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Naamah's Blessing (Moirin's Trilogy #3)

by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 3,591 ratings · 261 reviews

Returning to Terre d'Ange, Moirin finds the royal family broken. Wracked by unrelenting grief at the loss of his wife, Queen Jehanne, King Daniel is unable to rule. Prince Thierry, leading an expedition to explore the deadly jungles of Terra Nova, is halfway across the world. And three year old Desirée is a vision of her mother: tempestuous, intelligent, and fiery, but des...more

Hardcover, 610 pages

Published June 29th 2011 by Grand Central Publishing (first published January 1st 2011)

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Jul 16, 2011 Jeremy Preacher rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The presumably final book in Terre d'Ange has a thoughtful, bittersweet tone throughout. I found it a little less engaging, in some ways, than the earlier novels - the plot is straightforward, the sex is fairly perfunctory (and dreadfully straight) and the characters are either familiar or trivial (with the exception of the delightful four-year-old Desiree.)

That said, I tore through it like someone might take it away if I didn't finish it fast enough. The South American exploration sections are...more

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Jul 16, 2011 Nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance, lgbt

I've very much enjoyed reading this trilogy, and revisiting Terre D'Ange. I don't think these books are as good as the first trilogy, but they were still very good, especially read back to back in a long glut of reading! This third book takes Moirin and Bao to Terra Nova -- essentially, the Aztec nations. A lot of plot threads from the trilogy are tied up here, and no detail seems to have been meaningless.

I did feel as though Jacqueline Carey wasn't that able to make the reader feel her characte...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Liviu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011_release_read, review_fbc, genre-fantasy, read_2011, series_read, top_25_2011_novels

Naamah's Blessing ends the Moirin saga and possibly the Angeline/Kushiel 9 book series in great style - though the author left open the possibilities of more and I think there is great potential in a story set in another hundred years or two and dealing with technological expansion rather than the huge geographical expansion here.

The book returns to the exuberance of the first volume - though there are quite a few dark moments since no Legacy Kushiel is complete without them - and it was all tha...more Naamah's Blessing ends the Moirin saga and possibly the Angeline/Kushiel 9 book series in great style - though the author left open the possibilities of more and I think there is great potential in a story set in another hundred years or two and dealing with technological expansion rather than the huge geographical expansion here.

The book returns to the exuberance of the first volume - though there are quite a few dark moments since no Legacy Kushiel is complete without them - and it was all that i expected and more; the second volume while interesting and with a lot of cool stuff especially in retrospect had two characteristics that made it a little less favorite than the first - it was darker and gloomier and Moirin just does not do dark the way Phedre or to a lesser extent Imriel did, while Bao's character did not tune with Moirin's narrative and the lack of chemistry between the main two leads will always drag a book down.

Happily in Naamah's blessing none of these happens - the book is quite lush and exuberant and both the Angeline setting and the New World and the vistas of Mexico and the jungles of Central and South America are much more suited than the barren steppe or the cold of the Himalayas - while Bao here has both a much improved chemistry with Moirin but also while important is only one of the several main characters besides Morin.

As the role of Lo Feng's pupil suited him well, so does the role of Moirin' supportive husband is perfect for him letting her and the more flamboyant of the rest of the cast shine - and what a cast is, among the best from the whole series, both in Terre d'Ange with the willful 3 year old Desiree, the bereaved king, the scheming nobles as well in Terra Nova with the D'Angeline adventurers, the Mexica - Nahuatl - warriors, guides and even emperor, to the jungles and peaks of the Incas - Quechas - and the memorable people there

A lot of surprises and gasp moments, tragedy but joy, successes and exuberance too and a superb ending to a trilogy that only adds to the impressive achievement that is the whole Kushiel saga

This may be my top fantasy for the year especially considering how hard is to end a series in grand style

As usual the full FBC review will be added around publication date(less)

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Aug 12, 2011 Siri added it

In this last of the Moirin trilogy, Moirin goes to Terra Nova (or America as we know it) in search of Prince Thierry's lost expedition. Events pan out pretty much as you would expect, all the loose ends come together, and - predictable as the story is - I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to reveal that all ends well.

I rather enjoyed the first of Jacqueline Carey trilogies following Phèdre the courtesan – the odd mixture of S&M and fantasy was strangely appealing. The second trilogy wit...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm confused not only as to how this individual book received such a high average rating - but how its rating is actually higher than the two predecessors.

the Naamah trilogy is definitely more along the lines of book crack than the Kushiel trilogies, but even so, at least the first two books seemed to have a semblance of cohesion. there seemed a driven purpose and an equal balance of gods present in Moirin's life. the Maghiun Donne seem to be almost nonexistent - which is a shame because Carey's...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Christal rated it 4 of 5 stars

The final chapter in Moirin mac Fainche's tale in Carey's beloved Terra D'Ange world, this time taking our lovable bear-witch to the vast and dangerous shores of Terra Nova (aka Mexico and the Aztecs with a little Incan thrown in).

