Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.3

Posted On 23 October 2016

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: , , ,

Comments Dropped 4 responses

kushiels-mercyToday is week 3 of our readalong for Kushiel’s Mercy by Jacqueline Carey.  This week, Allie at Emma Wolf is our host.  Anyway, here’s the Goodreads link and also the schedule is below in case you want to join in.  Beware of spoilers because they’ll be lurking.  Now, over to the Q&A.

1. Imriel spends the night at Melisande’s before Solon is to do his spell. Melisande tells Imriel that she would like it if, after all this, he would find it in his heart to come visit her again. Do you think he will? What would that reunion be like?

Yes, I think he will visit her again.  I don’t really know why but I have a feeling that his feelings towards her may be softened somewhat, especially now he’s met her again and heard her talk – not to mention that very frank conversation they had when they looked at each others weaknesses or fault lines.

2. Solon tells Imriel to “put Imriel away” and “make him small…like a tiny, tiny seed.” How much of Imriel remains inside “Leander” once the spell is complete? 

I must confess this part of the story was so strange following in the mind of Leander!  Some of his thoughts don’t exactly portray him in the best light!  But, yes, I do think there is obviously quite a bit of Imriel’s personality shining through.  I think the desire to meet Sidonie and his thinking that he might be falling in lover with her – I think that’s obviously persuaded by Imriel – maybe not directly but I just can’t help feeling that somehow Imriel’s love is determined to come out and this will in some way affect Leander.  After all, even the tiniest seed can grow in the right conditions  – of course that could all be nonsense!

3. Sidonie and Leander/Imriel meet and court again. What do you think of this and the echoes of their past courtship? How much of Imriel does Sidonie actually remember, if anything?

It’s so odd, like I said above – both of them are having their natural feelings, and in the case of Sidonie her memories, surpressed, and yet both of them seem to be drawn to each other inexplicably.  For me there is clearly something about that relationship that wants to shine out in spite of all the magic currently heaped onto them to prevent it.

4. What do you think of Leander/Imriel’s cover story of how he came to be in the service of Solon and sent to Carthage? What do you think of Carthage generally?
Carthage is an intriguing place – Carey is an expert at giving you a feel for a place and infusing it with culture and religion and this is no exception.  I don’t like the slavery and the trips to the market were really unpleasant.  Especially with the young frightened boy!  And then there are the sacrifices to the Gods which was a bit unexpected.
5. We see Sunjata and Bodeshmun, this time through Leander’s eyes. Has your impression changed?
This is a really intriguing aspect to this particular plot.  He clearly has an old relationship with Sunjata that has picked back up and the pair seem to like each other and have a certain degree of trust although whether they could completely trust each other remains to be seen.  Bodeshmun is just a scary character I think – no matter whose eyes are doing the looking!
6. Why did Leander/Imriel choose Kratos, Ghanim, and the brothers? Was it more Imriel or more Leander who did the choosing?
I don’t really know with this one.  My immediate answer would be to think it was Imriel but it could equally have been Leander – especially given his history and the time he’s spent with Melisande.
The Schedule:
Oct.  9th Week 1: Chpts. 1-10 (Hosted by Dab of Darkness)
Oct. 16th Week 2: Chpts. 11-22 (Hosted by Tethyan Books)
Oct. 23rd Week 3: Chpts. 23-35 (Hosted by Emma Wolf)
Oct. 30th Week 4: Chpts. 36-49 (Hosted by Emma Wolf)
Nov. 6th Week 5: Chpts. 50-62 (Hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog)
Nov. 13th Week 6: Chpts. 63-75 (Hosted by Tethyan Books)
Nov. 20th Week 7: Chpts. 76-END (Hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow)

4 Responses to “Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.3”

Comments Feed
  1. emmawolf

    “For me there is clearly something about that relationship that wants to shine out in spite of all the magic currently heaped onto them to prevent it.”

    I agree. And I think that’s the interesting thing about Sidonie. For Imriel, he was made into “a seed.” So he’s still there, and, like you said, seeds grow. For Sidonie, she’s not supposed to remember anything about Imriel–we see that at the hunt. She wants to talk about Alais’s dog, but since Imriel was involved in that story, she just can’t remember it. But she does still remembers Imriel. Like as you describe it, the love and relationship is still there wanting to make itself known.

    Reply
    • @lynnsbooks

      It was so tense this week, I was really anxious -and that was a surprise because for some reason I think I was really under estimating what was going on and thinking it would be easy when in actual fact it’s turning out anything but.
      If nothing else I think it’s really clear that Imriel and Sidonie love each other – even a whole heap of magic can’t hide the fact.
      Lynn 😀

      Reply
  2. nrlymrtl

    Yes, Leander isn’t always my favorite character. Still, it is very interesting to see this whole mess from a different view point, even if that view point isn’t nearly as invested in the fate of Terre D’Ange and the heir apparent as we are.

    Yes, the live sacrifices to Carthage’s gods – that is always a bit blanching! I was glad that incense was an option.

    If Sunjata can’t be trusted, then he has managed to fool both Solon and Melisande.

    Reply
    • @lynnsbooks

      I have to say I found it really disconcerting at first reading from Leander’s POV – it really threw me!
      Lynn 😀

      Reply

Leave a reply to emmawolf Cancel reply