Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Binding: Hardcover
Publication Date: June 2008
Kushiel’s Mercy is the final book of Carey’s Imriel trilogy, in what is know as the Kushiel’s Legacy series. The first book in this series, Kushiel’s Dart (have a look at Trinuviel’s excellent review here), was one of the most impressive débuts I have read. I must admit I have been less enamored with the subsequent novels. While the other books were perhaps not as good as Kushiel’s Dart, they were still thoroughly entertaining. With Kushiel’s Mercy however, the series hits a low. With its heavy reliance on magic to drive the plot and the way the final reckoning between Imriel and his mother plays out, the book was something of a disappointment.
In Terre D’Ange religion is ruled by one commandment only. Elua’s precept: “Love as thou wilt”. Having defied that precept in previous books, much to his shame and regret, Imriel decides to obey the will of the gods. Imriel and his royal cousin Sidonie refuse to hide their affair any longer and announce their intention to marry. The realm fears a ploy of traitorous Melisande’s son to gain the throne. The Queen, fearing for the stability of the country will only allow it if Imriel will make sure his mother finally faces justice. Melisande was sentenced to death in absentia and for decades has managed to evade her punishment. Imriel agrees but there is one problem. Nobody knows where she is hiding.
The world of course, cares little for Terre D’Ange’s dynastic problems. Over the border to the south tension is building between Carthage and Terre D’Ange’s ally Aragonia. An ambitions Carthaginian general by the name of Astegal dreams of a new empire. To achieve these dreams he will need to deal with Terre D’Ange first. When he travels to the city of Elua to pay his respects to the Queen security is tight. A large part of the army, just about every noble in the country and even some elements of the fleet guard the capital when Astegal arrives. He proposes to marry Sidonie and thus forge a new alliance between the two states. A proposal that is completely unacceptable to Terre D’Ange. Astegal accepts this refusal in good grace.
Apart from rich gifts Astegal’s retinue also encompasses a number of Horologists. They have come to treat the city of Elua to a spectacle like the city has never seen before. It is to be conducted during the night of a lunar eclipse that happens to coincide with his visit. Imriel and Sidonie have their reservations but without a good reason there is no way to cancel the show. When the spectacle is about to start Imriel is approached by one of the mysterious guild contacts his mother sent watch over him on several occasions. The man drags Imriel to a secluded spot and stings him with a needle. He looses consciousness and contracts a fever that drives him insane. When he regains his wits a month later the world has changed. Sidonie is married to Astegal and everybody in the city beliefs Carthage is their ally. It is up to Imriel to set matter right. The gods set him a daunting task, and what’s worse, he will need his mother to successfully complete it.
Carey’s story is set in a reflection of Europe I suppose. It is not a regular alternative history, it doesn’t have a point of divergence for instance. Instead Carey has used various European cultures from various ages to build her version of the continent. The British Isles are inhabited by a Celtic derived culture, Germany by a Norse/Germanic one, Italy is divided in city states since the Tiberium empire (Roman empire) collapsed, Imriel previous journey to the east reveals a culture that reminds me of the Kievan Rus period etc. Kushiel’s Dart was geographically limited to Germany, the British Isles and France. In later books Phedre and Imriel visit a lot of Europe and the near east and even venture into Africa. This odd mixture of cultures borrowed from different ages, while intriguing at times, still gives me the impression the world is off balance somehow.
Carthage for instance in clearly based in ancient Carthage. In fact, Astegal shares quite a bit with Hannibal Barca. Apparently Tiberium did not have it’s own Cato the Elder. Same for Egypt, or Menekhet in the books, where a man named Ptolemy is on the throne. It makes me wonder if there was an Alexander to conquer Egypt and create that dynasty. There are an awful lot of historical references in Carey’s books, quite a few of which I no doubt missed. What I did get makes the world a bit of a jumble. It is not so apparent when reading the books that are more geographically contained. In this book Imriel travels quite a bit though, more than enough to notice the jumble.
Apart from history Carey has also borrowed quite heavily from various religions. Quite a lot of it is derived from Judeo-Christian traditions, Kushiel for instance, is one of the seven punishment angels in Jewish folklore. Some of the previous books had quite strong religious themes. Phedre’s motivation to undergo the attentions of her captor in Kushiel’s Avater, probably one of the most horrific scenes (the content, not the writing) in modern fantasy was a bit too much for me. Kushiel’s Mercy is not quite as heavy on religion. Something I quite appreciated.
One thing I absolutely love about this series is the way Carey deals with sexuality (which is not the same as plenty of sex scenes, thank you very much). She manages to write about various sexual preferences without making them sound like perversions. Now that is truly rare even in modern fantasy. Think about how many homosexuals in fantasy you come across, depicted as corrupt older men who fancy little boys. Sure, it is romanticized to a point, without the divine protection of Elua half of Terre D’Ange would have an STD, but it is refreshing nonetheless. Imriel’s struggles with the abuses he’s suffered in Kushiel’s Avatar are part of his character than make him rise above a self-absorbed little boy angry with his mother for abandoning him.
That observation does lead me to what I consider a major flaw in the book though. The final book in Imriel’s trilogy should, I think, have had more of a focus on his relationship with his mother. A woman who has dominated his life without ever being present, who’s actions before he was born set the whole country against him, and who failed to protect him from the slavers that sent him to the worst hell-hole I have read about in modern fantasy. He hates her but at the same time is fascinated by her. The confrontation between them could have been the dramatic high of this novel, of the trilogy even. Carey does not ignore this entirely of course, but unfortunately the theme is all but crushed under the blunt use of magic to addle the wits of an entire city and above all, Imriel’s beloved. The resolution of Imriel’s (and Phedre’s) struggle with Melisande’s shadow is quite a let down. Imriel is apparently too occupied with saving Sidonie and the nation of Terre D’Ange to recognize the significance of the situation. And that really is a shame.
If you liked the earlier Kushiel books you will enjoy reading this one. I very much doubt it will top anyone’s favourite list though. The next Kushiel book, Naamah’s Kiss, scheduled for the June 2009, will be set some generations later. A fresh start may be what the series needs. The road Kushiel’s Mercy takes appears to be a dead end.