I was happy to see Carey go to a new place and to see what she did with the new culture she was incorporating. In the last 2 books she stuck mainly with the cultures she had already written about: France, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and Great Britain. Whereas with th...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Elizabeth Wallace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I'm glad I read it, because I was curious about how all the storylines would tie up, and Carey's very good at crafting a satisfying ending all round.

That being said, if she continues the Kushiel's Legacy books I'm not sure I'll read them. It turns out what I loved best about the first three books was Phedre and Jocelyn, full stop. There's lots of other elements that I enjoy (the decadent life of Terre d'Ange, the complex and interesting mythology, even the descriptions of some of the costumes, a...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Jacqueline Carey's alternate world, Terre d'Ange is the center of the civilized universe. Or, at least it certainly thinks it is. And it is not so much different from the 15th century France that it most resembles. Use that information to give yourself a time and place reference for technology/industry/civilization and otherwise, let everything else slip away. The world of Terre d'Ange is not our world, except, perhaps as it might have been, if it had been founded by fallen angels. The theolo...more In Jacqueline Carey's alternate world, Terre d'Ange is the center of the civilized universe. Or, at least it certainly thinks it is. And it is not so much different from the 15th century France that it most resembles. Use that information to give yourself a time and place reference for technology/industry/civilization and otherwise, let everything else slip away. The world of Terre d'Ange is not our world, except, perhaps as it might have been, if it had been founded by fallen angels. The theology of the world created by those fallen Angels, Elua and his Companions, is a story for another another time.

The gods use their chosen hard in Carey's world. That was certainly the lesson in her first trilogy, the emotionally shattering trilogy introduced by Kushiel's Dart. Our own philosophy also contains this concept. The comment that "Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad," is an ancient proverb, originally attributed to Euripides. The ones the gods choose in Terre d'Ange, at least in Carey's works, are never quite driven mad, but to despair, sometimes very nearly.

And it could also be said that in the world of Elua and his Companions, the gods use the ones their chosen love equally hard.

Naamah's Blessing is the final book in Carey's latest trilogy set in this world. This trilogy is set centuries after the events that take place in Kushiel's Dart and its sequels. The events that occurred have great bearing on the present, but are no longer within living memory. Naamah's Kiss, Naamah's Curse, and finally, Naamah's Blessing, follow the trials and triumphs of Moirin mac Fainche, the unlikely descendant of both House Courcel of Terre D'Ange and the Maghuin Dhonn of Alba. Moirin is descended from royalty on both sides, but the Maghuin Dhonn do not care for such things, and the D'Angelines believe that the Maghuin Dhonn are little better than savages. They called her a "bear-witch" while she was in Terre D'Ange, and they were not wrong. The name was just incomplete.

But Moirin is touched by destiny. Maghuin Dhonn is not just the name of a tribe or a totem. She is the living Bear herself and she has given Moirin a task to complete. One that carries her first from her home in Alba, to Terre D'Ange to finally meet her father. And there she stirs up spirits that should have been left alone. Moirin's task then compels her to take ship from Terre D'Ange to the far side of the world, to Ch'in, to free a dragon. And fall in love.

But love is never easy for one who is chosen by her gods. At the end of Naamah's Kiss, her lover dies, their teacher gives his life to save him and uses part of her soul spirit tie to the Great Bear to keep him alive. Uncertain whether he loves her because he feels it, or because of the sacrifice that was made to restore his life, he runs from her. And she chases him across the Tatar steppes and into Vralia, our Russia. They face separate trials from anti-magic fanatics (hers) and lust-inducing magic-gem wielding sorceresses (him) before they find each other again in Bhodistani. Returning to Terre D'Ange at the end of Naamah's Curse to set the stage for the final book holds both triumph and tragedy.

Naamah's Blessing doesn't start out with many blessings. Queen Jehanne died in childbirth, leaving her husband King Daniel de la Courcel in a deep depression, and her daughter Desiree physically cared for but emotionally bereft. She is the spitting image of her mother, and her father cannot bear to be around her, even more than three years after her mother's death. The crown prince, Thierry, is off on an expedition to Terra Nova to stake a claim on the New World for Terre D'Ange. Moirin sweeps in to provide emotional sustenance for the little girl, and the King officially appoints her as the child's sword protector. Then tragedy strikes, and Thierry's expedition returns without him, reporting his presumed death. The King commits suicide, leaving the kingdom in the small hands of his 4-year old daughter and an overambitious regent who plans to marry his son to the little girl. Moirin, ever the servant of her destiny, is compelled to go to the New World, having received a vision that Thierry is alive. She has also seen the future that Desiree faces without her brother, and it is bleak.

Moirin, with her husband Bao at her side, raises an expedition to Terra Nova to follow the prince. The New World is more dangerous than she imagined, more beautiful and more deadly. The Nahuatl practice human sacrifice. The Aragonians fear the loss of their trading hegemony. There are no maps. Everyone they meet is certain they will not survive. And her first and greatest mistake is waiting for her at the end of her journey.

