[hawkwind]

I am more of a lurker on this forum than a contributer but I can't help post this after reading Kushiel's Justice, Carey's latest in the Kushiel Series. First of all let me say that I am a guy and am not terribly interested in Romance novels, actually I am not interested in romance novels whatsoever. The Kushiel series are definitely romance novels but they are also so much more. The heart of each novel is based around love. The plot, the characters, everything is based around love in all its varied ways. Although that is the core of all her stories its how she surrounds this core that truly make her a great writer and storyteller.

The world that she builds is based on our current geography. For example, Italy is Cardicci, Alba is England, Skaldia are the Scandanavian countries, Terre D'Ange is Spain/France and so on. Alot of writers I have read have used the same type of world building but not to the effect of Carey. She does it in such a way that you are at once familiar with the different peoples because they share the same geography of our world but yet there is a newness to them that makes them a little different.

There is not alot of magic in her books. I would have to say that there is probably more magic in her latest book than the other four combined. The magic is also alot more subtle and not so much in your face as for example an Erikson book. She doesn't have the usual good versus bad. None of the characters in her books are so one sided as to say they are the good guys and they are the bad guys. There is good and bad to every character and she explores both sides. There is probably only one exception to that in the ruler of Darsanga. But this is only a small part of one of her novels.

Her writing is what I would consider beautiful. I am not sure if I ever equated beautiful to any other Fantasy writers. But it is the only adjective I can come up with. For you guys out there who have dismissed these books because you heard that they are basically romance then you are missing out on one of the best fantasy authors out there. And yes every book in the series did make me cry at some point.

I have also read her Banewreaker series as well and loved it. Once again she does not have the evil versus good. Almost everybody is a grey character. There is always evil in the good as there is good in the evil. And she does it masterfully.

There never seems to be any filler in her books. I never came across any chapters that I thought she could have left out like the whole second last book from Jordan. Everything flows smoothly and everything she writes adds to the plot or characters. And for someone who puts 700+ pages per book that is saying something.

Anyways, I am not very good at putting my thoughts to words so I don't know if this post will make anybody go out and buy her books but you should anyways. You won't be disappointed. I think Carey is on her way to being a master in the Fantasy genre. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any book she puts out.

[thrinidir]

I've got her books lying on my shelf and waiting to be read...any such earnest opinion puts it higher on my priority list; jacqueline must have really moved you to open a new thread in her name (although I'm expecting Rob's reply with links redirecting to older relevant threads covering your topic at lenght at any moment now) and us being readers as you are know how rare this happens...what can i say? i'm glad for you and hopefully she can move me the same way as it did you.

p.s. my one hundereth post! *yaaay*

[Rob B]

Anyways, I am not very good at putting my thoughts to words
You sure could have fooled me!

I really enjoyed The Sundering duology and really think Tor messed up in splitting the book. It would have been much more effective to read the story as a single volume, rather than a year apart. Granted, readers can do that now since the two books are published.

As for the Kushiel novels, Kushiel's Dart was a very captivating read, then the second half of the book came and all dramatic tension was gone. One of the supporting (Jocelyn) was a whiny, annoying character who only became more annoying as the story progressed and drove me away from the book. However, Carey's prose was very good.

All that said, I may very well return to the books and give them a second try.

[ravenlynne]

I read the first three a while back...have the rest on my tbr list...will get to them eventually...

[Tony Williams]

Yes, the Kushiel series is good. But readers of a prudish nature should beware :eek:

[intensityxx]

The gremlins ate my reply, so briefly...

Thank you for your enthusiastic comments, hawkwind. Your exuberance is contagious. Now I want to take Kushiel #2 off my shelf and read it sooner.

(It's also nice to be reminded that men with your sensibilities do exist.)

[hawkwind]

As for the Kushiel novels, Kushiel's Dart was a very captivating read, then the second half of the book came and all dramatic tension was gone. One of the supporting (Jocelyn) was a whiny, annoying character who only became more annoying as the story progressed and drove me away from the book. However, Carey's prose was very good.

All that said, I may very well return to the books and give them a second try.

I can understand what you said about Jocelyn although I didn't think it was that bad. But I think you will find him much different in the next books. His character has grown as much as Phedre's character has. Also alot more adventuring in the next books.

[Snow]

I just finished Kushiel's Scion an hour ago... and I want more.... I hope the paperback of Kushiel's Justice will come out soon (btw, I wasn't able to find a release date of paperback version, does anyone know. I hope it won't be necessary to wait one year?)
I was a little sceptical how would Carey deal with a new point-of-view character, but she did it very well. Yes, book is very slow at the times, but never boring. Carey takes her time, and slowly moves atention from Phedre to Imriel. And I liked that. After finishing Kushiel's Avatar, I wanted more of Phedre, and in the first part of Kushiel's Scion I got it. But during pages it become more and more Imriel's book and his character development is very well made and he is a very interesting hero. As a matter of fact, the whole book is a setting up book, where the main character matures, tries to find his place in a world full of intrigues. Because of this some readers will maybe find a lack of more rapid plot advancement. On the other hand, writing remains very beautiful, new characters are believable and interesting(hot*Claudia*hot... :) ): they all have their good and bad sides. Political intrigues and bed adventures are still here, although latter are not as hot as Phedre's. But Imriel is still young (and learning), so I'll give him some more time... :) But as I said, this is a set up book. A lot of plot threads is established, and I hope that Carey will deal with them successfully in the next two books.
Anyway, I liked Kushiel's Scion, reading is captivating (I went through it -950 pages- in only three reading sessions), and I can say, that I liked Imriel as I liked Phedre. And I will try to be good, and buy next book as soon is possible. :)

And speaking of Kushiel, does anyone know of any good similar fantasy titles?

Question/spoiler:
Oh, and this, I hope that Melisande is not Titus Maximius' wife. It would be too obvious....

[Tony Williams]

I've only read the first Kushiel trilogy, and I must admit I'm reluctant to start on any more. I wasn't so impressed by them that I'm desperate for more, and I have almost invariably been disappointed by series which keep on being extended.

[Kazz Wylde]

From what I've heard, ther is not enough sex in it for me. She should get down & dirtier.