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Naamah's Kiss (Kushiel's Universe #7)

by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 6,268 ratings · 433 reviews

Once there were great magicians born to the Maghuin Dhonn, the folk of the Brown Bear, the oldest tribe in Alba. But generations ago, the greatest of them all broke a sacred oath sworn in the name of all his people. Now only small gifts remain to them. Through her lineage, Moirin possesses such gifts - the ability to summon the twilight and conceal herself, and the skill t...more

Hardcover, 645 pages

Published June 24th 2009 by Grand Central Publishing (first published 2007)

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Jun 06, 2010 Mei-Lu rated it 4 of 5 stars

I live in a small town with a population of 500 so finding this book at my local library was like a major victory. Even though I didn't love Jacqueline Carey's second Kushiel series as much as I loved her first (which I have re-read many many times), that's kind of like saying I don't like an ordinary chocolate bar as much as I like, say, Green and Black chocolate bars. If you present me with something chocolate, I'm still going to enjoy eating it. That makes sense, right? So anyway, as with all...more

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Feb 20, 2010 Phoenixfalls rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alternate-history, fantasy, heroic-fantasy, jacqueline-carey, kushiel-s-legacy, high-fantasy, female-author

The world Jacqueline Carey has created with this series continues to have a great deal of beauty and grace about it in this seventh novel. Her characters are still fully-fleshed and wondrous, each one unique and each one worthy. Like the first books in the other two trilogies, this one starts at the beginning of its heroine's tale, and many people may find it slow going at first, for Moirin's journey to her destiny does not really start until she leaves for Ch'in 2/3 of the way through. More tha...more The world Jacqueline Carey has created with this series continues to have a great deal of beauty and grace about it in this seventh novel. Her characters are still fully-fleshed and wondrous, each one unique and each one worthy. Like the first books in the other two trilogies, this one starts at the beginning of its heroine's tale, and many people may find it slow going at first, for Moirin's journey to her destiny does not really start until she leaves for Ch'in 2/3 of the way through. More than the others, this one feels like the first book in a trilogy, despite its excellent resolution. Nonetheless, Carey remains one of the strongest authors in the fantasy genre today.

I must admit, however, that I begin to suspect she has already created the greatest protagonist she has in her in Phedre. Imriel and Moirin are both beautiful souls, and I follow their journeys breathlessly, continually delighted by their passion, their integrity, and the myriad ways they are nothing at all alike and yet still equally worthwhile as fantasy protagonists. But both fall far, far short of Phedre in one important respect: Phedre, even as a child, was always thinking about her situation and moving in ways to make what she wanted happen. Even when she was an unwitting tool of another character, she was the one performing the actions and in that way always ended up with the upper hand. Both Imriel and Moirin, admirable though they are, are not always the active movers of the plot. Imri is driven by his haunted past; Moirin is driven by her diadh-anam, and while both have plenty of their own will, they spend much of their novels trying to glean what they should do. Phedre always knew what she should do, even though the way to do it might be obscured, for she carried her moral compass within herself rather than looking outward for it.

Perhaps this makes Imri and Moirin more realistic or approachable as characters, but they are not quite so romantically heroic as Phedre was, and that leaves me wanting just the tiniest bit more.(less)

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Jul 15, 2011 Nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, fantasy, lgbt, dragons

I've been putting off reading this trilogy until it was all out, wanting to immerse myself in Carey's world all at once. I'm glad I did: it took me a while to get to the point of wanting to read it without putting it down, but I got there. It starts slow, I suppose, but so did Kushiel's Dart, really... In any case, I got into it more than I did Imriel's trilogy: perhaps it helps that this is long past the days of Phèdre and Joscelin so there can be no disappointment at their portrayal or lack of...more

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Aug 03, 2010 Victoria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-books

Aug. 2009

I met Jacqueline Carey at a signing last month, for this book and her other recent release, Santa Olivia. She mentioned how different fans at these later signings were from the rabid fans who had rushed up to her at the first signing – a day after the book came out – gushing, "I stayed up all night and read the entire thing and I loved it so much and when's the next one coming out?!?" And I thought, crazy people. But now I understand a little better. (Where's the next book, already?)

I f...more Aug. 2009

I met Jacqueline Carey at a signing last month, for this book and her other recent release, Santa Olivia. She mentioned how different fans at these later signings were from the rabid fans who had rushed up to her at the first signing – a day after the book came out – gushing, "I stayed up all night and read the entire thing and I loved it so much and when's the next one coming out?!?" And I thought, crazy people. But now I understand a little better. (Where's the next book, already?)

I forced myself to read this one slowly, but I still rushed through parts of it and it's a beautiful and fitting addition to the Terre D'Ange cycle. A very different main character from either Phedre or Imriel, who nonetheless speaks with a very similar narrative voice; a journey whose figures and landmarks are different from the familiar ones we love but bear their echoes in the structure and trappings of the story (characters in Naamah's Kiss reminded me of in turn Delauney, Phedre, Phedre's Boys, and eventually, especially, Joscelin).

Naamah's Kiss contains some of the funniest scenes Carey has ever written - I reread some pages two and three times before continuing on. I feel a little dissatisfied with the book's ending, but I see the necessity for this kind of delayed gratification in a three-book saga, so I'll suspend disbelief for a while.

