Product Description

From Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of Kushiel's Scion, comes the second adventure in the Imriel trilogy.
Imriel de la Courcel's blood parents are history's most reviled traitors, while his adoptive parents, Phèdre and Joscelin, are Terre d'Ange's greatest champions. Stolen, tortured, and enslaved as a young boy, Imriel is now a Prince of the Blood, third in line for the throne in a land that revels in beauty, art, and desire.
After a year abroad to study at university, Imriel returns from his adventures a little older and somewhat wiser. But perhaps not wise enough. What was once a mere spark of interest between himself and his cousin Sidonie now ignites into a white-hot blaze. But from commoner to peer, the whole realm would recoil from any alliance between Sidonie, heir to the throne, and Imriel, who bears the stigma of his mother's misdeeds and betrayals. Praying that their passion will peak and fade, Imriel and Sidonie embark on an intense, secret affair.
Blessed Elua founded Terre d'Ange and bestowed one simple precept to guide his people: Love as thou wilt. When duty calls, Imriel honors his role as a member of the royal family by leaving to marry a lovely, if merely sweet, Alban princess. By choosing duty over love, Imriel and Sidonie may have unwittingly trespassed against Elua's law. But when dark powers in Alba, who fear an invasion by Terre d'Ange, seek to use the lovers' passion to bind Imriel, the gods themselves take notice.
Before the end, Kushiel's justice will be felt in heaven and on earth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34032 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 912 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Carey's fifth book in her Kushiel's Legacy series, volume two of her Imriel fantasy trilogy (after 2006's Kushiel's Scion), is a moody tale of violence and divided loyalties. Phèdre nó Delaunay, the sexually adventurous heroine of the first trilogy, has become a placid foster mother to Prince Imriel, son of the unseen traitor Melisande Shahrizai. Carey's infamous explicit sex scenes now portray Imriel's illicit and often violent affair with Sidonie, daughter of Queen Ysandre. Their romance is frustrated by Imriel's obligation to marry Dorelei, an Alban princess, and beget future rulers of Alba. When Dorelei and her unborn son are betrayed and Imriel is badly wounded, he finds himself torn between his vow to avenge his wife and child and his desire to seek solace in Sidonie's arms. His inner conflicts are ameliorated by religious faith, a change from previous books that may please some readers and dismay others. Imriel serves well as protagonist, however, and events are clearly building to what promises to be a spectacular climax in the sixth volume. Author tour. (June)
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From Booklist
*Starred Review* Prince Imriel de la Courcel's parents were infamous traitors, and he was stolen and tortured as a child. Rescued and raised by Terre d'Ange's champions, Phedre and Joscelin, he's now third in line for the throne. He and the dauphine, Sidonie, have always been mutually cool, and then, when Sidonie is 16 and Imriel a little older, they suddenly see one another with new eyes. Both know that neither queen nor realm would approve their marriage, so Imriel agrees to wed Dorelei, the daughter of the Cruarch, to reinforce Terre d'Ange's alliance with Alba. But Alba's elders have foreseen what Imriel portends. Using his passion for Sidonie to bind him magically, they try to force him out. His sense of duty is strong, however, and surprisingly, he falls in love with Alba and with Dorelei. Treason and magic make murderous bedfellows, and when a shape-changing magician-bear savages nearly nine-months-pregnant Dorelei, Imriel swears vengeance—a vow that could kill him as well as his quarry. Carey brings Alba vividly alive again in another stunner in the Kushiel series. A multilayered plot and Imriel's complex inner life as he struggles with pain and loss in the present while trying to make peace with the past hook the reader but good. Luedtke, Paula
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Jacqueline Carey's previous publications include various short stories, essays, a nonfiction book Angels: Celestial Spirits in Legend and Art, as well as the nationally bestselling Kushiel's Legacy series.

Customer Reviews

A Return to Love
Following Kushiel's Scion, this book is a return to what made Jacqueline Carey's work so intriguing. It's actually possible to have skipped the events of Kushiel's Scion to read this book if you understand the precedent that was set up by the original trilogy, particularly the lines of the D'Angeline and Alban thrones.

On the one hand, it's a refreshing change to have Imriel as the protagonist. While "Scion" was meant to reorient the reader into his personality and life, it was, alas, boring. He does not have the same magnetism as Phedre and I sensed a slight difficulty to write as the opposite gender. Imriel has been established as not being "Phedre Jr.", but it is only in "Justice" that he makes his mark on what kind of man he actually becomes. This book also sets him out on a quest which sends him into completely new territory and follows up a small loose end from Phedre's journeys. While interesting to see new parts of this fantasy world interpreted in Ms. Carey's unique way, they are outshadowed by the reason for the journey itself, in a far different way than has ever been presented by Ms. Carey, at least in the first person.

Readers who expect to see a lot of Phedre and Joscelin in this book will be sorely disappointed. While present, they are secondary players and their involvement is clearly only to support -- but this is exactly what a reader should expect given the focus on Imriel and the way in which they have raised him so far. What readers will see is more insight into the dealings of the D'Angeline and Alban courts. While Phedre had a privileged view of the court given her social standing, Imriel has had court intrigue thrust upon him.

And here is where the key difference in this book of the series lies. For the first time, we see Imriel involved in a relationship which involves true emotion rather than lust. Oh yes, there is lust, but I have always found that Ms. Carey's writing is far more involving when there is love at stake. This was made even more clear by the dearth of any such emotion in "Scion". The real kicker to this particular twist is that it also involves the D'Angeline beliefs about the nature of love that eventually sets up the major events in this book.

