What do you think?
Rate this book
Phèdre's Trilogy #3
Kushiel's Avatar
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It's inhabited by the race that rose from the seed of angels, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.
Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman who recognized that she was pricked by Kushiel's dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Phèdre's path has been strange and dangerous. She has lain with princes and pirate kings, battled a wicked temptress, and saved two nations. Through it all, the devoted swordsman Joscelin has been at her side, following the central precept of the angel Cassiel: Protect and serve.
But Phèdre's plans will put his pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture to the Master of Straights, a bargain with the gods to save Phèdre and a nation. The search will take Phèdre and Joscelin across the world and down a fabled river to a forgotten land ... and to a power so intense and mysterious, none dare speak its name.
Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman who recognized that she was pricked by Kushiel's dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Phèdre's path has been strange and dangerous. She has lain with princes and pirate kings, battled a wicked temptress, and saved two nations. Through it all, the devoted swordsman Joscelin has been at her side, following the central precept of the angel Cassiel: Protect and serve.
But Phèdre's plans will put his pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture to the Master of Straights, a bargain with the gods to save Phèdre and a nation. The search will take Phèdre and Joscelin across the world and down a fabled river to a forgotten land ... and to a power so intense and mysterious, none dare speak its name.
702 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
About the author
Jacqueline Carey
69 books8,267 followersLibrarian 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 work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.
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 work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews
March 10, 2018
*** 4.44 ***
"... “We are all these things [...]. Pride, desire, compassion, cleverness, belligerence, fruitfulness, loyalty...and guilt. But above it all stands love. And if we desire to be more than human, that is the star by which we must set our sights. ”..."
Wow! What an ending to the Phedre Trilogy!!! An ending worthy of a series which is one of a kind and not to everyone's tastes. There isn't much more to say about the spirit of the series than I have said in my previous reviews and I would hate to sound redundant. The author weaves a lyrical story of adventure, love, sex, pain, believes and religion, all with a beautiful prose and a sensual touch. There is action, there is angst, there are scenes that push at our boundaries of acceptance, but above all, there is a spell-binding quality to the storytelling that does not allow the reader to put the book down and take a breath. There are scenes that feel wrong to our sensibilities, but what makes them easier to digest is the fact that they seem wrong and difficult to accept by the characters as well. The struggle between honor, love, political games, pain, sexual hunger and desire, and loyalty are what makes the characters of Phedre, Kushiel's chosen, and Joscelin Verreuil, the defrocked warrior priest, some of the most rounded and layered characters in Fantasy I have ever encountered. The author has a knack for reaching inside the souls of her heroes and readers, find the most sensitive spots, and tug on them until it hurts and leaves a visible, palpable scar! An education worthy of Kushiel...
"... “It's the same questions we ask of our existence, and the answer is always the same. The mystery lies not in the question nor the answer, but in the asking and answering themselves, over and over again, and the end is engendered in the beginning. ”..."
Phedre and Joscelin had 10 mostly peaceful years together on Phedre's estates. They were surrounded by loyal helpers and availed themselves of their needs, growing accepting of each-other's peculiarities, knowing nothing is ever done with intend to hurt the other. But the time of this relative peace was prophesied to end by the tenth year and so it has! Phedre receives a letter to look for someone missing, someone who by the accident of birth has become a pawn in the Royal machinations. Despite all the warnings not to, she sets on a quest of double purpose - to find the missing child and to find the name of G-d in order to free her childhood friend from the curse or Rehab, which has him stranded in an island in solitude and with the wight of an ancient curse connecting him with the see. Her path is through some of the most horrific experiences a person can imagine, but she perseveres, having Joscelin always by her side, ready to love and protect her. However, can even Joscelin and Phedre's love survive the travails and her nature, which test them to the edge of forbearance...
"... “As often as not, we forge our own chains. And from those, not even Adonai Himself can free us. We must do it ourselves.” ..."
I am a bit sad that this story ended, but I am glad that the author dis not let us down. The ending was bitter-sweet, but I am happy that we will be back in this world with the next trilogy, "Imriel's Trilogy". I hope it can live up to the standard set in this one. I know that I will never forget this most unlikely couple and their road to each-other.
"... “That kiss, I cannot describe. It was like a poem, a prayer, a homecoming unlooked-for. It was like dungeon walls crumbling to reveal a glimpse of sky.” ..."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you Need in the pages of a Good Book!!!
"... “We are all these things [...]. Pride, desire, compassion, cleverness, belligerence, fruitfulness, loyalty...and guilt. But above it all stands love. And if we desire to be more than human, that is the star by which we must set our sights. ”..."
Wow! What an ending to the Phedre Trilogy!!! An ending worthy of a series which is one of a kind and not to everyone's tastes. There isn't much more to say about the spirit of the series than I have said in my previous reviews and I would hate to sound redundant. The author weaves a lyrical story of adventure, love, sex, pain, believes and religion, all with a beautiful prose and a sensual touch. There is action, there is angst, there are scenes that push at our boundaries of acceptance, but above all, there is a spell-binding quality to the storytelling that does not allow the reader to put the book down and take a breath. There are scenes that feel wrong to our sensibilities, but what makes them easier to digest is the fact that they seem wrong and difficult to accept by the characters as well. The struggle between honor, love, political games, pain, sexual hunger and desire, and loyalty are what makes the characters of Phedre, Kushiel's chosen, and Joscelin Verreuil, the defrocked warrior priest, some of the most rounded and layered characters in Fantasy I have ever encountered. The author has a knack for reaching inside the souls of her heroes and readers, find the most sensitive spots, and tug on them until it hurts and leaves a visible, palpable scar! An education worthy of Kushiel...
"... “It's the same questions we ask of our existence, and the answer is always the same. The mystery lies not in the question nor the answer, but in the asking and answering themselves, over and over again, and the end is engendered in the beginning. ”..."
Phedre and Joscelin had 10 mostly peaceful years together on Phedre's estates. They were surrounded by loyal helpers and availed themselves of their needs, growing accepting of each-other's peculiarities, knowing nothing is ever done with intend to hurt the other. But the time of this relative peace was prophesied to end by the tenth year and so it has! Phedre receives a letter to look for someone missing, someone who by the accident of birth has become a pawn in the Royal machinations. Despite all the warnings not to, she sets on a quest of double purpose - to find the missing child and to find the name of G-d in order to free her childhood friend from the curse or Rehab, which has him stranded in an island in solitude and with the wight of an ancient curse connecting him with the see. Her path is through some of the most horrific experiences a person can imagine, but she perseveres, having Joscelin always by her side, ready to love and protect her. However, can even Joscelin and Phedre's love survive the travails and her nature, which test them to the edge of forbearance...
"... “As often as not, we forge our own chains. And from those, not even Adonai Himself can free us. We must do it ourselves.” ..."
I am a bit sad that this story ended, but I am glad that the author dis not let us down. The ending was bitter-sweet, but I am happy that we will be back in this world with the next trilogy, "Imriel's Trilogy". I hope it can live up to the standard set in this one. I know that I will never forget this most unlikely couple and their road to each-other.
"... “That kiss, I cannot describe. It was like a poem, a prayer, a homecoming unlooked-for. It was like dungeon walls crumbling to reveal a glimpse of sky.” ..."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you Need in the pages of a Good Book!!!
September 18, 2009
I stayed up until 8 o'clock in the morning to finish this book. I literally could not put it down, it didn't even occur to me. This book was fan-freakin-tastic and I definitely consider it among my few favorites.
I already loved (and hated, in some cases) these characters. They already felt real to me. I know some people will read this series and say that some of the characters are without flaws, but I don't care.
I followed Phedre and Joscelin into the most realized interpretation of Hell I have ever experienced. Seriously, as they were traveling there, I had chills and I was shivering. When they lived there, I felt so sick I could barely bear to keep reading. This particular version of Hell was just a distant country feared by everyone else, but I think it was supposed to represent a Hell on Earth, and it did. She went there because she knew her God, Elua, was calling her to...I dug the prophet vibe, and I got (yet again) chills when Carey described the feelings that came over Phedre when she realized what she had to do. Its so funny I know, that I found so much religious meaning in a book so full of strange gods.
Anyway, absolutely brilliant end to this trilogy of the series. I ended it more than half in love with both Phedre and Joscelin, and I dare you to read them and not feel the same.
I already loved (and hated, in some cases) these characters. They already felt real to me. I know some people will read this series and say that some of the characters are without flaws, but I don't care.
I followed Phedre and Joscelin into the most realized interpretation of Hell I have ever experienced. Seriously, as they were traveling there, I had chills and I was shivering. When they lived there, I felt so sick I could barely bear to keep reading. This particular version of Hell was just a distant country feared by everyone else, but I think it was supposed to represent a Hell on Earth, and it did. She went there because she knew her God, Elua, was calling her to...I dug the prophet vibe, and I got (yet again) chills when Carey described the feelings that came over Phedre when she realized what she had to do. Its so funny I know, that I found so much religious meaning in a book so full of strange gods.
Anyway, absolutely brilliant end to this trilogy of the series. I ended it more than half in love with both Phedre and Joscelin, and I dare you to read them and not feel the same.
November 18, 2008
Although I did enjoy the first two books in this series, it was with a bucket of reservations: repetition, overblown language, and inadequate characterization of the supporting characters, which made the impressively plotted political machinations so much less involving.
The third book, however, overturned most of these. There is still repetition (I will own, if I ever hear that phrase again I will go mad), but the high-flown language comes into its own describing the lengthy journey undertaken by Phedre and co. The thinly veiled copy of our world almost seems like a whole new fantasy land.
There is some dark unpleasantness in the middle of the book that felt like a step too far for me - significantly beyond what occurred in earlier books. I didn't like it, but it was somewhat redeemed when it proved to be integral to the plot.
Above all, as other reviewers found, the more personal and philosophical nature of this book and the characters' motivations made it a much more enjoyable read. In particular, the development of the relationship between Imriel, Phedre and Joscelin was moving and genuine, and gave a satisfying conclusion to the series.
The third book, however, overturned most of these. There is still repetition (I will own, if I ever hear that phrase again I will go mad), but the high-flown language comes into its own describing the lengthy journey undertaken by Phedre and co. The thinly veiled copy of our world almost seems like a whole new fantasy land.
There is some dark unpleasantness in the middle of the book that felt like a step too far for me - significantly beyond what occurred in earlier books. I didn't like it, but it was somewhat redeemed when it proved to be integral to the plot.
Above all, as other reviewers found, the more personal and philosophical nature of this book and the characters' motivations made it a much more enjoyable read. In particular, the development of the relationship between Imriel, Phedre and Joscelin was moving and genuine, and gave a satisfying conclusion to the series.
May 3, 2021
2021 update: My first (but definitely not last) reread of this trilogy is complete. And I love it as much now as I ever did.
————————————
Five well earned stars. A beautiful end to a fantastic trilogy.
I prayed it would end in love. I prayed we could come home, all of us.
I love Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève. Wholeheartedly, her story and her character have captivated me. She is loving, brave, and compassionate, devoted completely to the people she loves, with a deep code of honor. A vow from her is worth more than gold. Knowledge is precious to her, and she learns all she can. She is also vain, suspicious, and stubborn. Phèdre is one of the most beautiful, complex, fully-realized fantasy heroines that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
I love old-fashioned, unexpectedly humorous, "protect and serve" Joscelin. I love Imriel, Ysandre, Nicola, Kaneka, Favrielle, and Quintillus Rousse. Even after everything, I still love Melisande. I don't think I could not.
I had killed a man, murdered his trust, taken his life. If I had to do it again, I would. I believe that. Still, I could not forget. Should not forget.
Kushiel's Avatar dips its characters into the depths of hell. There is hardly a character who emerges unscathed, physically or emotionally. The cruelty and brutality seem overwhelming. Phèdre herself questions Kushiel. Surely, somethings are too much to bear.
But there's also unimaginable joy, hope, and love. Positivity and beauty practically radiate from the pages. There's a future. By the end, I was crying happy tears.
I have nitpicks. The endless traveling was a bit repetitive and exhausting after a while. It definitely needed more Favrielle and her sass. But what is comes down to is that I don't want to criticize this. This has been one of the best fantasy trilogies, with the best heroine, that I've read. All my nitpicks matter little in comparison.
