/ - he's disappeared from his hiding place, and his mother requests Phedre's help in finding him. She buys Phedre’s help with the promise of information – information that could free her true friend Hyacinthe from a curse he took on for Phedre’s sake in the first book.
Phedre's quest gives Carey the opportunity to keep drawing her world outward, now exploring the middle east and portions of Africa to fascinating effect, but this time the trip feels a little too windy. I could have done with a few less curves, a bit more to-the-point.
For the first time, as well, I see some validity to the description of Carey's work as 'overwrought.' It doesn't bother me overmuch - I like my works thick with emotion, even emotional pain - but it's heavier here, and heavier-handed, than her other works. Part of this is because the journey Phedre takes in search of Melisande’s son, Imriel, is very, very dark. This is not a book I’d hand to people who are wary of that for any reason.
What’s interesting about this book, though, is that it asks questions about justice and fairness (Phedre believes that Imriel’s disappearance is due to his mother’s sins against Terre D’Ange), as well as about the nature of service to a god, or to a grander plan. It also explores some questions of choice and sacrifice – Phedre has spent ten years trying to rescue Hyacinthe, but her choice to follow that path now would mean abandoning a child to a nasty fate – as well as about power.
I also continue to adore Joscelin through this book and like Imriel surprisingly well (ten years old tends to be a hard write for many authors, with the in-between of child/teen that the age involves). Phedre edges a bit close to ‘too perfect, too capable’ a few times, but Carey walks the line. I’m pleased to see significant changes and growth in relationships in that ten-year gap between the last book and this one.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ConnieJo
I think I like this book slightly better than the last volume (which had less of other characters in favor of focusing on Phedre), but the last part in the trilogy definitely went slightly more over-the-top than I have a taste for. I still loved it to death and read it in two or three sittings,
I was actually pretty surprised with the darker tone of this book, too. Jocelin and Phedre chase down Melisandre's son, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, and they track him down across fantasy-Northern Africa and the Middle East, slay some biblical-type evil, then track down into the heart of fantasy-Africa to find the name of God among the lost tribe in order to summon something that is... well, actually biblical.
The child slavery thread was dark, but more dark was the harem/torture chamber that was uncovered in the dark kingdom that Phedre and Jocelin chase Melisandre's son into. I was a little unsettled by the first two-thirds of the book, actually, and I dreaded the dark kingdom the entire time the story took place there. The atmosphere and sense of foreboding was wonderful, though.
I did enjoy the last segment, which took place around the lost colony and dealt with Phedre trying to coax the people into letting her into their most sacred and lost temples. The mixing of fictional and existing mythologies in this segment was fantastic.
Let's not forget the romantic aspects of it. Of course, there are some wonderful scenes between Jocelin and Phedre, made even more wonderful when the dark kingdom sort of... kills something inside them both, and they have to work to get it back again. There are also deep and multi-level relationships, romantic and friendly, that are examined between most of the regular cast and recurring characters. The portrayal of the characters in this series is like almost nothing else I read, and it's probably what I like about it most.
Hence why I enjoyed the ending, the scenes dealing with Phedre and the Prince of Travelers were quite good, though I had imagined more taking place.
Show More
though.I was actually pretty surprised with the darker tone of this book, too. Jocelin and Phedre chase down Melisandre's son, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, and they track him down across fantasy-Northern Africa and the Middle East, slay some biblical-type evil, then track down into the heart of fantasy-Africa to find the name of God among the lost tribe in order to summon something that is... well, actually biblical.
The child slavery thread was dark, but more dark was the harem/torture chamber that was uncovered in the dark kingdom that Phedre and Jocelin chase Melisandre's son into. I was a little unsettled by the first two-thirds of the book, actually, and I dreaded the dark kingdom the entire time the story took place there. The atmosphere and sense of foreboding was wonderful, though.
I did enjoy the last segment, which took place around the lost colony and dealt with Phedre trying to coax the people into letting her into their most sacred and lost temples. The mixing of fictional and existing mythologies in this segment was fantastic.