I read Naamah's Curse and Naamah's Blessing back to back, having waited until the final book was out before I started the second book. I just didn't want to have to wait to find out how it all ended. Not again.

Carey has created an incredibly rich, complex world, and the background detail pulls you in deeper and deeper every time. Did I love Naamah's Blessing? Yes, absolutely. Is it a stand-alone book? No, it's not. The richness is in the multiple layers of the weaving. If you have not read Kushiel's Dart, read the whole thing from the beginning, you are in for something special. The series is not for the faint of heart. Every character, and the reader, is put through an incredibly amount of pain, anguish, and pleasure-in-pain, in order to get to the ending. But the story is so worth it.(less)

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Nov 03, 2011 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-fantasy, fantasy

Well, this was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, and I think my favorite of the three. In my other reviews you'll remember I definitely wasn't as keen on this installment in the world, mostly because Bao as a hero was not very compelling, I just never saw why Moirin fell and/or fought so hard to be with him. In this last book though, there are very few twists and turns in their relationship, so he basically fades into the background and it becomes more about Moirin and her journey back to...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Warren Rochelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay.
I am a big Jacqueline Carey fan and I have been waiting for Naamah's Blessing since Naamah's Curse was out in 2010. I don't think other Carey fans will be disappointed as this d'Angeline trilogy and the adventures of Moirin mac Fainche, she of Alban ancestry and of the people of the Bear-Goddess, the Maghuin Dhonn and the daughter of a d'Angeline priest come full circle, a circle that almost goes around the Earth: Alba, Terre D'Ange, central Asia, Ch'in (China) and to the New World, to the...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Blake rated it 2 of 5 stars

The ending was better then I expected but still-
The emotional heft of the earlier books never materialized. It;s strange that this series sort of faded away after the Imriel trilogy. When Kushiel's Dart came out i thought it was going to change the face of fantasy and then came the Naamah trilogy. Bye.
SPOILER ALERT

Phedre goes into Drujan to rescue Imriel because Kushiel and Naamah basically tell her she has to or they are done with her. She has to accept and drive everyone around her CRAZY in or...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Since the first book, Kushiel's Dart, I have been in love with this universe. So when this book came out I dropped all the other books I have in line to read and picked this one up and read it during all of my free time until I finally finished it.

First, the premise of the book:

This is book three of the Moirin mac Fainche arc. After their marriage in Baktipur, Moirin and Bao leave for home to Terre D'Ange. When they get there, they meet the young Dauhpine, Desiree'. The King, Daniel de la Courc...more Since the first book, Kushiel's Dart, I have been in love with this universe. So when this book came out I dropped all the other books I have in line to read and picked this one up and read it during all of my free time until I finally finished it.

First, the premise of the book:

This is book three of the Moirin mac Fainche arc. After their marriage in Baktipur, Moirin and Bao leave for home to Terre D'Ange. When they get there, they meet the young Dauhpine, Desiree'. The King, Daniel de la Courcel, asks Moirin to be Desiree's oath-sworn protrector, much as Anafiel Delaunay was to Ysandre de la Courcel in the first book of the D'Angeline universe. Almost immediately after being oath-sworn, a ship arrives from Terra Nova bearing news of the death of the Prince, Thierry de la Courcel who left seeking glory.

After hearing of his son's death, and after having survived the death of both his first wife, Thierry's mother, and his second wife, Jehanne, King Daniel finds that he can no longer take the suffering life has dealt him and drowns himself in the river, leaving poor, young Desiree to the hands of the Regent in power, Duc Rogier de Barthelme. Unfortunately the Duc de Barthelme harbors ambitions for the throne-- not for himself, as he is King-by-proxy until Desiree comes of age, but for his son who he betrothes to four-year-old Desiree de la Courcel.

The Late Queen Jehanne comes to Moirin in a dream and tells her that Thierry yet lives and that she must leave for the distant shores of Terra Nova to rescue the Prince so that she can keep her oath to protect Desiree. And so she does.

And now my review of the book:

By far my favorite book of the entire universe is the first one -- Kushiel's Dart. This one does not even come close in my mind to the masterfully woven threads of intrigue and deception that were present in that book. After having said that... I think this book was Good. I was interested enough to find out how things would turn out for Bao and Moirin in the end and to see how things would be dealt with and wrapped up. But it just wasn't as engaging for me as the first trilogy was.

We knew from the first of the trilogy that Moirin had business with Raphael de Mereliot due to the remnants of the essence of the fallen angel Focalor, forced upon him during the ritual conceived by the Circle of Shalomon. I had thought that when she returned to Terre D'Ange, Rapahel would have done something crazy to upset or usurp the throne THERE. But of course, as is the legacy with these books, the main character must travel the world! And so J.C. sent Moirin to the next part of the world that we have not yet visited in her Universe -- Terra Nova. Which now that I think about it, it was also hinted at in the first book. Thierry wanted so badly to go there seeking glory and was promised by his father that if Jehanne conceived a secondary heir, he could go. And she did, so he did. So after I figured that out, it was only a hop-skip-and-a-jump to the next conclusion. Thierry's presumed death was because of Raphael de Mereliot.