————————————
Five well earned stars. A beautiful end to a fantastic trilogy.
I prayed it would end in love. I prayed we could come home, all of us.
I love Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève. Wholeheartedly, her story and her character have captivated me. She is loving, brave, and compassionate, devoted completely to the people she loves, with a deep code of honor. A vow from her is worth more than gold. Knowledge is precious to her, and she learns all she can. She is also vain, suspicious, and stubborn. Phèdre is one of the most beautiful, complex, fully-realized fantasy heroines that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
I love old-fashioned, unexpectedly humorous, "protect and serve" Joscelin. I love Imriel, Ysandre, Nicola, Kaneka, Favrielle, and Quintillus Rousse. Even after everything, I still love Melisande. I don't think I could not.
I had killed a man, murdered his trust, taken his life. If I had to do it again, I would. I believe that. Still, I could not forget. Should not forget.
Kushiel's Avatar dips its characters into the depths of hell. There is hardly a character who emerges unscathed, physically or emotionally. The cruelty and brutality seem overwhelming. Phèdre herself questions Kushiel. Surely, somethings are too much to bear.
But there's also unimaginable joy, hope, and love. Positivity and beauty practically radiate from the pages. There's a future. By the end, I was crying happy tears.
I have nitpicks. The endless traveling was a bit repetitive and exhausting after a while. It definitely needed more Favrielle and her sass. But what is comes down to is that I don't want to criticize this. This has been one of the best fantasy trilogies, with the best heroine, that I've read. All my nitpicks matter little in comparison.
December 19, 2021
I won't say that the two previous books in this series didn't have their dark moments, but this third volume takes things much, much deeper into shadow and despair. If you struggled with the earlier books, consider leaving this one unread, because it will test you. I won't deny that I floundered at points with the sheer brutality. I also won't deny that Phedre is a lot Mary Sue-ish. Sometimes, while nearing the end of the book, I reflected on the distances traveled, dangers faced, rulers placated and confronted, darkness embraced and overcome, languages learned, and knowledge acquired, and I realized that realistically no one woman would be capable of all of this in the course of a few years. Nevertheless, I couldn't put it down. I had to know how Carey would end the crazy journey.
So much stuff shoved into this one novel! The search for a lost tribe of Israel and the treasures of Solomon, time in the seraglio of an avatar of Death, rescuing the son of a betrayer, traveling the Middle East, Egypt, and Ethiopia. All under the fantastical names that Carey assigned them, of course. I don't often consult the maps in the first pages of fantasy novels, but I broke that habit with this one. There were so many place names to keep track of!
During the section in Darsanga, which Phedre spends with the crazy ruler appointed by Death, I was unwillingly reminded of Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. It was like Richard Cypher's time being tortured by the Mord-Sith, Mistress Denna, whom he becomes fond of despite her discipline. Being an anguisette, Phedre is built for the task, but those of us who don't get turned on by pain may find ourselves flinching at some passages in the text. I might look away briefly, but I needed to know what happened next.
In short, Carey gives her main character several heavy burdens to bear for long distances and to uncertain receptions. She risks her status with her own gods at one point, by debating whether to keep going. Her faith is vastly superior to mine, her willingness to lean into the gods' appointed task is admirable. But really, if one has read this far, can one doubt that Phedre will prevail?
Book Number 433 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
So much stuff shoved into this one novel! The search for a lost tribe of Israel and the treasures of Solomon, time in the seraglio of an avatar of Death, rescuing the son of a betrayer, traveling the Middle East, Egypt, and Ethiopia. All under the fantastical names that Carey assigned them, of course. I don't often consult the maps in the first pages of fantasy novels, but I broke that habit with this one. There were so many place names to keep track of!
During the section in Darsanga, which Phedre spends with the crazy ruler appointed by Death, I was unwillingly reminded of Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. It was like Richard Cypher's time being tortured by the Mord-Sith, Mistress Denna, whom he becomes fond of despite her discipline. Being an anguisette, Phedre is built for the task, but those of us who don't get turned on by pain may find ourselves flinching at some passages in the text. I might look away briefly, but I needed to know what happened next.
In short, Carey gives her main character several heavy burdens to bear for long distances and to uncertain receptions. She risks her status with her own gods at one point, by debating whether to keep going. Her faith is vastly superior to mine, her willingness to lean into the gods' appointed task is admirable. But really, if one has read this far, can one doubt that Phedre will prevail?
Book Number 433 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
February 7, 2022
Not quite a 5-star read but my favorite of the trilogy.
The writing is nearly superb for most of the book, with so much meaning and depth packed into each sentence, and with every arc that began in the first book coming to a head, there's never a dull moment. It's pretty much edge-of-your-seat action for the last 500 pages.
However, as much as I love this book, there's a good chunk--about 300 pages--I will never ever read again. Ever.
The writing is nearly superb for most of the book, with so much meaning and depth packed into each sentence, and with every arc that began in the first book coming to a head, there's never a dull moment. It's pretty much edge-of-your-seat action for the last 500 pages.
However, as much as I love this book, there's a good chunk--about 300 pages--I will never ever read again. Ever.
April 10, 2024
Fantastic! I'm consistently impressed by how each book in this series feels like its own complete story, almost like seasons of a television show. In Kushiel's Avatar, Melisande's son has gone missing and Phedre agrees to track him down in return for information that might allow her to free Hyacinth. This embroils her and Joscelin in dangerous and politically fraught circumstances. I was so invested in all of it and loved seeing the further development of the characters and world. Note that there are content warnings for sexual violence including (off-page) assault of a child.
July 10, 2007
Carey writes very well. Her turns of phrase and choice of imagery are excellent. Her command of language is exquisite. She tells a deep and detailed story through well-imagined characters. I have found this true of all her books, and I can readily recommend them to anyone who can enjoy fantastical fiction.
I don't want to spend too long on the whole series, but I haven't written an in-depth review of these books yet, so I'll quickly cover the highlights. Carey's world is detailed and vibrant, with a rich theological backstory and a history just five degrees off the history with which we are familiar. Her main character is a spy, a sexual masochist, and a fate-stricken toy of the gods: all three aspects reinforce the others. As this setup may signify, the stories are rich in political intrigue, the prose is sensual bordering on luxuriant, and the scope of the books is epic.
Occasionally, Carey's turns of phrase will reveal to me the wide-eyed fangirl behind the sophisticated writer, and I cherish those moments almost as much as the passages that leave me feeling awe. Occasionally, her editor lets a misspelling slip through -- usually one word where another was meant -- or a "roleplayer's cliche" slips out into the ordinarily inventive phrasing. In those moments, I feel I know Ms. Carey like an old friend.
This book in particular is the culmination of Phedre's story, and it is a fitting swan song for our anguisette. The story ranges across the Middle East and Africa, offering looks at several cultures. The book comes to climax three times and rides each out gracefully into buildup for the next. Each climax is warranted, but having multiples is not entirely without cost.
In some ways, this book feels slightly cramped. In certain scenes, the ordinarily sumptuous dialogue and in-depth characterization has been elided in favor of advancing the story. Here I'm thinking primarily of scenes at court in Egypt and Africa; much of the journey through Africa seemed to unfold more quickly than expected.
Also, in previous volumes, we saw a great deal of Phedre's masochistic sexuality; in this volume, we dwell on how awkward it is for her a great deal, but we spend very little time exploring that aspect of her sexuality, and much more on her romantic life. Where previous volumes read like sensual or erotic fantasy, this volume definitely reads more like romantic fantasy. I don't begrudge Phedre her love, but it was a different kind of story.
These observations aside, the story was epic and sweeping, the writing as elegant and well-tooled as ever, and the characters rich and fascinating. Carey's attention to theological detail and delicate touch with myth make this volume almost more philosophical intrigue than political, but no less enthralling for that. This volume caps off Phedre's story very nicely, a graceful glide into a warm loving glow.
I don't want to spend too long on the whole series, but I haven't written an in-depth review of these books yet, so I'll quickly cover the highlights. Carey's world is detailed and vibrant, with a rich theological backstory and a history just five degrees off the history with which we are familiar. Her main character is a spy, a sexual masochist, and a fate-stricken toy of the gods: all three aspects reinforce the others. As this setup may signify, the stories are rich in political intrigue, the prose is sensual bordering on luxuriant, and the scope of the books is epic.
Occasionally, Carey's turns of phrase will reveal to me the wide-eyed fangirl behind the sophisticated writer, and I cherish those moments almost as much as the passages that leave me feeling awe. Occasionally, her editor lets a misspelling slip through -- usually one word where another was meant -- or a "roleplayer's cliche" slips out into the ordinarily inventive phrasing. In those moments, I feel I know Ms. Carey like an old friend.
This book in particular is the culmination of Phedre's story, and it is a fitting swan song for our anguisette. The story ranges across the Middle East and Africa, offering looks at several cultures. The book comes to climax three times and rides each out gracefully into buildup for the next. Each climax is warranted, but having multiples is not entirely without cost.
In some ways, this book feels slightly cramped. In certain scenes, the ordinarily sumptuous dialogue and in-depth characterization has been elided in favor of advancing the story. Here I'm thinking primarily of scenes at court in Egypt and Africa; much of the journey through Africa seemed to unfold more quickly than expected.
Also, in previous volumes, we saw a great deal of Phedre's masochistic sexuality; in this volume, we dwell on how awkward it is for her a great deal, but we spend very little time exploring that aspect of her sexuality, and much more on her romantic life. Where previous volumes read like sensual or erotic fantasy, this volume definitely reads more like romantic fantasy. I don't begrudge Phedre her love, but it was a different kind of story.
These observations aside, the story was epic and sweeping, the writing as elegant and well-tooled as ever, and the characters rich and fascinating. Carey's attention to theological detail and delicate touch with myth make this volume almost more philosophical intrigue than political, but no less enthralling for that. This volume caps off Phedre's story very nicely, a graceful glide into a warm loving glow.
December 3, 2020
Kushiel’s Avatar is the last book in the first of three Kushiel’s Universe trilogies. All three books were a solid four stars. I enjoyed the stories, cared about the characters, and looked forward to reading it each day. I didn’t find it very hard to put down, and there were slow spots here and there, so that’s the main reason I’m sticking with four stars.
I think the amount of sex scenes decreased as the series went on, but I would caution that there is some pretty major violence in this third book, at least during one section of it. This included (general spoiler, not specific) and was difficult to read, although the story itself was very riveting for me in that section. I did think the author did a good job of showing the long-term impact those experiences had on the characters.
This book gave the trilogy a satisfying conclusion, tying up the most significant plot threads while leaving room for the reader to wonder what the characters might do next. I’m really looking forward to the next trilogy, which is listed as Imriel’s Trilogy. We spent quite a bit of time with Imriel in this book and I really liked him, so I look forward to reading more about him.
I think the amount of sex scenes decreased as the series went on, but I would caution that there is some pretty major violence in this third book, at least during one section of it. This included (general spoiler, not specific) and was difficult to read, although the story itself was very riveting for me in that section. I did think the author did a good job of showing the long-term impact those experiences had on the characters.
This book gave the trilogy a satisfying conclusion, tying up the most significant plot threads while leaving room for the reader to wonder what the characters might do next. I’m really looking forward to the next trilogy, which is listed as Imriel’s Trilogy. We spent quite a bit of time with Imriel in this book and I really liked him, so I look forward to reading more about him.
June 6, 2023
You either die a phenomenal fantasy series hero, or live long enough to see yourself become an overwritten sleeping pill which forgets what made it phenomenal in the first place the villain.
Kushiel's Avatar sadly just fell completely flat as an ending to one of my favourite fantasy trilogies that I've read. The first book was exceptional, the second almost as good, and the third made the risky choice of removing everything that was good about the personal drama and political intrigue and slow and careful building of the first two in favour of a one-dimensional world-spanning double fetch quest.
At times it seemed quite interesting, hyping up the mysterious land of Drujan as one of the most intriguing locations in this fictional world, deep in the mountains of alternative Persia. And that, more than anything, crashed into complete and utter disappointment by holding just a slightly more depraved, but ultimately extremely dull, court than the ones we have visited in Terre d'Ange and La Serenissima.
