I Read Books: Kushiel's Scion

 

Kushiel’s Scion

Imriel is third in line to the throne of Terre D’Ange and the son of the kingdom’s greatest traitor, Melisande Shahrazai. Kidnapped, then rescued and adopted by Phedre and Joscelin (see Kushiel’s Avatar), he grows up in the shadow of his family history.

He wants nothing to do with his mother’s legacy yet it follows him nonetheless. Those with grudges plot against him. Even the queen, his greatest defender, has plans for him. He wants to be a warrior, he wants to learn the arts of covertcy. He was abused and fears his own desires. Yet he makes friends, not least with his cousin Alais, and Eammon of the Dalriada, sent to Phedre for a year’s fostering.

He manages to make his own enemies too, notably Maslin, who in a fit of generosity he gives one of his estates; one Maslin would have inherited if his father had not been a traitor himself. This act of casual generosity feeds Maslin’s ambition, and festers as envy; he comes to court where he joins the guard as a lieutenant, becoming the Dauphine Sidonie’s favourite officer.

Sidonie, Imriel’s cousin, is an enigma to begin with, preternaturally self-controlled. Yet thrown together as they are, they come to an understanding, first Imriel swearing and proving his loyalty, his lack of concern for the throne. Then more, a fascination with each other.

Eventually the story gains some momentum as the Queen and her husband, the Cruarch of Alba (Fantasy England, or rather Celt-land) attempt to resolve questions over succession. Alba is matrilineal so it is the Cruarch’s nephew Talorcan who is his heir, not Sidonie. They plan to marry Alais to Talorcan, and Imriel to Dorelei, Talorcan’s sister, who will be the mother to his heirs.

Yet this is Terre D’Ange, the land founded by Elua, whose commandment was love as thou wilt. They won’t force either of them into this. Imriel wants to be loyal, and dutiful, and good. He takes some time, and travels to Tiberium (Fantasy Rome) to join Eammon in studying at the university.

Phedre’s deceased mentor learned the arts of covertcy while studying in Tiberium. And Imriel’s mother has contacts there. Imriel finds himself caught up in an affair with a senator’s wife, the sister of a fellow student. His lover claims membership of the Unseen Guild, a secret organisation of spies who wish to recruit him. Then her brother agrees to marry the daughter of the prince of the city of Lucca; they travel there for the wedding to discover that it has been attacked by a rival duke, and that an entrance to the underworld has been breached. The student/brother/friend has been haunted by ghosts, now finds himself possessed by his warlord ancestor, just in time for the city to be besieged.

If this sounds complex, it’s less that it’s got more going on than the previous novels in the series and more that there isn’t such a strong throughline on the plot. Imriel tries to figure who he is and what he wants. Which is fine but he either drifts, makes spontaneous choices or finds himself swept up in things he doesn’t really comprehend. The setpiece of the siege is where he finds himself, intervening at several key points; rescuing the heiress to the city while maiming the enemy general, helping his friend who is being possessed, and then, crucially, isn’t possessed when the warlord is needed. After that he acts with decision, plumbing several mysteries and deciding his fate when he returns home. He even comes to terms with his own damaged self, able to use his talents and strengths no matter how distorted.

Read This: Entrancing, occasionally sexy fantasy adventure with some fine setpieces
Don’t Read This: Teenager meanders through fantasy Europe, gets caught up in a siege that’s nothing to do with him