Kushiel's Scion

Kushiel’s Scion the first book in the Kushiel story told from Imriels point of view. I was really leery when I saw it was written from his perspective as I found him to be rather spoiled and self centered. I was afraid it would be winy and annoying to have it told from his perspective, but I was pleasantly surprised with the way Jaqueline Carey pulled off writing from Imriels perspective.

You learn allot about him and watch him grow into the man he will become throughout the Legacy series. His childhood experiences and the burden he carries from being Melisande Shahrizai son as well as having Kushiel’s blood flowing through his veins all have an affect on how he acts and reacts. Those with Kushiels blood are drawn to S&M one one side or the other. Some like Phedre are pain bearers and others are pain givers.

Imriel must come to grips with his past and his present defeat the spectres of his past and learn to embrace and accept who he is and what it means to be one of Kushiels blood. He is afraid that his past will cause him to use Kushiels gift in a damaging way instead of with compassion as it is intended. Imriel has many experiences, some which shake him to the core and others which make him grow and learn. He leaves to study in another country in hopes that without the spectre of being a prince of the blood and Melisande Shahrizai son hanging over his head he can find peace and learn who he as a person is without all the trappings. He finds out what valor and pain mean in battles and debates. He is drawn into intrigue and learns about sex, pain and love before finding his way back to Terre d’Ange.

I love the way Jaqueline Carey handles S&M and shows how compassion is a great part of S&M. She handles submission and dominance, and the way pain and pleasure can interconnect in a positive and loving way. With Imriel she also has an outlet for the discussion on the misuse of pain. Imriel suffered much at the hands of a tyrant and his minions, as well as at the hands of pirates as a child. So he fears, due to his childhood, he will misuse Kushiels blood in a way that does not do homage to Kushiel and the compassion that should be present.

I am always amazed by the depth Jaqueline Carey brings to her characters. They are never perfect, they make mistakes and must try to make the best of the mess that they themselves have brought about. Her characters are able to admit mistakes are are not rescued by a knight in shining armor, but must find their own way through what life throws at them. Good decisions and bad are handled with equal measure.