Carey deftly balances something new with something familiar and in so doing, creates what may be the most human, the most readily identified with, of her D'Angeline central characters. Very, very nicely done.

Aug. 2010

Reread when Naamah's Curse was released. I'm way too tired to say anything coherent now, except that rereading it has given me new appreciation for some elements - like certain characters (*Ahem* Jehane and Bao) - and renewed exasperation with others. Oh, Moirin! Of Carey's protagonists, I find her by far the easiest to identify with, and while that's not necessarily a good thing (I mostly just want Phedre back), it does mean this book tugs at my heartstrings in ways the Kushiel books haven't before.

I'm expecting to enjoy the rest of this series more than this volume, thanks to the plot threads I can see her spinning out at the end of Naamah's Kiss. Onward!(less)

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Jul 23, 2010 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, fantasy, glbt, 2010

I really enjoyed this, and my worry that the 100 year disconnect between the last series and this would be too much was misplaced. Moirin is an engaging heroine and her mixed-up spirituality makes for interesting reading.

Things I particularly liked were the fact that Terre d'Ange appeared to be in 18th Century France stage rather than the more mediaeval stage that it was in for the Phedre books. I also liked the technological developments that China was going through and the fact that it was see...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Siri added it

Jacqueline Carrey is back with a third triology set in her fantasy version of France, Europe and the world. This time it's the story of Moirin we're told, great-great-granddaughter of Alais the Wise, who was the sister of Sidonie de la Courcel. The story starts in Alba, telling of Moirin's childhood and teenage years growing up in the deep forests as a child of the Maghuin Dhonn. She then travels to Terre D'Ange and learns of the D'Angeline side of her heritage - this inevitably involves rather...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Lys rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, english-books, narrativa, e-book, paper-book

Sono passate ben più di ventiquattro ore dalla fine della lettura di questo libro, e non sono ancora in grado di fornire un parere a mente lucida.

Vediamo se riesco a partire dai dati oggettivi. Come per i precedenti libri, la Carey si dimostra un'eccellente scrittrice: lo stile ricco, mai banale, mai noioso, sempre adatto alla personalità della voce narrante.

L'ambientazione è superba, sia per quanto riguarda Alba, che per Ch'in, dove una buona metà (la più interessante, a mio parere) della vicen...more Sono passate ben più di ventiquattro ore dalla fine della lettura di questo libro, e non sono ancora in grado di fornire un parere a mente lucida.

Vediamo se riesco a partire dai dati oggettivi. Come per i precedenti libri, la Carey si dimostra un'eccellente scrittrice: lo stile ricco, mai banale, mai noioso, sempre adatto alla personalità della voce narrante.

L'ambientazione è superba, sia per quanto riguarda Alba, che per Ch'in, dove una buona metà (la più interessante, a mio parere) della vicenda si dipana. Le descrizioni di Jacqueline sono sempre curate e scritte magistralmente.

I personaggi ricordano ben poco i protagonisti delle precedenti puntate, e sebbene - soprattutto tra la nobilità Angeline - si incontrino i discendenti di questo o di quel personaggio, nessuno di loro è una fotocopia più o meno sbiadita del proprio avo. Ancora una volta la Carey dimostra di non adagiarsi sui propri passi, ma di sapersi sempre rinnovare egregiamente.

Eppure... eppure nonostante questi e altri notevoli pregi, Naamah's Kiss non mi ha convinta fino in fondo. Probabilmente il mio legame con la precedente trilogia è troppo forte, o forse semplicemente, stavolta non è scattata la scintilla a livello di personaggi. Imriel, problematico e complesso fino all'eccesso, è il mio protagonista ideale (non ci posso far niente, o sono problematici, 'sti bellimbusti, o non li voglio XD), Moirin... Moirin è l'esatto opposto. E' uno spirito libero, sicura di sé e dei suoi dei, sicura di avere uno scopo e sicura della strada da seguire - o meglio dei segni da seguire - per compierlo, è solare e troppo lineare per rientrare nelle mie corde. E così quello che per me è stato un meraviglioso viaggio di crescita, nella trilogia precedente, qui diventa un'interessante avventura ma che non mi ha coinvolta e trascinata fino in fondo con sé.

PS: Indecisa tra le due e le tre stellette, ho optato per le due dopo essermi ricordata della prima impressione che mi fece - ai suoi tempi - la lettura di Kushiel's Scion. Quanto vorrei che il sistema stellette di anobii fosse su cinque punti e non su quattro, però!(less)

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Dec 12, 2010 Joanna added it

I'd looked forward to this one for ages having lapped up the previous 6 Kushiel books, so I was disappointed when it left me a bit flat. The first part of the plot was rattled through very quickly, so that I didn't really believe the first doomed love affair, the quick coming-of-age passage, the flight to Terre D'Ange and so on - it felt very hurried. [return][return]In fact, I didn't really like or identify with Moirin until she was on the boat to Chi'in, when the pace became much more measured...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Rena McGee rated it 2 of 5 stars

There is something that is curiously addictive about lush, epic fantasy romances (whether or not actual romance takes place). Particularly if there is strange, intricate world building that turns world history just slightly sideways. (Or, in the case of Guy Gavriel Kay, reinvents it with different names.) Even if I don’t actually like the world building or the characters, I usually end up getting sucked into the story, because there’s usually something about it I find fascinating, or just too we...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