Let's not forget the romantic aspects of it. Of course, there are some wonderful scenes between Jocelin and Phedre, made even more wonderful when the dark kingdom sort of... kills something inside them both, and they have to work to get it back again. There are also deep and multi-level relationships, romantic and friendly, that are examined between most of the regular cast and recurring characters. The portrayal of the characters in this series is like almost nothing else I read, and it's probably what I like about it most.
Hence why I enjoyed the ending, the scenes dealing with Phedre and the Prince of Travelers were quite good, though I had imagined more taking place.
Show Less
LibraryThing member PhoenixTerran
During Jacqueline Carey's last book tour, on which I got to meet her, I asked what was the one scene that was personally most difficult for her to write. She answered that it was a scene in Kushiel's Avatar where she stayed true to the characters and to the plot, which resulted in some pretty
It's been ten years since Kushiel's Chosen takes place and Phèdre is both more mature and wiser. She has spent her time in intense research and study, searching for the answer to her best friend's freedom. Hyacinthe, now the Master of the Straits, has been caught in an longstanding curse trapping him on a remote and lonely island and slowly driving him mad.
When she has exhausted all her resources and is still no closer to obtaining Hyacinthe's freedom, she receives a plea from Melisande Sharizai, Phèdre's one-time patron and traitor to the crown. Her son Imriel, who is the third in line to the throne, has been stolen away and she wants Phèdre to find him. In return, she offers knowledge, information that may lead to the breaking of the curse.
Phèdre accepts the challenge, not knowing that the search will take her to the darkest reaches of the land and her soul. And not only her--Joscelin, her love and constant companion, will also have to face the horrors that await them both.
Kushiel's Avatar does go to some dark places, but it also has some wondrous moments of light, as well. Steeped in mythology, legend, and gods, Carey continues to amaze me with the depth and detail that she puts into her world. While this book didn't capture me as completely as the first two, Carey's writing is still as beautiful and sumptuous as ever. The third book in the original trilogy, it gives a nice sense of resolve to the story while leaving opportunity to return to the characters and world. The next trilogy of books switch their focus from Phèdre and Joscelin to Imriel, and I am most definitely looking forward to reading them.
Experiments in Reading
Show More
horrible things happening. While I don't remember exactly which scene she was referring to, I'm pretty sure I know which one it was because it made me want to cry when I read it.It's been ten years since Kushiel's Chosen takes place and Phèdre is both more mature and wiser. She has spent her time in intense research and study, searching for the answer to her best friend's freedom. Hyacinthe, now the Master of the Straits, has been caught in an longstanding curse trapping him on a remote and lonely island and slowly driving him mad.
When she has exhausted all her resources and is still no closer to obtaining Hyacinthe's freedom, she receives a plea from Melisande Sharizai, Phèdre's one-time patron and traitor to the crown. Her son Imriel, who is the third in line to the throne, has been stolen away and she wants Phèdre to find him. In return, she offers knowledge, information that may lead to the breaking of the curse.
Phèdre accepts the challenge, not knowing that the search will take her to the darkest reaches of the land and her soul. And not only her--Joscelin, her love and constant companion, will also have to face the horrors that await them both.
Kushiel's Avatar does go to some dark places, but it also has some wondrous moments of light, as well. Steeped in mythology, legend, and gods, Carey continues to amaze me with the depth and detail that she puts into her world. While this book didn't capture me as completely as the first two, Carey's writing is still as beautiful and sumptuous as ever. The third book in the original trilogy, it gives a nice sense of resolve to the story while leaving opportunity to return to the characters and world. The next trilogy of books switch their focus from Phèdre and Joscelin to Imriel, and I am most definitely looking forward to reading them.
Experiments in Reading
Show Less
LibraryThing member jasmyn9
Ten years have passed for Phedre and Joscelin. Years of peace and happiness uninterrupted by intrigue. The only damper is the knowledge that her best friend, Hyacinthe, is stuck as master of the straights, fulfilling an age old curse. But one again the gods have a higher purpose for them, a message
A fantastic conclusion to the trilogy. Phedre takes Joscelin to hell and beyond and pushed both of their vows, to each other and to their gods, to the test. As they decend into near madness they realize how great sacrifice can lead to such amazing rewards. The journey takes to places few have heard of and brings them back home full of rewards, but scarred for life.
