Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey, readalong week No.2
27 March 2016 
Today is week 2 of our readalong of Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey. The schedule and participants are below. All welcome to join in or to simply jump in with the comments. This week we cover chapters 8-14, and our host is Emily at Emma Wolf. Without further ado, to the questions with the customary warning of spoilers!!
1. There’s some politics, and Imriel learns a little more about the Ephesian ambassador/Unseen Guildsman Diokles Agallon. Does this shed any light on Melisande’s whereabouts or the Guild? Do you have any new guesses?
I confess I really don’t know, I’m sure that Melisande is lurking somewhere and I admit that I was really surprised that Imriel’s wedding went according to plan. I really didn’t see how this would fit in with any plans that Melisande has. It’s going to be intriguing to see what her next move is. She’s certainly never very far away or so it seems.
2. Joscelin tells Imriel to give it a year with Dorelei to see if his feelings for Sidonie (or hers for him) fade. What do you think of this advice? Do you have any thoughts on Imriel’s wedding?
I have mixed feelings I suppose but at the end of the day Imriel had given an undertaking to marry Dorelei and his situation (and hers) it seems to be something that is frequently expected so it’s not totally out of the ordinary. On the other hand it’s a shame that he couldn’t marry for love – but there again if his situation and feelings with Sidonie come to light I really don’t see that going well. On the whole I think it’s not bad advice. It’s a year and in the grand scheme of things it’s not a massive amount of time to spend apart, if their feelings are really true then it won’t harm them but if it’s just a passing fancy then it will slip by unnoticed. I can’t help feeling sorry for Dorelei – perhaps she had somebody at home that she was fond of and has had to give them up. We just don’t know yet. I’m inclined to like her so far. Alise likes her so I’m going with that.
3. We learn a bit more about Alban law and culture. What do you think of the law that imposes more harsher sentences on the wealthy/ruling class? What is more dangerous: armies or books? What do you think about the Maghuin Dhonn?
I don’t really feel immersed enough in their culture yet to really speak with any confidence but that law about harsher sentences on the wealthy was very interesting wasn’t it – particularly as it’s usually the ruling classes making the laws you tend to feel that they’ll go a little easier on themselves. I suppose it’s all about setting an example and not being seen to be lenient on the privileged classes. I’m actually really looking time to spending time in Alba. Armies or books?? Well, I suppose books aren’t really dangerous in themselves but more the feelings they provoke in their readers. A book unread isn’t going to cause much trouble after all then again – neither is an army unless it’s sent to war!! I suppose it’s all about the ‘wielder’ of both. The Maghuin Dhonn – I’m going to sit on the fence for a while with this one although that whole history of feeding their own children to a bear!! Gives me the chills.
4. Dorelei lays some truths on Imriel. How do you like her now? What do you make of the dream she had of Imriel?
I do like her and I’m glad that she stood up for herself and was honest with Imriel. Neither of them went into this marriage in love so it’s good that they’ve agreed to give friendship a chance ‘stop treating me like I’m an actor miscast in your own personal tragedy through no fault of my own’ – ‘That’s well said’ – that little exchange was a real turning point. The dream she recounted – I have a horrible feeling it’s going to relate to Eamonn!!
Here is the schedule:
Week 1: Chpts. 1-7, Mar 20 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
Week 2: Chpts. 8-14, Mar 27 – Hosted by Emma Wolf
Week 3: Chpts. 15-22, Apr 3 – Hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 4: Chpts. 23-29, Apr 10 – Hosted by Tethyan Books
Week 5: Chpts. 30-37, Apr 17 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
Week 6: Chpts. 38-46, Apr 24 – Hosted by Emma Wolf
Week 7: Chpts. 47-56, May 1 – Hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 8: Chpts. 57-65, May 8 – Hosted by Tethyan Books
Week 9: Chpts. 66-END, May 15 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
And here is the current list of participators:
Allie at Tethyan Books
Lynn at Lynn’s Book Blog
Emily at Emma Wolf
Susan at Dab of Darkness
Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Books and travelling with Lynn 
“particularly as it’s usually the ruling classes making the laws you tend to feel that they’ll go a little easier on themselves”
I hadn’t even considered that!
“The Maghuin Dhonn – I’m going to sit on the fence for a while with this one although that whole history of feeding their own children to a bear!! Gives me the chills.”
History was written by the victor. I wonder if that wasn’t a story told by those who had conquered the Maghuin Dhonn to justify their war.
“History was written by the victor. I wonder if that wasn’t a story told by those who had conquered the Maghuin Dhonn to justify their war.”
An excellent point. This is part of this book’s plot that I’m definitely interested to get deeper into, and hopefully from their point of view…
Yes, me as well, I really want to find out more about Alba and particularly the Maghuin Dhonn. I’m kind of hoping that we get to know Dorelei a little better as well and I’m also very curious about what on earth has happened to Eamonn.
Lynn 😀
Yeah, good point about the victor writing history and maybe not always being quite as truthful!
Lynn 😀
A random though inspired by your answer to #2, this really shows how much freedom control over reproduction gives women. Even if Dorelei did have someone else she loved in Alba, she didn’t have the freedom Imriel and Sidonie did to explore it (because of the risk to the succession). We at least know of one person who had been courting her, I think. It will be interesting to see how things go in Alba!
Good point. It will be interesting to see how things go in Alba in fact I’m really looking forward to this aspect of the story and also finding out a little more about the Maghuin Dhonn.
Lynn 😀
At this point, I don’t know if Melisande has any political plans for Imri. She definitely had a hand in Caerdicca Unitas in keeping him alive, but would she interfere in his free choices? Maybe Phedre could say for sure.
I think it is wise that Imri and Sidonie give things a year. And I think that if Imri’s feelings are true, it will feel incredibly long. If he starts settling into his new life and wife, then things might go quicker because he’s having a good time.
Yeah, I was thinking about this – Imriel at least is experiencing something new so even though he is missing Sidonie he’s having an adventure – whereas she’s pretty much stuck at home!
Lynn 😀
So true! Sidonie has to sit at home turning down suitors, bedding Amarante, and trying not to turn into a slosh as she drinks away her sorrow.
Well, maybe it’s just me, but you don’t make her burden sound so bad now….