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| Kushiel's Scion | 
 enlarge | Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $13.09
You Save: $13.86 (51%)
New (8) Used (11) from $10.24
Avg. Customer Rating:  57 reviews
Sales Rank: 559427
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 768
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.9
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
ASIN: B0017ZCJBK
Publication Date: June 12, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Absolutely Brand New. Hardcover with DJ. Gift quality. Ship daily @8:30am w/ delivery confirmation.
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Product Description
Imriel de la Courcel's birth parents are history's most reviled traitors, but his adoptive parents, the Comtesse Phedre and the warrior-priest Joscelin, are Terre d'Ange's greatest champions.
Stolen, tortured and enslaved as a young boy, Imriel is now a Prince of the Blood; third in line for the throne in a land that revels in art, beauty and desire. It is a court steeped in deeply laid conspiracies---and there are many who would see the young prince dead. Some despise him out of hatred for his mother, Melisande, who nearly destroyed the entire realm in her quest for power. Others because they fear he has inherited his mother's irresistible allure---and her dangerous gifts.
As he comes of age, plagued by unwanted desires, Imriel shares their fears. When a simple act of friendship traps Imriel in a besieged city where the infamous Melisande is worshiped as a goddess and where a dead man leads an army, the Prince must face his greatest test: to find his true self.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 52 more reviews...
 Kushiel's Line throws as true as Kushiel's Dart June 23, 2006
92 out of 93 found this review helpful
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!
So glad to be back in Terre d'Ange June 9, 2006
51 out of 54 found this review helpful
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.
Jacqueline Carey and Imriel do not disappoint June 7, 2006
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
I was very excited and a bit apprehensive about the newest novel set in Terre D'Ange. When I heard that Ms. Carey was continuing the story of the Kushiel's Dart trilogy in a new book, I was ecstatic because frankly, the series is one of my all-time favorite reads. But as many a loyal fan of a popular book or movie can attest to, there is always that fear that the sequel just won't measure up to the original.
Well, for me that fear was put to rest within the first few chapters.
As told by the title, Kushiel's Scion no longer follows his chosen, Phedre, but his descendent, Imriel. The book is still in first person, and I was very glad to see that the voice was clearly new and distinctly Imriel's, with all his tortured memories and confused yearnings. I certainly don't want to ruin anything for those who haven't read the original series (and if you haven't, then begone! This book will absolutely ruin some of the best shocks and surprises in those books), but be at ease that all the beloved characters return and are given an opportunity to be themselves without the feeling that they were just names dropped in to please the fans.
Phedre is still a part of the book because she is such a large part of Imriel's life, despite all the complications it is sure to cause.
Imriel is a character who manages to be heartbreakingly fragile in one moment and ridiculously brave at the next. He's boyish with an innocent yearning to just be good, but at the same time he's moved by dark, violent desires. He possesses a keen intelligence that can sense and manipulate the flaws in others but is haunted by the shadow of his traitorous parents and his time as a slave in a place worse than Hell. The poor kid basically couldn't be boring if he tried.
As for the plot? Well, it's a Carey book and it operates on the Three Chapter System, as I like to call it. The first chapter you're trying to figure out what "needs must" and "anon" mean (Yes, the writing style is formal. And beautiful.). The second chapter you're trying to figure out who the heck everyone is, who their lover is, who they're married to, who they have a feud with, how they're actually royalty on their mother's side, and so on. The third chapter you get introduced to the sadomasochistic sex.
Then there's a betrayal or an attempted assassination or an invasion and you have to find out what happens next and suddenly it's 3 a.m. and you have to work tomorrow and damn it, why is this so addictive?
My favorite thing about her writing is how, in the midst of all this court intrigue and secret societies and global politics she inserts these raw, human moments that make you pause and remember that these are people you're reading about, with joys and loves and sorrows just like yourself.
Yes, I loved it. No, it's not The Original Series: The Redux. The story continues to grow while maintaining the elements that made it good in the first place. It's something new, something exciting with the promise or more intrigue and self-discovery in books to come.
And maybe more sex. :)
Rich, Dark, with a Bite, Like Unsweetened Chocolate June 8, 2006
15 out of 20 found this review helpful
I was anxious to read the new Kushiel book, but a bit worried because it would be from a totally new view point, that of Imriel, Phedre's adopted son, the child of Melisande. My concern was needless, as I was swept away into the world made familiar in the previous Kushiel trilogy, and it was just as rich and sensual and redolent of everything that made the previous books so enthralling. Imriel slowly comes of age, and the shadows of his past captivity as a child follow him through life, making him fearful of his budding desires. Imriel wants to be good, something he must reconcile with the feelings and yearnings he has as Kushiel's Scion. He is very mindful of his mother Melisande's treachery, and the powers that be are mindful of his heritage. The Queen would make Imriel, third in line for the throne, a true Prince of the Blood, and court intrigue swirls around him no matter how much he'd wish otherwise. His relationships with his royal cousins, his friendships and adversaries are strong, rich stories that pulled me in and made me one with the Kushiel universe once again.
Fans of Phedre rejoice, as she is a strong presence in the book, if not the lead character. There are many familiar characters in the book, and several wonderful new faces. We also get a look at more of the world beyond Terre d'Ange and the equivalent of our Rome, Tiberium, as Imriel seeks out answers to questions of the past. Phedre has taught him the art of Covertcy, as her mentor Anafiel Delaunay had done for herself, but who and where had passed these teachings to Anafiel Delaunay? This and other questions Imriel will seek answers for, and find even more questions along the way.
The reading was gorgeous. Throughout I felt a deep welling ache that was both sadness and joy. This is a worthy successor to the original Kushiel series.
Back to Terre D'Ange July 2, 2006
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
In Kushiel's Scion, Carey returns to the lush alternate Europe
she mapped so well in the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy. This is
a fascinating world, grounded in an imaginative religion/mythos
and vividly detailed. And as in the Kushiel's Legacy books, Carey has once again created a narrator with a marvelously unique voice.
As young Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel, foster child to Terre D'Ange's greatest living heroes, shares his struggles to find his place in the world and define how to shoulder the legacy of heroism and villainy he was born to, the reader is enmeshed in Terre D'Ange's past and future. The
device of revisiting the stories in Kushiel's Legacy, through Imriel's eyes, was very well-done. And Imriel's own story as it unfolds becomes just as fascinating as Phedre's once was.
I expected to like this book, if for no other reason than that I was eager to revist Terre D'Ange - one of my most favorite landscapes. But this book far surpassed those expectations, going off in directions I had not anticipated. Imriel is a wonderfully complex character - brooding,angry,
wounded,loving, honorable and intensely driven. I really loved this book and impatiently look forward the next volumne. Kudos to Ms. Carey, for finding a way to include and be true to Phedre and Josceline and to give Imriel his own voice and story. Highly, highly recommended for Kushiel's Legacy fans.
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