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kimia_hyperfocuser's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Fantasy series usually go downhill. Not this one, though. Carey's fourth book is as good, if not better than the first three.
Imriel's coming of age was such a difficult task and Carey performs brilliantly. He is traumatized and damaged and even though he has a safe home and loving parents now, he has to reckon with all kinds of darkness inside him and out in the world. And Carey takes him through each step so perfectly, with profound understanding of human nature and sadomasochism.
And on top of Imriel growing up, there is the fast-paced mystery plot and political intrigue that's the meat of all the books in this series.
Can't wait for the next book.
Imriel's coming of age was such a difficult task and Carey performs brilliantly. He is traumatized and damaged and even though he has a safe home and loving parents now, he has to reckon with all kinds of darkness inside him and out in the world. And Carey takes him through each step so perfectly, with profound understanding of human nature and sadomasochism.
And on top of Imriel growing up, there is the fast-paced mystery plot and political intrigue that's the meat of all the books in this series.
Can't wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse
sparklingreader's review
3.0
"Kushiel’s Scion" takes the Kushiel's Legacy series in a new direction with Imriel as the new narrator. Carey uses beautiful rich language to impart the young Prince’s insights to the reader.
This is very much a coming-of-age story centering on Imriel. While many of the characters from previous books remain, they are not the focus of the story. Phedra and Joscelin are his adoptive parents and Imri adores them, but finds it difficult to live up to their reputation.
Still scarred by his abduction and subsequent abuse, he finds relationships difficult to understand – and what teenager doesn’t? He is also overshadowed by his mother’s treachery. Because of her history, his loyalties are questioned at every turn. He tries hard to be good and deserving of Phedra’s love and Joscelin’s approval, but counts himself short more often than not. Note for fans of the first books, the sex in this book is toned down considerably from the previous books, in keeping with the discoveries of a boy coming into his manhood.
The second half of "Scion" has Imriel going away to the University of Tiberium, where he ends up stumbling into a large and powerful Guild of spies. He finds himself embroiled in schemes and plots, most of which he wants nothing to do with. In addition to spies and power-brokers, Imri makes friends with students from other countries, forming ties that may come into play in the future. The one thing that seemed out of place was the ending battle. It didn't seem to have much to do with Imriel, more a case of circumstance than design.
While slow at times, Carey’s skill with prose makes certain the book doesn’t become boring. Like any epic book, this one could probably have been cut down, but doing so would have been a loss of information and insight into the character. If you loved Carey’s other books, you will enjoy “Scion” as well.
agenn's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
storykeeper_saga's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zmontybear's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cozy_reading_times's review
4.0
4.5*
My favourite part about this was Joscelin. He is incredible and such a wonderful father figure.
In general, all the callbacks to Phèdre's trilogy were a bliss to read.
But this isn't their story anymore. It's Imriel's. And how I love the main theme of his story: what does it mean to be good?
Especially considering Imriel's history and blood line, this is such an important and interesting question to ask.
Imriel is filled with self-hatred because of the turmoil of dark desires and his childhood trauma and, for the most part, is his own worst enemy.
Otherwise, this is an interesting story, illustrating mostly Imriel's teenage years, from court politics to the countryside surrounding Montrève and to the University of Tiberium.
As I mentioned, I adore Imriel's relationship to Phèdre and Joscelin. It is filled with so much love but by no means simple or easy.
As always, Carey's prose is lyrical and picturesque. One can't help but visualise this entire world in all its colour and atmosphere. Particularly, Tirberium was beautiful to learn about. As well, because Carey as always, has woven real history into her world, from architecture to social structures to politics. The university setting brought us wonderful friendships that felt very real to me as a first year student myself, philosophical discussions, and emotional turbulence.
While I liked exploring Imriel's sexual identity, I didn't really like his choice of lovers in particular so far (to be blunt, he's got bad tatse) and, being me, I'd like him to be a bit more queer (though there are stil chances of embracing the bisexual in himself, and admittedly there are valid reasons - trauma - why he can't yet).