Ah, well. You can't win 'em all.
Kushiel's Avatar sadly just fell completely flat as an ending to one of my favourite fantasy trilogies that I've read. The first book was exceptional, the second almost as good, and the third made the risky choice of removing everything that was good about the personal drama and political intrigue and slow and careful building of the first two in favour of a one-dimensional world-spanning double fetch quest.
At times it seemed quite interesting, hyping up the mysterious land of Drujan as one of the most intriguing locations in this fictional world, deep in the mountains of alternative Persia. And that, more than anything, crashed into complete and utter disappointment by holding just a slightly more depraved, but ultimately extremely dull, court than the ones we have visited in Terre d'Ange and La Serenissima.
Ah, well. You can't win 'em all.
April 17, 2022
4.0 Stars
This was a solid, if slightly underwhelming conclusion to this historical fantasy trilogy. I loved spending more time with the characters, but found the story itself to be a bit anticlimactic compared to the first two books. Yet I'm still very happy to have completed this iconic series.
This was a solid, if slightly underwhelming conclusion to this historical fantasy trilogy. I loved spending more time with the characters, but found the story itself to be a bit anticlimactic compared to the first two books. Yet I'm still very happy to have completed this iconic series.
August 9, 2022
4.75*
Finally we've reached the end of this journey... while already teasing the next one.
This is the last Kushiel's Legacy book narrated through Phèdre's eyes. But this was an amazing final ride with her.
Phèdre is one of the strongest protagonists I ever read about and her and Joscelin are THE f/m OTP... and then there's this tiny new addition to this book that you can't help falling in love with.
And then there all the obvious hits with a Carey book, means gorgeous writing, well researched history that's then smartly twisted, great characters and tension that inables your hands from letting go of your book.
I have to say, in the last third of the book dragged just a tiny bit. But then there is the finale, which left me crying in the middle of the night.
And while I know it'll take some time until I'm ready for the next trilogy, it sure won't be too long.
Finally we've reached the end of this journey... while already teasing the next one.
This is the last Kushiel's Legacy book narrated through Phèdre's eyes. But this was an amazing final ride with her.
Phèdre is one of the strongest protagonists I ever read about and her and Joscelin are THE f/m OTP... and then there's this tiny new addition to this book that you can't help falling in love with.
And then there all the obvious hits with a Carey book, means gorgeous writing, well researched history that's then smartly twisted, great characters and tension that inables your hands from letting go of your book.
I have to say, in the last third of the book dragged just a tiny bit. But then there is the finale, which left me crying in the middle of the night.
And while I know it'll take some time until I'm ready for the next trilogy, it sure won't be too long.
February 3, 2010
As I finish this trilogy for the second time, I am - no kidding - hugging the book to my chest and willing for Phèdre's story to continue. That is how much I love Kushiel's Legacy.
How do I describe my love for these books? Is it Phèdre's courage, to falter at no boundaries in order to achieve what she believes in? Or Joscelin's faith, to - putting it simply - protect and serve? Maybe it is that without a doubt, I would drop everything in a heartbeat to take up residence in Terre d'Ange and follow Blessed Elua. Whatever it is, these books make me think, they make me believe. I love them for it.
Of course, these books are not without their flaws. Carey is a rambler; She goes off track more times than I ever bothered to count. She repeats the same thoughts over and over until you just want to scream, 'You know what? WE GET IT'. There are points in Phèdre's journey where I could seriously fall asleep. I cannot stand her continual musings of Hyacinthe, and how she always ponders what would have happened between them, as though Joscelin could be so easily discarded. And yet...
And yet at the end of the day, despite its flaws, it is a brilliant story, an epic journey across lands and seas to save a friend, a traitor's get, and a country fit for angels. Kushiel's Avatar is the darkest novel to date, pushing all characters beyond what they thought was their limit. Even Melisande, who we always believed indestructible, displays her one weakness: love for her son.
And that's what these books are all about. At the centre of this book - no, of this legacy - lies one meaning, and one meaning only: Love. In all its forms, in all that it encompasses, nothing is greater or more profound. Love as thou wilt, is Blessed Elua's precept. Love for a friend, or a lover; a son, a country, a people, a patron. Love within light, and love within hate. It is all we need in the end, and maybe that is why I adore these books so much.
For such a complex series, the legacy is so simple.
On a completely unrelated (and very foreshadowing) note... fucking Carthage! I realised that whenever I turned to the map at the front of the book, seeing Carthage just made my blood boil. It freaking takes up 2/3s of the map! It was totally leering at me in all its ominousness hahaha. However, I cannot wait to get into Imriel's trilogy again. It's hard to stay away from these characters for too long; that is how much I love them. I miss them too much when they're not running amuck in my head.
How do I describe my love for these books? Is it Phèdre's courage, to falter at no boundaries in order to achieve what she believes in? Or Joscelin's faith, to - putting it simply - protect and serve? Maybe it is that without a doubt, I would drop everything in a heartbeat to take up residence in Terre d'Ange and follow Blessed Elua. Whatever it is, these books make me think, they make me believe. I love them for it.
Of course, these books are not without their flaws. Carey is a rambler; She goes off track more times than I ever bothered to count. She repeats the same thoughts over and over until you just want to scream, 'You know what? WE GET IT'. There are points in Phèdre's journey where I could seriously fall asleep. I cannot stand her continual musings of Hyacinthe, and how she always ponders what would have happened between them, as though Joscelin could be so easily discarded. And yet...
And yet at the end of the day, despite its flaws, it is a brilliant story, an epic journey across lands and seas to save a friend, a traitor's get, and a country fit for angels. Kushiel's Avatar is the darkest novel to date, pushing all characters beyond what they thought was their limit. Even Melisande, who we always believed indestructible, displays her one weakness: love for her son.
And that's what these books are all about. At the centre of this book - no, of this legacy - lies one meaning, and one meaning only: Love. In all its forms, in all that it encompasses, nothing is greater or more profound. Love as thou wilt, is Blessed Elua's precept. Love for a friend, or a lover; a son, a country, a people, a patron. Love within light, and love within hate. It is all we need in the end, and maybe that is why I adore these books so much.
For such a complex series, the legacy is so simple.
On a completely unrelated (and very foreshadowing) note... fucking Carthage! I realised that whenever I turned to the map at the front of the book, seeing Carthage just made my blood boil. It freaking takes up 2/3s of the map! It was totally leering at me in all its ominousness hahaha. However, I cannot wait to get into Imriel's trilogy again. It's hard to stay away from these characters for too long; that is how much I love them. I miss them too much when they're not running amuck in my head.
August 21, 2024
Love as thou wilt.
[but in this book Phedre mostly wilts it straight, monogamous and vanilla]
Oof, this one's a bummer. It was the most normative of the trilogy, with most of the elements I loved about the series absent. The elements I loved being the casual queerness of character and the examination of sex work and kink through an open-minded, knowledgeable, interesting way. Well, this book ties up all the threads (but not any ropes or leather bindings, ba dum tssss ), but other than the worst captivity Phedre was subjected to so far (as she does in all the books), where she is not a sex worker / courtesan, but a repeated sexual assault victim, there isn't much on that in the closing of the trilogy.
It's kind of funny, cause Joscelin annoyed me every book so far, but not in this one. Boy has shown some growth, but sadly it only leads to him and Phedre being lovey-dovey couply-couply all of the time and having very vanilla straight sex (I don't object to that, but not in this series and not all of it, for realsies!).
And then the book goes even further into transforming these anomalous individuals, these people who have always gone outside the norm, into a nuclear-ish family. One of my main questions going into this last book in the series was: I'm curious how Carey will approach Phedre's sex work at the end - will she give it up for love? Will her love 'allow' her, or better yet, make space for her to continue? Well, that's not really addressed, which feels quite frustrating to me. And like a copout.
Of course, the writing is beautiful and there are some lovely parts to all this, some cute yet normal romantic moments, some great action at the end involving the overarching plotline. But there's also some stuff that I don't feel great about, like Phedre kind of taking the role of a white savior, saving some brown and Black people from some other brown people. It's a bit uuuuurgh.
I don't know what the future holds for me with this world and if I'll ever feel like reading Imriel's adventures in the next trilogy. We will see! Till then, love as thou wilt! (for real, for real!)
[but in this book Phedre mostly wilts it straight, monogamous and vanilla]
Oof, this one's a bummer. It was the most normative of the trilogy, with most of the elements I loved about the series absent. The elements I loved being the casual queerness of character and the examination of sex work and kink through an open-minded, knowledgeable, interesting way. Well, this book ties up all the threads (but not any ropes or leather bindings, ba dum tssss ), but other than the worst captivity Phedre was subjected to so far (as she does in all the books), where she is not a sex worker / courtesan, but a repeated sexual assault victim, there isn't much on that in the closing of the trilogy.
It's kind of funny, cause Joscelin annoyed me every book so far, but not in this one. Boy has shown some growth, but sadly it only leads to him and Phedre being lovey-dovey couply-couply all of the time and having very vanilla straight sex (I don't object to that, but not in this series and not all of it, for realsies!).
And then the book goes even further into transforming these anomalous individuals, these people who have always gone outside the norm, into a nuclear-ish family. One of my main questions going into this last book in the series was: I'm curious how Carey will approach Phedre's sex work at the end - will she give it up for love? Will her love 'allow' her, or better yet, make space for her to continue? Well, that's not really addressed, which feels quite frustrating to me. And like a copout.
Of course, the writing is beautiful and there are some lovely parts to all this, some cute yet normal romantic moments, some great action at the end involving the overarching plotline. But there's also some stuff that I don't feel great about, like Phedre kind of taking the role of a white savior, saving some brown and Black people from some other brown people. It's a bit uuuuurgh.
I don't know what the future holds for me with this world and if I'll ever feel like reading Imriel's adventures in the next trilogy. We will see! Till then, love as thou wilt! (for real, for real!)
August 10, 2024
The historical travel from Terre d'Ange (France) to La Serenissima (Venice, Italy), Menekhet (Egypt), Nubia, Khebbel-im-Akkad (Iran), Drujan (Azerbaijan), and even Saba part of Jebe-Barkal (Ethiopia).
Many storylines of the trilogy are concluded, and a new MC is added, Imriel (who has his follow-on trilogy after this one, with some cameo appearances of this trilogy's MCs).
There is adventure, battles, kidnapping, secrets, and the search for the name of God. More testing of the bond of love, torture, political intrigue, and everything makes the Kushiel series spectacular.
I did notice, reading this more than a decade later and being a mother, that portions of Imriel read entirely differently for me at this time and were emotionally charged in new ways.
Solid 5 stars
Many storylines of the trilogy are concluded, and a new MC is added, Imriel (who has his follow-on trilogy after this one, with some cameo appearances of this trilogy's MCs).
There is adventure, battles, kidnapping, secrets, and the search for the name of God. More testing of the bond of love, torture, political intrigue, and everything makes the Kushiel series spectacular.
I did notice, reading this more than a decade later and being a mother, that portions of Imriel read entirely differently for me at this time and were emotionally charged in new ways.
Solid 5 stars
December 18, 2022
I'm going to complain a bit about repetition in this series, and most of it seemed to be in this final book (which I guess makes sense as it's the culmination of this particular series), but here's my own bit of repeat-y nonsense : the plot for this one came back to me as I read it. Maybe it's like songs on the radio. You might not hear it for a decade, or think of it in that span of time, but with the sound of the melody, the lyrics are unearthed from within your brain and you can sing along. I guess it's like that. I'll stop assuming I have no recollection of things going forward. Here's hoping Imriel's Trilogy is likewise buried in my brain somewhere, too. But if not? Hey, bonus, I get to experience it a-new.
Overall, though, this was maybe not the best series to binge. Carey does a good job of weaving in past events, dynamics, and more, multiple times within her books, likely because the page count is so massive that it's understandable you would forget things along the way. But if you're reading these ceaselessly, one after the other, by the third one? You're a bit tired. Not helped by the fact that even if the locales differ, it is a bit samesies in the sense that Phèdre risks all, endures all, poor Joscelin is along for the ride (because vows), they usually have a falling out (some worse, or more dramatic, than others), but eventually all is well. Queen gets mad, Queen forgives, here is your HEA. In that sense, this was the least interesting of the three because there was no real tension, we knew how things would play out almost exactly, which explains why I put this down the most of all three of them, but. But I still picked it back up.
