Helpful Score: 3
The conclusion of the stunning "Kushiel" saga. Very sexy, very appealing.
Helpful Score: 3
This books wraps up the part of Kushiel's Legacy which focuses on Phedre Delaunay and easily lives up to the promise of the first two books. The book also introduces Carey's next major character. Parts of this books go even deeper into the line between pleasure and pain than even the other stories, testing the characters' resolve sharply.
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the second was mediocre at best. I had high hopes that Kushiel's Avatar would bring the series back to life ... I was wrong. Carey drowns an interesting plot in a tangled mess of unintelligible politics.
Helpful Score: 1
awesome I have loved this series very hard to put down
Helpful Score: 1
I rarely find a book that makes me care so much about the characters. This book has got me wrapped up in Phedre & Joscelin's story as they search for the Name of God
Helpful Score: 1
Great end to a superior trilogy--the best trilogy of any genre I've read in the last ten years. The characters were so deep, the world they lived in so rich and detailed. I got so immersed in the personas: their hopes, their dreams, their pain and sorrow, their pleasure and happiness. Great cast of characters, great storyline, great villains, fantastic heroes. Phedre is a truly unique and mesmerizing heroine. Thank you so much, Jacqueline Carey!
Helpful Score: 1
This is the third book in the saga. The relationship between Joscelin and Phedre is explored and deepens and Hyacinthe's curse is resolved.
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say about this book and the entire series?
Well, I laughed, I cried, I gasped. This book and the entire series is truly amazing.
Set in an alternate reality, the story of Kushiel's Legacy is mesmerizing and enchanting and thoroughly engages the reader. A truly magical story.
That said, the story is somewhat typical .. but who cares?! I don't. :) The entire Kushiel series should not be missed by any fantasy lover.
Well, I laughed, I cried, I gasped. This book and the entire series is truly amazing.
Set in an alternate reality, the story of Kushiel's Legacy is mesmerizing and enchanting and thoroughly engages the reader. A truly magical story.
That said, the story is somewhat typical .. but who cares?! I don't. :) The entire Kushiel series should not be missed by any fantasy lover.
Helpful Score: 1
Book three in this outstanding series that has it all... great characters that you grow to know well, politics and secret dealings and adult situations that make this series not for thr faint of heart.
The Kushiel series is wonderful!
Vivian L. (samuraibunny) -
As the last book in the trilogy, Kushiel's Avatar starts off with catching you up in the time that's passed, then it jumps right into the meat of the book.
I would say that there are two main plot lines in this book; one is obvious from the get-go, the other one will become obvious after the first few chapters. Surprisingly, it's the latter plot line that takes up the majority of the book. That one is also the more interesting of the two. This book kept me riveted to it for a good week, right before my finals. That should give you an inkling as to how interesting it is.
Joscelin and Phedre have both matured greatly from the previous book to this one, and it really shows in their interactions with each other. Phedre herself points out the differences too, on occasion.
As usual, they go on a journey that spans the very borders of the world, going where few venture. I'd like to mention that time is a very abstract concept in this book. I realize that a journey of such caliber will take a long time, but sometimes it doesn't sink in until the author explicitly mentions how long it's been since they were last in the city (or somewhere).
Kushiel's Avatar provided a fitting ending to Phedre's story, and I look forward to the next book in the series. If you have any doubts whether you should read this book, just read it. It won't disappoint.
I would say that there are two main plot lines in this book; one is obvious from the get-go, the other one will become obvious after the first few chapters. Surprisingly, it's the latter plot line that takes up the majority of the book. That one is also the more interesting of the two. This book kept me riveted to it for a good week, right before my finals. That should give you an inkling as to how interesting it is.
Joscelin and Phedre have both matured greatly from the previous book to this one, and it really shows in their interactions with each other. Phedre herself points out the differences too, on occasion.
As usual, they go on a journey that spans the very borders of the world, going where few venture. I'd like to mention that time is a very abstract concept in this book. I realize that a journey of such caliber will take a long time, but sometimes it doesn't sink in until the author explicitly mentions how long it's been since they were last in the city (or somewhere).
Kushiel's Avatar provided a fitting ending to Phedre's story, and I look forward to the next book in the series. If you have any doubts whether you should read this book, just read it. It won't disappoint.
After finding Book 2 in the series lackluster and even a bit repetitive, I almost didn't read Avatar. I am SO GLAD that I did. I thought Jacqueline Carey went somewhere new with Phedre, not just in her globetrotting but in the development of her character, and the growth of her relationship with Jocelin.
Almost painful to read but the introduction of Imriel and the horrors of what happens to all of them in pursuit of Love is worth the read. My interest in the series was totally re-energized.
Excellent.
4.5 stars
Almost painful to read but the introduction of Imriel and the horrors of what happens to all of them in pursuit of Love is worth the read. My interest in the series was totally re-energized.
Excellent.
