Welcome to week four of our readalong of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series.  Kushiel’s Avatar is the third in the series and I am loving it so far.  All free to join in, if you’ve already read this then please join in with the comments.  The full schedule is here and this week Susan at Dab of Darkness is our lovely host.  Before moving on: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 38-49 

1) What do you think of Phedre’s dealings with Naamah, Elua, and Kushiel in this section? 

I’m not really sure what to make of it all – other than it really demonstrates that the red mote in Phedre’s eye really is Kushiel’s dart of course!  In one respect I’ve been thinking that I didn’t really understand why Phedre chose this path.  Hyacinth means a lot to her and yet she’s turned aside from her quest to save him to go and look for Imriel and in the process put both herself and Joscelin in danger.  Plus, it feels like she’s put Melisande before Hyacinthe – but at the back of my mind I think there’s something much bigger going on here and it’s not really a question of either Melisande or Hyacinthe but actually something more fundamental about Phedre and her choices now and in the future.

2) We have met the Mahrkagir. Are we dealing with true madness? Does he still know right from wrong? 

I think something is definitely missing in him!  He has shown a slightly different side to Phedre – but it’s still only small change really and I can’t imagine how he’s going to react if he discovers her true purpose here.  I think I’d prefer it if he was totally mad because I’d hate to think he could be so depraved and be sane as well.  I guess part of me hopes that there is still a kernel of goodness in him but then on the other hand I think how could he ever change – or change and then live with himself!  This really is a nasty place – it feels like Phedre has fallen into the pits of hell – in fact not fallen – but walked in there willingly.

3) The zenana is full of interesting new characters. Who has caught your interest so far? What do you think of Phedre’s first encounters with Imriel?

I’m not sure what to make of the characters yet to be honest.   I like the doctor lady (whose name just escapes me – sorry!)  I suppose Phedre’s first encounter with Imriel was what you would expect in a way.  Imriel is not exactly going to welcome her when she’s become the favourite of something so despicable – although it does give them all a bit of a break I suppose.  He’s strong willed which I like about him – especially after his ordeal.  I’m kind of thinking that maybe the Mahrkagir is saving Imriel for a sacrifice and so in that respect is keeping his innocence intact?

4) Phedre has her first night with the Mahrkagir. Thoughts? 

I have to be honest and say I really disliked everything about it.  It’s just nasty.  I don’t know what’s going to happen or how Phedre and Joscelin are ever going to get out of this situation because it really does feel darker than anything they’ve been through before.  I hope that the God’s have given Phedre enough to cope with it all.

5) Who do you think is having a more difficult time, Joscelin or Phedre, and why? 

I think Joscelin.  I know he’s not having to put up with the special attentions of the Mahrkagir, but I kind of still think of Joscelin as a iittle bit innocent – which probably sounds daft given the battles and death they’ve both experienced.  But, there’s something about him that still seems, I don’t know, clean, wholesome, or just good, and it feels like this whole encounter really is just one step too far to him.  To have to stand and observe everything must be like its own kind of torture and it almost feels like he will be a little bit broken after it all.  I hope not.  I know that what we’re reading about Phedre enduring is absolutely awful – but, in a way, I feel like she’s stronger in that respect and will come through it.

The other participants:

1. Susan at Dab of Darkness
2. Allie at Tethyan Books
3. Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
4. Me at Lynn’s Book Blog
5. Emily at Emma Wolf

Welcome to week three of our readalong of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series.  Kushiel’s Avatar is the third in the series and I am loving it so far.  All free to join in, if you’ve already read this then please join in with the comments.  The full schedule is here and this week Emily at Emma Wolf is our lovely host.  Before moving on: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

1. If I recall correctly, this is the first book (and this is the first portion of the book) that takes us outside of (what is now) Europe and into (what is now) the Arab world. What are your thoughts?

I love all the travelling and more to the point the attention to detail that Carey brings in describing a place and bringing it off the page.  She always pays attention to the food and clothing and local traditions.

2. We see the Pharaoh laughing at Phedre, saying that if she had only trusted him, it would have saved them a lot of time. We saw this sort of thing play out before with Kazan and Bariquel. Do you think Phedre should be more trusting or do you think she is right to be so cautious?

I think that Phedre can be quite cautious but in this instance I think she was right to be so.  This is a Pharaoh – you don’t want to go wading in with your big feet and upsetting him do you – anything could happen.  Plus, I don’t think her extra caution caused any real delay to be honest.  And, it definitely gave the Pharaoh a laugh out loud moment and that can’t be a bad thing after all and it served to relieve the tension a little.

3. More of the story of Imriel and the two other kidnapped children unfold. What do you think now? Was Imriel chosen randomly? Is this the gods punishing Melisande or D’Angelines generally?

I really don’t think Imriel was chosen at random, there are simply too many coincidences for me to feel it was just purely accidental.  Plus – if we are to believe that this is part of a punishment from one of the Gods then it definitely can’t be random can it?  Course, I’m happy to be wrong – which is just as well as I frequently am!

4. More on Imriel: we haven’t met him yet, but we’ve heard a lot about him and how he acted in different situations. So far, what do you think of him?

He’s definitely got a little bit of derring-do in him hasn’t he!  Considering the terrifying series of events that have taken place he still has the guts to stick up for himself.  I was very impressed with him and wherever he happens to be right now I hope he’s managing to hold himself together.