In my review of SANTA OLIVIA, I mentioned Carey's ability to change voice and style. After the self-contained SANTA OLIVIA, I had forgotten how globe-trotting the Kushiel books are. They're doorstops for a reason: the protagonist does quite a bit, cycling through several plots. Moirin's time in each of the three countries NAAMAH'S KISS takes place in could all form their own story. While Carey maintains the lush, slightly purple style that marks the other Kushiel books, she once more creates an...more In my review of SANTA OLIVIA, I mentioned Carey's ability to change voice and style. After the self-contained SANTA OLIVIA, I had forgotten how globe-trotting the Kushiel books are. They're doorstops for a reason: the protagonist does quite a bit, cycling through several plots. Moirin's time in each of the three countries NAAMAH'S KISS takes place in could all form their own story. While Carey maintains the lush, slightly purple style that marks the other Kushiel books, she once more creates an original voice for the protagonist so you never feel you're reading Phedre or Imriel redux. (Phedre and Imriel being the universe's previous point of view characters. And as a bonus for those who don't like angst, Moirin is much less moody than Imriel.)

Moirin is more naive. She gives herself freely and doesn't know when to put her foot down so that people don't get hurt. This is partially because she was raised in almost isolation with her mother. Her culture is that of the Maghuin Dhonn, the bear witches, who previously played a part in KUSHIEL'S MERCY. (Between the different culture and several generations later aspect, those who haven't read the previous two trilogies can easily start with Moirin's story.) A boy, Cillian, is the first other person she spends any significant time with. She gradually becomes interested in book learning through their relationship, which partially affects her decision to leave Alba. Moirin is very aware that she's only Maghuin Dhonn through her mother, and she wonders about her place in the world.

I must admit, my favorite part is when Morin travels to Ch'in. (All the places and cultures in the Kushiel books are analogues of the real world. The dividing point is in the fictional world Jesus had a son who remained on Earth along with some angels who thought he had the right idea.) Along with her mentor and his other apprentice, Moirin comes to the aid of a princess in trouble. Anyone who's slightly familiar with Chinese folktales will recognize the story Moirin steps into. I enjoyed Carey's twist on it.

I suppose I should warn about the strong sexual component. Moirin is half d'Angelline, a culture that's very free about sex. That means there are heterosexual and homosexual scenes, many of which occur outside of marriage. If that's not your thing, this isn't the fantasy series for you. If you don't mind, I do recommend reading Carey.

I admit that when I picked up NAAMAH'S KISS I was already a Carey fangirl. But there's a reason I love her. Her writing has flow and wit, and her plots are clever. She tells exciting, epic stories while maintaining a tight focus on character. Then there's her focus on worldbuilding. The various cultures and how they interact is well-defined. Carey did her research in order to make a fantasy world with realistic politics and sociology. The only fantasy writer I trust more than Carey is Robin Hobb. (less)

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Apr 26, 2012 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spec-fic

C2009: Wayhay – back to the old formula. I loved the first series of Kushiel, fell a bit out of love with the second trilogy. This one is back to the old formula ie a youngish girl, martial art type expert as a sort of bodyguard, older mentor (ok – this one is slightly different) and everything she gets away with because of her “gift”. Lots of good old fashioned bodice-relieving action with curiously shy descriptions of anatomy..sometimes..even disguised by using a French word. Oh la la. This bo...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, romance, terre-d-ange

This is a lovely return to the alternate history world created by Jacqueline Carey with a new main character. Moirin mac Fainche follows her destiny and her heart from Alba to Terre D’Ange and finally to Ch'in, encompassing a world on the edge of cultural, exploration and technological shift. The events in the novel take place roughly 100 years after Kusiel's Mercy, and the book shines from the ability to explore new ground while still referencing the characters veterans loved in books past.
Whi...more

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Aug 31, 2011 Melissa Braasch rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jacqueline Carey is one of the few author's who not only can entertain but inspires me to be a better writer. The skill with which she weilds words is rare. In the world of Fantasy books even moreso. For those that found the previous books too hard to read or hold inside, they will find this much lighter-hearted tale wholly to their liking.

Having waded through all through all of Kushiel's Legacy thus far, tracing the lives of Phedre and Imriel, I was expecting more of the same. When I first ope...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Aster rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nice White Lady Saves China! And Prevents Modern Warfare! And Finds Love!

Intrigue and court politics and sexual drama in equal measure with grand world-changing adventure. A thoroughly enjoyable read, fast paced, exciting, heart-rending and heart-warming, and overall fun.

Two things combined to leave a slightly icky taste in my mouth:
1) a whole nation of non-white people needs this one heroic white lady to be their savior. She really tries to treat fantasy china and the Chinese characters with...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Samantha V rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jacqueline Carey has done it again. Sucked me into loving a character and forced me to gasp, grumble and cheer my way through her adventures. Compared to the previous Kushiel's Legacy books, this opening book in the third trilogy has a lot more magical content and borders more on the fantasy side of the alternate history fantasy.

