Imriel de la Courcel's blood parents are history's most reviled traitors, but his adoptive parents, the Comtesse Phèdre and the warrior-priest Josc...
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Dec 16, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it: 
I'd wondered if Jacqueline Carey would be writing any more in her Kushiel universe, and was thrilled to find that she's continued in a new trilogy centering on Imriel de la Courcel.
I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. This book begins a new trilogy, one that blends with the previous storyline while forging ahead and making the reader love Imriel just as we've loved Phèdre. It's a treat to see this new perspective on life, and I found myself just as engaged with Imriel's story and character d More...
I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. This book begins a new trilogy, one that blends with the previous storyline while forging ahead and making the reader love Imriel just as we've loved Phèdre. It's a treat to see this new perspective on life, and I found myself just as engaged with Imriel's story and character d More...
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Apr 02, 2011
Ben
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So you wrote a highly-successful trilogy. Congratulations! What now? Well, you could write a sequel trilogy: new narrator, same old world and intrigue. Some writers want to milk the cash cow for all it's worth. Other writers, like Jacqueline Carey, create worlds compelling enough to justify returning to them time and again. Sinking into Kushiel's Scion is like having an old friend come to visit: all the things that you remember are there, but time has passed, and with it has come change.
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Feb 19, 2010
Christina
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I surprisingly enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.
Although not as wonderful as I remember the Phedre trilogy being, this story - in its own right - is just as intriguing. I know many people have complained that it's not what they were expecting, that Imriel isn't as great a narrator as Phedre. Perhaps they are right. I know after I finished Kushiel's Avatar, the thought of reading Scion felt like a betrayal. I bought the book, but I couldn't bring myself to actually read More...
Although not as wonderful as I remember the Phedre trilogy being, this story - in its own right - is just as intriguing. I know many people have complained that it's not what they were expecting, that Imriel isn't as great a narrator as Phedre. Perhaps they are right. I know after I finished Kushiel's Avatar, the thought of reading Scion felt like a betrayal. I bought the book, but I couldn't bring myself to actually read More...
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Sep 01, 2011
Virginia
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Once again, Carey made me forget that I have a toddler at home who doesn't care if I didn't go to sleep until 4:30am reading this book. I am an idiot - but I had a great time reading this continuation of the Kushiel series. Instead of Phaedre, the series focuses on Imriel. He's a bit annoying at times, but who isn't when they're young? I am always amazed at how much stuff Carey crams into her books and I look forward to reading the rest.
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Jul 08, 2010
Minh
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My god, how long has it been since I started reading this series? The Kushiel series was originally released as a trilogy, the focus being on the character Phèdre nó Delaunay and her bodyguard, and eventual lover Joscelin Verreuil. There was no way I was remembering those names (lol), thank you wiki. The first three books are epic in themselves. Jacequeline Carey has a style of writing that usually I would not have patience with, but the sheer expanse of the storyline and the characters themselv
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Oct 10, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I really liked Phedre's trilogy. Imriel's Trilogy (Kushiel's Legacy) which starts with this book, is a little harder for me to put an opinion on. I love the Renaissance-like world, I love the magic and the lands, and I still think this is a really great book, but it definitely has some problems that the past books did not.
One of my problems with this first book of the second Trilogy is a problem I had with the last book of the last trilogy. I love the action, but sometimes I feel More...
Jul 27, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Lord, this is hard.
If you're not familiar with Jacqueline Carey and her Kushiel's Legacy series, which is steadily approaching epic proportions.... well, let it suffice to say that if you're not familiar with it, you should be. The series is filled with everything that makes fantasy so great; an sub-alternate world that parallels our own wonderfully, a great historical feel, well-rounded characters, political intrigue, great scenery, epic travels, wonderful costumes, deep emotions, que More...
If you're not familiar with Jacqueline Carey and her Kushiel's Legacy series, which is steadily approaching epic proportions.... well, let it suffice to say that if you're not familiar with it, you should be. The series is filled with everything that makes fantasy so great; an sub-alternate world that parallels our own wonderfully, a great historical feel, well-rounded characters, political intrigue, great scenery, epic travels, wonderful costumes, deep emotions, que More...