The other aspect where this doesn't quite reach the level of Phèdre's trilogy. It lacks epicness. Phèdre is a hero and has a hero's journey. There is this underdog flair to her and cheering her on whenever she surpasses others' expectations of her. Maybe we'll still get that from Imriel, but so far, I don't see that yet. Again, it's topic actually discusse din the book, there not being any wars anymore and no chance to prove oneself a hero and wether that shouldn't rather be a reason for joy than sadness.
Overall, I don't think we're quite there yet with Imriel, but as with Phèdre, this is only the beginning and flwe're still from the end.
There is a lot of potential in this first book, and I'm excited to read on.
My favourite part about this was Joscelin. He is incredible and such a wonderful father figure.
In general, all the callbacks to Phèdre's trilogy were a bliss to read.
But this isn't their story anymore. It's Imriel's. And how I love the main theme of his story: what does it mean to be good?
Especially considering Imriel's history and blood line, this is such an important and interesting question to ask.
Imriel is filled with self-hatred because of the turmoil of dark desires and his childhood trauma and, for the most part, is his own worst enemy.
Otherwise, this is an interesting story, illustrating mostly Imriel's teenage years, from court politics to the countryside surrounding Montrève and to the University of Tiberium.
As I mentioned, I adore Imriel's relationship to Phèdre and Joscelin. It is filled with so much love but by no means simple or easy.
As always, Carey's prose is lyrical and picturesque. One can't help but visualise this entire world in all its colour and atmosphere. Particularly, Tirberium was beautiful to learn about. As well, because Carey as always, has woven real history into her world, from architecture to social structures to politics. The university setting brought us wonderful friendships that felt very real to me as a first year student myself, philosophical discussions, and emotional turbulence.
While I liked exploring Imriel's sexual identity, I didn't really like his choice of lovers in particular so far (to be blunt, he's got bad tatse) and, being me, I'd like him to be a bit more queer (though there are stil chances of embracing the bisexual in himself, and admittedly there are valid reasons - trauma - why he can't yet).
The other aspect where this doesn't quite reach the level of Phèdre's trilogy. It lacks epicness. Phèdre is a hero and has a hero's journey. There is this underdog flair to her and cheering her on whenever she surpasses others' expectations of her. Maybe we'll still get that from Imriel, but so far, I don't see that yet. Again, it's topic actually discusse din the book, there not being any wars anymore and no chance to prove oneself a hero and wether that shouldn't rather be a reason for joy than sadness.
Overall, I don't think we're quite there yet with Imriel, but as with Phèdre, this is only the beginning and flwe're still from the end.
There is a lot of potential in this first book, and I'm excited to read on.
morganpk7's review
4.0
This book picks up right where Kushiel's Avatar leaves off, and the first half is very similar to Kushiel's Dart, showing Imriel growing up into adulthood. This was my favorite part of the book, probably because characters from the first trilogy - Phedre, Joscelin, Ysandre, etc. - feature prominently, and I was honestly more excited to see how they were doing than to see most of what was going on with Imriel. Imriel does develop into an interesting character and is a good narrator in his own right, however, though he doesn't really live up to Phedre in this respect. Like Kushiel's Dart, the second half of the book is more action oriented, though I didn't feel that this section was as strong as it was in Dart. Overall, a good excuse to return to Terre d'Ange but perhaps not worth reading as an entry point into the series (though maybe without the strong connection to what are fairly minor characters here from the previous trilogy, I would focus on Imriel more?).
loganslovelylibrary's review
5.0
“The situation is what it is; I cannot change the past, any more than you can. You’re carrying around a world of fear. I cannot help you if you refuse to confront it. No one can,” he added, “not family, not Phèdre. You have to face the mirror yourself.”
4.5 rounded up! I really liked this one, I thought it showed Imriel’s teen years very well and we got to see a lot of character growth. I took off half a star because the end with the siege dragged on for a bit too long. Other than that, loved this reread and can’t wait to dive into book 2!
4.5 rounded up! I really liked this one, I thought it showed Imriel’s teen years very well and we got to see a lot of character growth. I took off half a star because the end with the siege dragged on for a bit too long. Other than that, loved this reread and can’t wait to dive into book 2!
lindsey_the_npc's review
5.0
Loved it! Imriel as a narrator is quite a change from Phedre, but I love his internal turmoil and his struggle with his dark side.