I'll admit I did skim some of the more story-based mythology as Phèdre traveled from one place to the next seeking knowledge, the Name of God, to rescue her childhood friend. It was a change of pace from the darkness and violence that we had endured prior but equally it did make for an odd balance of a story. But I think that is kind of represented by the whole series. Sex, and violence, and pain, yes, but also religion, and mythology, and learning, and knowledge. It's a complex and layered universe Carey's created and you can't say she didn't put in the work, and the endless research, in and around the more angsty romantic titilating bits. But even those have purpose. Even in the violence there's reason and understanding and it's.. well, it's a lot.
I will definitely be pushing on with the various series but I am not sad to be taking a break, mayhap even for the rest of the year (little that remains of it). This isn't a series, or a universe, I could really recommend but it does compel in some ways. It is interesting. And yes, layered, in every way. I don't want to doubt my younger self but I wonder how much of this I really understand back in the day. But whatever it was, it left an impression because here I am all these years later rereading them. And I'm not mad about it.
This also completes the final series on my Five Series to Finish in 2022 list. Phew. This one was a close call.
3.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Overall, though, this was maybe not the best series to binge. Carey does a good job of weaving in past events, dynamics, and more, multiple times within her books, likely because the page count is so massive that it's understandable you would forget things along the way. But if you're reading these ceaselessly, one after the other, by the third one? You're a bit tired. Not helped by the fact that even if the locales differ, it is a bit samesies in the sense that Phèdre risks all, endures all, poor Joscelin is along for the ride (because vows), they usually have a falling out (some worse, or more dramatic, than others), but eventually all is well. Queen gets mad, Queen forgives, here is your HEA. In that sense, this was the least interesting of the three because there was no real tension, we knew how things would play out almost exactly, which explains why I put this down the most of all three of them, but. But I still picked it back up.
I'll admit I did skim some of the more story-based mythology as Phèdre traveled from one place to the next seeking knowledge, the Name of God, to rescue her childhood friend. It was a change of pace from the darkness and violence that we had endured prior but equally it did make for an odd balance of a story. But I think that is kind of represented by the whole series. Sex, and violence, and pain, yes, but also religion, and mythology, and learning, and knowledge. It's a complex and layered universe Carey's created and you can't say she didn't put in the work, and the endless research, in and around the more angsty romantic titilating bits. But even those have purpose. Even in the violence there's reason and understanding and it's.. well, it's a lot.
I will definitely be pushing on with the various series but I am not sad to be taking a break, mayhap even for the rest of the year (little that remains of it). This isn't a series, or a universe, I could really recommend but it does compel in some ways. It is interesting. And yes, layered, in every way. I don't want to doubt my younger self but I wonder how much of this I really understand back in the day. But whatever it was, it left an impression because here I am all these years later rereading them. And I'm not mad about it.
This also completes the final series on my Five Series to Finish in 2022 list. Phew. This one was a close call.
3.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
September 9, 2018
In the third part of the series, the last of Phedre's trilogy, things start a bit sluggish - but especially sweet - as our heroine seems to have a partial control over her wild desires and thus to have the necessary balance. However, the punisher god Kushiel does not want to leave her quiet and drags her into an adventure that will lead her to the depths of hell and to confront with the darkest part of herself.
Next to her, of course, her faithful companion following his oath, and he understands that he is guided by similar passions that seem to mirror those of his beloved. Phedre is made to love the pain and to find pleasure from it, with trepidation, however, she finds that this passion does not seem to have any limits and that it can get her to enjoy even the most humiliating experiences, her partner, even if he does not want to admit it, he enjoys the pain he causes to his enemies with his fighting skill. The pain and the pleasure it causes is once again the issue as our heroine is the victim of the most violent abuse, a question that perhaps causes us a special thought, making us wonder whether a dark part of ourselves enjoys its description.
In these dark depths our heroes are wondering about the role of the gods in all this. Where are the gods of light and righteousness where the darkness prevails and the violent people crash bodies and souls? Are they willing to intervene decisively and punish what is unfair? Difficult questions that do not have a clear answer. But is the answer to this, in the end, love? Is this their offer and the great weapon they give us to defeat every evil? Nevertheless, they have no choice but to deal with the difficult situation in whatever way they can and then try to heal the wounds that this effort will cause them.
As you understand, to write like this, it means that this third book has a special force within it, capable of making you excited, troubled in general before giving you a glimpse of light. That is, to let me have the same impressions as the previous two. The only problem is that I feel it reaches its climax too early, so the continuation seems rather subdued, as if the writer is left out of ideas, which somewhat spoils the excellent impressions I get to the middle. In the end, however, we understand that she still has an ace in her sleeve that plays it creating a touching finale that puts the crown in this excellent trilogy, recapping all its meaning.
To summarize, after reading the third book, I can say that this is one of the best fantasy trilogies I have ever read. Anything we can ask from its genre is in it as well as much more that I would need many pages to describe. What will most be left to me is of course our beloved Phedre, one of the most special heroines that have been created. A beautiful woman, both internally and externally, strong and determined in the difficult situations but also very sensitive, a creature that despite everything that she suffers she still has love for the others as her motive. Above all, however, she is a heroine that is not perfect, having her own weaknesses and her own personal demons that perhaps resemble ours. I say goodbye to her with regret but from what I always understand she is somewhere around is on the land of the Angels.
Of course, another element that remains is the imaginary world the author creates. While it is basically just the world we live in, the author recreates it in such a way that it remains familiar but at the same time it is completely deferent. she takes elements from many civilizations and many different eras, from antiquity to the very present day, adding her own completely imaginary elements, making us go through a charming journey to human history, to culture. to different religions.
But the element that makes the big difference is Jacqueline Carey's amazing writing. It is so beautiful, so poetic when it should, shows such sensitivity, she knits words so exceptionally, she creates so many images and so many emotions that it is difficult in the end not to feel moved. There are, of course, many erotic scenes that some may also use as an argument against the books, but they are written in such a beautiful way, with the absence of any kind of vulgarity and many of them are literary jewels. But even in the most difficult situations, where she has to show the pain of the heroine and her sufferings, the beauty of writing remains. Interesting is also the way she is narrating the battles, by reading you feel more like being descriptions of dance than of bloody fighting. So at the end without a trace of exaggeration I can say that in this field is one of the best writers I have read.
To finish my comment, with every reservation for those who may be shocked by sadomasochism, I recommend most people to grab these books, overcoming any prejudices, so that they can get to know a writer whose value I believe exceeds narrow boundaries of fantasy literature.
Στο τρίτο μέρος της σειράς, τελευταίο της τριλογίας της Φαίδρας, τα πράγματα ξεκινάνε κάπως υποτονικά - αλλά ιδιαίτερα γλυκά - καθώς η ηρωίδα μας φαίνεται να έχει υπό μερικό έλεγχο τις άγριες επιθυμίες της και έτσι να έχει βρει την απαραίτητη ισορροπία. Ο τιμωρός θεός Kushiel, όμως, δεν λέει να την αφήσει στην ησυχία της και την παρασύρει σε μία περιπέτεια που θα την οδηγήσει στα βάθη της κόλασης και θα τη φέρει αντιμέτωπη με το πιο σκοτεινό κομμάτι του εαυτού της.
Δίπλα της, φυσικά, ο πιστός της σύντροφος που την ακολουθεί τηρώντας τον όρκο του, και αυτός όμως καταλαβαίνει πως καθοδηγείται από ανάλογα πάθη, που μοιάζουν να καθρεφτίζουν αυτά της αγαπημένης του. Η Φαίδρα είναι φτιαγμένη για να αγαπάει τον πόνο και να βρίσκει ευχαρίστηση από αυτόν, με τρόμο, όμως, διαπιστώνει ότι αυτό το πάθος δεν φαίνεται να έχει όρια και πως μπορεί να την παρασύρει στο να απολαμβάνει ακόμα και τις πιο ταπεινωτικές εμπειρίες, ο σύντροφός της όσο και αν δεν θέλει να το παραδέχεται πολλές φορές απολαμβάνει τον πόνο που προκαλεί στους εχθρούς του με την μαχητική του δεινότητα. Ο πόνος και η ευχαρίστηση που προκαλεί είναι και πάλι το θέμα καθώς η ηρωίδα μας πέφτει θύμα της πιο βίαιης κακοποίησης, θέμα που μας προκαλεί ίσως και ιδιαίτερη σκέψη κάνοντας μας να αναρωτηθούμε αν κάποιο σκοτεινό μέρος του εαυτού μας απολαμβάνει την περιγραφή της.
Σε αυτά τα σκοτεινά βάθη οι ήρωες μας αναρωτιούνται για το ρόλο των θεών σε όλα αυτά. Που είναι άραγε οι θεοί του φωτός και της δικαιοσύνης εκεί που το σκοτάδι κυριαρχεί και οι βίαιοι άνθρωποι τσακίζουν σώματα και ψυχές; Έχουν άραγε τη διάθεση να παρέμβουν αποφασιστικά και να τιμωρήσουν κάθε τι άδικο; Δύσκολες ερωτήσεις που δεν έχουν σαφή απάντηση. Μήπως, όμως, τελικά η απάντηση σε αυτό είναι η αγάπη; Είναι αυτή η προσφορά τους και το μεγάλο όπλο που μας δίνουν για να νικήσουμε κάθε κακό; Όπως και να έχει, πάντως, οι ήρωες μας δεν έχουν άλλη επιλογή από το να αντιμετωπίσουν τα δύσκολα με όποιο τρόπο μπορούν και μετά να προσπαθήσουν να θεραπεύσουν τις πληγές που θα τους προκαλέσει αυτή η προσπάθεια.
Όπως καταλαβαίνετε για να γράφω κάπως έτσι σημαίνει ότι αυτό το τρίτο βιβλίο έχει μία ιδιαίτερη δύναμη μέσα του, ικανή να σε κάνει να συγκινηθείς, να προβληματιστείς, να μαυρίσεις γενικότερα πριν σου προσφέρει μία αχτίδα φωτός. Ότι πρέπει δηλαδή για να μου αφήσει τις ίδιες εντυπώσεις με τα προηγούμενα δύο. Το μόνο πρόβλημα είναι ότι αισθάνομαι ότι φτάνει στην κορύφωσή του πάρα πολύ νωρίς με αποτέλεσμα η συνέχεια να μοιάζει αρκετά υποτονική, σαν να μένει η συγγραφέας από ιδέες, κάτι που μου χαλάει κάπως τις άριστες εντυπώσεις που αποκομίζω μέχρι τη μέση. Στο τέλος, όμως, καταλαβαίνουμε ότι έχει ακόμα έναν άσσο στο μανίκι της που τον παίζει δημιουργώντας ένα συγκινητικό φινάλε που βάζει το επιστέγασμα σε αυτή την εξαιρετική τριλογία, ανακεφαλαιώνοντας όλο της το νόημα.
Για να κάνω και εγώ την ανακεφαλαίωση, μετά το τέλος της ανάγνωσης του τρίτου βιβλίου μπορώ να πω ότι πρόκειται για μία από τις καλύτερες τριλογίες φαντασίας που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ. Οτιδήποτε μπορούμε να ζητήσουμε από το είδος βρίσκεται μέσα καθώς και πολλά περισσότερα που θα ήθελα πολλές σελίδες για να τα περιγράψω. Αυτό που θα μου μείνει περισσότερο είναι φυσικά η αγαπητή μας Φαίδρα, μία από τις πιο ιδιαίτερες ηρωίδες που έχουν δημιουργηθεί. Μία γυναίκα όμορφη τόσο εσωτερικά όσο και εξωτερικά, δυνατή και αποφασισμένη στα δύσκολα αλλά και ιδιαίτερα ευαίσθητη, ένα πλάσμα που παρά τα όσα περνάει εξακολουθεί να έχει ως κινητήρια δύναμη την αγάπη για τους άλλους. Πάνω από όλα όμως είναι μία ηρωίδα που δεν είναι τέλεια, που έχει τις δικές τις αδυναμίες και τους δικούς της προσωπικούς δαίμονες που ίσως μοιάζουν με τους δικούς μας. Την αποχαιρετώ με λύπη αλλά από ότι καταλαβαίνω πάντα κάπου εκεί γύρω βρίσκεται στη Γη των Αγγέλων.