I dont know if JC truly meant to surprise us with this revelation or not. But she basically gave it away. While I like straight-forward books, the ones in this universe aren't generally that way and have usually been able to throw me off on more than one occasion. So to be told the entire time that we were going to have to deal with Raphael -- to know from the end of the second book that she was going to have to deal with Raphael -- to know that she was going to Terra Nova to save Thierry... it all just gave it away and took part of the mystery out of it for me. Although I must say that I didn't guess all of the details.

But I do like the character of Moirin. And I like the character of Bao. I never liked Raphael de Mereliot and I wish to high heaven the ending were a little more befitting of a dickhole like him. One character I do wish could have gotten some more page-time was Balthasar Shahrizai. I find that I liked his character quite a bit. Also, Temilotzin. He is a Jaguar Knight from Tenochtitlan. I quite liked him, too, but he barely got mentioned half the time.

To sum it all up, this book is pretty straight forward. JC rounds out the story and ties off her loose ends in a decent fashion. I have no regrets there. If you liked the characters and followed this trilogy this long, this book is alright. Its not amazing, but its a decent read.

What I'm wondering about now is who will J.C. decide to write about next. At the end of the book I sense a small loose-end that has just opened up. Maybe one of Moirin and Bao's Fat Dumpling babies is the next in the D'Angeline Universe. Maybe its one of her decendants. Maybe its Desiree de la Courcel. Who knows? But I can't wait to find out. (less)

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Nov 20, 2011 Chy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay, more like a 4.5, but still. I thought it much better than the previous two in the series, and I appreciated how things came together.

Now, the fact that Phanuel had a larger part probably has nothing to do with my elevated opinion. Heh. *coughs*

The other thing I bring to this is that I have a...rather bridled...obsession with the history of that area of "Terra Nova." And as soon as they got over there, I began looking for some manifestation of an interpretation of Quetzalcoatl. And whether...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Juli rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can't imagine giving a Jacqueline Carey book fewer than five stars. She's a fabulous writer, and her books always suck me in and keep me fascinated. And I am always sorry to reach that last page, especially when she's ending a trilogy.

Among the many things Carey does well, first and foremost is her world building. I love the world she has created in these books, and the fabulous variety she uses as her characters travel to different places and encounter new cultures. In this book, she created...more I can't imagine giving a Jacqueline Carey book fewer than five stars. She's a fabulous writer, and her books always suck me in and keep me fascinated. And I am always sorry to reach that last page, especially when she's ending a trilogy.

Among the many things Carey does well, first and foremost is her world building. I love the world she has created in these books, and the fabulous variety she uses as her characters travel to different places and encounter new cultures. In this book, she created cultures based on Meso-American civilizations that were fascinating and complex. As always, the dynamic that occurs when characters from very different cultures meet is at the heart of some of the best scenes in the novel.

Carey is also an exceptional storyteller. She gives us action and adventure, but she balances that with scenes of passion, humor, and a variety of emotions. She brings themes, events and characters from earlier books of the trilogy together to complete the story. She creates new characters who are memorable and unique, even if they aren't in the story long, and loose ends are woven in almost perfectly by the end.

The Kushiel books, including the three Naamah books, focus a lot on romance, love, and sex. Of course there are many forms of love, not all of them sexual, and her stories revolve around what people can and will do out of love. Each of her trilogies features a central romantic pair that reminds me of the "super couples" popularized on daytime television dramas -- they clearly belong together, but they are constantly being challenged, separated and threatened. I love how each couple reaches a point where they are solidly committed to each other, and from then on, they do not doubt each other, and nothing can come between them emotionally. They face obstacles as a team, relying on and trusting each other absolutely, and that's very rewarding for me as a reader. In the case of Moirin and Bao, the main couple in this trilogy, that point was reached by the end of the previous book, so this book was all about them working together. I found that deeply romantic.(less)

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Sep 19, 2011 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Spoilers lite at the end.

Finally! Things pick up a whole lot after Moirin and Bao leave Terre D'Ange. The politics, frankly, are not as super-crazy cloak-and-dagger interesting as they were in Phedre's books. And, honestly, the whole thing had the feel of Carey trying to make the world so un-interesting that she could finally STOP with this series and concentrate on the Santa Olivia series . . . even the SEX was pretty pedestrian . . .

HOWEVER! Once Moirin, Bao and Balthasar finally take off to...more Spoilers lite at the end.

