Comments for Ciaralira

Comment on 13 Birthday Presents I Lust After by Sarai

Sarai — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:31:41 +0000

Hey that’s a great idea BOY you sure do have A LOT of ARC’s you want there!!! and a shopping trip to a book store do you like to read?
Good luck I hope you get a few of them *wink* If you tell me what you want for your tat i have a friend that’s an artist he did mine. He might be able to help ya design it! O

Oh and I noticed you didn’t mention a birthday part on the DIK island which sucks b/c you’ll get that from us!!!!

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Ciara

Ciara — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:29:14 +0000

Yes, I meant to clarify that, Nicola. Phedre is not a “whore,” though some of her patrons call her that. She is more like an altar virgin of a greek goddess - having sex is an act of worship. I truly did appreciate the religious aspect of sex in this book. Long have I thought it a shame that something so beautiful has been degraded in christianity to something dirty and shameful. God is love - so sex should be something that brings us closer to Him. I shouldn’t have used “whore” when describing Phedre. She couldn’t have given up worshiping Namaah in her way and stayed true to herself. I appreciate her honor to her vows. I simply meant to say, as a romance reader, that my gut desire would have been for her to marry Josceline and live happily ever after, worshipping only with him. But this isn’t a romance and I’m fully acknowledging my bias.

The violence during sex made me squeamish. I support consenting adults loving in whatever way they choose. Training children to be “whores” sits worse with me. Especially in Valerian House, where children from age 6 are never allowed to feel pleasure without pain, training them to get their pleasure FROM pain. This smacks of child abuse, and is what I was most uncomfortable with in the entire book.

AS for her choice in her partners:

In the cave with J - “I had never, ever, chosen before,” (p 511).
With H - “Seldom enough have I had the luxury of bestowing my gift, Naamah’s art, where I chose. I chose that night, and I do not regret,” (p760).

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Nicola

Nicola — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:03:15 +0000

ps, I actually wouldn’t recommend that you continue with the series. It gets pretty extreme by Phedre’s last book.

And I must need to re-read, because this: “Phedre sleeps with anyone and everyone: man, woman, slave lord, king. Only twice in her life does she ever choose her partner of her own free will” isn’t how I remember it at all. But it’s been awhile since I read “Dart.”

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Nicola

Nicola — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:59:10 +0000

I’m sorry you didn’t like it more, Ciara. I think w/r/t Carey’s world, using the word “whore” is kind of loaded. For me, the best part of the Kushiel universe is that love and sex–any kind of love or sex– are completely disassociated with guilt and shame.

In later books, the “love conquers all” theme becomes more pointed. The notion that love is life’s highest aspiration, if not the actual meaning of life, isn’t incompatible with tradition Judeo-Christian(-Muslim?) beliefs; it’s the inclusion of sexuality in the definition of love that blows peoples’ minds. Personally, I love that … but I’m sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Ana

Ana — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:32:35 +0000

Wonderful review Ciara. You did have a similar reaction to mine. I can not fault the style or the narrative or the amazing worldbuilding. It was just not my type of reading. I still miss Joscelin though, what an amazing hero. I decided not to read any of the others in the series but I made Thea tell me everything that happens to them!

Comment on 13 Birthday Presents I Lust After by Ciara

Ciara — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:36:05 +0000

JULY 15th!!!!!!!!!

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Thea

Thea — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:14:36 +0000

Ciara, beautiful in-depth review! The Kushiel’s Legacy series is definitely one that pushes and challenges, and (as you know ) one that I love with a passion.

“I personally wanted her to give up her whoring ways and live happily ever after with Joscelin. But this isn’t a romance novel.”

You and Ana both! Hee. But, as you say, and as CJ says, this is not a romance novel, and it wouldn’t have been right for Phedre to give up not just what she is, but who she is and settle down. She truly is not just a whore, but a weapon of Kushiel.

And I agree with everything re: Jacqueline Carey’s incredible, lyrical prose, and her setting a new standard for fantasy. Her world building gives the best, biggest names a run for their money.

So does this mean you will be continuing the series??? It only gets better

Comment on 13 Birthday Presents I Lust After by Christine

Christine — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:09:18 +0000

Dude. Very cool.

Comment on 13 Birthday Presents I Lust After by Meljean

Meljean — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:47:29 +0000

What day, exactly?

Comment on Kushiel’s Dart by Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:23:18 +0000

Ciara, what a thoughtful treatment of this book, and I love your call to move out of our comfort zones.

“Who knows? Maybe the next tattoo on Ms. Carey’s fan photo gallery will be yours.”
SNORT.

Yes, she really did set a new standard in fantasy! Asyou know, I’m one who loved the book, though it was jarring, coming to terms with Joscelin having to live with that decision. However, it wouldn’t have felt right to me the other way, either - there’s a way where she’s being true to herself as a whore, I think you are right on the money with that.