This is my favorite book of the series by far. I keep wanting to say more about the story, but I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't read the first two yet. What I can say is that if you haven't read these yet, you must! There is a follow up series that I have all but the first one for, and I know that it has moved up to the top of my wish list for books to buy.
5/5
Show More
seen in dreams and in the form of a plea for help from the traitor, Melisande. her son, hidden away for the past ten years, has been kidnapped. Thus begins the most imporatant journey of Phedre's life. A journey to not only save an innocent boy, but finally a way to free Hyacinthe and thwart an evil that no one realizes even exists.A fantastic conclusion to the trilogy. Phedre takes Joscelin to hell and beyond and pushed both of their vows, to each other and to their gods, to the test. As they decend into near madness they realize how great sacrifice can lead to such amazing rewards. The journey takes to places few have heard of and brings them back home full of rewards, but scarred for life.
This is my favorite book of the series by far. I keep wanting to say more about the story, but I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't read the first two yet. What I can say is that if you haven't read these yet, you must! There is a follow up series that I have all but the first one for, and I know that it has moved up to the top of my wish list for books to buy.
5/5
Show Less
LibraryThing member xicanti
The final volume of the original Kushiel's Legacy trilogy.
And with this book, Jacqueline Carey has fully won me over. There's action here, sure, and lots of the tasty worldbuilding that her fans have come to expect, but that's not what makes this book. Nope. It's all about the characters and they
While the plot focuses on two quests Phedre undertakes, it's her relationships with the other characters that really drive the story. I just love how Carey has developed Phedre and Joscelin's relationship over the course of these three books. There's so much between them, and she takes it all into account as she concludes their story. I teared up quite a lot. (And by "quite a lot," I mean I spent maybe 4/5 of the book either crying or blinking back tears). Once she adds Imriel into the mix, things change in some surprising and satisfying ways.
This is a book about love of all kinds. Love for one's family, love for one's friends, love for one's country, love for one's gods... just love, pure and simple. It's a satisfying, utterly emotional read.
Plot-wise, it isn't quite perfect. I found Phedre's first quest compelling, but the second didn't do nearly as much for me. I was grateful that there was so much fantastic interaction between the characters during the latter half of the book, as I think I'd probably have been bored otherwise. And I still get the feeling that many of Phedre's travels aren't so much necessities as ways for Carey to show off her (admittedly wonderful) alternate world.
But all in all, I enjoyed the hell out of this. It was a wonderful end to Phedre's story, and has left me eager to read more from Jacqueline Care.
(Longer, ramblier review available on my blog, Stella Matutina).
And with this book, Jacqueline Carey has fully won me over. There's action here, sure, and lots of the tasty worldbuilding that her fans have come to expect, but that's not what makes this book. Nope. It's all about the characters and they
Show More
way they tug at the reader's heartstrings.While the plot focuses on two quests Phedre undertakes, it's her relationships with the other characters that really drive the story. I just love how Carey has developed Phedre and Joscelin's relationship over the course of these three books. There's so much between them, and she takes it all into account as she concludes their story. I teared up quite a lot. (And by "quite a lot," I mean I spent maybe 4/5 of the book either crying or blinking back tears). Once she adds Imriel into the mix, things change in some surprising and satisfying ways.
This is a book about love of all kinds. Love for one's family, love for one's friends, love for one's country, love for one's gods... just love, pure and simple. It's a satisfying, utterly emotional read.
Plot-wise, it isn't quite perfect. I found Phedre's first quest compelling, but the second didn't do nearly as much for me. I was grateful that there was so much fantastic interaction between the characters during the latter half of the book, as I think I'd probably have been bored otherwise. And I still get the feeling that many of Phedre's travels aren't so much necessities as ways for Carey to show off her (admittedly wonderful) alternate world.
But all in all, I enjoyed the hell out of this. It was a wonderful end to Phedre's story, and has left me eager to read more from Jacqueline Care.
(Longer, ramblier review available on my blog, Stella Matutina).
Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Kushiel's Avatar is the concluding book in a trilogy that begins with Kushiel's Dart and continued in Kushiel's Chosen, so you should read those books first.
