Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Scion

Kushiel's Scion

Jacqueline Carey

Warner, Jun 12, 2006, $26.95

ISBN: 044650002X

When prince of the blood Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel was a child in Terre d'Ange, his parents abandoned him. Pirates abduct him; they sexually abuse the lad in ways that are unmentionable. Life is bleak for the boy until the anguisette Phedre no Delauney and her lover warrior-priest Joscelin adopt Imriel.

Imriel begins to learn to enjoy life, but still suffers nightmares from parental abandonment and the sexual actions of the pirates. However, his mother, demonic Melisande, though confined to a temple or die, has plans for her offspring. She will use him to seize the throne, something she has failed to achieve in the past. When she vanishes those at court assume that her son helped her escape with a plot to take control. Only the letters his mother wrote him that he has not read might offer a clue to where Melisande hides and what she plans to do next. Though he assumes he has no allies except perhaps Phedre and Joscelin and everyone he sees is an enemy, Imriel resolves to protect Queen Ysandre's daughter Sidonie, who he desires.

The first tale in a new trilogy will excite fans as the adventures move to the next generation. The action-packed story line is fast-paced from the moment Melisande escapes as Imriel has to watch his back at all times. He takes over the prime role from Phedre so smoothly long time Kushiel readers will appreciate Jacqueline Carey's conversion while newcomers will not need the previous trilogy to follow Imriel's escapades though they will want to read about Phedre's adventures.

Harriet Klausner