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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
4.5 rounded down. I think I might have enjoyed this one more than the first!
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
Probably because I read this book back to back with the first, I found the frequent reminders of what happened in book one vexing. This book is already shorter than the first, and it would have been notably shorter if those reminders were left out or reduced.
With the knowledge that all the cultures in this story are based off European countries/cultures, I grew kind of concerned with the number of times Phedre refers to certain groups as barbarians or lesser.
The Yeshuites in particular are definitely based off Jewish culture, and it was alarming to see that Yeshuites in Serenissima are not allowed to bear arms and required to wear yellow hats to indicate their heritage.
Along the same lines, Terredarrans (equivalent of the French) being more beautiful, better at bearing arms, and generally considered superior is pretty exhausting, alarming, and boring. There’s an innate sense of superiority that translates to real world countries and cultures that I was able to look past in book 1 because Phedre was so young for much of the book, but the fact that those views haven’t changed sends the wrong message to readers imo.
With the knowledge that all the cultures in this story are based off European countries/cultures, I grew kind of concerned with the number of times Phedre refers to certain groups as barbarians or lesser.
The Yeshuites in particular are definitely based off Jewish culture, and it was alarming to see that Yeshuites in Serenissima are not allowed to bear arms and required to wear yellow hats to indicate their heritage.
Along the same lines, Terredarrans (equivalent of the French) being more beautiful, better at bearing arms, and generally considered superior is pretty exhausting, alarming, and boring. There’s an innate sense of superiority that translates to real world countries and cultures that I was able to look past in book 1 because Phedre was so young for much of the book, but the fact that those views haven’t changed sends the wrong message to readers imo.
The tale of Phedre continues and is even better than the last! Many 'omigod!' moments!
Second book of Phèdre's Trilogy, which happens almost immediately after the first one; I thought it was slightly less good than the first book, but still very nice, and a good transition between tome 1 and 3.
[EDIT] After re-reading: totally deserves the 5th star as well, actually.
Spoiler
Phèdre is living in a nice personal property, and everything's fine. Until she gets a certain package - and has to solve that mystery. At stake: the throne of Terre d'Ange, nothing less.[EDIT] After re-reading: totally deserves the 5th star as well, actually.
Even better than the first, now that all of the world-building is out of the way.
Kushiel's Chosen picks up a bit after when Kushiel's Dart leaves off.
Another book of political and sexual intrigue and a great second novel.
I love how the relationships deepen in this novel - and we finally see the difference between intimacy and relationships.
The wrap up and bringing everything to a climax was a wonderful exercise in storytelling and pacing.
Another book of political and sexual intrigue and a great second novel.
I love how the relationships deepen in this novel - and we finally see the difference between intimacy and relationships.
The wrap up and bringing everything to a climax was a wonderful exercise in storytelling and pacing.
I doubt this technically counts as Virtuous Reading, but since it's been three years since I read the first book in this series, and friends keep raving about it, I figured I should at least try the next one. It was a similar experience to the first--a long hard slog, filled with more characters and intrigues than I can really unravel, until the plot finally starts to unfurl at a decent clip about 100 pages from the end. It's not that I'm opposed to well-written tales of personal and courtly intrigue, but Jacqueline Carey's writing is so florid (and at points, downright archaic) that it slows me down to what I'd consider an unsustainable place. Moreover, while there's so much internecine struggle that I suppose it's necessary, but the first-person narrative forces the reader to wallow in the swells of emotion and mental machinations, adding friction to the intricate gears of the plot mechanism. It'll probably be another couple of years before I force myself through the next installment.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is almost, but not quite as good as the first. I must confess that from the time she gets thrown off the cliff till she reunites with Joscelin I was bored and skimming to just get through it. I think that section could have been shortened considerably as it's really unnecessary. Otherwise it's just as enjoyable as the first.