Phedre is a very engaging heroine, and Carey writes this pseudo-Renaissance pagan world evocatively and sensually and I love how she
I rarely cry because of a book--I'm not easy. But this book was one of those rare ones. A truly moving read--this is one book I'll never forget. It hits hard in the way it renders all the different kinds of love and what you're willing to do for it: parental, friendship as well as romantic. The overall series continues with other narrators after this book--I enjoyed those reads and I recommend them--but for me this was the emotional climax of the series so far.
Phedre is a very engaging heroine, and Carey writes this pseudo-Renaissance pagan world evocatively and sensually and I love how she
Show More
intertwines different mythologies in this work. I didn't think hearing about these books that they would become favorites. Phedre is an "anguissette," originally a prostitute by profession whose sexuality is entwined with pain. This is pushed to the limits in this book, which made me squirm at times. This books takes you very dark places, but it's worth the payoff. I rarely cry because of a book--I'm not easy. But this book was one of those rare ones. A truly moving read--this is one book I'll never forget. It hits hard in the way it renders all the different kinds of love and what you're willing to do for it: parental, friendship as well as romantic. The overall series continues with other narrators after this book--I enjoyed those reads and I recommend them--but for me this was the emotional climax of the series so far.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
The last part of the trilogy about Phédre, Joscelin et al. There is, I know, a series set some years after this one, but it's not really about them from what I understand.
This story starts with Melisande's child being kidnapped from his seclusion. Melisande and Phédre leap to conclusions that
The second part of the book details the conclusion of the search for the means to free Hyacinthe, and finding the lost tribe of Israel and the ark of the covenant.
There is a lot of ticking off of plot elements, loads of travel, and quite a bit of metaphysics in this one, rather than politics really. That said, there's a fair bit of contact with characters 10 years on, and that is deftly handled, and the story, although almost 1,000 pages long, fairly romps along with the mix of scholarship, sex, romance, intrigue and action that makes the first two books work so well.
It will be a shame to see these characters step into the background, even though they've had more than their fair share of troubles, and most of them have managed to be well resolved.
This story starts with Melisande's child being kidnapped from his seclusion. Melisande and Phédre leap to conclusions that
Show More
it's all a massive political intrigue, but actually this is a simple slave kidnapping. Things, however, don't remain that simple, as Phédre gets caught up with sending the Zoroastrian devil (Angra Mainyu) back to hell rather than letting him consume the world.The second part of the book details the conclusion of the search for the means to free Hyacinthe, and finding the lost tribe of Israel and the ark of the covenant.
There is a lot of ticking off of plot elements, loads of travel, and quite a bit of metaphysics in this one, rather than politics really. That said, there's a fair bit of contact with characters 10 years on, and that is deftly handled, and the story, although almost 1,000 pages long, fairly romps along with the mix of scholarship, sex, romance, intrigue and action that makes the first two books work so well.
It will be a shame to see these characters step into the background, even though they've had more than their fair share of troubles, and most of them have managed to be well resolved.
Show Less
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: Terre D'Ange has had ten years of peace since Phèdre nó Delaunay helped defeat the plots of Melisande and secure Ysandre de la Courcel on the throne for good. In that time Phèdre and her consort Joscelin have prospered, troubled only by two failures. First, Melisande's son Imriel is
Review: It's really difficult to do justice to these books in a single review, because they are so big, so complex, and so, so good. I don't know exactly how to start, other than just dissolving into a mess of fangirly "eeee! so good!" gushing all over the page, but: Eeee! So good!
I suppose I'll start with the things that are wonderful about the series as a whole. Carey's writing is amazing, lush and beautiful and descriptive and full of wonderfully well-turned phrases. Phèdre's voice is a little bit archaic-sounding in places, but it's never difficult to read, and it adds to the characterization. (That characterization is, of course, also wonderful, which I'll get into below.) I also really like Carey's world that she's built - or more to the point, the way that she's tweaked our world so that she can add in religions and fantasy elements (although really, not that many) and play with the history a bit, but left it similar enough to our world that it feels rich and familiar. This book, as it ventures further afield, was less familiar to me than the previous two, although I loved the sections in Menehkhet (Egypt) and I'm now curious to go in search of some history and legend, just to see how much of Carey's story is based on reality, and how much is invention.
