Oh, WOW. It's been... at least 4 or 5 years since I read the first three Kushiel books, and I'd forgotten just how much I love Jacqueline Carey's prose.

This set is told from the viewpoint of Imriel - Melisande's child, whom that Phedre and Joscelin rescued during the final book of the first trilogy. And where Phedre is an anguisette (a masochist, in contemporary parlance), Imriel finds himself on the other side of the Valerian Court equation.

Part of what really made this novel for me was the way Carey tackled the abuse that Imriel had suffered in the latter part of Kushiel's Avatar and the inner conflict that it created when it comes to his own "Kusheline" blood and the darker desires that come with it. His search to come to terms with that conflict acts as a measurement of how he develops as a character - and that development is portrayed with tenderness, insight and skill.

But beyond the character development, Kushiel's Scion is also a story of intrigue and politics (as you'd expect, given the first set). It's NOT a light read, and takes a lot of concentration to keep track of the vast cast list and who's done what to whom. The mental investment is definitely worth it though - the result is a lush, richly-described story that's truly enjoyable to make your way through.

Looking forward to the next two in the series - I've just ordered them, since these are DEFINITELY keeper books.