Readers who do not want spoilers but at least want to be prepared for what's in store should remember the precept of Blessed Elua: Love as thou wilt. And it is the return to this simple statement, which lies at the core of this fantasy world that has me giving this novel 5 stars. It isn't flawless but it made me remember what makes Ms. Carey's work so memorable.

Stunning
"Kushiel's Justice" is a sprawling adventure that begins where "Kushiel's Scion" left off. Not only does it surpass "Scion", but it is right up there on par with the earlier "Kushiel" novels.

Imriel has arrived home from his adventures in Tiberium and Lucca, and has finally read his mother's letters. The content of those letters only increases his tumultuous emotions, as Imriel continues to try to do the right thing, and to be good, in the hopes of making up for his mother's treachery. With his decision to wed the Cruarch's niece and secure Terre d'Ange's place in Alba's line of succession, he seems set on this path.

But neither he nor Sidonie reckoned on their explosive connection, as the two begin an illicit affair that, if discovered, could split the realm asunder. But they are young and unsure, and both hope fervently that their feelings will fade. And so Imriel goes forth to marry his Alban bride, Dorelei mab Breidaia, and forge a life as an Alban prince. There, he is caught in a web of Alban magic, as the country's oldest inhabitants struggle to discern the shifting future.

After a startling twist halfway through the book, Imriel's life is shattered and he embarks upon a mission of vengeance that takes him into unknown lands. That journey tests him and changes him in ways he could never have expected.

Words cannot adequately describe the beauty and mastery of "Kushiel's Justice". The story unravels and weaves and unravels again in breathtaking succession, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. The power of Carey's descriptive prose is on display here, as she sets up new lands and new characters and guides us expertly through their histories and motivations. I loved the many intricacies in the plot, the way certain things tied together, and the way so many unexpected obstacles prove that such journeys are never easy. Imriel learns this, too, as even the man against whom he has sworn vengeance shows him that even an idea as righteous as justice or an emotion as clear as hatred is not always so simple.

During the course this book, we see Imriel at his best and at his worst. We see the nature of the Shahrizai and Courcel blood in him, as well as the influences of Phedre and Joscelin. We see him lose himself and find himself repeatedly, and we see the forging of a powerful young man who has finally come to terms with himself. Other main characters include:

Sidonie, in whom readers finally glimpse the subtle cracks in her cold exterior, the insecurities she has struggled with. There is not as much focus on Sidonie's individual character as there is on her interaction with Imriel, but we still see the strength and intelligence and compassion in the young woman.

Dorelei, who serves to ground Imriel and put things into perspective for him. I really enjoyed the portrayal of her character, and found it to be realistic and refreshing.

Alais, who finally comes into her own in Alba. Like Imriel, she begins learning more about herself and her heritage in "Justice", and an interesting groundwork is laid for her in the next novel.

Urist, the commander of the forces who serve Imriel as Lord of Clunderry in Alba. He's an experienced man who doesn't miss much, and his support of Imriel provides a nice balance during their travels.

Many other characters also make appearances throughout the novel, including: Ysandre and Drustan, and his heir, Talorcan; Eammon and Brigitta, and the Lady Grainne; Hyacinthe and Sibeal and their children; Maslin de Lombelon, with whom there's a surprising and satisfactory twist; and of course Phedre and Joscelin, who, despite their comparatively small roles, prove to readers that at heart, they are who they've always been.

I simply do not have enough good things to say about "Kushiel Justice". My only criticism pertains to certain repetitive phrases in the writing, which at times did become a little annoying, but in most places were easily overlooked. If the upcoming "Kushiel's Mercy" is anywhere near as good as this book, Carey will have ended her second "Kushiel" trilogy by setting a standard that few authors today can meet.

Imriel's really grown up
From the beginning (of the previous volume, Kushiel's Scion) Imriel was a rather dislikable adolescent lacking Phedre's warmth, compassion, and dazzling heroism. He appeared a moody teenager, reckless and rude. His treacherous mother bequeathed him a violent side and scores of enemies determined to murder him for her crimes. Imriel had to deal with these threats, as well as with the damage done long ago during his capture by a king of great cruelty and evil. Beside Phedre, his heroic and above all loving mother, Imriel seemed childish and aggravating, through crude sex and uncaring violence. Then he grew up.

In book 2, Imriel is far more balanced, accepting of himself and the violence of his birthright. The books all offer incredible description and amazing writing, filed with adventure and wonder: this one is no exception. As always, the historical accuracy is commendable, rich and thrilling.
Imriel is not Phedre, but he slowly grows into responsibility and maturity, turning from an irritating adolescent into an honorable adult. All the beloved characters from previous books return, one way or another. Through everything looms the shadow of Imriel's treacherous mother, Melissande, scheming behind the scenes. A new generation, harboring the grudges and complexities of the previous one has surfaced. The younger princess, Alais, is lively and fun, though she may need to make an uncomfortable political marriage to appease her people. The elder princess, Sidonie, is cold and calculating, yet offers Imriel a perplexing bond. He begins a tumultuous affair with his future queen, the woman to whom he's pledged all his loyalty. But how can he reconcile passion, devotion, and honor, with an arranged marriage awaiting him in Alba?
Imriel starts as a gawky adolescent, intruding into the world Phedre has delighted readers in for three books. However, Imriel has his own unexpected journey to make, with action as thrilling and compelling as any of Phedre's journeys. How he follows his journey from childhood to maturity will, in the end, enthrall its readers.