Finally! Things pick up a whole lot after Moirin and Bao leave Terre D'Ange. The politics, frankly, are not as super-crazy cloak-and-dagger interesting as they were in Phedre's books. And, honestly, the whole thing had the feel of Carey trying to make the world so un-interesting that she could finally STOP with this series and concentrate on the Santa Olivia series . . . even the SEX was pretty pedestrian . . .

HOWEVER! Once Moirin, Bao and Balthasar finally take off to Terra Nova, things pick up and the book is JUST as compelling as the others, with at least some shadows of the intimate, CHARACTER-DEVELOPING scenes which made me such a die-hard fan of the first books.

While not as good as the first, or even the second trilogy, I'm happy to be reading Carey again and taken at least on an adventure to hostile far lands. Carey also tries to push the timeline forward accordingly while making fond references to the events of books past that lend a satisfying weight to things without requiring new readers to be entirely familiar with them.

Again, not the experience of the first ones, but a GREAT world to kind of hang out in with characters that might verge on stock but are still, on the whole, quite likable and just quirkly enough to feel like friends. Sadly, the comparision is inevitable and I hope, for all fans' sake that Carey really pulls it out in her new Santa Olivia world and continues writing as I have a feeling Terre D'Ange is rather uninteresting even to the author at this point.

This book keeps me playing the One-More-Chapter game to my detriment despite any vague complaints I might dredge up. I'll probably be finished with it in a day or two, keeping my general Carey timeline basically intact. Her books never last long unread in my hands.

The last bit drags a little, as it really is just kind of mopping up errant storylines. I appreaciate the need, but it ends up adding another fifty or so pages of "btw, the giant bear dug Bao and they have a cool cave-home . . ." Which, if it had been the first trilogy, not the last would have been fine so maybe it's just a nod to new readers. Either way, if you're versed in this author and you don't NEED to see Moirin go home to know that everything is just ducky, you might as well stop at the first Terre D'Ange homecoming, which made me cry a little in all the adorableness that was going on.

Good, quick, and exactly what I needed before diving into textbooks again.

Cheers,

-M-(less)

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Aug 28, 2011 Melody rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: never-again

I had a hard time with this third book in the Naamah Trilogy. It seemed so very formulaic to me, and it really dragged. There were times I despaired of finishing, so to help me get through it, I made up the Naamah's Blessing Drinking Game, which I include below. I don't recommend that any reader actually try to play it though, as they would be reeling drunk in next to no time.

This is my least favorite of Carey's books by about a mile. Excuse me, a league. Moirin is a Mary Sue to end all Mary Sue...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Dan Clarke rated it 3 of 5 stars

As usual, Carey's worldbuilding and stunning descriptions captured me - and if they haven't, this book would have lost at least one star.

The thing I loved about the Kushiel's Legacy series - all six books - was that while magic was present, it wasn't (as it is so often in fantasy novels) the crutch upon which the protagonists leaned when things got too hard. In fact, it was often the thing they had to use their wits to fight against, a tool used by the antagonists in ways impossible to simply co...more

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May 15, 2012 Kit rated it 3 of 5 stars

Again, strangely enough, I read these books because they travel all over the world, and I cannot afford to, and thus live vicariously through the descriptions of the different settings. Yay, we got to travel through South America in this one, I believe in the Andes, huzzah!

Friend and I figured that everyone came down with malaria, and Shahrizai's eyes were jaundiced, but you can in fact get jaundice with malaria. It would have driven me bonkers if I couldn't figure out their disease. I'm weird l...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Nakki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: au-world, fantasy, pr0n

An utterly perfect ending to a fantastic trilogy. I had high hopes for this book and Jacqueline Carey lived up to every one. I'm glad she's ending the world of Terra D'Ange on such a perfect note.

I was utterly delighted to have the world of Terra Nova explored. As a Incan archaeology minor at university (I know, so specific =)) I was delighted by the portrayal of the Maidens of the Sun and the Sapa Inca. I was crossing my fingers that she'd describe the unique form of planting that takes place o...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Meghan R. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, fiction-fantasy, fiction-speculative

I think this is the strongest book of Moirin's trilogy, and certainly the most strongly-plotted. Where previous volumes seemed to send Moirin lurching about the globe filling in new Eluaverse cultures on the map for no particular reason other than 'because my diadh-anam told me so', this book at least sends her to the New World with an actual plan of action to carry out. She finally comes full circle and deals with the plotlines she left lying loose back in Terre d'Ange in Naamah's Kiss in a ma...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Danika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, sequel

The end of Moirin's trilogy. I gave this book 4 stars even though I only "liked it" instead of "really liked it" because there was too much that I had to give more credit for.

