Product Description

'I was afraid of the dark tide that stirred in me. I did not want any part of my mother's blood. And yet it called to me.' Imriel de la Courcel, third in line to the throne, was enslaved and tortured as a boy, leaving him scarred and wary of his future. Son of a traitor, Imriel fears the dangerous passions of his bloodline - and his potential for destruction. His beloved stepmother, exotic and lovely, has trained him in the arts of covertcy - espionage skills that will either serve his country well, or draw him into a web of corruption and treachery. Imriel will need all of these resources as he travels, incognito, to escape the demands of court and family ...What he discovers is not freedom, but a city at war, and a political game so deep that he may never escape its net.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86742 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

Review
'A grand adventure'- Locus 'Credible and gripping, this is heroic fantasy at its finest'- Publishers Weekly (starred review) 'Beauty, power, and eroticism firmly rooted in the sacred ... Carey at her intoxicating best' -Booklist (starred review) 'Skillfully rendered, sensual and thoroughly engrossing'- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author
Jacqueline Carey's writing hobby became a career, inspired by six months spent in London working at a bookstore. She has degrees in psychology and English literature.

Customer Reviews

Swashbuckling adventure, romance, political intrigue & world building - an altogether riveting novel!~
"Kushiel's Scion" is the fourth book in Jacqueline Carey's thrilling fantasy series of life in the exotic realm of Terre d'Ange, a world somewhat similar to our Earth, during a period reminiscent of the Renaissance. The preceding "Kushiel's Legacy" trilogy, composed of "Kushiel's Dart," "Kushiel's Chosen," and "Kushiel's Avatar" are all extraordinary novels, and although it is not necessary to have read them in order to enjoy this one, they do provide a fantastic reading experience and a wonderful introduction to Jacqueline Carey's latest protagonist, Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel. "Scion" is also the first novel in a new trilogy which will chronicle the life of de la Courcel, the foster son of Phèdre nó Delaunay, the Comtesse de Montreve, peer of Terre d'Ange, and her consort, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil.

Imriel, a royal prince of the blood, was abandoned in infancy by both of his treasonous parents. Captured in childhood by pirates, the boy spent his youth in slavery, subjected to abominable & depraved torture until he was rescued by Phèdre and Joscelin, who love him as a son. Now, a handsome and accomplished teen, Imriel is experiencing the normal restlessness and insecurities of adolescence, but is additionally burdened by his past experiences. He finds it difficult to live down his mother's, Melisande Shahrizai's, reputation as an arch villainess who would sell her soul and her son, seemingly, for a kingdom and power. When he unwillingly become involved in court intrigue, Imriel decides to study abroad and takes on an anonymous identity to do so.

Much more than a coming of age tale, Ms Carey dramatically and skillfully changes her point of view from the mindset of a mature woman to that of an adolescent boy with an unusual amount of baggage. Unlike most young men of his age, Imriel must struggle with an infamous heritage and nightmarish memories. While this boy-man is not anywhere near as complex a character as the mature woman, Phèdre nó Delaunay, Imriel is no slouch either. He has yet to acquire Phèdre's life experience, and that is what this novel is about - acquiring experience, adventuring and building character. There are enough complexities in this tale to satisfy the most demanding and discerning reader.

The plot and subplots are unique and stunning. The excitement just doesn't stop. Ms. Carey combines swashbuckling adventure, romance, eroticism, political intrigue and world building. Her imaginative use of historic detail, diverse cultures, the creation of many varied characters and their development, make this series so special. A riveting novel - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended
JANA

Just as great as her first series, I can't wait to read the rest.
The first trilogy was brilliant, this first book in the new trilogy is just as good.

This is a brillantly written novel, as are all of Carey's work.
You get the same things you get in the first trilogy, great action, eroticism not just in deed but in thought and enough politics and intrigue to fill Five volumes of a lesser author's work.

There is only one diffrence in this book, and that being the main protagonist is male and not female. I know that Phedre is probably the best female protagonist in the fantsy fiction world, but don't let this put you off, Imriel de la Courcel is just as good.
Read this novel you will not regret it

P.S, After this trilogy has been concluded Carey is said to be writing another trilogy set in the same world just a couple of hundred years in the future.The main protagonist will be FEMALE.

I hope that this review was of some help to you.

Establishing a new era
After a long break between the first series and now, fans have long since anticipated the arrival of the new Jacqueline Carey, however the question that's been bandied about the chat room's is will it live up to the hype as well as their expectations?

Facing this question, and having been a fan of the original series its been not only a long wait but one that made me apprehensive about picking up this first offering as I didn't want the magic of the first series to leave me, yet its something that in much a way that a moth is drawn to flames I found my hand wandering upon its arrival. Finally biting the bullet I picked it up and began. The tale, told from the point of view of the next generation of the original characters has had some significant changes as the magical aspect appears to have been powered down quite a bit which to be honest makes it more interesting to me as I'm a "spirit of man" type of reader. I like it when a character has to slog their way to their goal as opposed to clicking their fingers, that's no adventure plus the struggle allows the reader to see the character develop as well as allowing them to form a closer connection to them which in turn allows greater emotional attachment which builds the anticipation of each twist as you wonder what's going to happen along with how the character is going to escape.

Not quite what fans will have expected but the first offering in a new series is always going to have a hard time but by the end it's clear that Jacqueline has a clear grasp upon the protagonist and will undoubtedly improve in the next instalment. In all a slight disappointment but its solid writing that can only stand the author in good stead for future book's.