While I love all of Moirin's adventures, something about the relationship she ends up in just doesn't strike me as believable. I'd much sooner expect one of the antagon...more Jacqueline Carey has done it again. Sucked me into loving a character and forced me to gasp, grumble and cheer my way through her adventures. Compared to the previous Kushiel's Legacy books, this opening book in the third trilogy has a lot more magical content and borders more on the fantasy side of the alternate history fantasy.

While I love all of Moirin's adventures, something about the relationship she ends up in just doesn't strike me as believable. I'd much sooner expect one of the antagonists to somehow make a turn for the better and sweep her off her feet, than for Moirin to take such an interest in who she ends up with. (I'll not spoil it for you). Perhaps the character she ends up with is just underdeveloped, or perhaps he just doesn't seem to be a good match for Moirin, but, alas I'm not the writer, just the reader. And while I found myself disappointed in the fact that Moirin doesn't end up with one of the more beloved characters, I did connect with all of the characters at least a little bit.

As in the previous 6 books, there are a lot of names and places to get accustomed to, but it's lovely to briefly revisit plots of the earlier books as though they are long-lost legacies. The allusions to the previous books are interesting and it makes you feel almost as though you're looking in on the perceptions of the future on a past you've been a part of.

I found that the characters in this book are not as deeply developed as in the previous books, but Carey still has a way of connecting you to all of the people whose lives Moirin comes in contact with, and you feel a loss when she leaves them on her many journeys.

One of my favorite parts in the book, where I literally giggled aloud and cheered was where Master Lo gets the reluctant Moirin and Bao together.

I would only recommend reading this book if you've read the previous 6 in the series, simply due to the fact that a lot of the terminology, settings and character basis would make much more sense if you'd read from the beginning. See Kushiel's Dart for the first in the series.(less)

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Feb 08, 2011 Vaughn Roycroft rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay, so I love JC. You should just know that going in. And not for the reasons many have atested to. Yes, she's unique in that she 'sexed up the epic historic fantasy genre.' And, believe me, I am not at all put off by the sex scenes--she writes them very well! And is an equal opportunist, in that she writes them well whether they are hetro, gay, S&M, or sweet and tender.

No, for me the beauty of JC is her mastry of language and form, and in the power of her emotional connection to her reade...more

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Sep 06, 2010 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I felt the second Kushiel's trilogy was lacking, so I put off reading this book for quite a while. Now that I've read it, I wish I'd started it sooner!

This novel takes place roughly 100 years after the preceding two trilogies, which - from other events taking place - seems to put it at a time period roughly analogous to the 16th century. The main character, Moirin, is very different from both Imriel and Phedre. Raised by her mother in a cave in Alba as a member of the Maghuin Dhonn, she is as mu...more I felt the second Kushiel's trilogy was lacking, so I put off reading this book for quite a while. Now that I've read it, I wish I'd started it sooner!

This novel takes place roughly 100 years after the preceding two trilogies, which - from other events taking place - seems to put it at a time period roughly analogous to the 16th century. The main character, Moirin, is very different from both Imriel and Phedre. Raised by her mother in a cave in Alba as a member of the Maghuin Dhonn, she is as much an outsider as Phedre and Imriel were insiders. Moirin's position puts her both as an outsider in Alban society and - when she gets there - as an outsider in Terre d'Ange.

Her perspective on the Angelines is very different from Imriel or Phedre. Where both Phedre and Imriel were proud of their nation and their heritage - arguably, chauvinistic - Moirin sees the negatives about Alban society, as well as the positives. Moirin is also headstrong and tart in a way that is very different from either Imriel or Phedre.

Interestingly for the reader, we also get to see Ch'in society - the world's equivalent to China. Master Lo is, in many ways, the stereotypical wise teacher - although with what turns out to be an intriguing flaw. Bao, his pupil, is more richly drawn, with a complex background. He's unlike most of the characters we've seen in the Kushiel's universe, sort of a thug-made-good. Carey also doesn't fall into most of the nasty racist stereotypes regarding Chinese men; Bao is extremely masculine, very powerful, very sexual. (Unfortunately, when he speaks Angeline Carey uses a stereotypical Chinese person's bad English to transcribe it, which bothered me.) The book also doesn't fall pray to the "mystical Orient" problem - Ch'in is just as mystical as Terre d'Ange or Alba. (It's also more technologically advanced.)

Though Carey nods to the "dragon lady" stereotype by placing the soul of a dragon into the body of Snow Tiger, there the reference ends. Snow Tiger isn't hypersexualized. She doesn't show Moirin obscure mystical sexual techniques only known to the Chinese. (In fact, Moirin shows her a trick or two.) She is also in no way a submissive "china doll." She's a richly drawn character, who I would like to see star in her own novel.

This is a return to form for Carey and I'm looking forward to the next two books.

Note to Grand Central Publishing: when including a teaser chapter for the next book, please don't include the chapter that just recaps everything that happened in the previous book. Since we just finished that book, we don't need reminding and it's not a useful teaser.(less)

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May 31, 2010 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, scifi-fantasy

I keep holding out hope that Carey will surprise me with another story as beautiful as Kushiel's Dart. This, unfortunately, is another near-miss.

The portions dealing with strict fantasy are actually beautiful. I love the summoning of the different gods and the games they play. I love the dragon and the melding of mythologies that Carey is so skilled at.