Φυσικά ένα άλλο στοιχείο που μένει είναι ο φανταστικός κόσμος που δημιουργεί η συγγραφέας. Ενώ κατά βάση είναι απλά ο κόσμος στον οποίο ζούμε, η συγγραφέας τον αναπλάθει με τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να παραμένει γνώριμος αλλά παράλληλα να είναι και εντελώς ξεχωριστός. Παίρνει στοιχεία από πολλούς πολιτισμούς και πολλές διαφορετικές εποχές, από την αρχαιότητα ως πολύ κοντά στις μέρες μας, προσθέτοντας δικά της εντελώς φανταστικά στοιχεία, κάνοντάς μας να περνάμε από ένα γοητευτικό ταξίδι στην ανθρώπινη ιστορία, στον πολιτισμό στις διάφορες θρησκείες.
Το στοιχείο όμως που στο τέλος κάνει τη μεγάλη διαφορά είναι καταπληκτική γραφή της Jacqueline Carey. Είναι τόσο όμορφη, τόσο ποιητική όταν πρέπει, δείχνει τέτοια ευαισθησία, πλέκει τόσο εξαιρετικά τις λέξεις, δημιουργεί τόσες εικόνες και τόσα συναισθήματα που είναι δύσκολο στο τέλος να μη σε συγκινήσει. Υπάρχουν φυσικά πολλές ερωτικές σκηνές που κάποιοι μπορεί να χρησιμοποιήσουν και ως επιχείρημα εναντίον των βιβλίων, είναι όμως γραμμένες με τόσο ωραίο τρόπο, με την απουσία οποιουδήποτε είδους χυδαιότητας που πολλές από αυτές είναι πραγματικά κοσμήματα. Ακόμα όμως και στα πιο δύσκολα, εκεί που πρέπει να δείξει τον πόνο της ηρωίδας και τα βάσανα της η ομορφιά της γραφής παραμένει. Ενδιαφέρον είναι και ο τρόπος που αναφέρεται στις μάχες, διαβάζοντας νιώθε��ς περισσότερο ότι είναι περιγραφές χορού παρά αιματηρής μάχης. Οπότε στο τέλος χωρίς ίχνος υπερβολής μπορώ να πω ότι σε αυτόν τον τομέα είναι μία από τις καλύτερες συγγραφείς που έχω διαβάσει.
Για να ολοκληρώσω το σχόλιο μου, με κάθε επιφύλαξη για αυτούς που ίσως τους σοκάρει ο σαδομαζοχισμός συνιστώ οι περισσότεροι να πιάσουν στα χέρια τους αυτά τα βιβλία, ξεπερνώντας τυχόν προκαταλήψεις, έτσι για να μπορέσουν να γνωρίσουν μία συγγραφέα που η αξία της πιστεύω ότι ξεπερνάει τα στενά όρια της φανταστικής λογοτεχνίας.
Next to her, of course, her faithful companion following his oath, and he understands that he is guided by similar passions that seem to mirror those of his beloved. Phedre is made to love the pain and to find pleasure from it, with trepidation, however, she finds that this passion does not seem to have any limits and that it can get her to enjoy even the most humiliating experiences, her partner, even if he does not want to admit it, he enjoys the pain he causes to his enemies with his fighting skill. The pain and the pleasure it causes is once again the issue as our heroine is the victim of the most violent abuse, a question that perhaps causes us a special thought, making us wonder whether a dark part of ourselves enjoys its description.
In these dark depths our heroes are wondering about the role of the gods in all this. Where are the gods of light and righteousness where the darkness prevails and the violent people crash bodies and souls? Are they willing to intervene decisively and punish what is unfair? Difficult questions that do not have a clear answer. But is the answer to this, in the end, love? Is this their offer and the great weapon they give us to defeat every evil? Nevertheless, they have no choice but to deal with the difficult situation in whatever way they can and then try to heal the wounds that this effort will cause them.
As you understand, to write like this, it means that this third book has a special force within it, capable of making you excited, troubled in general before giving you a glimpse of light. That is, to let me have the same impressions as the previous two. The only problem is that I feel it reaches its climax too early, so the continuation seems rather subdued, as if the writer is left out of ideas, which somewhat spoils the excellent impressions I get to the middle. In the end, however, we understand that she still has an ace in her sleeve that plays it creating a touching finale that puts the crown in this excellent trilogy, recapping all its meaning.
To summarize, after reading the third book, I can say that this is one of the best fantasy trilogies I have ever read. Anything we can ask from its genre is in it as well as much more that I would need many pages to describe. What will most be left to me is of course our beloved Phedre, one of the most special heroines that have been created. A beautiful woman, both internally and externally, strong and determined in the difficult situations but also very sensitive, a creature that despite everything that she suffers she still has love for the others as her motive. Above all, however, she is a heroine that is not perfect, having her own weaknesses and her own personal demons that perhaps resemble ours. I say goodbye to her with regret but from what I always understand she is somewhere around is on the land of the Angels.
Of course, another element that remains is the imaginary world the author creates. While it is basically just the world we live in, the author recreates it in such a way that it remains familiar but at the same time it is completely deferent. she takes elements from many civilizations and many different eras, from antiquity to the very present day, adding her own completely imaginary elements, making us go through a charming journey to human history, to culture. to different religions.
But the element that makes the big difference is Jacqueline Carey's amazing writing. It is so beautiful, so poetic when it should, shows such sensitivity, she knits words so exceptionally, she creates so many images and so many emotions that it is difficult in the end not to feel moved. There are, of course, many erotic scenes that some may also use as an argument against the books, but they are written in such a beautiful way, with the absence of any kind of vulgarity and many of them are literary jewels. But even in the most difficult situations, where she has to show the pain of the heroine and her sufferings, the beauty of writing remains. Interesting is also the way she is narrating the battles, by reading you feel more like being descriptions of dance than of bloody fighting. So at the end without a trace of exaggeration I can say that in this field is one of the best writers I have read.
To finish my comment, with every reservation for those who may be shocked by sadomasochism, I recommend most people to grab these books, overcoming any prejudices, so that they can get to know a writer whose value I believe exceeds narrow boundaries of fantasy literature.
Στο τρίτο μέρος της σειράς, τελευταίο της τριλογίας της Φαίδρας, τα πράγματα ξεκινάνε κάπως υποτονικά - αλλά ιδιαίτερα γλυκά - καθώς η ηρωίδα μας φαίνεται να έχει υπό μερικό έλεγχο τις άγριες επιθυμίες της και έτσι να έχει βρει την απαραίτητη ισορροπία. Ο τιμωρός θεός Kushiel, όμως, δεν λέει να την αφήσει στην ησυχία της και την παρασύρει σε μία περιπέτεια που θα την οδηγήσει στα βάθη της κόλασης και θα τη φέρει αντιμέτωπη με το πιο σκοτεινό κομμάτι του εαυτού της.
Δίπλα της, φυσικά, ο πιστός της σύντροφος που την ακολουθεί τηρώντας τον όρκο του, και αυτός όμως καταλαβαίνει πως καθοδηγείται από ανάλογα πάθη, που μοιάζουν να καθρεφτίζουν αυτά της αγαπημένης του. Η Φαίδρα είναι φτιαγμένη για να αγαπάει τον πόνο και να βρίσκει ευχαρίστηση από αυτόν, με τρόμο, όμως, διαπιστώνει ότι αυτό το πάθος δεν φαίνεται να έχει όρια και πως μπορεί να την παρασύρει στο να απολαμβάνει ακόμα και τις πιο ταπεινωτικές εμπειρίες, ο σύντροφός της όσο και αν δεν θέλει να το παραδέχεται πολλές φορές απολαμβάνει τον πόνο που προκαλεί στους εχθρούς του με την μαχητική του δεινότητα. Ο πόνος και η ευχαρίστηση που προκαλεί είναι και πάλι το θέμα καθώς η ηρωίδα μας πέφτει θύμα της πιο βίαιης κακοποίησης, θέμα που μας προκαλεί ίσως και ιδιαίτερη σκέψη κάνοντας μας να αναρωτηθούμε αν κάποιο σκοτεινό μέρος του εαυτού μας απολαμβάνει την περιγραφή της.
Σε αυτά τα σκοτεινά βάθη οι ήρωες μας αναρωτιούνται για το ρόλο των θεών σε όλα αυτά. Που είναι άραγε οι θεοί του φωτός και της δικαιοσύνης εκεί που το σκοτάδι κυριαρχεί και οι βίαιοι άνθρωποι τσακίζουν σώματα και ψυχές; Έχουν άραγε τη διάθεση να παρέμβουν αποφασιστικά και να τιμωρήσουν κάθε τι άδικο; Δύσκολες ερωτήσεις που δεν έχουν σαφή απάντηση. Μήπως, όμως, τελικά η απάντηση σε αυτό είναι η αγάπη; Είναι αυτή η προσφορά τους και το μεγάλο όπλο που μας δίνουν για να νικήσουμε κάθε κακό; Όπως και να έχει, πάντως, οι ήρωες μας δεν έχουν άλλη επιλογή από το να αντιμετωπίσουν τα δύσκολα με όποιο τρόπο μπορούν και μετά να προσπαθήσουν να θεραπεύσουν τις πληγές που θα τους προκαλέσει αυτή η προσπάθεια.
Όπως καταλαβαίνετε για να γράφω κάπως έτσι σημαίνει ότι αυτό το τρίτο βιβλίο έχει μία ιδιαίτερη δύναμη μέσα του, ικανή να σε κάνει να συγκινηθείς, να προβληματιστείς, να μαυρίσεις γενικότερα πριν σου προσφέρει μία αχτίδα φωτός. Ότι πρέπει δηλαδή για να μου αφήσει τις ίδιες εντυπώσεις με τα προηγούμενα δύο. Το μόνο πρόβλημα είναι ότι αισθάνομαι ότι φτάνει στην κορύφωσή του πάρα πολύ νωρίς με αποτέλεσμα η συνέχεια να μοιάζει αρκετά υποτονική, σαν να μένει η συγγραφέας από ιδέες, κάτι που μου χαλάει κάπως τις άριστες εντυπώσεις που αποκομίζω μέχρι τη μέση. Στο τέλος, όμως, καταλαβαίνουμε ότι έχει ακόμα έναν άσσο στο μανίκι της που τον παίζει δημιουργώντας ένα συγκινητικό φινάλε που βάζει το επιστέγασμα σε αυτή την εξαιρετική τριλογία, ανακεφαλαιώνοντας όλο της το νόημα.
Για να κάνω και εγώ την ανακεφαλαίωση, μετά το τέλος της ανάγνωσης του τρίτου βιβλίου μπορώ να πω ότι πρόκειται για μία από τις καλύτερες τριλογίες φαντασίας που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ. Οτιδήποτε μπορούμε να ζητήσουμε από το είδος βρίσκεται μέσα καθώς και πολλά περισσότερα που θα ήθελα πολλές σελίδες για να τα περιγράψω. Αυτό που θα μου μείνει περισσότερο είναι φυσικά η αγαπητή μας Φαίδρα, μία από τις πιο ιδιαίτερες ηρωίδες που έχουν δημιουργηθεί. Μία γυναίκα όμορφη τόσο εσωτερικά όσο και εξωτερικά, δυνατή και αποφασισμένη στα δύσκολα αλλά και ιδιαίτερα ευαίσθητη, ένα πλάσμα που παρά τα όσα περνάει εξακολουθεί να έχει ως κινητήρια δύναμη την αγάπη για τους άλλους. Πάνω από όλα όμως είναι μία ηρωίδα που δεν είναι τέλεια, που έχει τις δικές τις αδυναμίες και τους δικούς της προσωπικούς δαίμονες που ίσως μοιάζουν με τους δικούς μας. Την αποχαιρετώ με λύπη αλλά από ότι καταλαβαίνω πάντα κάπου εκεί γύρω βρίσκεται στη Γη των Αγγέλων.
