Kushiel's Avatar

The best book of the series. I was absolutely hooked for the last 200 pages or so in a way the previous books never quite got. The ending was immensely satisfying.

The sort of wandering from place to place storytelling worked better in this book than in the previous ones, although I am a little suspect with the exoticism of the non-"European" characters. It felt a little African Expeditiony.

The Darsanga chapters were difficult. I'm glad Carey didn't make them too explicit, since the sexual violence is horrifying. Despite that, I think those chapters were particularly important for Phedre - understanding her character vis-a-vis the Makrgir.

The magic elements were also interesting, since they've been hinted at in the previous books but never as explicit. I'm curious what she'll do with them in the Imriel books.

Third book of the same trilogy, is in my opinion the best of the three. Phèdre wants to free a friend from a less-than-ideal situation, and ends up saving a kid who's been kidnapped by some kind of evil sect. It is the most violent book - possibly the most vivid as well, not necessarily in the good sense: a few graphically disturbing (or possibly disturbingly graphic) scenes. Not sure if the book was awesome because or in spite of that.

I couldn't put it down even though I barely cared about the outcome of either major plotline...just a terrific trilogy, from start to finish.