Carey also does a good job of keeping her story moving. This book feels somewhat episodic, which I think is unavoidable with a book of this size, but she handles her transitions smoothly. But really, the main reason that I love these books is not the writing or the worldbuilding or the action or the sexytimes (of which this book actually had comparably few); it's that they're incredibly absorbing, and I think a large part of that is down to the characters. Phèdre is a great narrator, strong and smart and not only self-confident but also aware of her foibles and limitations. This book is substantially darker than previous books, especially throughout its middle section, and it was the first time when Phèdre being who she is made me (and, I think, her) truly uncomfortable, but the characterization rings true throughout. Joscelin is... Joscelin. (Read: Amazing. And a lot more present in this book than in the previous, even when he wasn't physically on-screen.) But what really stood out for me in this book was how quickly, and how absolutely completely I fell in love with Imriel. Carey writes him exquisitely well, with the perfect blend of hurt and anger and hesitant trust and old-for-his-age savvy and general ten-year-old-boy-ishness. I don't know that I've encountered another character with such power to simultaneously make my heart break, and melt, on his behalf. If I'm being perfectly honest, I got teary-eyed more than once throughout this book.
So. That was gushy and rambly and I have now used up all of the superlatives in the English language, but it basically boils down to: Love, love, love. So good. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Kushiel's Avatar does not at all stand alone. The trilogy as a whole, though, is highly, highly recommended for fans of epic, complex, mature, and beautiful fantasy novels.
Show More
third in line for the D'Angeline throne, and thus poised to be at the center of plots against Ysandre and her daughters, but Phèdre has been unable to find him. Secondly, not a day goes by that her childhood friend Hyacinthe is not on Phèdre's mind, but she has been unable to find the one word that will free him from his terrible burden as the Master of the Straits - a burden that he accepted on her behalf. But now the ten years of peace have come to an end, with a terrible dream and a message from Melisande. For Imriel is missing, kidnapped from the temple at which he'd been secreted away, and although Melisande should be Phèdre's enemy, she agrees to look for the missing boy... a quest which will take her farther from her beloved homeland than she's ever been before, and which may ultimately hold the key to Hyacinthe's fate.Review: It's really difficult to do justice to these books in a single review, because they are so big, so complex, and so, so good. I don't know exactly how to start, other than just dissolving into a mess of fangirly "eeee! so good!" gushing all over the page, but: Eeee! So good!
I suppose I'll start with the things that are wonderful about the series as a whole. Carey's writing is amazing, lush and beautiful and descriptive and full of wonderfully well-turned phrases. Phèdre's voice is a little bit archaic-sounding in places, but it's never difficult to read, and it adds to the characterization. (That characterization is, of course, also wonderful, which I'll get into below.) I also really like Carey's world that she's built - or more to the point, the way that she's tweaked our world so that she can add in religions and fantasy elements (although really, not that many) and play with the history a bit, but left it similar enough to our world that it feels rich and familiar. This book, as it ventures further afield, was less familiar to me than the previous two, although I loved the sections in Menehkhet (Egypt) and I'm now curious to go in search of some history and legend, just to see how much of Carey's story is based on reality, and how much is invention.
Carey also does a good job of keeping her story moving. This book feels somewhat episodic, which I think is unavoidable with a book of this size, but she handles her transitions smoothly. But really, the main reason that I love these books is not the writing or the worldbuilding or the action or the sexytimes (of which this book actually had comparably few); it's that they're incredibly absorbing, and I think a large part of that is down to the characters. Phèdre is a great narrator, strong and smart and not only self-confident but also aware of her foibles and limitations. This book is substantially darker than previous books, especially throughout its middle section, and it was the first time when Phèdre being who she is made me (and, I think, her) truly uncomfortable, but the characterization rings true throughout. Joscelin is... Joscelin. (Read: Amazing. And a lot more present in this book than in the previous, even when he wasn't physically on-screen.) But what really stood out for me in this book was how quickly, and how absolutely completely I fell in love with Imriel. Carey writes him exquisitely well, with the perfect blend of hurt and anger and hesitant trust and old-for-his-age savvy and general ten-year-old-boy-ishness. I don't know that I've encountered another character with such power to simultaneously make my heart break, and melt, on his behalf. If I'm being perfectly honest, I got teary-eyed more than once throughout this book.
