Very slow start... for the first 200 pages or so, Imriel spends his time moping over his forbidden love and looking for distractions in the Night Court. Once he leaves Terre d'Ange to start a new life, the story picks up and provides Carey's signature mix of heartbreak and adventure. Slightly overwrought (as is her style!) but ultimately satisfying. ( )

Continues in the excellent tradition of the series. Long book that keeps you captivated and has very few extra words. The story is just that big. Even less of Phedre than the last, and still compelling (though I miss her). As with all the books in this series, not for prudes, bible thumpers, or the young. Everyone else should enjoy it. ( )

This is the fifth book in Carey’s “Kushiel” series and also the second book in Imriel's subtrilogy . In an almost unprecedented development, this middle book is actually better than the first. Fantasy fans know what I'm talking about - it's an unwritten rule that the second book of any trilogy is the weakest link. It even held true in Phedre's trilogy . "Kushiel's Chosen", while still fantastic, didn't quite measure up to "Dart" or "Avatar". However, "Justice" takes the bar set by "Kushiel's Scion" and blows it out of the water, if I may mix my metaphors. It is at once darker, more personal, and yes, more erotic than "Scion" - in fact, perhaps more than any other book in the series.

At the beginning of Kushiel's Scion", Imriel was a moody teenager, reckless and rude. His treacherous mother bequeathed him a violent side and scores of enemies are determined to murder him for her crimes. Imriel had to deal with these threats, as well as with the emotional damage done long ago during his capture by a king of great cruelty and evil. During this testing time, and despite his best efforts and intents, Imriel often seemed childish and naïve – and it was not clear that he would live up the example set by his heroic and loving foster parents, Phedre and Joscelin. Then he grew up.

At the start of this book, Imriel is twenty and he has matured into a likeable and honest young man. However, because of his history and the treachery of his parents, many still fear his potential threat to the throne of Terre d’Ange.

Imriel longs to escape from the constant gossip and suspicion of the cloistered and safe court of Terre d’Ange – and from the shadows of his adoptive parents, and his mother, the traitor Melisande. He convinces Phedre and Joscelin to allow him to attend university in Tiberium with just one attendant, the faithful Gilot. Through a series of challenges and disastrous events, here he grows into the man those close to him knew he would become.

When he returns to Terre d’Ange, he is older, wiser, and prepared - he thinks - to finally prove to his enemies that he is not tainted by the treason of his parents. He will cede to pressure to marry Dorelai, a princess of the Cruithne, and provide Alba with a half-d'Angeline heir. This will cement political ties between the two countries and thus secure the inheritance lines of both. Imriel hopes this will establish once and for all his devotion to his country.

But we all know what they say about the best-laid plans.

Before the royal wedding plans are too far advanced, Imriel finds himself head over heels with the last person he ever expected to capture his heart - his first cousin, the Dauphine Sidonie who is heir to the throne of Terre d’Ange. I must admit this was a development that seemed most unlikely when it was first hinted at in "Scion." But Carey makes it clear that everything we've seen of Sidonie to date is her public face and that, in private, she is very far from the cold, spoiled girl she appeared to be. She is highly intelligent and focussed on the responsibilities she bears as the future queen of Terre d’Ange. She is also a practiced voluptuary, schooled in the arts of the bedchamber. Even knowing the risks they take, Sidonie returns Imriel’s affections. That she is only sixteen certainly does not detract from the intensity of the couple's passion, though their knowledge of their own youthful inexperience leads them to doubt the reality of their love. Because of the past, they also know there will be strong opposition to their relationship and they decide to keep their secret until Sidonie comes of age. This delay, they believe, will test the truth of their love. If it survives separation, they will find a way to overcome these challenges and eventually be together.

So, although it breaks their hearts, they choose duty over love. Imriel marries the Cruithne princess, Dorelei, and leaves Sidonie for Alba. Whilst this arranged marriage satisfies the political needs of two nations, it violates Elua's cardinal rule ‘Love as thou wilt’ - which is a huge no-no in Terre d'Ange. Inevitably, this draws the notice of the gods and even Kushiel's Scion is not safe when dark powers take notice of his trespass.

Once in Alba, a power darker and older than even Earth's Eldest Children seeks to control him by using his love for Sidonie against him. Tragedy ensues and Imriel vows vengeance, never realizing how far his vow will take him, nor how much it will cost.

At its essence, this is a book about Imriel's personal journey, rather than the save-the-world plots that characterized Phedre's trilogy. Imriel's quest for vengeance alienates him from the world and from his loved ones, and we accompany him on a complex journey of emotional growth, physical strength, and political maneuvering. Along the way, he faces real challenges and loss, he finds out where he really stands and who his true allies are. He is forced to confront his own worst failings and weaknesses, and realize that he can't blame Melisande for all of them. In fact, irony of ironies, it is in part his mother's tenacity and perseverance that sees him through the worst of his trials.

A sensuous, exciting book, “Kushiel's Justice” offers enticement to turn every page and draws you along in a whirlwind ride to its satisfying conclusion. I'm glad I don't have to wait for the next instalment in this fantastic trilogy. Book 3 is sitting on my nedside table already. ( )

Absolutely beautifully done -- a step up from Scion, in my opinion. Carey has quite solidly found Imriel's voice, as he finds himself and faces heartbreak and almost insurmountable challenges. The themes here are, while less epic than the first trilogy, in some respects getting darker, and more philosophical in nature. Carey's alternate history is absolutely entrancing, every detail well-planned, a delicious blend of historical fact and her imagination -- I can't wait for the next volume! ( )

This is the tamest of the "Kushiel" books that I have read and not my favorite. Rather, this is a coming of age tale for Imriel. No war but there's a hero's quest. There's some D'Angeline sex but for much of the book, Imri's desires are impeded by magic. What fun is that? At least he's no longer obsessed with "being good" thanks to his sojourn in Alba where *a lot* of the story takes place. Alba, by the way, is pretty boring. There's not a lot of action or excitement and no intrigue to be had in "Kushiel's Justice" - lots of time spent doing nothing in Alba or lonely trekking to and in Vralia. Phedre and Joslin make a few bland appearances and their peers seem embarrassing rather than swashbuckling and romantic. I *really* hope the next Kushiel book is more like the others in the series; that Imriel has succeeded in doing whatever he needed to accomplish and we can get on with things! ( )