Jun 03, 2011
Shaya
rated it:
Prince Imriel is a new and interesting hero for our story. He's perhaps not quite as complicated as Phedre but well worth reading about. He is dealing with his history: being Melissandre's son and the horros he faced in Darsanga. It wasn't too annoying to read about him as a moody teenager because he had enough insight to realize his moodiness. Really, this is a coming of age story. Imriel finds friends and enemies and lives on his own for a while in Tiberium. He also grows to understand what hi
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May 24, 2011
Vicky
rated it:
"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.
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Dec 30, 2010
Lady
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http://antredeslivres.hautetfort.com/arc...
Venons-en aux faits ! Le livre en lui-même et ce que j’en pense. Sachez que je n’ai pas lu la première trilogie – on dirait que ça devient une habitude – qui raconte l’histoire de Phèdre, la mère adoptive d’Imriel. Et pourtant c’est tout à fait compréhensible. Le prologue s’emploi à nous rappeler les choses les plus importantes, et tout au long du récit, quand c’est nécessaire, on rappel le au lecteur ce qu’il doit savoir – qu’il ait ou non l More...
Venons-en aux faits ! Le livre en lui-même et ce que j’en pense. Sachez que je n’ai pas lu la première trilogie – on dirait que ça devient une habitude – qui raconte l’histoire de Phèdre, la mère adoptive d’Imriel. Et pourtant c’est tout à fait compréhensible. Le prologue s’emploi à nous rappeler les choses les plus importantes, et tout au long du récit, quand c’est nécessaire, on rappel le au lecteur ce qu’il doit savoir – qu’il ait ou non l More...
Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
When I heard that the new trilogy in the Kushiel's Series by Jacqueline Carey was not going to be from Phedre's view but from her foster son, Imriel's, view I was a bit worried. Would the story be the same without Phedre leading it? I shouldn't have worried this is a very good book.
As soon as I started it I gave a sigh of relief. This book is again beautifully written and does justice to the three previous books that take place in the same world. This book is entirely about Imriel, Phe More...
As soon as I started it I gave a sigh of relief. This book is again beautifully written and does justice to the three previous books that take place in the same world. This book is entirely about Imriel, Phe More...
Aug 30, 2010
Didi
rated it:
This is the 1st book of the second trilogy by Jacqueline Carey set in Terre d’Ange. The setting is great- Terre d’Ange sort of resembles renaissance France, except (1) everyone is descended from angels and is, for that reason, really beautiful, and (2) the society is very sexually egalitarian and liberated, so everyone has a really active sex life.
The protagonist is a young man named Imriel, introduced as a boy in the first trilogy. His mother is the villain and his foster parents a More...
The protagonist is a young man named Imriel, introduced as a boy in the first trilogy. His mother is the villain and his foster parents a More...
Aug 07, 2010
Starfire
rated it:
Oh, WOW. It's been... at least 4 or 5 years since I read the first three Kushiel books, and I'd forgotten just how much I love Jacqueline Carey's prose.
This set is told from the viewpoint of Imriel - Melisande's child, whom that Phedre and Joscelin rescued during the final book of the first trilogy. And where Phedre is an anguisette (a masochist, in contemporary parlance), Imriel finds himself on the other side of the Valerian Court equation.
Part of what really made this nov More...
This set is told from the viewpoint of Imriel - Melisande's child, whom that Phedre and Joscelin rescued during the final book of the first trilogy. And where Phedre is an anguisette (a masochist, in contemporary parlance), Imriel finds himself on the other side of the Valerian Court equation.
Part of what really made this nov More...
May 17, 2010
notyourmonkey
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 30, 2009
Robin
rated it:
I wasn't going to read this one. If it's not about Phedre, one of my all-time-favorite heroines, what's the point, Right?
Wrong.
I put a few weeks distance between me and the last book, Kushiel's Avatar (which I recommend doing). Then picked it up and started to read Imriel's story. The story picks up 5-6 years after the last book ends. And, bless you, Jacqueline Carey, there is just enough Phedre in it to help with the transition, but not enough to distract from our new he More...