Jacqueline Carey's ability to spin her tale within completely different cultures in completely different times still astounds me. This story brought our heroes into the Aztec mythology and lands. It was simply fascinating as a setting and my only complaint was the jerky pace at which the story processed. It would slow and t...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Malin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-books

Moirin has been away from her father's homeland of Terre D'Ange for years. She has endured much, experienced numerous exotic countries and cultures, but returns with her beloved husband Bao. The land she returns to is much changed. King Daniel is grieving his dead wife to the point where he's no longer able to rule and has appointed an ambitious Regent to rule in his stead, three-year-old princess Desirée, a miniature version of Queen Jehanne, hardly ever sees her father and is being raised by n...more Moirin has been away from her father's homeland of Terre D'Ange for years. She has endured much, experienced numerous exotic countries and cultures, but returns with her beloved husband Bao. The land she returns to is much changed. King Daniel is grieving his dead wife to the point where he's no longer able to rule and has appointed an ambitious Regent to rule in his stead, three-year-old princess Desirée, a miniature version of Queen Jehanne, hardly ever sees her father and is being raised by nursemaids. The crown prince, Thierry, is on an expedition to Terra Nova, the recently discovered continent far across the sea to the West. Moirin and Bao do their best to make the princess feel loved and Moirin accepts the role as Desirée's oath-sworn protector, even though several people at court fear and avoid her, due to her half-pagan heritage. When disaster strikes the royal house, Moirin and her husband have to travel to Terra Nova, to prove that Prince Thierry is not dead, as rumour would have it, and bring him back to Terre D'Ange. It's a long and hazardous journey, and mistakes from her past come back to haunt her, making the task nearly impossible.

Naamah's Blessing is in reality the concluding volume of nine books in Jacqueline Carey's alternate history version of our world. Throughout the nine books (the preceeding two trilogies set several generations before this one), she has explored an alternate Renaissance Europe, the Middle East, parts of Africa, and in this trilogy, Asia, Central and South America. Her books are wonderfully researched, and there is a lot of historical knowledge to be gained from them, even though they are set in a fantasy universe. While travelling much greater distances than either Phédre or Imriel, the protagonists of Carey' other trilogies, Moirin's life, although eventful, contain a lot less political intrigue, and that, in some ways, makes this third trilogy less engaging and thrilling than the other two. While it is never boring to read one of these books, neither book in Moirin's trilogy excited me as much as Carey's first trilogy, or Kushiel's Mercy, the third book in the Imriel trilogy. Still, they are great comfort reading, and very well written, so if you enjoy Carey's other Terre D'Ange book, read these as well.
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Jul 30, 2011 Nancy added it

A decent end to the trilogy. I still prefer the 1st 2 trilogies, and consider them worth a re-read, but probably not this one. Its been a long time, or it feels like it has, since the last one came out, and I couldn't remember what was going on. After I got into this one, there was just enough back story to remember, without feeling like I was re-reading the other 2 books, so that was good. We, as readers, knew that Moirin had to finish finding her destiny, but the story seems a little far fetch...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

More like 3.5 stars. This was much better than the last two. We returned to Terre D'Ange and the political intrigue that made the first six books so, well, intriguing. We had great adventure and peril and a big showdown with the unexpected villain. Although right before they reached their destination in Terra Nova I knew what was going to be awaiting them. However there was still a lot of problems. One was way too much repetition. You didn't even need to read the other two books as Carey felt th...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Rob rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: random-comments-review

...One of the things I didn't like about Naamah's Curse is that for most of the book Moirin obediently obeys the instructions of the divine guide. This novel doesn't escape that entirely in this novel but at least the gods are a bit more cryptic. I also have to hand it to Carey, she knows how to plot a novel. In the finale of the trilogy, things fall in place very nicely indeed. Not a loose end in sight. That being said, I don't think the trilogy as a whole lives up the the promise of the first...more

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Jun 28, 2011 TheBookSmugglers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-favorites

Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/06/b...

From the woods and caves of Alba, Moirin mac Fainche has traveled long and far – to the decadent splendor of Terre d’Ange, the snow-capped mountains of distant Ch’in, the desert plains of the Tartars, the unyielding landscape of the Vralia, and the southern reaches of Bhaktipur & Bhodistan. After defeating the spider queen and her twisted court, Moirin and her husband Bao are reuinted at last, but their peace...more Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/06/b...

From the woods and caves of Alba, Moirin mac Fainche has traveled long and far – to the decadent splendor of Terre d’Ange, the snow-capped mountains of distant Ch’in, the desert plains of the Tartars, the unyielding landscape of the Vralia, and the southern reaches of Bhaktipur & Bhodistan. After defeating the spider queen and her twisted court, Moirin and her husband Bao are reuinted at last, but their peace is shortlived; the couple must return to Terre d’Ange when they learn that Moirin’s friend, companion, and beloved Queen Jehane has died in childbirth. They return to a royal court torn by King Daniel’s grief – devastated over the death of his second wife, the King has given up acting as the head of state. In the absence of his son, the crown prince Thierry on a voyage to the far off land of Terra Nova across the sea, Daniel has appointed his cousin, Rogier Courcel, the Duc de Barthelme, as regent to handle daily affairs and rule in his name. Even worse, King Daniel cannot bear the sight or presence of his three year-old daughter, Desirée, for her uncanny resemblance to his lost wife. Through his mourning, however, the King welcomes Moirin and her new husband Bao back to court warmly, and because of her love for the late Jehanne, he appoints Moirin as his daughter’s oath-sworn protector. Together, Moirin and Bao strive to make young Desirée feel loved and valued despite her lost mother and absent father and brother, and Moirin vows to keep her young charge safe.