4.5 stars
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy, Bk 3) on + 1452 more book reviews
This fantasy at first put me off because of the training details that Phedre receives in order to provide sexual experiences to those who request her favors. However, her life changes when she is becomes a member of the household of Anafiel Delaunay where she must earn her marque, a special artistic tattoo on her back that signifies that she has served her clients well. Phaedre grows to love and respect Delaunay and his other protege, Alcuin, with whom she becomes good friends. However, her closest friend is Hycinthe, who grew up on the streets, and who loves her for who she is as a person rather than the favors she is trained to provide. As the story unfolds one finds begins to identify with Phaedre whose life changes with the political intrigue with which Delaunay is involved. When Delaunay, Alcuin, and the household servants are murdered, Phaedre and her bodyguard, Joscelin, a member of a priest-like group trained in defensive tactics to protect those he serves are kidnapped and sold as slaves to a barbarian tribe that plans to invade the country. Life becomes more and more complex for Phaedre and Joscelin, who in their absence are convicted of the murders. Phaedre finds herself serving the young queen once her father dies and becomes a spy and her representative to help find her fiance and bring him to her for marriage.
The tale is action-packed and fast moving and fascinating. Will Phaedre fall in love with Hycinthe who through his success on the streets becomes known as the Prince of Travelers or will her heart belong to Joscelin who finds himself breaking every vow he made to keep Phaedre safe? Or, is love really in the cards for one such as Phaedre? Will the young queen survive the political chaos that follows her father's death to marry her fiance? One keeps turning the pages to discover the answers to these questions and others. I really enjoyed the book, in spite of its length.
The tale is action-packed and fast moving and fascinating. Will Phaedre fall in love with Hycinthe who through his success on the streets becomes known as the Prince of Travelers or will her heart belong to Joscelin who finds himself breaking every vow he made to keep Phaedre safe? Or, is love really in the cards for one such as Phaedre? Will the young queen survive the political chaos that follows her father's death to marry her fiance? One keeps turning the pages to discover the answers to these questions and others. I really enjoyed the book, in spite of its length.
Bravo! A thrilling end to a wonderful series written by Jacqueline Carey. I was skeptical at first with this series, thinking maybe I'm just reading this book for the sex and nothing else...boy was I wrong! I was ensnared into grandiose tales of intrigue and betrayal ratcheted with unending bouts of courage and love combed into decades of friendship and loyalty that only Carey's writing could inspire. I loved it!
Tasha H. (SenecaWoman) reviewed Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy, Bk 3) on + 133 more book reviews
I loved this series. However I am not going to read them again, so I am willing to part with them.
My mom read this and said it was a great book.
enjoyable - I think it is a good ending to the trilogy and that I will not read the other two I have seen floating around
Hayley M. (Zachaustlily) reviewed Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy, Bk 3) on + 227 more book reviews
Book 3 of the Kushiel books
Phedre no Delaunay is a woman pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has been strange and dangerous, and through it all the devoted sworedsman Joscelin has been at her side. Her very nature is a torturous thing for them both, but he is sworn to her and he has never violated his vow: to serve and protect.
but Phedre's plans put Joscelin's pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. she has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture, a bargain he struck witht he gods-to take Phedre's place as a sacrifice and save a nation. Phedre cannot forgive-herself or the gods. She is determined to seize on last hope to redeem her friend, even if it means her death. THe search will bring Phedre and Joscelin across the world, to distant courts where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world.
And to a power so mithty that none dare speak its name.
Phedre no Delaunay is a woman pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has been strange and dangerous, and through it all the devoted sworedsman Joscelin has been at her side. Her very nature is a torturous thing for them both, but he is sworn to her and he has never violated his vow: to serve and protect.
but Phedre's plans put Joscelin's pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. she has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture, a bargain he struck witht he gods-to take Phedre's place as a sacrifice and save a nation. Phedre cannot forgive-herself or the gods. She is determined to seize on last hope to redeem her friend, even if it means her death. THe search will bring Phedre and Joscelin across the world, to distant courts where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world.
And to a power so mithty that none dare speak its name.
Regarding the trilogy: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and now Kushiel's Avatar, I don't think I've ever been so enveloped in characters, as I have in these particular books. I feel as a reader, you invest so much time getting to know both Phedre and Joscelin, that you don't really want to say good-bye to them.
Terre de Ange has had 10 years of peace; as predicted from the previous book. In those 10 years, Phedre has essentially drown herself with information regarding The Master of the Straits, her dearest friend, Hyacinthe. Information can take one only so far. Phedre is missing a key ingredient in the recipe to free her friend; the Name of God. A name spoken at the beginning of existence and has never been recorded.
to read the rest of my review, please visit :
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/49047564/posts/1095329473
Terre de Ange has had 10 years of peace; as predicted from the previous book. In those 10 years, Phedre has essentially drown herself with information regarding The Master of the Straits, her dearest friend, Hyacinthe. Information can take one only so far. Phedre is missing a key ingredient in the recipe to free her friend; the Name of God. A name spoken at the beginning of existence and has never been recorded.
to read the rest of my review, please visit :
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/49047564/posts/1095329473
Elizabeth O. (ElizabethO) reviewed Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy, Bk 3) on + 32 more book reviews
This is the sequel to Kuthiel's Dart. Apparently Phedre continues to fight to find the way to free her friend Hyacinthe from his indenture. From a friend of mine, it's a good book. I'm still working on the first.
Maragaret (ladystyx) -
I loved this series.
This is the third of a trilogy. I didn't have the first two so didn't read this one.
