a trilogy you have to read

[burnie]

i think that every mature reader here should read the kushiel triogy by jacqueline carey if you read this trilogy with an open mind it is actually i think a very thought provoking piece of literature or then again that might just be me missing the real point of the trilogy yet again

 

[Carolyn Hill]

I read Kushiel's Dart when it first came out. The point seems to be that there is pain in pleasure, and there is pleasure in pain.

Normally, this is the sort of book that I would find fascinating: a tortured main character, sacrifice, treachery, sex. But something about it left me unmotivated to buy the second volume. Now that several years have passed, all I remember is that the book seemed overlong.

Are the second and third volumes better than the first, Burnie? (I know you like them all, but which of the three volumes do you like best?)

 

[murphy]

I've read them all and found them fascinating. Don't know whether I'll get the latest Kushiel's Scion or not. I guess I'm kind of burned out on them. However, that is subject to change if my mood changes.

 

[Lirineth]

The same as Burnie I read the 3 books and enjoyed them very much. I found them very easy to read and difficult to put down. I do admit that I am a sucker for happy endings and this trilogy all in all ended well.

There was one thing within the books that I did not quite like, and it was when the author embarked in those long descriptions of battles and escapes. Unfortunately for me as I cannot picture the whole thing going on I tend to get bored, but as I said, overall I did enjoyed them very much

I would like to read the Sudering Trilogy (Book 1 Banewreaker/Book 2 Godslahyer) but I will wait for the third to come out. I am tiered to have to wait for the next book to come out, it really makes me loose interest in the story and of course I kind of forget what was all about. By the way, has anybody read them, any comments or suggestions would be most welcomed.

And as for the last one, Kushiel's Scion, I would like to know if I is a trilogy. If it is, as I said before I will wait for the 3 books to be out.

 

[Somebloke]

I've just finished the first book- Kushiel's dart- and in many ways it reminds me of Robin Hobb's Assasin Trilogy (which was, in my opinion, her finest) with a lot more eroticsm thrown in- not necessarily a bad thing, although it can get a little much at times. I will definately read more of her stuff.

 

[SpaceShip]

Not heard of them. I take it from Somebloke's post that it comes under the heading of Fantasy rather than SF. Could I have a little more info on what the books are about without giving away too much.

 

[Somebloke]

Not heard of them. I take it from Somebloke's post that it comes under the heading of Fantasy rather than SF. Could I have a little more info on what the books are about without giving away too much.

I can only discuss the first book of the series, as it is the only one I have read.

The book covers the early life and adventures of Phedre, a girl who has been touched by the fallen Angel Kushiel to experience pain and pleasure simultaneously. She is raised as both a sacred prostitute and as a spy by the spymaster Delaunay. The setting of the book is Terre D'Ange, a alternate-world version of Rennasaince France set a few centuries after the fall of Rome (Tiberium in this version). There is magic, but it is either out of the sight of men (such as the powers of the Master of the Straits) or rare and feeble (Phedre's "blessing")

Her writing style is articulate and elegant, and she manages to capture the themes of the series in her writings- a sense of elegance, beauty and eroticism, with vivid descriptions and extremely twisted (to the point where I got confused) plotlines. Like I said, if you liked Hobb, and have no sexual hang-ups, then it's a good buy.

 

[SpaceShip]

Hmm - thanks Somebloke.

 

[Somebloke]

No worries- glad to help. I was just so glad to come across some more intelligent fantasy- I tend to be very picky about such things. I'm reading the second one now.

 

[the_faery_queen]

i know a lot of people who really rate them, but i have issues with sexual slavery (even if she did kinda consent) and slavery in general, so i tend to avoid books like that because they make me uncomfortable. *shrug* im a prude, i admit, but when i read for entertainment, i dont' want things to make me feel uncomfy, so while i can handle death and politics and grit and all the things that made the song of ice and fire, i can't handle sexual slavery or sexual violence or sexual degradation in books. (i can cope if it sneaks up on me, that is, i didn't expect it, and it's not too common an occurance, but if a book makes it clear from the start, as this does, that it has that sort of theme in it, i can't read it at all)

so yeah. i know a lot of people who really like them, think they're brilliant, but not for me. just thought i'd share that!