But while there is no one better suited for the job, Moirin’s new position causes a shockwave in court politics – as popular opinion decries that a half-breed D’Angeline who worships a Bear Goddess (and has a Ch’in husband, no less) should not bear so high a rank – and it becomes clear that regent Duc Rogier’s ambitions cannot be contained to ruling behind the figurehead of King Daniel for long. When Prince Thierry’s ship returns from its long voyage, it comes bearing ill-tidings. The Dauphin has been lost in the foreign jungles and is presumed dead – and the news is the killing blow to King Daniel’s beleaguered spirits. Suddenly, Desirée is the sole heir to the throne and Moirin’s path has never been more difficult. The newly crowned interim king begin his machinations to seize power from the young Dauphine, and Moirin is helpless to stop him. Her only hope – prompted by the steady glow of her diadh-anam and a vision from the late Queen Jehanne – is to attempt the impossible. Together, she and Bao will leave Terre d’Ange and journey across leagues to the wilds of Terra Nova in a desperate gambit to find Prince Thierry and bring him home. But things in the new world are more dangerous than Moirin could have ever dreamed – for another face from her past waits for her. Raphael de Mereliot’s madness and ambition not been slaked, and Moirin must atone for her past folly, and finally complete her gods-given destiny.

The final book in Moirin’s adventures, Naamah’s Blessing is a near pitch-perfect finale to a rare, truly fantastic series. In the words of Ms. Carey, the gods use their chosen hard, and truer words cannot apply to Moirin and Bao. Encompassing courtly politics and intrigue in Terre D’Ange and a harrowing trek through the uncharted wilds of the new world, Naamah’s Blessing is yet another stunning saga. Please excuse me while I fangirl out about worldbuilding for a second (I promise, I will get down to the other facets of this novel). Jacqueline Carey is known for her ability to re-envision history with a fantastical spin, which she has covered beautifully in prior books set in this same universe. Before Moirin’s story arc, however, this interpretation has been largely rooted in Terre d’Ange (France) and other familiar western European locales, traditions, and religions. In this trilogy, however, Carey explores the much broader range of human history and geography, from China, Mongolia and India, to finally breaking ground in the New World in this last book. This is one of the things I adore about this series, and particularly this story arc, as we are introduced to pantheons beyond the standard white European fare. In Naamah’s Blessing, the indigenous people of the Americas are the focal point of the book, with Mayan, Aztec, even Incan overtones. These characters and people aren’t just treated as “savages” nor are they discredited as mere window dressing for the story – as with all of Ms. Carey’s books, the setting, the mores and the belief systems of these cultures play a pivotal, central role in the novel. Instead of painting the Nahuatl, Quechua, and other tribes as bloodthirsty pagans, lesser than the D’Angelines, they are shown as equals, their beliefs, though frightening to Moirin, explained in depth and treated with respect. Similarly, there is a running theme of race, ethnicity, and heritage that is addressed in this book, through the treatment not only of Moirin (scorned as a mixed-breed, though fully Caucasian), her Ch’in husband Bao (frequently called a “boy” and consistently referred to as “strange” by D’Angeline characters throughout), but also in the blatant racism of the Aragonian traders that have established themselves in Terra Nova regarding the indigenous population. I loved that Ms. Carey explores these different reactions and directly addresses these topics in Naamah’s Blessing.

But enough of worldbuilding! What of the story itself, or the characters, or the conclusion to Moirin’s turbulent, continents-spanning saga, you ask? Rest assured, fellow Naamah fans, the conclusion to Moirin’s story is handled with the deftness, emotional poignancy and depth that is Jacqueline Carey’s trademark. Moirin has grown up so much over these three novels, staying true to herself as she struggles to fulfill the destiny laid before her. Though Phedre will always be my favorite, Moirin’s quiet strength of character and her faith in her beliefs sets her apart as a truly admirable heroine. I love the relationship between Moirin and Bao, finally at peace after incredible strain, and though the two are from different worlds, the peace they find together is the stuff of great romance. There are numerous other characters, both familiar and new, each with their own motivations and layers, from the stone-willed warrior Temilotzin to the mad Raphael.

From a storytelling and continuity aspect, one thing I adore about this series in particular is the level of follow-through and accountability. Despite the fact that Moirin (and Phedre and Imriel before her) had a tendency to foreshadow in ominous tones, these premonitions are always carried through to their completion. In Moirin’s case, her role in the Circle of Solomon back when she was a younger, innocent girl enamored with Raphael de Mariliot comes around full circle in this last novel. For every action, a reaction; for every mistake, a consequence. Moirin’s path in Naamah’s Blessing is fraught with hardship, but she finally confronts her past and must set things right in this ultimate adventure.

