Kushiel’s Mercy by Jacqueline Carey
Kushiel’s Mercy is the final instalment of Imriel’s trilogy and brings to a conclusion the story of Imriel and Sidonie. As we’ve come to expect from Carey Kushiel’s Mercy is packed with great world building, evocative writing and strong story telling.
Imriel and Sidonie have both come to realise that their love cannot be denied, the Gods will not allow it and having announced their love for each other the country is torn between those that remember all too well the atrocities caused by the treachery of Melisande and think that Imriel is foremost his mother’s son and those that want to embrace the romanticism of the pair. Ysandre decrees that should the young lovers pursue their idea of marriage Sidonie will be disinherited and no longer next in line for the throne. The solution, Imriel is to seek out his mother Melisande and return her to Terra D’Ange where she will face execution as a traitor.
I won’t elaborate on the plot too much as there are a few twists here and there and I don’t want to ruin them but the story goes in a completely different direction than I anticipated and rather than centring on the search for Melisande it becomes instead a story of dark magic, a nation ensorcelled and a search for magic talisman’s that will lift the curse.
So, instead, a brief discussion on other feelings that this final book raised for me.
I thought the story was very clever although I was surprised at the level of magic used as it seemed a lot stronger than in previous novels which have barely skimmed the magical pool. I admit that in relation to the actual effects on the people of the City I was dubious and had a number of niggles but setting those aside enabled me to enjoy the plot. It was really interesting to return to Terra D’Ange and see the effects that the magic had wrought on some of our favourite characters! I admit that it was difficult to read in some respects.
In terms of the other characters. We have the introduction of a new pov. Leander is one of Melisande’s spies and winds up becoming a main pov character for a few of the chapters. It was really intriguing to be inside his head particularly given his role (which I will remain mysterious about as it would be a spoiler) but I have to credit Carey here with pulling off a completely different feel of character.
Astegal is the main bad guy of the piece. I found this character a little bit weak if I’m going to be totally honest maybe, that’s just because in terms of being a scheming manipulator he really isn’t a patch on Melisdande. In fact because of the success of the first three books, and in particular the main characters, this series was always, for me, going to struggle a little. That being said though, after a little bit of a shaky start to the series, I did end up finding it very entertaining. Carey is just a wonderful story teller and I think in terms of making this a love story, and more to the point star crossed lovers, it was always going to appeal to some people more than others. Phèdre and Joscelin love each other but the focus of their stories was not the love they had for each other whereas this series centres quite strongly on Imriel and Sidonie and their almost impossible love affair.
I think the side of this story that I enjoyed the most was the meeting between Melisande and Imriel. It felt like I’d been anticipating this for such a long time that I wondered whether Carey would manage to pull the scene off. I think she did. Melisande has got to be one of the best villains around. To be honest I wished that she’d played a bigger role in the story but even as it was I did enjoy this meeting.
The other surprise for me was Barquiel L’Envers and the role that he played in Imriel’s success. It was a pleasant surprise to be honest as he’d always been a little bit like the thorn in the side so it was good to see that he could be convinced of the truth of something.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series. There’s plenty going on and the writing is really good. Did I enjoy it as much as reading about Phèdre and Joscelin adventures, in fairness, no, but I’m glad I read on and I’m looking forward to the next series which I understand jumps us forward considerably and brings a new cast of characters into play.
Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong final week
20 November 2016
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Tags: Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Mercy, Readalong final week
Today is the final week of our readalong for Kushiel’s Mercy by Jacqueline Carey. This week Susan at Dab of Darkness is hosting. Beware of spoilers because they’ll be lurking. Now, over to the Q&A.
Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.6
13 November 2016
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Tags: Imriel's Trilogy #3, Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Mercy, Readalong week 6
Today is week 6 of our readalong for Kushiel’s Mercy by Jacqueline Carey. This week Tethyan Books is hosting. 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.