The rest, well, I was bored. For one, I do not buy for a second that the main character was raised in a cave without human contact aside from he...more

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Jan 14, 2010 Colleen M rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had already read all of the Phedre books in this series, and was upset when I realized this book did not contain my favorite female character of all time, and actually didn't even plan on reading Naamah's Kiss because of it. I am so glad I relented!
I did not love this book as much as the Phedre novels, but I did really enjoy this story. Moiren is interesting character, but she lacks the depth and otherworldly shine that Phedre had. That being said, there was significant development of this ch...more

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Aug 24, 2009 Janice (Janicu) rated it 3 of 5 stars

http://janicu.livejournal.com/81751.html

Premise: This is the beginning of a new series in the same world as the two Kushiel series, but takes place a few generations later. The heroine is Moirin, who was born into the Maghuin Dhonn, worshippers of a great brown bear, a wild people who are known as great magicians and feared for their past. Moirin at first has a simple life, living in the woods with her mother, but as she grows up, she learns about the outside world. Her father is a D'Angeline pr...more http://janicu.livejournal.com/81751.html

Premise: This is the beginning of a new series in the same world as the two Kushiel series, but takes place a few generations later. The heroine is Moirin, who was born into the Maghuin Dhonn, worshippers of a great brown bear, a wild people who are known as great magicians and feared for their past. Moirin at first has a simple life, living in the woods with her mother, but as she grows up, she learns about the outside world. Her father is a D'Angeline priest of Naamah, the goddess of desire. Moirin is guided by her diadh-anam (spirit guide) to believe that she is not meant to stay in Alba, so she first goes across the sea find him and to embrace her mixed heritage.

My Thoughts: You don't need to read the other series in order to start at this one, however there are references to what happened in the past which could be spoilers if you're paying close attention to them about what happened in the earlier books. The world building in these books is complex, but the book is written so even if you don't know all the background (such as knowing the complete story of Elua and his companions - which I did not), you can still grasp what's going on. (P.S. There's an amazing amount of detail on wikipedia about this series!)

This is a very easily readable book despite it being over 600 pages. The words flow and the language lends itself to just paying attention to the story. Told in the first person point of view, the book is a coming of age tale that's in three parts: Moirin's childhood in Alba, her introduction into society in Terre d'Ange, and her adventures in Ch'in.

Because Moirin is half of the Maghuin Dhonn and half D'Angeline, she has two goddesses who watch over her and who guide her. Morin often consults her diadh-anam when she wants to make important decisions and sees the faces of "the Bright Lady" and the Maghuin Dhonn, who help her choose her way. Her Destiny is a big part of Moirin's decision-making, and in some ways I'd have liked her to actually choose rather than having a tool to make decisions for her, but Moirin's faith is large part of her personality. Her father and her mentor are both very spiritual as well and Moirin gains a lot from them. And because Moirin doesn't turn away from her Alban roots she holds onto her gift of "twilight" (that allows her to disappear from sight). Meanwhile, her comfortableness with Naamah's gift (that of desire) means that Moirin is very open with her sexuality.

There are a lot of sex scenes in this story because of Moirin's lack of hangups and her connection with Naamah. These were tastefully done without purple prose, but it is explicit. Terre d'Ange itself is a very sexually open society so she's not alone. I read Kushiel's Dart a long time ago so I wasn't very surprised, but I thought that at times her approach was more for enjoyment than for a reason, like that of Phèdre nó Delaunay, the protagonist of Kushiel's Dart. Moirin has no problems switching partners, men or women, on the spur of the moment. Maybe for that reason I didn't find any of the relationships in this book particularly romantic, although Moirin obviously cared very much for many people.

There is a large cast of characters in this story. It's at first Moirin and her mother in Alba, with the neighbouring lord's son Cillian who comes by to visit. Although some reviewers found the first part of the book slow, I found it my favorite part - it reminded me of childhood and summer days without much worry. It is in the part of the book I found Moirin's character least like she is in the other parts - more sure and wild maybe. When childhood ends is the beginning of the second part in Terra d'Ange. Here Moirin's exoticness from being a beautiful "bear-witch" are much lauded (slightly excessively in my mind, but not enough to rile me), and Moirin meets several royals and people of the D'Angeline court. Of particular interest are Queen Jehanne and her lover, Raphael de Mereliot. These two characters I had the hardest time pinning down, they were so capricious - at some times selfish and at others very kind. I would say that they changed as Moirin learned more about them. It is here that Moirin grows and learns the most about her powers and about people. Finally, when Moirin finally meets her Destiny in Ch'in, she goes with a sage who she'd met in Terre d'Ange - Master Lo, and his bodyguard Bao. There she meets the fierce princess Snow Tiger. Ch'in is where the most action occurs and all that Moirin experiences culminate here in her Destiny. Although it was convenient, I still thought the resolutions were clever because I'd forgotten about couple of things until that point.

Although this is the first of a probably trilogy, the book ends in a satisfying place with most threads tied up. There is of course a couple of things where you want to find out what happens next (such as hints about someone she expects to meet again), but I was happy where the book finished.

