With the expectations Kushiel's Dart gave me, I might have been worried that Kushiel's Chosen wouldn't match up. I wasn't, but I wouldn't have needed to be anyway. I loved this book just as much as the first one. Everything I've said about how it's not for everyone still stands (see my
first review), although there was less sex, I think, and perhaps more of the politics. Somehow, this book didn't feel as dense as that one, but there's still a lot of content considering it's the second book of a trilogy, and not a trilogy in itself. I think the feeling of less going on is mostly because there are fewer dramatic changes -- in the first book, there were a lot of milestones, and in this one, maybe not as much. It's still an incredible ride.
The stage is set, in this book, so there isn't such a flurry of characters being thrown at you. The new ones, such as Nicola L'Envers y Aragon and Sevario Stregazza, are quite interesting (not least because of the sex scenes, I have to admit). It's lovely to see how Jacqueline Carey weaves the characters so neatly into the plot -- there are no useless characters. I was sorry not to see anything of Hyacinthe in this book, and I was glad that he wasn't
ignored. Ysandre was one of my favourite characters in the latter part of this book: she's written as such a strong, strong character.
The relationship between Joscelin and Phèdre was more painful than ever in this book, so I was very, very glad of the end. I'm not sure it could have continued as it was without getting needlessly painful and boring. While the new development makes me happy now, I have no doubts that Joscelin and Phèdre will find new ways to hurt my heart -- and that's good. The relationship between Melisande and Phèdre is still wonderfully handled. The thin line between love and hate that lies between them is perfectly walked. The scene where Phèdre smashes her head back against something to distract herself from Melisande's kiss is
amazing.
Plotwise, it was
so good. It seriously surprised me in various places, leaving me to flail and keyboard bash and fangirl at anyone willing to listen. The twists and turns are surprising, and yet brilliantly set up: once it's happened you think, "Oh. Yes. Of course."
There's a lovely conclusion, ending the book with some closure and yet also with threads still waiting to be tied up in the final book of the trilogy. I can't wait. I'm tempted to buy the Imriel books already, but I think I'll wait until they're all out in paperback -- painful as that will be.
I seriously recommend this trilogy, if you don't mind a bit of BDSM sex woven into the plot (you can skip it, after all).