Helpful Score: 4
The world Jacqueline Carey has created with this series continues to have a great deal of beauty and grace about it in this seventh novel. Her characters are still fully-fleshed and wondrous, each one unique and each one worthy. Like the first books in the other two trilogies, this one starts at the beginning of its heroine's tale, and many people may find it slow going at first, for Moirin's journey to her destiny does not really start until she leaves for Ch'in 2/3 of the way through. More than the others, this one feels like the first book in a trilogy, despite its excellent resolution. Nonetheless, Carey remains one of the strongest authors in the fantasy genre today.
I must admit, however, that I begin to suspect she has already created the greatest protagonist she has in her in Phedre. Imriel and Moirin are both beautiful souls, and I follow their journeys breathlessly, continually delighted by their passion, their integrity, and the myriad ways they are nothing at all alike and yet still equally worthwhile as fantasy protagonists. But both fall far, far short of Phedre in one important respect: Phedre, even as a child, was always thinking about her situation and moving in ways to make what she wanted happen. Even when she was an unwitting tool of another character, she was the one performing the actions and in that way always ended up with the upper hand. Both Imriel and Moirin, admirable though they are, are not always the active movers of the plot. Imri is driven by his haunted past; Moirin is driven by her diadh-anam, and while both have plenty of their own will, they spend much of their novels trying to glean what they should do. Phedre always knew what she should do, even though the way to do it might be obscured, for she carried her moral compass within herself rather than looking outward for it.
Perhaps this makes Imri and Moirin more realistic or approachable as characters, but they are not quite so romantically heroic as Phedre was, and that leaves me wanting just the tiniest bit more.
I must admit, however, that I begin to suspect she has already created the greatest protagonist she has in her in Phedre. Imriel and Moirin are both beautiful souls, and I follow their journeys breathlessly, continually delighted by their passion, their integrity, and the myriad ways they are nothing at all alike and yet still equally worthwhile as fantasy protagonists. But both fall far, far short of Phedre in one important respect: Phedre, even as a child, was always thinking about her situation and moving in ways to make what she wanted happen. Even when she was an unwitting tool of another character, she was the one performing the actions and in that way always ended up with the upper hand. Both Imriel and Moirin, admirable though they are, are not always the active movers of the plot. Imri is driven by his haunted past; Moirin is driven by her diadh-anam, and while both have plenty of their own will, they spend much of their novels trying to glean what they should do. Phedre always knew what she should do, even though the way to do it might be obscured, for she carried her moral compass within herself rather than looking outward for it.
Perhaps this makes Imri and Moirin more realistic or approachable as characters, but they are not quite so romantically heroic as Phedre was, and that leaves me wanting just the tiniest bit more.
Helpful Score: 2
Naamah's Kiss returns us to Carey's well thought out fantasy world. Moirin, the daughter of a D'Angeline Priest and a Maghuin Dhonn woman, begins this story in Alba, more than two generations after Prince Imriel slays Berlik.
I found the story to be compelling and captivating and the characters deep and rich. The adventure theme is similar to Phedre and Imri's stories, in that, Moirin has been handed a destiny by the Bear Goddess of the Maghuin Dhonn. The elements of desire, magic and danger are all present as are bloody battles and the ever present egos of the D'Angeline peerage. The erotic scenes in this book tend to lean more to the lesbian side, but there are hetero scenes as well. Overall this is an excellent story and I can't wait to read the next.
I found the story to be compelling and captivating and the characters deep and rich. The adventure theme is similar to Phedre and Imri's stories, in that, Moirin has been handed a destiny by the Bear Goddess of the Maghuin Dhonn. The elements of desire, magic and danger are all present as are bloody battles and the ever present egos of the D'Angeline peerage. The erotic scenes in this book tend to lean more to the lesbian side, but there are hetero scenes as well. Overall this is an excellent story and I can't wait to read the next.
Helpful Score: 2
You don't need to read the other series in order to start at this one, however there are references to what happened in the past which could be spoilers if you're paying close attention to them about what happened in the earlier books. The world building in these books is complex, but the book is written so even if you don't know all the background (such as knowing the complete story of Elua and his companions - which I did not), you can still grasp what's going on. This is a very easily readable book despite it being over 600 pages. The words flow and the language lends itself to just paying attention to the story. Told in the first person point of view, the book is a coming of age tale that's in three parts: Moirin's childhood in Alba, her introduction into society in Terre d'Ange, and her adventures in Ch'in.
Overall: An epic fantasy coming of age tale (at 645 pages-a bigger time commitment than the average book) with a very spiritual and sexual young heroine. If you're a fan of Jacqueline Carey, this book is as strong as her past books, with the same detailed world building and absorbing storytelling. If you DO mind sex in your fantasy, then skip this one. I had only very minor issues (regarding Moirin's Destiny - I'd rather see her chose things for herself than use Destiny, and Moirin's exotic factor, which was much lauded), and found it a good read.
Overall: An epic fantasy coming of age tale (at 645 pages-a bigger time commitment than the average book) with a very spiritual and sexual young heroine. If you're a fan of Jacqueline Carey, this book is as strong as her past books, with the same detailed world building and absorbing storytelling. If you DO mind sex in your fantasy, then skip this one. I had only very minor issues (regarding Moirin's Destiny - I'd rather see her chose things for herself than use Destiny, and Moirin's exotic factor, which was much lauded), and found it a good read.