Overall: An epic fantasy coming of age tale (at 645 pages-a bigger time commitment than the average book) with a very spiritual and sexual young heroine. If you're a fan of Jacqueline Carey, this book is as strong as her past books, with the same detailed world building and absorbing storytelling. If you DO mind sex in your fantasy, then skip this one. I had only very minor issues (regarding Moirin's Destiny, and Moirin's exotic factor), and found it a good read.
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Aug 18, 2009 Kerry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: everything, sci-fi-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As much as I enjoyed returning to the world of Terre d'Ange, I have to say that Naamah's Kiss wasn't nearly as good as the original two trilogies in the Kushiel's Legacy series. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book and when the next one in the trilogy comes out, I will definitely pick it up. It says something for Jacqueline Carey's skill as a writer that even the weaker books in the series are definitely worth the time to read. But I had some problems with Moirin story.

The biggest complaint I...more As much as I enjoyed returning to the world of Terre d'Ange, I have to say that Naamah's Kiss wasn't nearly as good as the original two trilogies in the Kushiel's Legacy series. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book and when the next one in the trilogy comes out, I will definitely pick it up. It says something for Jacqueline Carey's skill as a writer that even the weaker books in the series are definitely worth the time to read. But I had some problems with Moirin story.

The biggest complaint I had was that for the first part of the book, there really didn't seem to be a strong reason or any direction or urgency to her adventuring. It seemed like the reasoning behind her leaving Alba and hanging out in Terre D'ange seemed a bit flimsy. I also didn't understand why so many details of her birth and conception had to be hidden and vague. It just seemed like a bunch of drama with little concrete reasoning behind it. It's not until she decides to go to China with her teacher that there is any real sense of a quest. (It is also at that point the story picks up and I enjoyed it a bit more.)

Another issue I had was that it seemed like half of the significant intimate relationships Moirin has in the book (as opposed to the "hey, you're cute... why not" encounters that she indulges in because... after all, she is half D'Angeline) start are out of nowhere, and with some outside element (a tonic, a dragon) forcing the situation to happen. In the earlier trilogies, relationships began and grew very naturally... It was one of the things I loved most about the series. There was plenty of casual encounters, lustful moments, assignments with patrons but for the deeply personal, intimacy was never forced and as a result, I believed in the pairings more and was more invested in them. The shortcuts that the author took to get Moirin with Bao and Snow Tiger annoyed me.

I will say that I enjoyed hearing echoes of what happened with my favorite characters from the first two trilogies. It felt good to hear that Imri and Sidonie and Alias had the happily ever after that I felt they deserved. It was also cool to see references to Amarante and Ti Phillipe.

All in all, Naamah's Kiss was a decent book. It has some cool moments, a couple of cool characters (even if I suspect that the author is trying to recycle some of the dymanics between characters from the past trilogies to bulk up the new one) and while I still say that it hasn't quite lived up to the other Kushiel books, it definitely has the potential to develop into something pretty decent. So I am going to reserve judgement until I read book #2. (less)

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Jul 25, 2009 CD rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't know how she does it, but she had done it again creating a great new series set several decades in the future from the Imriel series. This series deals with Maghuin Dhonn in the form on Moirin. She is the great-granddaughter of Alais the Wise, child of the Maghuin Dhonn and a cousin of the Cruarch of Alba. She learns her father is a D'Angeline priest dedicated to serving Naamah, goddess of desire. And if I have lost you, you really need to go and read the beginning of the series Kushiel'...more

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Jul 23, 2009 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Naamah's Kiss is set some 150 years after Carey's remarkable Kushiel trilogies, but the reader who has not read the earlier books can still enjoy this one, I think. In fact, if you attempted to read the Kushiel books and were ill at ease (as I was, initially) with the BDSM content, Moirin's adventures may be more your speed. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of sex here---Moirin is half D'Angeline and her father is a priest of Naamah, goddess of desire---and it's hot sex, with multiple pa...more Naamah's Kiss is set some 150 years after Carey's remarkable Kushiel trilogies, but the reader who has not read the earlier books can still enjoy this one, I think. In fact, if you attempted to read the Kushiel books and were ill at ease (as I was, initially) with the BDSM content, Moirin's adventures may be more your speed. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of sex here---Moirin is half D'Angeline and her father is a priest of Naamah, goddess of desire---and it's hot sex, with multiple partners of both genders. However, Moirin is neither courtesan nor marked by Kushiel, as was Phedre in the earlier series, so her approach to lovemaking is more instinctual and (at least slightly) more conventional.

At the beginning of the novel, Moirin lives with her mother in a cave in Alba; they are of the Maghuinn Dhonn, the people of the Brown Bear, who once had magical powers but lost them due to murder and broken oaths centuries before. Yet, as mentioned, Moirin is also half D'Angeline, and when she has a vision revealing her destiny lies overseas, she takes advantage of this to travel to Terre d'Ange seeking her father. She finds him, along with fascinating new friends and lovers, becomes embroiled in forbidden magic and court intrigue, and eventually finds herself compelled by destiny to travel all the way to Ch'in.

