Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
(Hachette Books - 2007)
Rating: Excellent
This is a gorgeous book...emerging after close to 900 pages I'm not quite sure what to do with myself, other than to wait for the next one to come out in paperback.
Carey's latest sees the protagonist, Imriel, son of a traitor, through a forbidden love, an arranged marriage, and a quest for revenge. Much of the book is a poignant look at grief and loss, and healing through love.
Of course, there's still Carey's usual erotic touch in places, as well as incredible world-building (set in an alternate Europe where Christ and Mary Magdalene had a son, and so prostitution is sacred--sounds ridiculous, I know, but Carey makes it work), an examination of faith, and fantastic characters.
To say anything more would be to give it away...but if you love fantasy with a bit of intrigue, adventure, romance, and wonderful characters, and a bit of a dark twist at times, I highly recommend this series.
Series: Book five in the Kushiel's Legacy series; second book in the trilogy about Imriel. I recommend starting with the first book in the series, Kushiel's Dart.
Okay,
Hey Lady_Amalthea,
You really have me intrigued me about this series. I checked my library and they have one copy of the first book, Kushiel's Dart. I am thinking about getting it. However, there is another book I recall you loving from last year that I managed to get a hold of, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Just curious which you would recommend over the other??
Take Care,
Tammy
"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"...Anna Quindlen
re: Kushiel vs Mistborn
Ack, you're asking me to choose??? I loved both books, but they're quite different and sort of similar. Both have lots of intrigue, great fantasy world-building, interesting ethics, a heroine who's a little hard to like at times, and a little bit of romance (more in Kushiel's Dart, I'd say, though even that one isn't technically a romance).
Kushiel's Dart I actually haven't recommended to any of my friends in "real life" simply because a lot of my friends who read fantasy wouldn't be okay with the content. The heroine, Phedre, is basically a prostitute (as well as a spy) who gains pleasure from pain...so S&M is built right into the story (though it's not just a sex book, or I wouldn't find it nearly as interesting as I do!).
Kushiel's Dart feels at first a bit like a guilty pleasure novel, and it took me a while before I realized just how complex and interesting the story is. Mistborn feels a lot more "serious", if that makes any sense, and it was a little harder to get into, though they're both fun reads and Mistborn has a lot of action. Kushiel's Dart also stands alone better than Mistborn, which ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. (Actually, if your library has it, I might go with Brandon Sanderson's previous novel, Elantris, first--you get involved really quickly, and it's not part of a series.)
But...yeah...it's such a hard pick! Mistborn is really brilliant, but I think you might get more attached to the characters in Kushiel's Dart (when the romance finally started up, I totally fell in love with the hero). What I like to do sometimes is read the first chapter of each book I'm considering and just see what sort of writing style I'm in the mood for.
Aaaand that was no help at all
Hey Lady_Amalthea!
Hey Lady_Amalthea!
Heehee, yup, I was asking you to choose! I guess that is pretty hard to do with such great books, though. But I appreciate your vivid descriptions of both, as that does help me. Both sound really fantastic, yet my mood is leaning more towards Kushiel's Dart....I think, lol!
Okay, just got online and reserved it. As well as some books for my son. And Elantris was available, so I put in a hold request for it. Here I go again, piling up more books than I can read.
Anyways, thank you so much for your help!!
Talk to you soon,
Tammy
"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"...Anna Quindlen
I read book one
when it was first released. I loved the writing but I don't think it was what I was anticipating when I started it which made me like it a little less. I should dig my copy out and re-read it now that I am in a different reading place.
Hey Lady_Amalthea!
Just wanted to quick let you know, I am soooo loving Kushiel's Dart!! Only on pg 136, but the world building is amazing. It still may take me a while to finish it, because I am trying to keep all the names straight, but wow, this author can sure tell a story. I now have the next book in my cart to buy. Thanks for the recommendation!
Take Care,
Tammy
"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"...Anna Quindlen
re: Kushiel's Dart
Hey Tammy,
So glad to hear that you're enjoying Kushiel's Dart! I agree, the names were pretty confusing at first...normally I don't even like fantasy books that throw that many names at you, but it was so good I was able to forgive it.
Since I'm replying a month late, I hope you continued to enjoy it!