Φυσικά ένα άλλο στοιχείο που μένει είναι ο φανταστικός κόσμος που δημιουργεί η συγγραφέας. Ενώ κατά βάση είναι απλά ο κόσμος στον οποίο ζούμε, η συγγραφέας τον αναπλάθει με τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να παραμένει γνώριμος αλλά παράλληλα να είναι και εντελώς ξεχωριστός. Παίρνει στοιχεία από πολλούς πολιτισμούς και πολλές διαφορετικές εποχές, από την αρχαιότητα ως πολύ κοντά στις μέρες μας, προσθέτοντας δικά της εντελώς φανταστικά στοιχεία, κάνοντάς μας να περνάμε από ένα γοητευτικό ταξίδι στην ανθρώπινη ιστορία, στον πολιτισμό στις διάφορες θρησκείες.
Το στοιχείο όμως που στο τέλος κάνει τη μεγάλη διαφορά είναι καταπληκτική γραφή της Jacqueline Carey. Είναι τόσο όμορφη, τόσο ποιητική όταν πρέπει, δείχνει τέτοια ευαισθησία, πλέκει τόσο εξαιρετικά τις λέξεις, δημιουργεί τόσες εικόνες και τόσα συναισθήματα που είναι δύσκολο στο τέλος να μη σε συγκινήσει. Υπάρχουν φυσικά πολλές ερωτικές σκηνές που κάποιοι μπορεί να χρησιμοποιήσουν και ως επιχείρημα εναντίον των βιβλίων, είναι όμως γραμμένες με τόσο ωραίο τρόπο, με την απουσία οποιουδήποτε είδους χυδαιότητας που πολλές από αυτές είναι πραγματικά κοσμήματα. Ακόμα όμως και στα πιο δύσκολα, εκεί που πρέπει να δείξει τον πόνο της ηρωίδας και τα βάσανα της η ομορφιά της γραφής παραμένει. Ενδιαφέρον είναι και ο τρόπος που αναφέρεται στις μάχες, διαβάζοντας νιώθε��ς περισσότερο ότι είναι περιγραφές χορού παρά αιματηρής μάχης. Οπότε στο τέλος χωρίς ίχνος υπερβολής μπορώ να πω ότι σε αυτόν τον τομέα είναι μία από τις καλύτερες συγγραφείς που έχω διαβάσει.
Για να ολοκληρώσω το σχόλιο μου, με κάθε επιφύλαξη για αυτούς που ίσως τους σοκάρει ο σαδομαζοχισμός συνιστώ οι περισσότεροι να πιάσουν στα χέρια τους αυτά τα βιβλία, ξεπερνώντας τυχόν προκαταλήψεις, έτσι για να μπορέσουν να γνωρίσουν μία συγγραφέα που η αξία της πιστεύω ότι ξεπερνάει τα στενά όρια της φανταστικής λογοτεχνίας.
May 2, 2024
Ero combattuta tra 4.5 e 5 stelle. Non è stata una lettura in assoluto perfetta, ma finire un libro con le lacrime agli occhi dovendogli dire addio giustifica un 5 pieno.
Cara Jacqueline Carey, sicuramente non hai il dono della sintesi, ma che dire? La tua penna è fantastica, un’ottima scrittura che è riuscita a creare un mondo così dettagliato da sembrare reale.
Sì, perché l’ambientazione di questa trilogia è studiata nel minimo dettaglio, a partire dalla cultura di ogni paese, le lingue parlate, gli dei e le religioni, la storia prende magicamente vita e ci si ritrova travolti da mille avventure, nuovi incontri, nuovi personaggi e nuovi posti. Ma oltre a saper descrivere divinamente, la Carey è una maga nel creare intrighi politici assurdamente complessi, con una trama intricatissima ma elaborata magistralmente.
Phèdre l’abbiamo accompagnata fin dall’infanzia in questo lungo viaggio, il rapporto con lei per me è stato un rapporto di amore e odio. Phèdre ha una fede incrollabile, è una devota servitrice di Naamah, la dea del desiderio, ed è anche la prescelta di Kushiel, il castigatore. Una cortigiana e una spia, estremamente curiosa, intelligente, riflessiva e introspettiva, Phèdre è una donna che ha imparato ad essere forte per necessità, non è la classica eroina fantasy che si batte a colpi di spada, lei si batte con l’astuzia, l’intelligenza e la sua sensualità. Ho amato follemente con quanta naturalezza e libertà la Carey sia riuscita a trattare la sessualità, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la natura di “anguisette” di Phèdre, una natura che non è modificabile e con cui deve imparare a convivere, nel bene e nel male. La sua sessualità masochista è stata in diversi momenti fonte di vergogna e sofferenza, ma alla fine Phèdre arriva sempre ad accettare sé stessa e ad amarsi per quello che è. Purtroppo in alcuni momenti non sono riuscita a condividere il suo pensiero, l’ho trovata egoista, si è presa tante libertà facendo soffrire le persone che la circondano e che le vogliono bene. È innegabile poi che Phèdre sia la classica Mary Sue, tutti la amano, tutti la vogliono, senza di lei il mondo crollerebbe, e il suo essere molto vanitosa e una falsa modesta me l’ha fatta digerire ancora meno.
Joscelin, oh caro Joscelin, ho empatizzato e sofferto tanto per lui. Il Compagno Perfetto, il fedele servitore: “Io proteggo e servo, mia signora”, mi porterò nel cuore questa sua frase, accompagnata dal suo tipico inchino cassiliano, così come la sua forza, la sua dolcezza e il suo amore profondo e devoto, ma anche la sua rigidità e la sua disciplina.
E poi Hyacinthe con il suo sorriso smagliante, il Principe dei Viaggiatori, coraggioso e libero. Melisande, astuta come una volpe, con la sua ineguagliabile bellezza, il suo orgoglio. Il piccolo e cocciuto Imriel, la fiera regina Ysandre…tantissimi personaggi che in un modo o nell’altro ti entrano dentro, e arrivi da affezionartici come se li conoscessi davvero.
Parlando di questo terzo libro nello specifico: la prima metà è decisamente brutale, con tanta violenza sia fisica che psicologica. La Carey porta il personaggio di Phèdre a toccare il fondo, e a dover fare i conti con la parte più buia e sinistra di sé. Gli orrori che vivono i personaggi sono tremendi e alcuni punti sono quasi disturbanti. La seconda parte è praticamente dedicata tutta all’avventura, con luoghi meravigliosi, viaggi suggestivi e città piene di splendori. E in ogni posto dove Phèdre metterà piede, ci troverà i propri nobili, e soprattutto i propri intrighi politici.
È stata una lettura bellissima, tra alti e bassi, mi porterò nel cuore questa saga.
“Ama a tuo piacimento”
Cara Jacqueline Carey, sicuramente non hai il dono della sintesi, ma che dire? La tua penna è fantastica, un’ottima scrittura che è riuscita a creare un mondo così dettagliato da sembrare reale.
Sì, perché l’ambientazione di questa trilogia è studiata nel minimo dettaglio, a partire dalla cultura di ogni paese, le lingue parlate, gli dei e le religioni, la storia prende magicamente vita e ci si ritrova travolti da mille avventure, nuovi incontri, nuovi personaggi e nuovi posti. Ma oltre a saper descrivere divinamente, la Carey è una maga nel creare intrighi politici assurdamente complessi, con una trama intricatissima ma elaborata magistralmente.
Phèdre l’abbiamo accompagnata fin dall’infanzia in questo lungo viaggio, il rapporto con lei per me è stato un rapporto di amore e odio. Phèdre ha una fede incrollabile, è una devota servitrice di Naamah, la dea del desiderio, ed è anche la prescelta di Kushiel, il castigatore. Una cortigiana e una spia, estremamente curiosa, intelligente, riflessiva e introspettiva, Phèdre è una donna che ha imparato ad essere forte per necessità, non è la classica eroina fantasy che si batte a colpi di spada, lei si batte con l’astuzia, l’intelligenza e la sua sensualità. Ho amato follemente con quanta naturalezza e libertà la Carey sia riuscita a trattare la sessualità, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la natura di “anguisette” di Phèdre, una natura che non è modificabile e con cui deve imparare a convivere, nel bene e nel male. La sua sessualità masochista è stata in diversi momenti fonte di vergogna e sofferenza, ma alla fine Phèdre arriva sempre ad accettare sé stessa e ad amarsi per quello che è. Purtroppo in alcuni momenti non sono riuscita a condividere il suo pensiero, l’ho trovata egoista, si è presa tante libertà facendo soffrire le persone che la circondano e che le vogliono bene. È innegabile poi che Phèdre sia la classica Mary Sue, tutti la amano, tutti la vogliono, senza di lei il mondo crollerebbe, e il suo essere molto vanitosa e una falsa modesta me l’ha fatta digerire ancora meno.
Joscelin, oh caro Joscelin, ho empatizzato e sofferto tanto per lui. Il Compagno Perfetto, il fedele servitore: “Io proteggo e servo, mia signora”, mi porterò nel cuore questa sua frase, accompagnata dal suo tipico inchino cassiliano, così come la sua forza, la sua dolcezza e il suo amore profondo e devoto, ma anche la sua rigidità e la sua disciplina.
E poi Hyacinthe con il suo sorriso smagliante, il Principe dei Viaggiatori, coraggioso e libero. Melisande, astuta come una volpe, con la sua ineguagliabile bellezza, il suo orgoglio. Il piccolo e cocciuto Imriel, la fiera regina Ysandre…tantissimi personaggi che in un modo o nell’altro ti entrano dentro, e arrivi da affezionartici come se li conoscessi davvero.
Parlando di questo terzo libro nello specifico: la prima metà è decisamente brutale, con tanta violenza sia fisica che psicologica. La Carey porta il personaggio di Phèdre a toccare il fondo, e a dover fare i conti con la parte più buia e sinistra di sé. Gli orrori che vivono i personaggi sono tremendi e alcuni punti sono quasi disturbanti. La seconda parte è praticamente dedicata tutta all’avventura, con luoghi meravigliosi, viaggi suggestivi e città piene di splendori. E in ogni posto dove Phèdre metterà piede, ci troverà i propri nobili, e soprattutto i propri intrighi politici.
È stata una lettura bellissima, tra alti e bassi, mi porterò nel cuore questa saga.
“Ama a tuo piacimento”
August 18, 2018
A powerful conclusion to this epic trilogy. It got very dark in the middle, so much so that I did put it down for a while, but i’m so glad I continued. Carey’s writing is so beautiful it brought me to tears at the end. Such friendship, such tragedy and yet such joy to be had.
Everything about this trilogy is bittersweet and all the more emotionally powerful for it. The characters are so well developed and remain true to their histories throughout, shaped and destroyed by the events that unfold.
Joscelin. Joscelin is my favourite.
The world, religions and mythology are excellently crafted and I loved visiting Egypt, Venice, Cyprus, Croatia, among others!, and how the separate mythologies we know today intertwined in this story and came to this beautiful conclusion. Very good :)
Everything about this trilogy is bittersweet and all the more emotionally powerful for it. The characters are so well developed and remain true to their histories throughout, shaped and destroyed by the events that unfold.
Joscelin. Joscelin is my favourite.
The world, religions and mythology are excellently crafted and I loved visiting Egypt, Venice, Cyprus, Croatia, among others!, and how the separate mythologies we know today intertwined in this story and came to this beautiful conclusion. Very good :)
September 15, 2019
In equal parts dark, disturbing, challenging, hopeful and quite lovely, this is a fitting end to Carey's epic trilogy. I can't count the number of times I've returned to these books over the years, and I always end up falling in love with them all over again.
April 1, 2018
I dnf-ed this book today because it is so repulsive.
I will not finish it, even though it is the third in a series and even though I usually make a habit of finishing books.
I have read a few so-called "grimdark" fantasy authors and it never bothered me even slightly. To me, (excessive) violence usually feels either like a part of the story and the world (Abercrombie, Bakker) and doesn't faze me, or super edgy and cringe inducing (Lawerence).