Like most fans of theKushiel's Legacy series, I loved the character Phedre no Delaunay, and was very curious to see how Moirin would measure up. Well, Moirin, as I've mentioned, has the passions of a D'Angeline but not the polish of a courtesan, and no talent (or need for) espionage at all. She has also grown up as someone who needs to fend for herself, so although she becomes quite pampered in Terre D'Ange, she is a fine archer and can both hunt and defend herself. She is intelligent and in the course of the book she learns to read and picks up several languages, but what she studies the most are the breathing techniques and Taoist philosophy taught by Master Lo Feng, one of my favorite characters. In fact, the "book-learning" pursued by Phedre and her colleague Alcuin in Kushiel's Dart takes on a sinister cast when Moirin gets involved with occultists in Terre D'Ange. So I'd sum up by saying I liked Moirin very much---she was very different from Phedre, but definitely strong-willed and appealing all the same.

If there is one complaint I have about Naamah's Kiss, it's the way that magic is handled here. In the first of the two Kushiel trilogies, there wasn't much magic at all; it crept in gradually over the course of the second, and then exploded with a bang in Kushiel's Mercy, book six. I love magic---probably why I read fantasy---and was surprised to find myself not missing it much in the Kushiel books, and occasionally annoyed at the way it appeared. In Naamah's Kiss, magic plays a much bigger part. When the Maghuin Dhonn were cursed centuries before, they lost all their magical ability except the skill to "summon the twilight" (which I thought was really cool) but Moirin also seems to have an earth magic the others have lost. Her skill increases through her training with Lo Feng and even in her involvement in occult experimentation---this manner of increasing her powers felt very organic, but I couldn't help wondering if her powers were too much? There's one instance in particular, towards the end, when I felt her power just showed up because the plot needed it---there was groundwork laid, but not enough. And it may be just an issue of pacing---the powers she has at the end of book one would not concern me at all, if she had them by the end of book three.

In sum, despite some quibbles, I found this to be a terrific read, with a winning heroine, elegant and sensuous description, and a world which only fascinates me more the more it is revealed.
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Jul 18, 2009 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Jumping generations and at least a century, Carey takes up her unique world once again and if I'm sad she's left some of our favorite characters, I love what she's done and will forgive her. (Though if she wants to go back and write a trilogy, or even a short story, about Alais, I would be grateful.)

Her heroine this time, Moirin, is vibrant and innocent and infuriatingly stupid sometimes, but always human and understandable. Carey's lush and luscious prose continues to titillate, just as her cha...more Jumping generations and at least a century, Carey takes up her unique world once again and if I'm sad she's left some of our favorite characters, I love what she's done and will forgive her. (Though if she wants to go back and write a trilogy, or even a short story, about Alais, I would be grateful.)

Her heroine this time, Moirin, is vibrant and innocent and infuriatingly stupid sometimes, but always human and understandable. Carey's lush and luscious prose continues to titillate, just as her characters continue to loll about in wanton sexual desire. But the sensual prose and the torrid sex are really just window dressing on what has got to be one of genre's most fascinating and in-depth studies of the world religions.

I've always felt that Carey's invented religion -- Elua and his companions -- is really the pillar of the series. It's simply brilliant. Most fantasy religions are simplistic or silly or thinly disguised analogs for modern religions. This one -- to the best of my knowledge, I could be woefully ignorant, it's happened before -- is unique and has layers of depth and meaning. She's clearly considered the nuances of her new religion and has enough material to keep writing for a long long time.

And she offers similarly thoughtful examinations of other religions. Taoism gets center stage in this book, mixing with the ancient Celtic religions (you know, before the Druids came barging in) and the sensual Eluine religions. There's even a glancing mention of Buddhism and Confucianism. There's even a vignette of demonology/Satanism thrown in, for good measure.

But please, don't let me admiration for her treatment of religion dissuade you. It's also a ripping-good yarn, chugging along in fantastically pulpy style with sex, politics, sex, intrigue, sex, a war, a princess (and sex), and a dragon (and sex!)! Midnight escapes, desperate rides, pitched battles, and romance! And sex! It's a page-turner, just like the first trilogy. (I've never been as fond of the Imriel trilogy -- I'm not a fan of the main character.)

Withal, I have to say that this has been one of my favorite books of the year. Actually, upon writing this review, I think I'm going to up my review from four to five.(less)

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Jul 17, 2009 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, fantasy

Though I’ve had Carey’s Kushiel series on my "want to read" list for quite a while, this is the first of her books that I’ve read. It absolutely won’t be the last. Carey has created an incredibly complex yet easily understood world, and has a knack for introducing us to it without boring us with rote history lessons. I was immediately pulled into Moirin’s world, and gladly followed her on her epic journey as she searched for her divine purpose. The D’Angeline are obviously based on the French, a...more

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Jun 27, 2009 Chy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay. I was a little depressed when I found out this was set generations after the Kushiel books, but it turned out to work very, very well. If it weren't, then when Moirin goes to the City of Elua, I would have stopped paying attention to her and done nothing but look for characters I knew, thus forgetting her story.

As it was, while she was on her way there, I was eager to get there to see what it was like, now. Then we were both outsiders, though in different ways. It was a really great experi...more

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May 10, 2009 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

With Naamah's Kiss, Jacqueline Carey, whose reputation has been largely based on the Kushiel world novels, returns to that world.

This time, Carey decides to jump forward in time a few generations, so that she can create a new situation, a new protagonist, and explore new parts of the world. While the Phedre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy shared a lot of the same characters and geo-political situation, Naamah's Kiss jumps forward three generations, to a granddaughter of Alais living amongst the...more With Naamah's Kiss, Jacqueline Carey, whose reputation has been largely based on the Kushiel world novels, returns to that world.

