Today is the final week of our readalong of Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey. The schedule and participants are below. Thank you to Susan at Dab of Darkness for being the driving force behind these readalongs and also for this week’s questions. Without further ado, to the Q&A with the customary warning of spoilers and the invitation to join in with the comments.
1) In this section, Imriel had plenty of farewells and also reunions. Which ones did you find the most interesting or touching?
This is definitely a story with a lot of farewells. I think the most touching for me was Imriel returning to Alba and saying farewell to Dorelie. I found it very sad, in fact, I can’t deny I was welling up a little.
2) Maslin decides to stay in Vralia as an ambassador. What do you think of his decision? When Imriel, Phedre, and Joscelin depart, Phedre says something privately to Maslin that causes him to collapse to his knees and weep. What do you think she said?
I think that this is an interesting development and having read a few of Carey’s books now I wonder if this will lead into future storylines – especially now Maslin and Imriel have become friends. Also, I wonder if Maslin finds himself in the position of not wanting to go home. The woman he loved doesn’t love him and whilst he may have come to terms with it it doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to watch Imriel and Sidonie play nice together. This could be his way of accepting things. I also can’t help thinking he wants a bit of an adventure. I’m not sure what Phedre said to Maslin but I’m sure she said something very kind and along the lines of him being a good person and people care about him – I think, a little like Imriel – he’s still coming to terms and trying to accept his past and so having someone like Phedre say something good to him would more than likely make him react in this way. There’s nothing like a dose of sympathy to undo you a little!
3) Imriel & crew make it to Skaldia where they dine with Aldemar and meet some interesting merchants. Do you think the Unseen Guild had a hand in any of Imriel’s recent adventures?
Yes, I think they have undoubtedly had a hand in certain affairs – maybe Alder’s turnaround for example??
4) Finally, Imriel is reunited with Dorolei’s kin. There’s a solemn burial of Berlik’s skull which is followed by a boisterous party. If someone was burying a skull at your feet, which would you prefer – serious ceremony or rowdy affair?
Well, if I was alive I’d absolutely want a rowdy affair, if not then I think everybody should be appropriately serious! Not really, I would prefer everyone to have a good time and a laugh about all the things we’ve done and said together.
5) Sidonie and Imriel are finally together openly. Some still do not approve. What challenges do you foresee for them?
This relationship is always going to suffer in terms of Imriel’s past – for some, it would probably be better that he was an unknown quantity (in terms of lineage) than to be from the family he is from. His mother has undoubtedly sullied his future for him. How can he possibly marry the heir to the throne – most people would assume it’s a snide plot and so many people will still have memories of the Skaldi invasion. It’s a tough one. I think that it’s possible that Ysandre will come upon a political match for Sidonie and put her in a position where she has no choice but to accept for the good of the country? Possibly not, but it seems that would be a plan for her to prevent marriage to Imriel? Failing that, Imril could offer to undertake some sort of ridiculous and difficult challenge in order to prove his worth. Even so, I think that they could sometimes be a little more sensitive. They spent a long time keeping their affairs very private and so I don’t see why they have to be so brazen right after the whole burial of the skull at Lorelei’s feet scene – it just seems a bit disrespectful and I can understand that would upset some people. Come on – you’ve just waited 12 months – either wait another couple of days until you leave Alba or be a bit more secretive about it – after all you’re in a bloody tent – you don’t have 20 inch walls and wooden doors to block out the noise and I’m sure not everyone wants to listen in!
I really enjoyed this instalment and all the Q&A and discussion with everyone and definitely look forward to the next book – I don’t think there’s going to be any plain sailing for Imriel and Sidonie!
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
15 May 2016 
Books and travelling with Lynn 