Kushiel's Avatar Readalong

[Susan]

Everyone! We are continuing to explore Jacqueline Carey’s D’Angeline Cycle with Book 3, Kushiel’s Avatar. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us. If you aren’t already on the weekly email list (for discussion questions) then just leave a comment asking to be added. Our first post date will be October 11th. So you have some time to find a copy of the book and read the first section.

The read alongs for Book 1 (Kushiel’s Dart) and Book 2 (Kushiel’s Chosen) were so excellent. I have read these books many times and I was surprised by how much more I gleaned by reading these books with a group. So I very excited to be continuing on with Kushiel’s Avatar.

Many, many thanks to Lynn of Lynn’s Book Blog for putting together the schedule. She graciously offered to help me out when health and farm life got to be too much. Setting up the schedule can be the hardest part of a read along, so a round of applause to her! Thanks Lynn!

Kushiel’s Avatar – The Schedule

Week 1: Chapters 1-13 11th October – Lisa (Over the effing rainbow)
Week 2: Chapters 14-25 – 18th October – Allie (Tethyan books)
Week 3: Chapters 26-37 – 25th October – Emily (Emma Wolf)
Week 4: Chapters 38-49 – 1st November – Susan (Dab of Darkness)
Week 5: Chapters 50-61 – 8th November – Lynn (Lynn’s books)
Week 6: Chapters 62-73 – 15th November – Emily (Emma Wolf)
Week 7: Chapters 74-82 – 22nd November – Susan (Dab of Darkness)
Week 8: Chapters 83-END – 29th November – Allie (Tethyan books)

For more info: http://dabofdarkness.com/2015/09/20/k...

[Lisa]

Hello all! The first week's questions will go up here ASAP tomorrow, when I finally have time to sit down and focus on them. I've read the first chapters, and cannot wait to discuss! :)

[Lisa]

OK! First week's questions are under the spoiler tag, just in case some of us aren't caught up just yet.

(view spoiler)[
1. The book begins with the ending of Phedre's "ten years of peace", and with a journey to visit Hyacinthe on his island. It's a less than optimistic beginning, but the seer Sibeal seems to believe better... What did you make of these opening scenes?

2. Before long Phedre and Joscelin are revisiting Melisande Shahrizai as well, and she's got yet another surprise for our heroes... Do you have any suspicions yet about who could have taken Imriel, and why? How about any thoughts regarding what Melisande could be up to now...?

3. Taking a step back from the higher drama, what are your thoughts regarding the romantic developments that seem to have taken place for Phedre and Joscelin over the years? They seem to be in a better place... Do you think it will still last?

These are the main story points I wanted to touch on here, but feel free to highlight and discuss anything else that caught your attention!
(hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

My Week 1 post is up:

overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/2015/10/re...

[Susan]

Here's my Week 1:http://dabofdarkness.com/2015/10/11/k...

[Allison]

My week 1 is up, though a little late: http://tethyanbooks.blogspot.fr/2015/.... I'll put up this Sunday's questions on Friday (I haven't finished the section just yet :) )!

[Allison]

Here are the questions for week 2! Keep in mind there are definitely spoilers below, hence the spoiler tag:

(view spoiler)[
1. Phedre has been incredibly efficient in finding out what has happened to Imriel. Do you think it really is as simple as a random act of cruelty? Is it a punishment from Kushiel, and if so, why were the other two children involved?

2. A lot of justice is meted out (or not) to different people. Do you think the priests deserve forgiveness for hiding Imriel? Do you agree with the harsh methods in Amilcar toward the slavers?

3. Do you think it's worth it for Phedre to go to Serenissima to get information from Melisande, or would it be better for her to travel with the royal entourage and find her own guide?

4. It occurs to me that Joscelin improved the public attitude towards the Cassilines, though he was cast out, and the Prince of Travellers may be having a similar effect for his own people. In what ways do you think the Tsingani and the prejudice against them might change as a result of recent events? Do you think Hyacinthe will ever be allowed to go back to them, and if so, should he? (hide spoiler)]

As always, feel free to bring up anything else that's on your mind!

[Lisa]

My Week 2 post is up:

http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

[Lisa]

My Week 3 post:

http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

[Allison]

My Week 3 post is up, too: http://tethyanbooks.blogspot.fr/2015/...

[Lisa]

Here's my post for Week 5:

overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/2015/11/ku...

[Lisa]

My Week 6 post is up! http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

[Allison]

Here's the final week's questions, just in case I missed someone in email! Spolier-tagged to avoid spoiling people:

(view spoiler)[
1. Phedre stops by to extract a promise from Melisande. Why do you think Melisande chose the condition she did, out of the two that Phedre asked for? Do you think she has some other scheme afoot that no longer involves the d'Angeline throne?

2. When Phedre gets back to the City of Elua, she faces Ysandre's anger. Do you think Ysandre treated Phedre & Joscelin fairly? What do you agree or disagree with in her reaction?

3. The next major event of the story is the confrontation with Rahab. Did this go how you expected, or were there any notable surprises?

4. Do you think Hyacinthe will (or should) pass on his knowledge and power at some point? Also, how much of an impact do you think he will have on the Tsingano culture?

5. At the end, all is well, and Phedre seems content with her life. Was there anything that stood out to you in the resolution of the story, or in Phedre's massive party in Night's Doorstep? How do you feel about the way her trilogy has ended?
(hide spoiler)]