So. That was gushy and rambly and I have now used up all of the superlatives in the English language, but it basically boils down to: Love, love, love. So good. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Kushiel's Avatar does not at all stand alone. The trilogy as a whole, though, is highly, highly recommended for fans of epic, complex, mature, and beautiful fantasy novels.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mssbluejay
The last book in the story of Phédre no Delaunay de Montréve was just as exciting and well-written as the first two, even though the character is very familiar to the reader by now. I'm glad that the 'Phédre Trilogy' in Kushiel's Legacy is over, but I am looking forward to reading the 'Imriel
Show More
Trilogy' in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
All three of the books in this series have been beautiful, though I have to say I enjoyed the first two a bit more. Here, there's less tension between the main characters, and that tension was a part of what kept me so seriously engaged in their stories. Here, it seems like as much time was spent
Show More
on plot as on character, or that the ratio was different in any case--I enjoyed the level of thought and characterization in the earlier ones more, though the story here is still worthwhile and engaging. Carey set a high bar for herself from the beginning, and the writing and story here certainly still stand heads and tails above a great deal of what I've read in the past few years, especially in the genre of fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member inserttitlehere
another amazing read following the previous novels reputation. Amazing adventure with well-known and loved characters that ends in a wholly satisfactory matter. Again, extremely well-written and kept me enthralled for hours on end. finished this mammoth of a book in 2 sittings, taking a break only
Extremely entertaining and has me immediately reaching for the next novel.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Show More
to study fleetingly for an exam and take the very same exam. :)Extremely entertaining and has me immediately reaching for the next novel.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Show Less
LibraryThing member surreality
Plot: After the first two books, the plot in this one comes as no surprise. It follows the same pattern as before, down to using the same situations and same solutions. For a book of this size, there also isn't a lot of plot to be had.
Characters: The main character has been grating on my nerves
Style: Too many words. Far too many words. Description is all good and well, but there's description and there's suffocating the reader. Ironically, all the details ruin the atmosphere because very little is left to the reader's imagination. As before, explicit sex, often of the sm persuasion, but somehow the creativity is gone.
Plus: The setup is nicely done. Occasional good scenes and subplots.
Minus: On long stretches it drags and doesn't go anywhere, and a few of the final outcomes and discoveries are just so obvious, it's downright painful to see them come true. A little more creativity wouldn't have hurt.
Summary: The series has lost its momentum at this point, and there isn't anything new for the characters to experience.
Characters: The main character has been grating on my nerves
Show More
since the first page she appeared on. She's just too perfect, even in her imperfections, and simply doesn't feel real to me in any way. The side characters are more interesting and also are the ones who undergo development, though stereotypes are a very common sight. Style: Too many words. Far too many words. Description is all good and well, but there's description and there's suffocating the reader. Ironically, all the details ruin the atmosphere because very little is left to the reader's imagination. As before, explicit sex, often of the sm persuasion, but somehow the creativity is gone.
Plus: The setup is nicely done. Occasional good scenes and subplots.
Minus: On long stretches it drags and doesn't go anywhere, and a few of the final outcomes and discoveries are just so obvious, it's downright painful to see them come true. A little more creativity wouldn't have hurt.
Summary: The series has lost its momentum at this point, and there isn't anything new for the characters to experience.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jshillingford
A fantastic conclusion to the Kushiels Legacy trilogy! Phedre has found Imriel in the harem of a maniac, in a god-forsaken land covered in darkness. Imriel has been tortured, and he is feral and suspicous of her. Can Phedre convince the women and men imprisoned here that it is better to fight, than
Show More
live in such torment? Show Less
LibraryThing member dutchmarbel
Book three and the story finishes though there are enough open ends to be able to write another book in the series. I hope she doesn't because though I really enjoyed reading it in the end the number of ways in which the lead character saves everybody get's too much.