Wrong.
I put a few weeks distance between me and the last book, Kushiel's Avatar (which I recommend doing). Then picked it up and started to read Imriel's story. The story picks up 5-6 years after the last book ends. And, bless you, Jacqueline Carey, there is just enough Phedre in it to help with the transition, but not enough to distract from our new he More...
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Sep 16, 2009
Amy
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A big, sprawling, sexy romantic, heroic fantasy set in a truly inventive alternate reality--a pseudo-Renaissance version of Europe and countries beyond. This book is the middle installment of a trilogy that also includes Kushiel's Scion and Kushiel's Mercy.
The entire trilogy is a sequel to a previous one: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Avatar, and Kushiel's Chosen. I read those three books long ago (pre-2004). Their strengths are the strong, multifaceted female heroine; the rich, fully d More...
The entire trilogy is a sequel to a previous one: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Avatar, and Kushiel's Chosen. I read those three books long ago (pre-2004). Their strengths are the strong, multifaceted female heroine; the rich, fully d More...
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Dec 09, 2011
Niall519
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I seem to have a soft spot for all of these. They occupy a space in my brain somewhere near Mary Stewart's Arthurian series; only with more sex, and an impressive amount of self-absorption displayed by the characters and D'Angelline culture in general. Mary Gentle's Ash and Illario would be in the same general brain space as well. Since I have a reasonably high tolerance for such absorptions and enjoy getting inside other people's brains, it works for me. I also enjoy the slightly warped and her
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Nov 23, 2011
I stopped reading this about 180 pages in.
Having read the blurb I thought to myself, 'you know, this doesn't sound too bad'. It was though.
The storyline may have been all-right, may have been. I wouldn't know, what with it being hidden beneath a world and prose too obsessed with erotica that it made it hard work to read.
I don't mind erotica - if correctly used - but when literally jumping off of every page and smothering my face in it, I find it suffocating and h More...
Having read the blurb I thought to myself, 'you know, this doesn't sound too bad'. It was though.
The storyline may have been all-right, may have been. I wouldn't know, what with it being hidden beneath a world and prose too obsessed with erotica that it made it hard work to read.
I don't mind erotica - if correctly used - but when literally jumping off of every page and smothering my face in it, I find it suffocating and h More...
Feb 18, 2011
Susan
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. This book focuses on Imriel who is the foster son of Phedre and Joscelin from the previous Kushiel trilogy. It follows Imriel, who had suffered a lot at a young age before being adopted by his foster parents, learning life's lessons and coming to terms with his being third in line to the throne. There is a lot of political intrigue as Imriel faces threats on different fronts, but I really liked the builing of his friendships with Eamonn, Lucius, and Gilot. I also
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Jan 10, 2009
Gregory
rated it:
OK, so the first half of this book is brilliant beyond brilliant. The review that it quotes on the front cover that says "heartbreakingly human"--yeah, that's an understatement. Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel is definitely one of my top three all-time favorite characters, if not my number one. The only problem I have with it is that it feels the need to go and be an adventure story like its predecessors when it really doesn't need that--at least not for me. Imriel is such an interest
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Sep 12, 2007
Jenny
rated it:
High fantasy at its very best. The intrigue! The deceit! The chivalry! The smoldering sensuality! Man, I love Jacqueline Carey. This is the fourth novel in the Kushiel's Legacy series, and already I cannot wait for the fifth (fingers crossed; I wasn't expecting this fourth book so a fifth would be an absolute gift). Carey pulls you into her world with a sense of urgency, and the tales she weaves are rich and satisfying, and incredibly well written.