5. What are your thoughts on the skotophagotis? Superstition and coincidence or real power?

I’m loving this element to the story.  I think it could be just again a case of coincidence where people’s real fear or terror of the situation causes almost a self fullfilling prophecy type situation.  These skotophasgotis are certainly scary critters though.  It’s like they’ve created a sort of mass hysteria amongst the people.  I guess if one of those stepped in your path you probably would fall over and hurt yourself afterwards because you would be so concerned about something bad happening that you wouldn’t be paying proper attention.

I love the scenes with Joscelin and Phedre – they’re so sort of chilled with each other at the moment.  It made me laugh when Phedre said something like – and I’m not quoting – that she would probably be dead if it wasn’t for Joscelin – and he said yes, if he wasn’t around she’d probably die from melodrama – okay, I’m not getting the quote right at all but it made me laugh.

The other participants:

1. Susan at Dab of Darkness
2. Allie at Tethyan Books
3. Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
4. Me at Lynn’s Book Blog
5. Emily at Emma Wolf

Welcome to week two of our readalong of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series.  Kushiel’s Avatar is the third in the series and I am loving it so far.  So much goodness.  All free to join in, if you’ve already read this then please join in with the comments.  The full schedule is here and this week Allie at Tethyan Books is our lovely host.  Before moving on: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

I must say before I even start that I’m loving this book so far, in fact, at this point it’s almost becoming my favourite.  I don’t know why, whether it just feels easier to read now knowing the characters more, I can’t be sure, but I’m really enjoying the story so far.  Anyway, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 14 – 25

1.  Phedre has been incredibly efficient in finding out what has happened to Imriel.  Do you think it really is as simple as a random act of cruelty?  Is it a punishment from Kushiel, and if so, why were the other two children involved?  

I’m not sure what to make of it at this point.  At first I was tempted to say that it was a random act of cruelty but then part of me also thinks maybe Imriel has been taken deliberately – and the other two were taken as a guise to make it seem like a random act.  Part of me just thinks it’s too much of a coincidence that Imriel – out of all the other goat herders – should be the one taken and also that only Imriel was shipped on.  I think there are just too many coincidences.  Perhaps one of the Gods has equally chosen Imriel for special attention in much the same way that Phedre has been chosen?  It remains to be seen but I’m definitely intrigued.

2.  A lot of justice is meted out (or not) to different people.  Do you think the priests deserve forgiveness for hiding Imriel?  Do you agree with the harsh methods in Amilcar toward the slavers?

The priests – well, I don’t think they’ve done anything worse than the priestesses who are currently providing sanctity to Melisande?  We all know that priests have to be confidential and not divulge things that they hear from their congregation so in much the same way I don’t see why the priests should be punished for taking the boy in and giving him an upbringing – they would hold to the same confidentiality.  Plus it seems like they were being fair in that Imriel truly was being brought up in ignorance of who he was – I hope that’s the case anyway as it could lead to trouble if he inadvertently blurts something out to his captors!  In terms of the slavers I’m not sorry to say that I think they got what they deserved.  I admit that I don’t like torture but I simply don’t think they would have given up the information otherwise.  And, I really, strongly, dislike (despise even) slavers – I know that’s probably a bit strong  – but it really is the way I feel.  In fantasy you tend to read about slavers on occasion and every time I experience the same feeling of horror that you could be taken from your home and then called a slave.  What right do people have to do such a thing – it makes me totally aghast.

3.  Do you think it’s worth it for Phedre to go to Serenissima to get information from Melisande, or would it be better for her to travel with the royal entourage and find her own guide?

I think she should go to Melisande.  You never quite know what to expect from Melisande and even now I’m not sure what tricks she has up her sleeves but on the flip side of the coin Phedre could learn something important or pick up some small clue.  I think it’s highly possible that any guide Melisande provides will already have an agenda and in that respect I think it’s good that Phedre is trying to learn the language – at least that way she might have a surreptitious way of discovering something unbeknown to others.  Plus this way we have two threads – the one following Imriel’s trail and the one seeking the answer to the Hyacinthe puzzle.  It will be interesting to see if they cross paths.

4.  It occurs to me that Joscelin improved the public attitude towards the Cassilines, though he was cast out, and the Prince of Travellers may be having a similar effect for his own people.  In what ways do you think the Tsingani and the prejudice against them might change as a result of recent events?  Do you think Hyacinthe will ever be allowed to go back to them, and if so, should he?

Hopefully some of the prejudices against the Tsingani will be quelled although to be honest I think it’s doubtful.  These prejudices are built up over years and years and whilst one person’s opinion might be changed due to circumstances I think the majority of people will continue with their fear and distrust.  In fairness the Tsingani also have their own fear and loathing of the ‘Gadje’ – although I think they have more reason in that they will have experienced much more prejudice.  I think that putting to bed such deep seated prejudices takes a long time and hopefully small steps such as this help but I also think it takes both parties putting down their baggage and trying.  I’m not sure if Hyacinthe should go back to the Tsingani – it’s never really been his home as it?  He’d be a little like a fish out of water there and I think people would still dislike his use of the dromonde and also would probably be scared of him after his time as Master of the Straits.  I don’t know – I think Hyachinthe’s home will more likely be where his friends and loved ones are.  I wonder what he will make of Sibeal and whether they might have a future together?  He might find it easier to be with somebody he has an affinity with after all.  I hope he finds some measure happiness anyway – more than that I hope he finds a way to still be a part of these stories as I’ve missed his presence.

The other participants:

1. Susan at Dab of Darkness
2. Allie at Tethyan Books
3. Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
4. Me at Lynn’s Book Blog
5. Emily at Emma Wolf