I have read the first two books of this series, and they were kind of enjoyable. The language is trying way too hard to sound high-brow and the world is a super weird, unimaginative only slightly-altered copy of (mainly) European culture and religion which is also a bit cringy and enforces stereotypes left and right - there was a part in this book where the main character is in an Arabian-esque country and talks about how the men (granted, they are bad guys, but still) allegedly have sex with goats - so there is that. BUT the author sometimes did hit the right tone and in general the premise of this series is just really promising and something new. I actually picked this series BECAUSE of its BDSM elements - they were quite well done in the first book at least.
But like 45% into this book... everything is just so unnecessarily, hopelessly cruel and dark and violent for pure shock value. It literally made me sick. This is probably mainly because from the beginnig a major plot point of this book is about children basically being abducted to be sex slaves. And I simply cannot continue to read about it. It's repulsive. Yes, this happens in the real world, and yes it's a plot, and yes, it's never explicitly described, only alluded to, but after about 200 pages you can't take it anymore. I don't wanna continue reading about little children suffering for nothing, I just don't.
Then, ONCE AGAIN, our main character finds herself captured by a big bad guy, who has a tragic backstory and who finds her irresistible and abuses her to no end, which she, of course, unwillingly is into, since she is chosen by the gods to experience pain and pleasure as one.. yadiyada. (In the end, of course, her beauty and empathy manage to free not only herself but an opressed people... you get it). But since the plot was in TWO FUCKING BOOKS already, this time the author has to turn it up to a TEN. So the big baddie is the biggest baddie ever and OF COURSE (warning, I guess: GRAPHIC) he rapes her with an iron dildo with spikes which makes her bleed internally and stuff. I mean, how much worse can it get, right? UGH. No. No, no, no. I enjoy BDSM as much as the next gal, and the whole premise of Kushiel's Dart is really interesting, but this is just so... ugh. Come on.
Adding to it all, of course, is that our heroine only does this shit for a woman she is weirdly enamored with, who once sold her into slavery, so she actually, yes, is in this situation VOLUNTARILY. The author had to pull a "her gods will leave her if she doesn't do it" to make this even remotely plausible. And aaaall of this happens while the alledged love of her life has to WATCH her getting aroused by this big bad guy mistreating her, while a fucking dog is set on fire and a kid is tortured, because, WHY THE FUCK NOT.
UGHHHHH. I am not gonna revise this review, the book doesn't deserve this. I have no idea why this outraged me so today (I mean, speaking of dogs, I read all of Martin's abusive sex scenarios and somehow forgave him for those?). But whelp, there it is.
I will not finish it, even though it is the third in a series and even though I usually make a habit of finishing books.
I have read a few so-called "grimdark" fantasy authors and it never bothered me even slightly. To me, (excessive) violence usually feels either like a part of the story and the world (Abercrombie, Bakker) and doesn't faze me, or super edgy and cringe inducing (Lawerence).
I have read the first two books of this series, and they were kind of enjoyable. The language is trying way too hard to sound high-brow and the world is a super weird, unimaginative only slightly-altered copy of (mainly) European culture and religion which is also a bit cringy and enforces stereotypes left and right - there was a part in this book where the main character is in an Arabian-esque country and talks about how the men (granted, they are bad guys, but still) allegedly have sex with goats - so there is that. BUT the author sometimes did hit the right tone and in general the premise of this series is just really promising and something new. I actually picked this series BECAUSE of its BDSM elements - they were quite well done in the first book at least.
But like 45% into this book... everything is just so unnecessarily, hopelessly cruel and dark and violent for pure shock value. It literally made me sick. This is probably mainly because from the beginnig a major plot point of this book is about children basically being abducted to be sex slaves. And I simply cannot continue to read about it. It's repulsive. Yes, this happens in the real world, and yes it's a plot, and yes, it's never explicitly described, only alluded to, but after about 200 pages you can't take it anymore. I don't wanna continue reading about little children suffering for nothing, I just don't.
Then, ONCE AGAIN, our main character finds herself captured by a big bad guy, who has a tragic backstory and who finds her irresistible and abuses her to no end, which she, of course, unwillingly is into, since she is chosen by the gods to experience pain and pleasure as one.. yadiyada. (In the end, of course, her beauty and empathy manage to free not only herself but an opressed people... you get it). But since the plot was in TWO FUCKING BOOKS already, this time the author has to turn it up to a TEN. So the big baddie is the biggest baddie ever and OF COURSE (warning, I guess: GRAPHIC) he rapes her with an iron dildo with spikes which makes her bleed internally and stuff. I mean, how much worse can it get, right? UGH. No. No, no, no. I enjoy BDSM as much as the next gal, and the whole premise of Kushiel's Dart is really interesting, but this is just so... ugh. Come on.
Adding to it all, of course, is that our heroine only does this shit for a woman she is weirdly enamored with, who once sold her into slavery, so she actually, yes, is in this situation VOLUNTARILY. The author had to pull a "her gods will leave her if she doesn't do it" to make this even remotely plausible. And aaaall of this happens while the alledged love of her life has to WATCH her getting aroused by this big bad guy mistreating her, while a fucking dog is set on fire and a kid is tortured, because, WHY THE FUCK NOT.
UGHHHHH. I am not gonna revise this review, the book doesn't deserve this. I have no idea why this outraged me so today (I mean, speaking of dogs, I read all of Martin's abusive sex scenarios and somehow forgave him for those?). But whelp, there it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2011
Further adventures of fantasy!France’s most beautiful traveling courtesan who is marked by the gods to have a lot of kinky sex.
I have a lot of thoughts about this series suddenly. Funny, since in the past it was my go to law school exams reading choice.
Thing 1: I really like how this series talks about women’s power – political, sexual, subversive. And how the thrust of the whole thing revolves around the love/hate of two extraordinary and powerful women. How often do you see that?
Thing 2: The shape of the book is a bit . . . something. It can best be summarized as ‘our heroine travels to an isolated place and frees the people there by being braver or smarter or specialer than they are.’ This was pretty interesting when she was lifting the harem of a psychopath into revolt. A lot less interesting and a lot more eyebrow-raising when she starts doing it to other cultures.
Thing 3: It’s funny just how unengaging I found so much of this. Heroine is literally marked by a god to suffer, to be able to bear it so other people don’t have to. It’s a literalization of the implicit shape of a lot of epic fantasy, and of course a pretty good metaphor for the relationship of writer to character. You, my creation, carry this hurt, walk this dark path so I don’t have to. Yeah, I’ve written that. And I should like it, but I just . . . eh. Tepid. Perhaps it’s too literal?
I have a lot of thoughts about this series suddenly. Funny, since in the past it was my go to law school exams reading choice.
Thing 1: I really like how this series talks about women’s power – political, sexual, subversive. And how the thrust of the whole thing revolves around the love/hate of two extraordinary and powerful women. How often do you see that?
Thing 2: The shape of the book is a bit . . . something. It can best be summarized as ‘our heroine travels to an isolated place and frees the people there by being braver or smarter or specialer than they are.’ This was pretty interesting when she was lifting the harem of a psychopath into revolt. A lot less interesting and a lot more eyebrow-raising when she starts doing it to other cultures.
Thing 3: It’s funny just how unengaging I found so much of this. Heroine is literally marked by a god to suffer, to be able to bear it so other people don’t have to. It’s a literalization of the implicit shape of a lot of epic fantasy, and of course a pretty good metaphor for the relationship of writer to character. You, my creation, carry this hurt, walk this dark path so I don’t have to. Yeah, I’ve written that. And I should like it, but I just . . . eh. Tepid. Perhaps it’s too literal?
January 20, 2021
My least favorite of the Phedre trilogy. This is partly because I loved books 1-2, but also due to filler & easy fixes that keep the plot plodding in low gear.
[spoilers]
-Phedre has long been torn between Joscelin & Hyacinthe (who are both worthy -- a somewhat unusual triangle in that way), yet suddenly a long-suffering-from-afar minor character appears & is sufficient for Hyacinthe to release Phedre from her agonizing decision. WTF. I'd rather they lived in a triad, or even that one of the lads had been killed off -- which I would have hated, but at least it would've avoided this insertion of a non-entity to resolve the issue. (Seriously, this girl had NO PRESENCE whatsoever. She's the most forgettable minor character in the book, & that's a crime. Hyacinthe deserves better.)
-Imriel, the mysterious son of Melisande, is too obviously 'lovable.' He even wins over Joscelin after, like, three conversations, & Joscelin has always been one of Melisande's biggest critics. Good on him for not holding her bullshit against Imriel, but still...THAT quickly? It seemed pushy on JC's part.
-The Drujani are such evilly evil assholes with an evilly evil god at the helm that they come off as a sadistic cartoon -- like they were created solely for the audience to have a safe target for boos & hisses.
-Every time a new place or challenge is mentioned, we know Phedre's next port of call. "Now ____ is a *terribly* unknown/dangerous peril to avoid at all costs!!" ...Gee, guess that's where they'll go. :P (This isn't new to the Phedre books, but it's more obvious & repetitive herein.)
-Likewise: each new dangerous impasse has Joscelin putting his foot down & "ABSOLUTELY NOT, my love!" ...Which, of course, Phedre overrides & apologizes for later, after dragging others into her Must Do This Impossible Task martyrdom over & over. So why bother? We know she'll do it anyway, & we know he'll forgive her -- hence, no tension. But I would've liked Joscelin to stand up to Phedre's martyr complex (just once, FFS), or at least punch Melisande in the face.
So...I give this 3 stars. The final confrontation to save Hyacinthe is great, & the Drujani section was gripping (despite the cartoony aspects). Side characters stand out, whether familiar like Hyacinthe, Ti-Phillippe, Ysandre, & Nicola, or new faces like Drucilla, Nesmut, Kristof, & Kaneka. I was glad to see certain storylines given proper closure. But comparatively, it disappointed. There was way too much repetitive filler + bland traveling, combined with long-winded chatter & constant reminiscing re: the first books.
[spoilers]
-Phedre has long been torn between Joscelin & Hyacinthe (who are both worthy -- a somewhat unusual triangle in that way), yet suddenly a long-suffering-from-afar minor character appears & is sufficient for Hyacinthe to release Phedre from her agonizing decision. WTF. I'd rather they lived in a triad, or even that one of the lads had been killed off -- which I would have hated, but at least it would've avoided this insertion of a non-entity to resolve the issue. (Seriously, this girl had NO PRESENCE whatsoever. She's the most forgettable minor character in the book, & that's a crime. Hyacinthe deserves better.)
-Imriel, the mysterious son of Melisande, is too obviously 'lovable.' He even wins over Joscelin after, like, three conversations, & Joscelin has always been one of Melisande's biggest critics. Good on him for not holding her bullshit against Imriel, but still...THAT quickly? It seemed pushy on JC's part.
-The Drujani are such evilly evil assholes with an evilly evil god at the helm that they come off as a sadistic cartoon -- like they were created solely for the audience to have a safe target for boos & hisses.
-Every time a new place or challenge is mentioned, we know Phedre's next port of call. "Now ____ is a *terribly* unknown/dangerous peril to avoid at all costs!!" ...Gee, guess that's where they'll go. :P (This isn't new to the Phedre books, but it's more obvious & repetitive herein.)
-Likewise: each new dangerous impasse has Joscelin putting his foot down & "ABSOLUTELY NOT, my love!" ...Which, of course, Phedre overrides & apologizes for later, after dragging others into her Must Do This Impossible Task martyrdom over & over. So why bother? We know she'll do it anyway, & we know he'll forgive her -- hence, no tension. But I would've liked Joscelin to stand up to Phedre's martyr complex (just once, FFS), or at least punch Melisande in the face.
So...I give this 3 stars. The final confrontation to save Hyacinthe is great, & the Drujani section was gripping (despite the cartoony aspects). Side characters stand out, whether familiar like Hyacinthe, Ti-Phillippe, Ysandre, & Nicola, or new faces like Drucilla, Nesmut, Kristof, & Kaneka. I was glad to see certain storylines given proper closure. But comparatively, it disappointed. There was way too much repetitive filler + bland traveling, combined with long-winded chatter & constant reminiscing re: the first books.