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Mar 07, 2011
Darlene
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The Audible.com version nearly threw me for a loop! It was Simon Vance who was narrating. Anyone who has read my other reviews for Jacqueline Carey's books knows how much I loved Anne Flosnik's voice and story telling abilities. When Simon began to speak, I turned off the audio. I couldn't get used to him. I understood why, but the way he read, the way he pronounced names and places, weren't like Anne's. I started reading on my own. My eyes get tired and soon I was ready to let someone else do t
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Mar 07, 2011
Ah, Kindle. I love it so much! It doesn't hurt my hands, I can make the font a big as my poor eyes need it to be. The only problem is that on the Kindle version you don't get the map or the list of characters. I am so glad I have my husband's hardback copy to refer to. And occasionaly I would crack open the BOOK just for the other senses, smell, feel of paper. On the hardback it has font and spaces between lines so I can still track. But I fall back to the Kindle as soon as my hands or eyes get
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Mar 07, 2011
Darlene
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I slid into this book a little hesitantly. It wasn't from Phedre's point of view. It is from her foster son's. That was unnerving and maddening. I had loved getting to know the deep and loving Phedre. 'Love as thou wilt' had put a small, slight woman in many dangerous adventures. But on my husband's urging I continued. I learned to love Imriel nearly as much as I loved Phedre. Though from a male perspective, this book led us to see a young prince develop into one who could love as deeply as his
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Dec 17, 2009
Deanna
rated it:
I picked this up two days ago and totally consumed it.
I did not realize just how much I hungered for more of Jacqueline Carey's writing in this world.
No spoilers here. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Imriel grow from a fearful youth into a very believable and very important character in his own right. I loved reading about Phedre and Joscelin and their roles in his life...
Great story. Now I can't wait to read the next one...
I did not realize just how much I hungered for more of Jacqueline Carey's writing in this world.
No spoilers here. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Imriel grow from a fearful youth into a very believable and very important character in his own right. I loved reading about Phedre and Joscelin and their roles in his life...
Great story. Now I can't wait to read the next one...
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Sep 26, 2010
Harmonybites
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I'm a huge fan of Carey's first three Kushiel books centered around Phedre: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen and Kushiel's Avatar. They precede this book chronologically and I'd read those first.
This book begins a second trilogy built around Imri, who was introduced in the Kushiel's Avatar. I found this book and trilogy less amazing than the first books, but that's only because Carey raised a very high bar. I do love the world she created--it's unique, even if initially disturbing. More...
This book begins a second trilogy built around Imri, who was introduced in the Kushiel's Avatar. I found this book and trilogy less amazing than the first books, but that's only because Carey raised a very high bar. I do love the world she created--it's unique, even if initially disturbing. More...
Dec 18, 2010
Tara
rated it:
This is the fourth book in the series and it is from the perspective of Imriel - the boy that was rescued in book #3, the son of the traitor Melisande Shahrizai - who was subsequently adopted by Phedre - the heroine of the first 3 books. It's nice to see the series move on to another set of characters - I think with some series they stay with the same set of characters way too long and then you get bored and I suspect that the author has run out of stories to tell, which leads to disappointment
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May 04, 2009
HaQuyen
rated it: 
A nice introduction to Imri as the narrator in this next trilogy in the Terre D'Ange world and his main moral struggle to be good despite his heritage, but as in her first novel, Carey takes a long while to lay the groundwork, covering her protagonist's youth, education, triumphs/travails/dalliances before really introducing the crisis of the plot. The subplots and updates with old characters from the previous trilogy keeps one sufficiently entertained, but at times I did find myself wondering w
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Apr 28, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This series I would recommend to everyone. I love this series. The characters are well-developed and true. The plots weave a tale that goes beyond anything I have read. If you haven't read this series, let me tell you why you should.
While I would love to give the first three books in the series their own reviews, I haven't read the first two in years and I fear I won't do them justice. I will give my impressions here as an introduction. This series starts with Kushiel's Dart. This n More...
While I would love to give the first three books in the series their own reviews, I haven't read the first two in years and I fear I won't do them justice. I will give my impressions here as an introduction. This series starts with Kushiel's Dart. This n More...
Feb 21, 2009
Jenamariejames
rated it:
After reading the Twilight series, I was looking for something similarly fantasyish. I happened across this one in the sci-fi section. Just finished it. Loved it. Intense. Apparently there is a whole series prior to this one that I missed, but I'm going to finish reading the series about this character (2 more books to go) before I go back and read the earlier series. People who read the first series (according to reviews anyway) say that Kushiel's Scion isn't as good. Reader be warned, this boo
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