Fastfood for the brain, but a
Fastfood for the brain, but a
Show More
nice read. Show Less
LibraryThing member laileana
This novel takes place 10 years after the second novel, 10 peaceful years promised Phedre by the old blind seer. Yet this becomes a novel of great travel, great sacrifice and it finalizes two remaining story lines-where is Melissandes son and how to get Hyacinthe off the island where he is trapped
LibraryThing member RogueBelle
This is, in my opinion, the darkest of the series so far. It gets brutally difficult to read at points, but that only speaks to Carey's talent as a writer. She pushes the edges of the map here, taking Phèdre and Joscelin to the edges of their known world and beyond. A dazzling conclusion to the
Show More
trilogy... but one that makes it perfectly clear the story isn't over yet. After all... "A storyteller's tale may end, but history goes on always". ;) Show Less
LibraryThing member molliewatts
Imriel de la Courcel, son of Melisande Shahrizai, the greatest traitor Terre D'Ange has ever known, is missing, and it is Phedre and Joscelin whom Ysandre commission to find him. They will travel to a distant land where an ancient evil resides in order to save the young prince - and it will take
Show More
strength beyond measure from both Phedre and Joscelin to survive. At the same time, Phedre is still searching desperately for the key that will free her childhood friend, Hyacinthe, from his island prison - a journey that will take her to the very ends of the earth, to a civilization long-forgotten by time. Show Less
LibraryThing member ejj1955
Enjoyed this trilogy and I'm glad I knew before I read this book that it went to some 'dark places.' Yes, it certainly did. But the conclusion was very satisfying. I do want to read the second trilogy at some point--not too soon, though. I need variety! Time for some mysteries again, I think. Or
One big criticism I have of this third book, though--not for the author, but for the publisher and copy editor (though, honestly, the author should also know better): there were a surprising number of mistakes in using the nominative as the object of a preposition. For example: 'that was between Joscelin and I.'
This kind of error is distracting in the extreme and is the most basic of the kinds of things a copy editor and/or proofreader should catch. For me, it stops the story dead in its tracks.
Show More
maybe even some nonfiction, it's been too long.One big criticism I have of this third book, though--not for the author, but for the publisher and copy editor (though, honestly, the author should also know better): there were a surprising number of mistakes in using the nominative as the object of a preposition. For example: 'that was between Joscelin and I.'
This kind of error is distracting in the extreme and is the most basic of the kinds of things a copy editor and/or proofreader should catch. For me, it stops the story dead in its tracks.
Show Less
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
This was a satisfying conclusion to the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy. I overcame an initial dislike for the trilogy's style, and I enjoyed this book very much. And I am grateful that this book did conclude the major plot points, it wasn't a filler installment for a long epic series. There are some
Show More
loose ends that could be picked up for further books, but I do not feel like I've been left dangling over a cliff. Show Less
LibraryThing member Czrbr
Book Description: 2004. Grade A. Brand new - never been read.
LibraryThing member willowcove
A truly great series. It's got everything: court intrigue, sex, fantasy....
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Ten years later Phedre has been resting and enjoying her life but she finds herself trying to work out a way to rescue Hyacinthe.
It's interesting but it didn't feel like there was 10 years between this and the previous book, it felt like only a few short years. There was a lot of the story that
It's interesting but it didn't feel like there was 10 years between this and the previous book, it felt like only a few short years. There was a lot of the story that
Show More
felt like filler, and while readable it did feel sometimes like some of it was there just to fill space. I felt that the story was a little slow occasinally. Still I found it fairly entertaining. Show Less
LibraryThing member raylay
I love this series! Unlikely heroine, conflicted loves, intrigue and fast paced adventure, plus some interesting sex scenes that were much more titillating than mawkishly amorous.
There is so much about this series that I love. The alternate history, intrigue, travel, intelligence, and overall
There is so much about this series that I love. The alternate history, intrigue, travel, intelligence, and overall
Show More
romance and sexiness all tied in. A must read! Show Less
LibraryThing member ireneattolia
brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy
LibraryThing member Omrythea
Compelling and riveting, like her other Kushiel's works. An epic adventure.