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)
Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.5
6 November 2016
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Tags: Imriel's Trilogy #3, Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Mercy, Readalong week 5
Today is week 5 of our readalong for Kushiel’s Mercy by Jacqueline Carey. This week I’m hosting. 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.
We had a number of dramatic chases and escapes this week – what really stood out most for you.
The scene on board the ship! I was so confident that they’d made their escape. I know, on reflection, that I was being incredibly naive to think they’d made their escape but I really had relaxed into that frame of mind and then boom, they were being chased with a dramatic entrance into the port aboard a flaming ship. I just didn’t see it coming even though, now I think about it, if they had gotten away it would have been all over and done with much quicker!
Imriel and Sidonie meet with Nicola L’Envers y Aragon who turns into an ally for the two of them arranging for them to gain audience and we once again see Sidonie’s diplomacy skills – how do you think she would compare to Ysandre as a ruler?
I loved that Imriel once again gets to meet Nicola and that he actually has the good grace to apologise to her. It’s not a big issue in terms of the overall story but I liked it and felt it showed a certain maturity in Imriel that he recognised the way he had previously behaved towards her. In terms of Sidonie, I’m always very impressed with her cool and calm demeanour. I liked her reaction to Imriel when he spoke to her about what sort of a ruler she would make – she didn’t seem over anxious to take on the role and I can’t say I blame her. In terms of how she would compare to Ysandre. Well, I like to think that she would do things differently but deep down I’m not sure she would – being a ruler is much more than thinking about your own feelings and I think that Sidonie realises this herself. I’ve not always enjoyed Ysandre’s reactions to things but I think she has a difficult role.
Imriel made a statement this week about once wanting to be a hero but now having changed his mind – and how heroism meant living in terror that you wouldn’t be able to protect those you loved – what do you make of his thinking?
I can’t really blame him for thinking this way given all that he’s gone through. If I’d been through even a quarter of the adventures he’s already experienced I’d probably go into hiding. As it is, well, I think he’s got things a little turned on their head. I think that when you love someone you would always worry about being able to protect them – having children is a perfect example of that, but, the fact that you do love makes you act in unselfish ways – therefore being in love would be more likely to make you rush out and protect someone and therefore be heroic. Being a hero doesn’t seem to me like something you can just set out to do or be.
Euskerri. The plan is to sway the Euskerri (by offering them sovereignty) to side with Aragonia. Do you think the Euskerri are wise to accept or not?
It’s an odd situation. The Euskerri are sat in the middle of this dilemma and can chance the fate of both sides. They could side with either party. As it is they seem to be siding with the underdogs really but I can’t say I blame them. There seems to be less treachery in that route and more likelihood that that will actually be treated honourably with in the end.
Finally, it seems like both Imriel and Sidonie will return to the battlefront – what do you think of the agreement reached? What do you predict going forward?
I can’t say that I liked the deal that was struck – in fact I found it incredibly aggravating. But, in the cold light of day I really can’t say I blame the Euskerri for their decision. After all, Imriel and Sidonie did lead an enemy right to their doorstep – and then what, oh, ‘we’ll just carry on going in that direction while you take all the heat’. No. When it all boils down I really don’t blame the Euskerri. Apart from anything else they don’t really know that Sidonie and Imriel are telling the truth. I admit that it’s annoying – to be so near, and yet so far, from their objectives – and I don’t agree with taking Sidonie back, the Euskerri wouldn’t endanger their own women so I think that’s just wrong. I think that they should just have made Imriel part of the deal to show faith.
In terms of going forward , well there’s clearly going to be a horrible confrontation. Sidonie is, after all, a married woman, perhaps the only way that’s going to alter is if her husband dies?? I don’t know how else this can really end in a good way for Imriel and Sidonie.
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)
Kushiel’s Mercy (Imriel’s Trilogy #3) by Jacqueline Carey readalong week No.4
30 October 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Imriel's Trilogy #3, Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Mercy, readalong week 4

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)