This time, Carey decides to jump forward in time a few generations, so that she can create a new situation, a new protagonist, and explore new parts of the world. While the Phedre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy shared a lot of the same characters and geo-political situation, Naamah's Kiss jumps forward three generations, to a granddaughter of Alais living amongst the Maghuin Dhonn in Alba.

Things have changed for Terre D'Ange. The top-of-the-world D'Angelines are being left in their self-important intrigues and idylls. A new continent has been discovered in the West, Terra Nova. There are emissaries from places as distant as Ch'in. And yet, the D'Angelines are leaving others to mostly reap the benefits of all of this.

And into this decadent version of Terre D'Ange will come our heroine, Moirin. Half Alban and half D'Angeline, we follow her early life as it grows from a solitary existence with her mother in the wilderness, to the meeting with a member of the Dalraida's family. The circle of her existence and her experiences grows as Moirin develops. The tension between the two halves of her life is a constant undercurrent as she undertakes a journey to Terre D'Ange, and into the court of the Queen herself. And then beyond...

And in all of this, she follows Elua's command as filtered through Naamah: Love as thou wilt.

Unlike the previous two sets of novels, the sexual relationships here are not wrapped around tastes in dominance and submission. As a scion of Naamah, Moirin offers herself as she is. For all of that, even without the dominance and submission issues, Moirin's sexual nature draws her into a number of contradictory, and sometimes tragic relationships. Carey comes through with the tragic aspects of Moirin's path in life, as well as growing the sweet innocence of her life into mature adulthood.

While the travelogue aspects of the novel are interesting as always, once again, Carey shows that the strongest part of her fiction is her characterization. We get to see Moirin grow as a character, with a fractally complex path of challenges, advances and retreats. Its not a smooth path of development, just like it isn't in life. Also, too, the secondary characters come alive, with agendas, dreams and thoughts of their own, which intersect with Moirin in complex ways.

It seems to me that Carey has learned a lot from her previous novels and has definitely grown as a writer since Kushiel's Dart, in a good way.

The novel does come up with an ending that could end Moirin's story, however I suspect there will be further volumes of her tale, and I would gladly read them.

I also think that this novel might work for those readers who might be curious as to the world of Terre D'Ange and do not find the D/s sexual situations of the other trilogies to be to their liking. There is plenty of sex (and yes there is violence) in this novel, and there is f/f content as well, but as a whole, its not as drenched as the other novels sometimes were.

In addition,with moving ahead three generations, this novel could work as an entry point to readers in the series. I still think that starting at the beginning is a good policy, but sort of like how Erikson's Midnight Tides, book five of the Malazan series, can serve as an alternate entree into that world, I think Naamah's Kiss can also serve in that manner.

Overall, I am very well satisfied with the novel. One criticism sticks out. Ms. Carey, I love the maps in your novels. (My love of maps of all kinds gets a thrill from those). What I think you also need at this point is a timeline of events and people. It took some puzzling to figure out what happened when, but I think your history is complex enough to need one for easy reference. (less)

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Feb 20, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: made-me-cry, myths-and-legends, fantasy, coming-of-age, indirect-sequel

Like all of the Terre d'Ange books, there is mingled sadness and joy here, enough that I'm not sure I would say it has a happy ending (why hello there, Ms. Carey's GRRM-like willingness to kill off our favorite side characters!)...but the ending, and indeed the rest of the book, certainly feels happier than the Imri trilogy. The Imriel books required me to take time between them, to recover emotional fortitude to continue, but here I am itching for more, after being completely unable to put this...more

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Apr 03, 2010 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: alternative-history, fantasy, historical-fantasy, best-books-i-read-in-2010

Moirin of the Mahuin Dhonn “has the oldest magic in Alba running in her veins.” But her father is a Priest of Naamah in Terre d’Ange. From her mother, Moirin has learned to live and survive rough; she hadn’t been in a home until she was 13. She was raised in a cave and hated her first boyfriend’s home.

She leaves Alba for the City of Elua to pursue her destiny, her diadh- anam. She meets her father, does magical work for a man who uses her, becomes the Queen’s consort and studies with a Ch’in sc

...more

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Jul 25, 2009 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I was a bit apprehensive about starting this book. Change is difficult. You come to love an author and certain characters. You want to read more about those characters you know and love; even in the case of the Imriel books you can see Phedre and Joscelin in the background. You do not want to leave them behind and start a new and unfamiliar journey.

I think I can safely say you can leave those apprehensions behind.

I did when I realized suddenly that four hours had passed in a blink, that I was al...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Vaginal Fantasy H...: Naamah offshoot of Kushiel's Universe? Anyone?	12	94	Oct 28, 2012 08:56pm
Vaginal Fantasy H...: Moirin's Trilogy...	3	108	Aug 28, 2012 04:34am
Naamah's Kiss labeled as Kushiel's Legacy #7?	1	23	Jun 16, 2009 07:33am

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About Jacqueline Carey

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Jacqueline Carey (born 1964 in Highland Park, Illinois) is an author and novelist, primarily of fantasy fiction.

She attended Lake Forest College, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore as part of a wo...more

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