And what an adventure it is. There are kings, and emperors, and sailors, giant snakes, storms, and a river of black ants to contend with in Naamah’s Blessing. Though the book is not without its faults – the early chapters in Terre d’Ange are a little slow and feel very quaint (there’s talk of wardrobe and parties, and that sort of court banality) and there is some degree of repetition with regards to certain phrases (always a pet peeve) – Naamah’s Blessing is a beautiful, fitting conclusion to another winning series from Jacqueline Carey. With Moirin’s adventures concluded, I can only hope that there is more in this universe coming, and soon.(less)

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Jul 20, 2011 Darth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jacqueline-carey

Great book, fantastic story.
I think Moiran is somewhere between Phedre and Imry in terms of characters. Not as compelling as Phedre, but I found her more interesting than Imry. Makes me wonder if Deriree is next.

People seem to like to nitpick these books to pieces, but I found them to be a great story and well worth the read. This might have been the best book in this world since the first one.

The characters have some depth and feelings, but we get just enough of it to feel like they have been...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Eileen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Lesser heroes in a lesser time.

I haven't quite finished the book, and I'm frankly not sure if I want to. While the book is beautifully written, it's hard to care about these often stock characters. It feels like the magical powers in this trilogy - used and abused so often - has replaced the careful and delicate machinations and characterizations of Phedre's time.

From the beginning, this trilogy has lacked its Melisande: beautiful and terrible and lovely and treacherous. We are given Raphael de...more Lesser heroes in a lesser time.

I haven't quite finished the book, and I'm frankly not sure if I want to. While the book is beautifully written, it's hard to care about these often stock characters. It feels like the magical powers in this trilogy - used and abused so often - has replaced the careful and delicate machinations and characterizations of Phedre's time.

From the beginning, this trilogy has lacked its Melisande: beautiful and terrible and lovely and treacherous. We are given Raphael de Mereliot instead, whose relationship with Moirin had all the emotional resonance of a tin cup. His fate in this book had even less of an impact than that, and even this characterization - which had been fleshed out and palatable enough in the the first book of the trilogy - descended into a parody of comic villainy.

Actually, comparing Raphael's villainy to a comic book would be insulting to comic book villains. Lex Luthor is far more fleshed out than this.

Phedre's story, and Imriel's story as well, were interspersed only rarely with divine intervention. With Moirin, gods and demons seem to interfere in every other chapter. I miss the careful and mundane politicking of the D'Angeline court: the Lioness of Azzalle, the House Shahrizai, the Duc L'Envers. I miss the friends and enemies and frenemies of the previous trilogies, where we never quite knew who we should trust. Phedre saved the realm and the world with little more than her wits and her bravery, and while Moirin's world is often in danger, the last minute interference of gods and dragons and an undead lover make it so much harder to convincingly root for her and the victories we know will be inevitable.

You want to offer them ... friendship. Are you serious?

I can't bring myself to care about Moirin and Bao. A love fated, I am given to believe, by the stock Confucian wise man and his aphrodisiacs. Thankfully, there is a lot less prose for their starcrossed romance in this book than the last. I'll let that stand as it will.

With all that said ... this trilogy was disappointing, after Phedre's and Imriel's. The characterization and the plot - and yes, the sex! - felt weak and emotionally hollow. But I liked it better than the previous books in the series (especially Curse), and the introduction of Desiree rekindled my stake in the fate of Terre D'Ange. And the prose was at all times beautiful, and Carey's rendering of the flowers of the New World and of the jungles of Central and South America almost made the six hundred page slog worth it.

Almost. Not quite.(less)

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Jul 03, 2011 MMOGC rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, action-adventure, magic

The adventures of Moirin mac Fainche continue in Naamah's Blessing, the third book of her trilogy. It all started years ago, when Moirin left her idyllic home in the wilderness of Alba to fulfill a destiny, seeking to do the will of the Maghuin Dhonn. Her travels have since brought her to the far reaches of the earth, but it appears still the gods have more in store.

Upon her return to Terre D'Ange, Moirin finds the realm in a state of unease. The royal family is broken, with Prince Thierry, heir...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

There isn't a lot of feminist high fantasy out there, and Jacqueline Carey might be writing it better than anyone else.* As other reviewers have noted, I found the beginning a bit slow. Watching Moirin navigate the politics of Terre d'Ange is like watching Phedre-lite, which will never be as great as Phedre. There wasn't a lot to differentiate Moirin as a character there, as opposed to Bao, who could never be mistaken for Joscelin.

Once the intrigue starts and the action moves to Terra Nova, the...more

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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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“I have seen the impossible. I have seen great and terrible wonders, and I tell you, the world is a vaster and stranger place than ever I had reckoned.” — 8 people liked it

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