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sigelphoenix at 09:37pm on 24/12/2005 under books
sigelphoenix at 09:37pm on 24/12/2005 under booksI just finished reading Kushiel's Avatar, the final book in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy trilogy, and damn. Damn, damn, damn. I want to write like that -- to have plots of tremendous scope and sensuously evocative imagery and, most of all, to write characters that complex and affecting and memorable. And the romance -- my goodness, a romance that includes actual and believable obstacles, overcome in an actual and believable way? Bestill my heart!
If you haven't read it, do. I own the trilogy, and am happy to lend it out. I don't think there's anyone I know who wouldn't like it -- primarily because the type of fantasy it is (destined/religious quest with a liberal helping of court intrigue) is normally not one I enjoy. It won me over anyway. The basis of the story is a reworked history of Europe (and eventually some of Asia and Africa), such that each nation in Carey's world bears a name, culture, and politics based on actual history. It could've been kitschy, but instead it works well, and I think the European history buffs among my friends would have a good time with it. The main character herself, Phedre, is an adept (prostitute -- think Firefly's Companions) with the divinely granted ability to take pleasure in pain. (At least, that's what the book says -- it also encompasses domination and cruelty. She's really more of a masochist/submissive combination.) This aspect, too, could have been done really poorly, but it isn't. It's not raunchy, not demeaning, not even extraneous to the plot. (A rarity if ever there was one.)
Now I have to recover before I can start a new book. :P But I can rest easy in the knowledge that there's a follow-up book, centering on a secondary character (saying who it is would be a spoiler), coming out in June. Squee. XD
Also, merry early Christmas to everyone who celebrates!
Also, GIP.
Also, I'm legal now. :D When people are back in Seattle, perhaps once the quarter has started, I'd like to do (another) group dinner, this time somewhere I can make use of my twenty-one-ness and legally buy a drink. XD
If you haven't read it, do. I own the trilogy, and am happy to lend it out. I don't think there's anyone I know who wouldn't like it -- primarily because the type of fantasy it is (destined/religious quest with a liberal helping of court intrigue) is normally not one I enjoy. It won me over anyway. The basis of the story is a reworked history of Europe (and eventually some of Asia and Africa), such that each nation in Carey's world bears a name, culture, and politics based on actual history. It could've been kitschy, but instead it works well, and I think the European history buffs among my friends would have a good time with it. The main character herself, Phedre, is an adept (prostitute -- think Firefly's Companions) with the divinely granted ability to take pleasure in pain. (At least, that's what the book says -- it also encompasses domination and cruelty. She's really more of a masochist/submissive combination.) This aspect, too, could have been done really poorly, but it isn't. It's not raunchy, not demeaning, not even extraneous to the plot. (A rarity if ever there was one.)
Now I have to recover before I can start a new book. :P But I can rest easy in the knowledge that there's a follow-up book, centering on a secondary character (saying who it is would be a spoiler), coming out in June. Squee. XD
Also, merry early Christmas to everyone who celebrates!
Also, GIP.
Also, I'm legal now. :D When people are back in Seattle, perhaps once the quarter has started, I'd like to do (another) group dinner, this time somewhere I can make use of my twenty-one-ness and legally buy a drink. XD
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