Today is week 3 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 this week I am the host.  Without further ado, to the questions with the customary warning of spoilers!

I thought it was curious that Phedre and Joscelin joined the party to Alba – any theories.  Are they about to become involved in something do you think?

It felt a little in the previous book that Phedre and Joscelin had been left behind and Imriel was finally going to take centre stage.  It feels a little bit odd having them both back along – not in a bad way because I love these two characters – but almost like Carey wanted to continue to include them.  I can appreciate that.  At the same time I can’t help wondering if there is a hidden meaning as to why they’re being included – maybe Phedre’s relationship either to Melisande or Hyacinthe is going to be pivotal – or maybe I’m just reading into things too much which is quite possible!

I’m pleased and also curious about the mention of Hyacinthe in these chapters. What sort of role do you see him playing in the rest of this story, if any??

It seems to me that Hyacinthe may play a pivotal role here but almost like he’s reluctant to do so?  I’m not sure why.  Perhaps he doesn’t feel like he should play a central role.  There’s definitely something going on with this aspect of the story but I’m not sure what at the moment.

I’m puzzled with Phedre in these chapters and her sort of inner calm?  She seems to take everything in her stride.  Any thoughts on this?

This question simply came about when the party had made camp and were alerted to strangers riding in.  Everybody jumped to arms and drew swords and Phedre just sat calmly by the fire.  Does she have an inner sense of things now that she knows the name of God?  I am curious if that’s what everyone else was thinking or whether I’m over reading the situation.

And we have a name ‘Morwen’ what does this bring to mind if anything?  Any more thoughts on the stories around the ‘Old Ones’ and the new characters that we have met?

The name Morwen feels familiar but I really don’t know why.  Perhaps it’s just very similar sounding to another name from a story from the past but it somehow feels familiar.  The ‘Old Ones’ sort of remind me of the fae. The way they used to be mentioned in stories, the fact that they disappeared, their shape shifting and other abilities.  Probably a foolish notion but I can’t help it popping into my head.  The other thing that springs to mind of course is Merlin and that whole mythology.

What do you make of Imriel and Dorelei’s relationship and how it’s developing.  Do you see a future for them – one with perhaps a child in it?  And if so, would this change Imriels plans about only spending a year in Alba and then returning to Sidonie?

Well, I don’t think Imriel dislikes Dorelei – at the same time I don’t think he maybe appreciates that the birth control methods of women in Alba may not be quite as stringent as those in his homeland where ‘love as thou wilt’ is the common motto.  I think it’s highly likely that Dorelei will become pregnant and at this moment I have no idea just how that will muddy the waters. I still think Imriel will want to return to Sidonie.

This curse – what do you make of it.  The protections that are now placed on Imriel – how do you see this affecting his relationship with Dorelei?

I think for the moment it will make him feel gloriously free of his previous attractions.  yes, he will be at ease to fall for Dorelei but I wonder how true those feelings will be once the protections are removed.  It feels like the protection will almost be not much better than the curse – which feels a little like voodoo.  It makes me a bit sad for Dorelei really because Imriel may develop feelings for her whilst these protections are in place but I’m not sure how real that feeling will be when they are removed.

The Tiberians  and the Maghuin Dhon – we learn a little more about them and their history.  What did you make of it and the Tiberians?

I think we saw a different side to the Maghuin Dhon and their troubles with the Tiberians.  I’m assuming the Tiberians are the Romans?  They come and conquer but then they also leave if things are proving not as easy as they expected.

Finally, the Lady Grainne has given her terms to Lord Ferghus – what do you predict the outcome to be?

This felt a little bit sad to be honest, like something that Grainne was saying in order to conform to rules about guests in her home. I can see why she felt the need to say these things but it felt a little like trying to swat a brick with a feather somehow.  Almost like there was a balance -but it was only a semblance of a balance?  I doubt that her terms will have much effect but I hope I’m wrong.

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

Today is week 1 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 1-7 and our host is Susan from Dab of Darkness.

1) Imriel wraps up some left over business – meeting with Bernadette de Trevalion. What do you think of the way Imriel handled the meeting? Will the peace hold? 

I think Imriel handled the meeting really well to be honest.  It would have been easy to go down a different route and I’m not sure I could have been as calm in his place but I like his attempt at keeping the peace.  I hope Bernadette stays true to her word, she did seem genuinely surprised by some of Imriel’s revelations.

2) Imriel first hears of the Bear People or Bear Witches from Alise and later a little more from the Alban honor guards who attend the Bard, and still a bit more from Phedre. Simply a spooky story or more to it? Does the tale remind you of any myth or legend? 

I don’t know what to make of the tale to be honest.  It sounds like something that maybe has an element of truth to it but has grown into something more – as these myths and legends do.  A bit like Chinese whispers.

3) Mavros accompanies Imriel on their visit to Bryony House, where Imriel wins them tokens for the Longest Night. What did you think of how Imriel won the bet? Mavros shares a bit of wisdom later, pointing out that Imriel isn’t really enjoying sampling all the Night Court Houses before his wedding and that it is somewhat of an injustice to Naamah. Do you think Mavros is right? 

The tokens – interesting that Imriel could use his bad memories in that way and curious that he was so keen to win the bet that he would do so.  Maybe an indication of the fact that he’s really moving on.  I think Imriel is bored by the Night Court Houses and there’s nothing wrong with that in my opinion.  It doesn’t seem to be what he really wants does it and it feels like he’s just going along with things for the sake of it.  I think Imriel has changed and wants more.  He has this desire for Sidonie at the moment and maybe everything else pales in comparison.

4) In this section, Imriel visits Kushiel’s Temple and then later Naamah’s Temple, wishing to atone in both for various slights and actions. Which would you find more cathartic? Do you think Imriel has a deeper understanding of himself, and perhaps Phedre, now? 

For me, no, I don’t think Imriel has a deeper understand than Phedre – everything she did felt very natural whereas Imriel feels as though he’s floundering around a little trying to find his own route and struggling to do so.  He’s only young though and has plenty of time to find out what he’s comfortable with.

5) Finally, we have the Longest Night. What stood out the most for you? If you could join Imriel’s little group, what philosopher would you choose to dress as? 

I think the liaison with Sidonie and Imriel stood out the most in this Longest Night.  Their actions seemed a little crazy like they both just gave in to their own desire regardless of the eyes upon them!  I don’t know who I’d dress as to be honest.  When I think of philosophers I tend to think of the Ancient Greeks so I guess I’d have a nice easy costume – a toga!

The details, schedule and other participants outlined below.  Please feel free to join in with the fun.

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