Welcome to week seven 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 Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow is our lovely host.  Before reading further: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 74-82

1. Yevuneh and the other women agree to help Phedre continue on her quest, and though it doesn’t go smoothly, she succeeds in finding the Broken Tablets and the Name of God! What did you think of how this part of the story played out?

I was so happy that the women agreed to help Phedre, I kind of expected that they would because I hoped they’d see the wisdom of it but even so I felt so pleased with their decision.  I did feel disappointed that one of the women had betrayed them, at the end of the day she didn’t just betray Phedre and Joscelin but all the other women who had reached that decision.  In fact I was staggered when that boat appeared on the horizon and then the desperate race to the temple, I really hadn’t seen that coming at all.  It seems that everything, even Imriel’s being amongst the party was necessary though.  Like Phedre said, without the chase she probably wouldn’t have found the island and without Imriel she probably wouldn’t have been admitted to the temple.

2. When the dust settles, Imriel’s position on where he feels he belongs is all the more firm – he wants to be with Phedre and Joscelin, and not with House Courcel. Do you have any thoughts on how things will go for them when they return home?

Well, I can’t claim this as my own idea as it was already raised previously but I think Phedre and Joscelin will seek to keep Imriel at their home – probably by asking for the boon that the Queen already granted Phedre.  Frankly I don’t really see why this would be a problem – I think plenty of kingdoms used to follow a code of placing royal wards in other homes as part of their upbringing so why not place Imriel with Phedre and Joscelin?  It would remove him from all the court intrigue and betrayal for a little while longer at least and the two of them are very conscientious of his safety.  Plus he trusts them now and they’ve developed quite the unit between the three of them.  I think it would be really difficult for Imriel to now be placed in the Court with people who barely know or care about him and who would constantly be looking at him with suspicion.  I think it would really set him back.  Whether Ysandre will see it that way remains to be seen and I can’t help wondering if she will be annoyed with Phedre and Joscelin anyway and therefore disinclined to be agreeable.

3. Among other important changes to their way of life, the possibility of trade between Saba and other nations has opened up in the aftermath of what Phedre has done. This leads her to speculate that the intentions of the gods go far beyond what she was aware. What do you think of that bigger-picture theory? What might it mean for the world in general?

Not really sure to be honest.  It seems like the Gods do want people of other nations to become known to each other.  Of course, as we know from history these alliances don’t always go well and some people are more ambitious than others.  I don’t really know why the Gods would interfere in that respect?

4. We’re heading toward the finale, and hopefully to a resolution regarding Hyacinthe’s fate… Do you have any thoughts about what might happen when Phedre gets back to him?

I really don’t know what to expect.  One part of me just gleefully expects Phedre to roll up and invoke the name of God and release Hyachinthe and they all live happily ever after.  The other part of me thinks that the first part is just being very silly and naive and that if something can go wrong it will.  Perhaps Hyachinthe will have already changed too much.  Perhaps his own feelings on being released have changed.  It’s all so thought provoking but I really don’t have an answer!

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 six 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 reading further: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 62-73

1. We see yet another attempt on Imriel’s life. Any new thoughts?

Well, it appears to be Valere doesn’t it?  My thoughts about it are that seeing the amount of attempts on Imriel’s life in such a short span, and not even subtle attempts, it seems like he’s never going to live an untroubled life!  He’s going to long for his days tending to goats in complete oblivion.

2. Imriel pulls the old switch-a-roo and ends up with Joscelin, Phedre, and Kaneka on their way to Iskandria. Phedre decides to press on rather than turn back. What do you think of her course of action? What do you think of Imriel’s trick? Some seem to be reminded a bit too much of Melisande’s escape from Troyes-le-Mont. What do you think? What do you think of Imriel’s rationale that he is in Hyacinthe’s debt?

In a way it’s not a surprise that Phedre continued on with her journey.  At the back of their minds both Phedre and Joscelin have grown very attached to Imriel and the feeling is returned.  They have a feel of a family unit and more than that they have a level of trust established.  Understandably, Imriel thinks that only Phedre and Joscelin can protect him and I suspect that they’re beginning to entertain similar thoughts.  I think Joscelin made a good point that Imriel’s switch-a-roo ploy may come back to haunt him because people will see Melisande in that simple manoeuvre – I really don’t blame him though and personally I think he would have come to harm on board that ship.  I can also understand Imriel’s thinking, even though it conveniently allows them to continue on with Joscelin and Phedre, that without Hyacinthe Phedre’s search would have foundered.

3. Phedre meets with Pharaoh again…and threatens to tell Ysandre that Pharaoh has been in touch or in league with Melisande should something happen to her or Imriel. What do you think of her move?

Well, she has guts that’s for sure.  At the end of the day she is simply trying to take precautions in whatever way she feels is best – and you can’t really blame her.

4. Kaneka finds some healing with Wali, and Phedre finds her way back from the darkness of Darsanga. Thoughts?

OMG – I had goosebumps.  That is all.  Okay, that is not all.  Phedre and Joscelin finally getting back in touch with each other after all they’ve been through – literally that was one of the most lovely scenes of the series so far.  I agree with Joscelin – he needs to go and catch more fist.  Now, that is all.  Go fish.

5. Phedre et al. journey down the Nahar, through the desert and into Jebe Barkal and Saba. What do you think of these new places and the new characters we meet?

Such an interesting journey.  Yet again Carey manages to bring scenes to life before your eyes.  Everywhere we go is easy to envisage and I just love the extra attention to detail – travelling across the desert you could almost feel the searing heat – I swear that my lips also felt cracked just reading those chapters.  More tea was needed.

6. Phedre meets with the elders of Saba and is disappointed. Then she meets with some of the women. What do you think? Will they help her when the others didn’t?

I think they will.  Hopefully I won’t be proved wrong!  These are the wise women after all – and two things must ye remember about the wise women – 1. they are women; and 2. they are wise!  if they don’t give up the info then henceforth they shall be known as the not-so-wise women and that’ll teach them a lesson!

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 five 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 I’m hosting.  Before moving on: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 50-61

1. There was so much action this week, let’s just take a minute to discuss that – particularly Phedre’s plan for escape.  I realise this isn’t particularly a question but I just found these chapters so edge of the seat that I think we need to take a moment to discuss them and gather all our thoughts.  What stood out for you?  What surprised you?

These chapters were totally crazy – I was so scared that something was going to go wrong with the whole plan!  It was so gripping though – I literally couldn’t put the book down at this point but just felt like I had to read on.  I was surprised that Phedre was the sacrifice.  I’d had it in my mind that Imriel would be the chosen one and that’s why he was being kept innocent but in actual fact it was a love sacrifice that was required.  I didn’t see that coming.  Those scenes – actually starting from when Phedre and Imriel, with a little help, broke out into the garden – were tense, I was convinced that somebody was going to find them out but that was also a turning point for Phedre and a point when others started to finally look at her in a different light and maybe start to believe that she could make a difference.  Then the scene with the hairpin – I didn’t know if Phedre could do it.  I certainly don’t think I would have shed any tears and yet I like that about her.

2. We’ve already had a debate on Imriel’s abduction and who was responsible and why.  What are your thoughts now on the Gods and their motivations?

I always thought that Imriel’s abduction was too many coincidences rolled up into one to be a random act and in that respect was correct.  But I hadn’t realised that really the Gods had chosen Imriel – not as a punishment but more as the only incentive that would have spurred Phedre into action and actually, ultimately, to prevent a far worse evil occurring.  I think what Phedre, Imriel and Joscelin all went through was terrible but without them it would have been far worse.

3. How do you feel about Imriel and also who do you think is trying to assassinate him?  Also, his reaction to his own family history – do you think that Melisande would ever have stood a chance to bend him to her will or not?

I’m not sure how I feel about Imriel just yet.  In one respect he’s been through a helluva lot and managed to hold it together somehow.  I can’t blame him for wanting to cling to Phedre and Joscelin – it seems he’s not safe anywhere else!  I don’t like his whole spitting thing in fact I find it a bit repulsive but again I’m thinking he’s been through such a lot already – and in fact I think that now it’s clear who he is he will go through so much more.  I’m not sure if Melisande could have bent him to her will – being brought up as he has been he doesn’t really have any closeness to her does he? But then again we’re only seeing him now after all his tribulations which he blames Melisande for.  It will be interesting to see if she can turn him around.

4. Phedre and Joscelin – they’ve been through a lot and ultimately it’s taken a toll.  Do you think this is something that they can get past particularly now that Joscelin has been injured – how do you think he will cope with that?

I feel so bad for Joscelin with his injuries and the way it’s affecting him.  I think it will take some time for him to come round to be honest and if he doesn’t recover it’s going to have a massive impact on his whole being as he lives to serve and protect.  I hope they can both pull through – I think they can but they’ll clearly need time.

5. It looks like Phedre’s cause to help Hyacinthe will be restored.  It looks, at least, like she will have unexpected help along the way. What are your predictions in that respect.  

Well, I like to think that Phedre and Joscelin can succeed.  I think that Kaneka joining them will also be really intriguing and I look forward to learning more about her.  She certainly doesn’t mess about.  I loved the way she just jumped into the water to rescue Imriel – such a startling thing to do and not something I saw coming at all.

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 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