Kushiel’s Scion is listed as the fourth book in the Kushiel’s Legacy series, but it is really more like the start of a new trilogy. It takes place some years after the last book and largely features the children of characters of the previous book—though the earlier generation still maintains a strong presence.

The book is written in first person from the point of view of Imriel de la Courcel, a Prince of the Blood and third in line for the throne. His parents were his country’s greatest traitors and his foster parents were the country’s greatest champions. It follows Imriel as he comes of age and tries to deal with both his heritage and the events of the last book (in which he was a significant but relatively minor character).

This book, like the others, is an epic tale. There’s plenty of adventure, war, politics, intrigue and love. Such a grand scale can make things seem rather ridiculous and melodramatic, and I acknowledge that it certainly won’t be for everyone. The author did a good job of hooking me in, however, and taking me on a complete emotional rollarcoaster. It is also rather sexually explicit in places, so again not for everyone.

My biggest concern when I started reading this book was how I was going to keep all the characters straight and whether I was going to remember them from the previous books. That was probably due to the long list of Dramatis Personae at the front. The author did a good job of easing me into it and I had no trouble after all. I didn’t have to refer to the lisitng once, though I’m not sure how a first time reader would go without having read the previous books.

If I could have, I would have read the entire book in a single sitting. It hooked me in and made it hard for me to put down.