July 22, 2015
How can a series with prose this purple and a premise this absurd be so gripping? All three of these books have kept me up reading late into the night. Purple or no, Carey’s writing is engaging; and somehow I completely buy into the idea that a prostitute with a heart of gold can use her astonishing beauty and hardcore masochism to save the world.
In this conclusion to the trilogy, Phèdre seeks nothing less than the Name of God, which she needs to free her friend who was trapped on an island by an angry angel in the first book. She travels the world looking for it (a significant part of these books is travelogue, giving us a glance at Carey's intriguing alternate history) and along the way she undertakes to rescue the child of her greatest enemy.
The section in the middle where she’s imprisoned in the hellish harem is absolutely nauseating, and I’m grateful the author skimmed over most of the details.
The next trilogy focuses on the rescued child, Imriel, and I hope those books are as good as these first three.
In this conclusion to the trilogy, Phèdre seeks nothing less than the Name of God, which she needs to free her friend who was trapped on an island by an angry angel in the first book. She travels the world looking for it (a significant part of these books is travelogue, giving us a glance at Carey's intriguing alternate history) and along the way she undertakes to rescue the child of her greatest enemy.
The section in the middle where she’s imprisoned in the hellish harem is absolutely nauseating, and I’m grateful the author skimmed over most of the details.
The next trilogy focuses on the rescued child, Imriel, and I hope those books are as good as these first three.
February 2, 2012
I never say much about 6 star books. Just know you'll be investing heavily with your emotion on this one. My heart broke so many times I felt it physically and I was up until the wee hours to get my answers but I was not disappointed. This was an experience I'll NEVER forget. thank you Jacqueline Carey. You have raised my standards.
December 8, 2014
Kushiel's Avatar picks up ten years after the events of the last book. It's been ten years of peace for Phedre and my favorite warrior priest, Joscelin Verreuil, but that respite comes to an end as the two heroes of the realm are called upon to help someone neither ever thought to willingly aid while simultaneously delivering on a long-held promise to an old friend. Their efforts will take them through what we would consider the Middle East and Africa and will keep them far from their home fires for a long, long time.
This is easily the darkest book in the trilogy in my opinion and, again, it is at the near halfway mark when things start to take a turn. Up to that point the reader gets a sense that the subject matter will be hard but once you get about halfway through, the ugliness really hits you in the face. It was difficult to read but, like a rubber-necker passing a car accident, I couldn't look away.
Phedre has always been a challenging heroine for me in that her nature as an anguisette is hard for me to wrap my mind around. By turns she impresses me with her loyalty and her courage and then she horrifies me with some of the things that sexually arouse her. Though I think that this is intentional by the author because Phedre has this same type of dual reaction to herself. She is a woman marked by the angel, Kushiel, and this results in an internal divide of sorts, with her mind and heart on one side and her body on another. So while I am at times utterly appalled by the things (and people) that create sexual desire in her, Phedre herself is horrified in her heart and mind. She is plagued by self-hatred and loathing at times which lends an element of sadness to her existence. Nevertheless, knowing all this in my head it is still difficult for me to always like Phedre simply because I just can't mentally go where she goes. And in this book, Phedre mentally goes to some very dark places.
As for Joscelin, he has come a long way since book one and I enjoyed seeing the way that he and Phedre have learned to work and live together. You get a definite sense that they are both older and wiser and don't leave the things unsaid that need to be said. Joscelin is now definitely high on my list of book boyfriends. Forever after, whenever a male character promises to follow the woman he loves into damnation and beyond Joscelin Verreuil has set the standard. That said, once the ugliness of the events in this book rises up to slap the reader in the face, the question arises...at what point can love no longer survive?
This was a worthy conclusion to Phedre's trilogy and I was riveted to the story for almost all of it (I was more caught up in the Imriel part of the storyline as opposed to Hyacinth's). Through all the darkness and the light, the victories and the losses, the bitterest hate and the most uplifting love, I have felt swept away and transported along with the characters. I have always considered myself open-minded but these books have challenged me on that point somewhat, and that's not a bad thing. As Blessed Elua taught: "Love as thou wilt." And that's not a bad edict by which to live.
This is easily the darkest book in the trilogy in my opinion and, again, it is at the near halfway mark when things start to take a turn. Up to that point the reader gets a sense that the subject matter will be hard but once you get about halfway through, the ugliness really hits you in the face. It was difficult to read but, like a rubber-necker passing a car accident, I couldn't look away.
Phedre has always been a challenging heroine for me in that her nature as an anguisette is hard for me to wrap my mind around. By turns she impresses me with her loyalty and her courage and then she horrifies me with some of the things that sexually arouse her. Though I think that this is intentional by the author because Phedre has this same type of dual reaction to herself. She is a woman marked by the angel, Kushiel, and this results in an internal divide of sorts, with her mind and heart on one side and her body on another. So while I am at times utterly appalled by the things (and people) that create sexual desire in her, Phedre herself is horrified in her heart and mind. She is plagued by self-hatred and loathing at times which lends an element of sadness to her existence. Nevertheless, knowing all this in my head it is still difficult for me to always like Phedre simply because I just can't mentally go where she goes. And in this book, Phedre mentally goes to some very dark places.
As for Joscelin, he has come a long way since book one and I enjoyed seeing the way that he and Phedre have learned to work and live together. You get a definite sense that they are both older and wiser and don't leave the things unsaid that need to be said. Joscelin is now definitely high on my list of book boyfriends. Forever after, whenever a male character promises to follow the woman he loves into damnation and beyond Joscelin Verreuil has set the standard. That said, once the ugliness of the events in this book rises up to slap the reader in the face, the question arises...at what point can love no longer survive?
This was a worthy conclusion to Phedre's trilogy and I was riveted to the story for almost all of it (I was more caught up in the Imriel part of the storyline as opposed to Hyacinth's). Through all the darkness and the light, the victories and the losses, the bitterest hate and the most uplifting love, I have felt swept away and transported along with the characters. I have always considered myself open-minded but these books have challenged me on that point somewhat, and that's not a bad thing. As Blessed Elua taught: "Love as thou wilt." And that's not a bad edict by which to live.
July 13, 2016
3.5 (or 3.75?)
Not sure if I'll rate it a four yet. Probably.
Mixed feelings everywhere! Dart is still my favourite of the trilogy.
Carey can write, that much is obvious, and her world is complex and extremely fascinating, but...Phèdre's voice bothers me. I didn't dislike it at first, even though I liked all the secondary characters more than her, but after three books I've grown tired of her.
She's just too perfect. And she reminds you of that in Every. Single. Page. That is my problem. I know that these things are parts of her character and her culture too, but while I used to be able to tolerate it, even if I never understood that, now I can't. It has become redundant, repetitive. I can't help but think that Kushiel's Dart was much better than this one is. Even book 2, for all its angst, was slightly better in my opinion, because Melisande stole the show.
Plot wise I liked this conclusion. It brings this story arc to a fitting end, giving answers to the question that had been left unanswered, and the plot itself interwines with the subplots almost perfectly. When it comes to the structure of the book itself I have no complaints. And it helps that the characters have indeed grown and matured. Yet I struggled with Phèdre's narration this time around, more than ever. Repeating things about her role and praising herself over and over: that was painful to read. And no, it did not bring me pleasure.
I liked the romance, but I did not love it. That is probably due to the fact that I don't understand Phèdre, I guess, I do not know. Hyacinthe made the choice for her in the end, otherwise what would have she done?
I like Joscelin (who doesn't?) but sometimes his relationship with Phèdre seemed a bit off to me. I loved the fact that they grew as a couple throughout the series, by learning to accept each other's flaws and personality, but I wish Carey didn't show us only that part, but the happier moments too.
The fish scene was cute though, but Joscelin is always cute. Especially when he is shirtless in the middle of a muddy river. And Imriel, that little devil, was just amplifying his cuteness. But really, Phèdre is one of my least favourite MCs ever. She's a well developed character, but, ugh, untolerable. It was easier to ignore when she was sorrounded by interesting characters, but in this book it became the big, pink elephant in the room.
I'll try to read Imriel's trilogy. Not just because if I don't Lys will skin me alive of course. Imri is so cute.
Not sure if I'll rate it a four yet. Probably.
Mixed feelings everywhere! Dart is still my favourite of the trilogy.
Carey can write, that much is obvious, and her world is complex and extremely fascinating, but...Phèdre's voice bothers me. I didn't dislike it at first, even though I liked all the secondary characters more than her, but after three books I've grown tired of her.
She's just too perfect. And she reminds you of that in Every. Single. Page. That is my problem. I know that these things are parts of her character and her culture too, but while I used to be able to tolerate it, even if I never understood that, now I can't. It has become redundant, repetitive. I can't help but think that Kushiel's Dart was much better than this one is. Even book 2, for all its angst, was slightly better in my opinion, because Melisande stole the show.
Plot wise I liked this conclusion. It brings this story arc to a fitting end, giving answers to the question that had been left unanswered, and the plot itself interwines with the subplots almost perfectly. When it comes to the structure of the book itself I have no complaints. And it helps that the characters have indeed grown and matured. Yet I struggled with Phèdre's narration this time around, more than ever. Repeating things about her role and praising herself over and over: that was painful to read. And no, it did not bring me pleasure.
I liked the romance, but I did not love it. That is probably due to the fact that I don't understand Phèdre, I guess, I do not know. Hyacinthe made the choice for her in the end, otherwise what would have she done?
I like Joscelin (who doesn't?) but sometimes his relationship with Phèdre seemed a bit off to me. I loved the fact that they grew as a couple throughout the series, by learning to accept each other's flaws and personality, but I wish Carey didn't show us only that part, but the happier moments too.
The fish scene was cute though, but Joscelin is always cute. Especially when he is shirtless in the middle of a muddy river. And Imriel, that little devil, was just amplifying his cuteness. But really, Phèdre is one of my least favourite MCs ever. She's a well developed character, but, ugh, untolerable. It was easier to ignore when she was sorrounded by interesting characters, but in this book it became the big, pink elephant in the room.
I'll try to read Imriel's trilogy. Not just because if I don't Lys will skin me alive of course. Imri is so cute.
January 19, 2021
What a breathtaking book to end an absolutely wonderful series. I am so, so, so happy I found this series. My life would be poorer without these 3 books.
And yes, I cried.
Favourite quote:
"We speak of stories ending, when in truth it is we who end. The stories go on and on.”
And yes, I cried.
Favourite quote:
"We speak of stories ending, when in truth it is we who end. The stories go on and on.”
September 10, 2023
All the stars
February 3, 2021
Who would have thought that after 2600 pages, this series would finally get to me? But “I know this to be true”: There were definitively 5 stars sections in Kushiel's Avatar the final book of Phèdre's Trilogy . The writing was much improved: less sex and a clear red thread – oh and how I loved how The author really understands how relationships work and did this very well! She also went to some very dark places in this book, hard to bear, but overall, it was well done.
“Tis a dangerous force, this love.”
But alas, there were also these endless filler-pages, naming countless peers, their clothes and alliances that I mostly skimmed. So, I remain torn. Despite myself I started to fall in love with these characters and especially Imri about whom the next series is about. In the end, I decided to not continue, I can already guess the next happenings and while I’m sure, that the author will move me with her words, she just uses too many of them – unnecessarily in my opinion. Still, I think I will look back fondly on these books and how the concept of love might be stronger than any magic. Overall, 3.5 stars, rounded up! Mayhap, I can start again during retirement, at one point in life there should be more time, no?
“Tis a dangerous force, this love.”
But alas, there were also these endless filler-pages, naming countless peers, their clothes and alliances that I mostly skimmed. So, I remain torn. Despite myself I started to fall in love with these characters and especially Imri about whom the next series is about. In the end, I decided to not continue, I can already guess the next happenings and while I’m sure, that the author will move me with her words, she just uses too many of them – unnecessarily in my opinion. Still, I think I will look back fondly on these books and how the concept of love might be stronger than any magic. Overall, 3.5 stars, rounded up! Mayhap, I can start again during retirement, at one point in life there should be more time, no?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews