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    Naamah's Blessing
    Naamah's Blessing
    Naamah's Blessing
    Audiobook20 hours

    Naamah's Blessing

    Written by Jacqueline Carey

    Narrated by Anne Flosnik

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Returning to Terre d'Ange, Moirin finds the royal family broken. Wracked by unrelenting grief at the loss of his wife, Queen Jehanne, King Daniel is unable to rule. Prince Thierry, leading an expedition to explore the deadly jungles of Terra Nova, is halfway across the world. And three-year-old Desiree is a vision of her mother: tempestuous, intelligent, and fiery, but desperately lonely and a vulnerable pawn in a game of shifting political allegiances.

    As tensions mount, King Daniel asks that Moirin become Desiree's oath-sworn protector. Navigating the intricate political landscape of the Court proves a difficult challenge, and when dire news arrives from overseas, the spirit of Queen Jehanne visits Moirin in a dream and bids her undertake an impossible quest.

    Another specter from the past also haunts Moirin. Travelling with Thierry in the New World is Raphael de Mereliot, her manipulative former lover. Years ago, Raphael forced her to help him summon fallen angels in the hopes of acquiring mystical gifts and knowledge. It was a disastrous effort that nearly killed them, and Moirin must finally bear the costs of those bitter mistakes.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJun 30, 2011
    ISBN9781400183760
    Naamah's Blessing
    Author

    Jacqueline Carey

    New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey was born in 1964. After receiving BA degrees in Psychology and English Literature, she embarked on a writing career. Kushiel’s Avatar is her third fantasy novel, completing the Kushiel’s Legacy trilogy, which also includes Kushiel's Dart and Kushiel's Chosen.

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    Reviews for Naamah's Blessing

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      so glad the trilogy ended on a much happier note and all the characters were settled and no one i cared about died. sigh of relief. and i am glad morin did not sleep around as much since she was married. hmm wondering if she will tell about the fat happy babies in the next book in this world or if she will skip generations again.
    • 5/5
      This is a wonderful trilogy, such long books always risk to be tedious at times, but definitely not the case for Carey's amazing adventure.
      I loved it
    • 5/5
      I love Jacqueline Carey's writing, but have to admit that the previous books of Moirin's trilogy didn't captivate me as much as her previous Terre D'Ange work. But this last installment held everything that first captivated me in Phedre's trilogy. I have only one complaint; ants *shudders*. Why'd it have to be ants?
    • 4/5
      I've very much enjoyed reading this trilogy, and revisiting Terre D'Ange. I don't think these books are as good as the first trilogy, but they were still very good, especially read back to back in a long glut of reading! This third book takes Moirin and Bao to Terra Nova -- essentially, the Aztec nations. A lot of plot threads from the trilogy are tied up here, and no detail seems to have been meaningless.

      I did feel as though Jacqueline Carey wasn't that able to make the reader feel her characters were truly threatened. In the first trilogy, I did, but Moirin easily found help or a way out again and again. And again, most problematically, Moirin gets to meddle with other cultures for her idea of what's best. It leads up to the ending, where Moirin sees all gods as being one in a way -- an idea close to my heart as a Unitarian Universalist -- yes, but it still troubles me.

      The minor characters were, once again, quite well done: I especially enjoyed poor King David, so fatally flawed, and his kindness and sympathy to Moirin; Moirin's father, of course; Balthasar Shahrizai; Jehanne; the Aztec king; Cusi...

      The whole plot with Raphael de Mereliot was well played. Everything ties together quite well.

      With no more books awaiting me, I'll miss Terre D'Ange, but I sort of hope Moirin and Bao are the last word, at least until Jacqueline Carey has some new ideas. I felt that many parts of this and the last book were very reminscent of Kushiel's Avatar.
    • 5/5
      I love Jacqueline Carey. I love Morin's world. I loved Desire and the journey and Alba and so much else. This book was just as good as every other Terre Ange book before it. And I won't even hint at what's in it, because you shouldn't know.

      But I think this is one of the series everyone in the world should read.
    • 4/5
      This was definitely my favorite of the Moirin trilogy. I wasn't looking forward to another far-flung journey, but Carey's description of the beauty and terror of Terra Nova and its people was compelling. I liked the deepening relationship between her and Bao and -- most of all -- the way this book gracefully gathered up some of the elements of previous books and brought them to resolution.
    • 5/5
      Amazing, loved this story so much better than the other two with Moirin. Would love to read more about her adventures staying in Alba, and their family.
    • 4/5
      I'm going to miss this goofy universe. This last installment was a bit more cozy than most of them. Moirin doesn't often have to decide or figure much out on her own. Bao causes absolutely no trouble (to make up for the past, perhaps) and everything comes full circle.
    • 5/5
      The ants! More travels, this time to South America, more love and death and sex and love and choices and sacrifice. Great books.
    • 5/5
      What a truly fitting end. Lovely.
    • 4/5
      While I never quite fell in love with Moiren as much as I did Phedre and Imriel, this book still felt like a very strong finish to the third trilogy. Carey is so skilled at weaving a masterful tale that keeps you invested and eager to read on. She is such a master writer, and her skills are on full display in this installment of the series.I loved that the end came full circle from the start of Moiren's journey. It felt a fitting end to her story.The only thing I didn't love was that I found it to be a bit predictable. From the moment they set sail to find the prince I had a pretty good idea of what was to come in the story. There were certainly some twists and turns that had shock value, but for the most part, I didn't find much in the way of surprises. I also found that Moiren's struggles were a little less overwhelming then Phedre's and Imriels, because Moiren always had her "diadh-anam" guiding her unwavering in this installment. Her choices seemed made for her. While her predecessors in the other trilogies were never led by destiny. It only made her journey seem less exciting in a way. Still, despite that, I did thoroughly enjoy the read, as I have with every single one of Carey's fantasy series. Moiren is a great protagonist in her own right, and her myriad of side characters are great in their own rights. A great read and a great finish to the series.
    • 5/5
      Note: This is the third book in the third trilogy set in the Kushiel’s Legacy series. However, this last trilogy is set a few generations later and stands on it’s own. This book, as the third in this trilogy, works best as the finale to the trilogy.This book opens with Bao and Moirin heading back to Terre D’Ange from the far east. They’ve been on a ship for months and are just coming upon Marsilikos where they learn that Raphael de Mereliot’s sister has passed away. From there, it’s on to Terre D’Ange and the royal court where things are not well on many fronts.King Daniel has been thrown into a deep funk by the death of his second beloved wife, Jehanne. Even though they have a toddler, Daniel can barely stand to spend time with her because she so resembles her deceased mom. Moirin and Bao can see right away that Desiree is suffering from neglect. Meanwhile, Prince Thierry, Desiree’s much older half-brother, went on a trade and exploration voyage to Terra Nova. Word reaches the court that Thierry has disappeared but Moirin is convinced he’s still alive.Leaving the D’Angeline court in a bit of a disarray, Bao and Moirin make their way to Terra Nova on a quest to seek out Thierry and bring him back to set things aright. Of course, it’s not that straight forward. There’s plenty of hazards and Moirin and Bao have their doubts from time to time.Terra Nova adventuring was deadly dangerous, thrilling, and so very well done. There’s human sacrifice, deadly ants, sorcery, Aragonians, native allies and enemies, betrayal, old loves, new friends, and gods that demand to be satisfied. I was impressed with how the blood sacrifices were addressed in this story. Human sacrifice was part of more than one culture in Terra Nova. While this is difficult for Moirin to wrap her mind around, she does try and eventually she and Bao have to make a hard choice on this front.The jungle scene was great too. So many insects, reptiles, and plants! There’s plenty of reasons the Aragonians want a monopoly on trade agreements with the local government. Terra Nova offers not only riches but novelty goods that Aragonia has never seen. However, the Aragonians have not been fully honest with the first Terre D’Ange expedition nor have they treated the local population with respect. Moirin, always the polite young lass, offers much in the way of mutual respect and the Nahuatl king recognizes this.The ants! Oh my! The ants were terrifying. We run into them perhaps half way through the book after the group has survived more than one betrayal along with flooded rivers and illness. Raphael had traveled with Thierry on the first ill-fated expedition and in the heart of the jungle, Moirin and her companions finally come across him. Their joy at finding him alive is short lived as they soon learn the state of things.All of Moirin’s powers are put to use in this tale. Cloaking herself in Twilight serves her well in more than one instance. Then her ability to quicken green growing things saves plenty of people. She also puts her linguistic skills to use as more than one culture makes up this adventure in Terra Nova.One of my favorite scenes is with the Nahuatl King. He offers Moirin vital info and a skilled guide to help track Thierry in exchange for a night with her. He also offers his youngest wife to Bao for one night, claiming that is more than enough honor for any man. Moirin’s counter was awesome. She lays out her own great deeds and skills and declares that one night with her is more than enough honor for any man. It was a great scene.In the end, Bao has to do one last thing to prove himself. There’s some loss in this tale but much happiness. New ties have been made and a strong foundation laid for Moirin’s future. I definitely enjoyed this book a bit more than Book 2, Naamah’s Curse. This was not only a solid, satisfying ending for this trilogy but also for the entire Terre D’Ange Cycle.The Narration: Anne Flosnik brings us home as Moirin in this final book of the series. I think I say this every time, but Flosnik has got some skills on her! Yet more accents are added to her repertoire as we explore Terra Nova. Also, there’s some strong emotions in this book, what with human sacrifice and what not. Flosnik does a great job expressing these often nuanced emotions. Her male voices are believable and all her characters are distinct. A most excellent narration all around.
    • 3/5
      This is a review of the whole series - Naamah's Kiss, Naamah's Curse and this book, Naamah's Blessing. The "Moirin trilogy" set a hundred years after the events of the previous books and features an entirely new protagonist - Moirin mac Fainche of the Maghuin Dhonn, who happens to be half D'Angeline.Jacqueline Carey writes beautifully, I love the lush descriptions of her world, and I was really excited to see more of it - Ch'in, Bhodistan, Vralia, the Tatar steppes - even the New World! I thought the way Raphael ended up using Caim's gift was ingenious. I love her subtle use of words, I love her characters, I love her twist on the "love conquers all" cliché. I can't not enjoy a Kushiel's Legacy book... but these books didn't live up to the previous trilogies. Here's why:MOIRIN'S DIADH-ANAM: As a child of the Maghuin Dhonn, Moirin has a very convenient thing called a diadh-anam. Whenever Moirin has to make a decision, it's simple - she consults her diadh-anam. If it's leaping, she says yes. If it's still, she says no. This always turns out to be the right choice, and this means Moirin never has any internal conflict and turns out to be a Mary Sue. Her diadh-anam even points her to the direction she needs to go in next - it gives the idiom "moral compass" a whole new meaning. Very occasionally, her diadh-anam is silent, but Moirin ends up making the right choice anyway, and it leaps afterwards.BAO: Bao is the worst character. He's absolutely unbelievable. In Naamah's Kiss, he's surly and resentful, although a good fighter and protective of his master. Then after a few months, Moirin realises that he's beautiful? By book 2, he's Moirin's one true love and his character has changed completely - he's now stubborn and confused, trying to figure out his feelings - kind of similar to Joscelin in Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy). In the third book, despite his ordeal at the end of the second, he's suddenly a loving and patient husband - also like Joscelin in Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy) - except he's nowhere as awesome as Joscelin, and suffers by comparision. He should've been his own character - instead it seems like his character serves the plot rather than developing realistically.THE WHITE SAVIOR: Like I said above, Moirin is very much a Mary Sue. Wherever she goes, she ends up finding sympathetic ears and changing the face of the society. In Ch'in, Snow Tiger ends up defying her father (something that never happens) to save the realm. In Vralia, she converts a fundamentalist Yeshuite to see the power of love and inspires him to go preach about it. In Bhodistan, she persuades the Rani to abolish the castle system. In Nauhatl lands, she persuades the emperor to give up human sacrifice. Not only does this reduce the lands she visits into stereotypes, it's just annoying! Phèdre and Imriel manage to save the world multiple times without falling into this trope - Phèdre visits Khebel-im-Akkad without effecting women's emancipation and Menekhet without changing the Hellene perception towards natives. Imriel visits Caerdicci Unitas without changing the stigma against homosexuality. It's made all the more annoying by Moirin's observations about how she's not as good as the legends Imriel and Phèdre.MOIRIN HERSELF: Okay, Moirin is not that bad - she's just bland. She has very little internal conflict because her diadh-anam tells her what to do, she's Naamah and Anael's child, and that makes her desires a lot tamer than Kushiel's chosen, so that part isn't as much fun either. She had a lot of promise when she was a cave dwelling half-wild girl needing to understand D'Angeline society, but she figures that all out really quickly, which is boring. She's just nice and kind and she has a destiny.I still enjoyed the series, and if Carey wrote other books in this world, I'd pre-order them in an heartbeat. But I'd hope fervently they were more like the Phèdre and Imriel series' than this one.
    • 4/5
      I can’t begin to express how much I adore these books. I started with Kushiel’s Dart in about 2007 and have read about one a year until I’ve now finally finished the overall series. These books are so immersive that I like taking my time through them and just enjoying the experience of reading about Phedre, or Imriel, or Moirin. It’s been a long journey with this series and I’m sad to see it end, but this series has been wonderful.This book is the third of Moirin’s trilogy and the 9th of the Kushiel’s universe. Overall, Moirin’s series is a much different flavor from that of Phedre’s or Imriel’s, but this book is the closest to having the fully developed political scheming and intrigues as the first two trilogies. I greatly enjoyed the first two trilogies for including such in-depth political scheming and reading about how religion and relationships all played into how a country is run and how decisions are made.It’s hard to go into depth without revealing spoilers, but this book is generally about tying up loose ends, since it is, after all, the last Terre d’Ange book. Basically, Moirin goes on a jungle adventure to save Jehanne’s daughter from being taken advantage of by people trying to raise their status in the realm, and to save the Courcel family in general. She has to finally face up to her past mistakes and make them right, which allows her to show how much she has grown and learned from her past adventures.One thing that has always impressed me about these books, and continued to impress me in Naamah’s Blessing is just how difficult Carey makes it for her characters — they are not given easy choices to make and are put in just awful situations. The one that hurt me the most, at least, was when Moirin has to choose between remaining faithful to her husband or staying a night with a powerful man in order to move her expedition forward and basically save her country. With the previous books and with the Kushiel series in general, it’s obvious what choice she ends up making, but it’s a rough one and being married to someone I love wholeheartedly, I can’t imagine being in the same situation. (Luckily, we don’t live in a fantasy novel, so I doubt we’ll ever have to worry about that.)I think that this was a fitting end to a wonderful series — loose ends are tied up and everyone seems to be fairly happy for the most part. I like that we’re able to return to Alba with Moirin so we can see her mother again. It really felt like everything came full circle, and while this wasn’t my favorite of the Kushiel trilogies, it was so, so nice to be back in Terre d’Ange one last time. If you like fully developed fantasies, you should try starting with Kushiel’s Dart. These books are long and the first 6 books of the series have a lot more to do with sex and romance, but they are intelligently written and have such wonderful characters to fall in love with.Originally posted on Going on to the Next.
    • 5/5
      This was a great book to finish off the Kushiel saga. It's the type of story where it's 11:00 at night and you know you need to go to sleep, but you finish a chapter and say, "Ok, just one more chapter." And then one more chapter turns into another and another and another. :) I throughly enjoyed every part of the book and stayed up way too late to finish it. The entire series is fantastic and one that can be read over and over again without ever growing old.
    • 4/5
      I relished this, I enjoyed it, I'm a little sorry it's over and I have to let this world go. It's "only" a four star because, well, it's not the moving experience the first thee books in the series were--those made me cry--and more than once. Nothing here put me close to that sort of feeling. I'd also say style-wise, every once in a while I'd find myself irked by Carey's cheesy erotica, her penchant for clunky dialogue tagging, and Moriin's constant exclamations of "sea and sky." But there was much to love here. I love how Carey really played with history here. Yes, it was easy to see some parallels with the world of Phedre of the Kushiel books and our own, but more in the generic high-fantasy way. This goes further with the whole story line of "Terra Nova" and an alternate universe meeting of civilizations that--well, that would be to spoil things. I certainly liked the Naaman trilogy better than the middle trilogy focused on Imriel--and I loved Bao more than any Carey male hero. A lush read and a good wallow for anyone fond of heroic fantasy with a strong female protagonist.
    • 5/5
      I have been all over the world of Terre d'Ange, everywhere, with Imriel, Phedre, and now Moirin. I am sad to see this series end but it was a wonderful journey and this final book does it justice. This book had the same feeling of the first book, Moirin having to step up and do tasks required of her even though she didn't want them. I loved every minute of Moirin's journey.

      I loved that they traveled to the New World in this book, especially middle and South America to meet was are essentially the Mayas and the Aztec (or Inca, I'm not up on my ancient culture). It was intense to learn about the new world to see old and new friends lift up and fall. I was also happy she tied everything up into a pretty bow by the end of the book.

      One thing I wanted to see different was the scene with the ancestors, I wish they would have done something cooler but it was still a pretty epic ending. I am so happy I read these books and Jacqueline Carey always have a place on my favorite authors list.
    • 5/5
      Another excellently written book by Carey. The characters are so well defined and rich, always a a pleasure to read. The ending felt a bit cut short, but still everything got resolved without any loose ends.
    • 5/5
      Wow. *sighs* What a wonderful end to this series! I absolutely loved it. To give you an idea, in my opinion the Phedre trilogy was amazing, Imriel was nice, but nowhere near Phedre, and in the Moirin trilogy I really liked the first book, but was not overly impressed with the second. I even had some doubts about reading Naamah's blessing, because I didn't feel like re-reading nr. 2. I'm very glad I did though. As a character, I still like Phedre better than Moirin, and I like Joscelin better than Bao, but the entire book gets close to the Phedre trilogy for me. And in a way, Moirin is more fallible and less of a hero than Phedre, and that has its charms as well. As for the story, I liked that its number of locations was limited (that is one of my beefs with Naamah's curse, it was all over the place, both figuratively and literally). It was a pleasure to be in the city of Elua again. I don't know how she does it, but even buying a new dress becomes interesting when Jacqueline Carey writes about it. I'm not always a fan of politics in books, but if its d'Angeline politics, bring it on! Then Terra Nova. Lovely described, I think, with respect for the land and cultures. I liked how Moirin found things to love in this strange land, and I liked the way the Aragon quarrel is described. Finally, it was lovely how the book comes back to the storyline in part 1, and how the story about Raphael is continued. And I really liked the ending. It was very fitting, and I loved the message imparted by the Maghuin Donn.I'm almost sorry to see the series end...
    • 4/5
      I didn't like this one quite as much as the previous ones, it's the last in the trilogy and she focuses on tying up the loose ends. The travel also gets compressed, they go to Terra Nova and meet their world's versions of the Aztecs and the Incas, in search of the missing heir to the throne who went off exploring. Lots of parallel story elements from Phedre and Joscelin's search for Imri, and they're referenced explicitly at one point as well, so Carey was well aware of it. It didn't seem like they spent enough time in any one place for us to really get a feel for it.
    • 2/5
      I had a hard time with this third book in the Naamah Trilogy. It seemed so very formulaic to me, and it really dragged. There were times I despaired of finishing, so to help me get through it, I made up the Naamah's Blessing Drinking Game, which I include below. I don't recommend that any reader actually try to play it though, as they would be reeling drunk in next to no time.

      This is my least favorite of Carey's books by about a mile. Excuse me, a league. Moirin is a Mary Sue to end all Mary Sues, and the plot is not particularly satisfying. The big reveal in the jungle made me roll my eyes. The ending was lovely, however. 1.5, on the strength of the ending.

      Naamah's Blessing Drinking Game
      Reader must drink whenever

      Moirin says "the gods use their chosen hard"
      Bao is described as insolent
      Someone notices that Moirin has a way with animals
      Moirin feels her diadh-anam flicker, flare or jump
      Moirin has an idea no one else thought of that saves them from disaster
      The ruler of a country falls in love with Moirin at first sight
      Moirin calls the twilight
      Bao fights a hardened warrior with only his stick and wins decisively
      Moirin inadvertently causes great goodness to happen
      The eye color of Moirin or Phanuel is mentioned (two drinks if rushes or jade are referenced)
      The word destiny is used
      Moirin pulls out her bow and with a well-aimed arrow, saves someone
      Bao's death and resurrection are mentioned
      Someone wildly unlikely asks Moirin for advice and finds it incredibly wise
      Bao talks about the fat babies, round as dumplings that he and Moirin will someday have
      The ruler of a country confides his or her deepest secrets to Moirin
      Moirin refers to the twilight as a cloak
      Tears streak down someone's cheeks
      Moirin and Bao's diadh-anams mingle and merge while Naamah's blessing spreads over them like a blanket
      The ill-fated circle of Shalomon is mentioned
      The ghost of Queen Jehanne comes to Moirin in a dream
      Someone who fails to take Moirin's advice dies
      Someone suddenly begins speaking a new language fluently
      Someone brings up Phedre
      Moirin refers to herself as a half-breed bear witch

    • 4/5
      This is a great conclusion to yet another fantastic trilogy. The heroine did not initially appeal to me, but by now she has thoroughly won me over, and this book once again takes her far far from home. The conclusion is satisfying, the sex is imaginative, and the work Carey has created is engrossing. Recommended for adults.
    • 4/5
      I really like that Carey expanded her world-building so much in this book. From Alba at the beginning, Ch'in and the far East in the middle, and now Terra Nova, it has been a crazy journey for everyone involved. And everything, and I do mean everything, comes full circle in this final installment, with Raphael, Jehanne and her daughter, Bao, and Moirin's own mother. Although Moirin is no Phedre (and I never expected her to be so I've been surprised by other reviews condemning her for that quality), I love the fact that there is so much more magic following her, in nearly all aspects. It took me a while to get through this book because my work got in the way, but I couldn't put it down at the end, and I was smiling when I did.
    • 5/5
      This is the third book in the Naamah series by Jacquelyn Carey. This one begins with Moirin returning to Terre d'Ange and finding the royal family in shambles. Queen Jehanne has died, King Daniel is wracked with grief and unable to rule, Prince Thierry has disappeared to the new world and Desiree is desperately lonely and strives for attention and love. Moirin attempts to solve everyone’s problems, but ends up on a journey to the New World.I highly enjoyed this book. It was much more interesting than the third book and the plot seemed to move rather swiftly. The characters were once again engaging and full of life. Although parts of the story did echo the storylines from Kushiel, I found it to be well worth reading.
    • 3/5
      I'm not as big a fan of Moirin as I am of Phedre or Imriel, but Carey's world is fantastic.
    • 5/5
      There is a pattern in all nine of the books in the Kushiel Legacy series. The main character (be it Phedre, Imriel, or Moirin) finds herself having to travel, usually from Terre d'Ange (this world's alternative France) to some other part of the world and usually in pursuit of someone. In this particular book Moirin, with Bao and others, ends up having to travel to Terra Nova (the New World), specifically the alternative Aztec and Incan empires, in search of Prince Thierry, reported lost and dead in the jungle. Of course there is much more to the story. Moirin is following her destiny and the final 1/3 of the book has her dealing with the mistakes she made in the first book of her trilogy.I am always greatly entertained by these books - the characters, the countries and cultures, the gods, the drama, the sex, and even all the "mayhaps". This series is unique, fun, and clever, especially the characters. I definitely wouldn't mind another three books in this series, maybe with Desiree as the next main character.
    • 4/5
      The adventures of Moirin mac Fainche continue in Naamah's Blessing, the third book of her trilogy. It all started years ago, when Moirin left her idyllic home in the wilderness of Alba to fulfill a destiny, seeking to do the will of the Maghuin Dhonn. Her travels have since brought her to the far reaches of the earth, but it appears still the gods have more in store.Upon her return to Terre D'Ange, Moirin finds the realm in a state of unease. The royal family is broken, with Prince Thierry, heir to the throne, absent on an expedition to faraway Terra Nova. King Daniel, bereaved over the death of Queen Jehanne, is too distracted to rule. Their young daughter the Princess Desiree is troubled and neglected, her future and happiness in question. Times are rife with uncertainty and political instability.The story of Naamah's Blessing also has its roots in the events from the first book. When Moirin first journeyed to Terre D'Ange seeking answers in the land of her father's ancestors, her encounters with the D'Angeline people did more than teach her about her heritage -- it also opened up a window to a brand new world. In her naivete, Moirin allowed herself to be manipulated by the charms of Raphael de Merliot, becoming entangled in his plot to summon a fallen angel. Their efforts ultimately ended in failure -- but a costly and deadly one.Now faced the mistakes of her past, Moirin must take on a dangerous quest to make amends and embark on one final voyage to fulfill her destiny. The future of Terre D'Ange and the lives of people she loves depend on it.I adore Jacqueline Carey, ever since the day I first discovered the Kushiel's Legacy series. I still remember the wonder and awe I felt when I finished reading Kushiel's Dart, the epic story that started it all. I've been addicted to her books ever since.Devouring the rest of novels in the series including her second trilogy featuring Prince Imriel, I was thrilled when I heard Ms. Carey was planning on writing a third trilogy set in the same universe, though it would take place generations later, focusing on a half-D'Angeline child of the Maghuin Dhonn. I looked forward to it with anticipation.And now that Moirin's trilogy is finally complete, I must admit the experience has been both frustrating and gratifying. On the one hand, I feel it is not as strong as the previous two trilogies, yet on the other, I am probably being unfair by making comparisons. After all, Moirin's story was likely meant to explore a different direction, and expand the world of Kushiel's Legacy.I ended up enjoying Naamah's Blessing quite a bit, but it took some time to get there. I was not initially impressed with the first half of the book, underwhelmed by a rather uninspiring and self-indulgent introduction. There were various attempts at twists and turns, but not once did I find myself feeling any suspense, predicting many of the major steps in the plot that were meant to set up the story. As such, I felt none of the emotional blows I was meant to feel, but simply became increasingly frustrated at how all the events felt forced and telegraphed.Still, while I thought the first half of the book was lackluster, I have to say the second half made up for much of it. It was Moirin's expedition to Terra Nova that provided the turning point, and it was then I started feeling the thrill again, and marveled at Ms. Carey's way of building new worlds.I don't mind it when she takes us to faraway places, showing us there is indeed a lot more beyond the borders of Terre D'Ange. Since Naamah's Curse, Moirin has traveled the world, from exotic Ch'in to the dry plains of the Tatar Steppes, from remote Vralia to the lush lands of Bhodistan. The only regret I have is that all this jumping around does not do these places justice. With so many settings, it is impossible to give the same level of attention to the details. Terra Nova, however, received better treatment. I do very much enjoy the way each geographical area and culture in the series corresponds to one in the real world, and I love reading how Carey shapes each place to her own vision. She succeeded in drawing me in again with her descriptions of this new frontier.The story itself was nothing elegant, but it was exciting nonetheless. Once Moirin and her companions started on their journey, it was hard to stop turning the pages until the climax was reached and her destiny resolved. D'Angelines are people used to a life of comfort and decadent luxury, so it also something else to read about them out of their element, trekking through the dangerous and unforgiving jungles of Terra Nova.I have to admit I was never a big fan of Moirin, but after this book I started liking her more. Being so used to the strength and quiet poise of Phedre no Delaunay, it took some time to accept Moirin's voice and her sometimes emotional and impulsive nature. I still got annoyed every time the narrative talked about her eyes stinging or filling with tears, but I think I've finally come to terms with her character. Moirin may seem childish sometimes, but her youth also gives her an energetic and lively view of her life's challenges, which I came to appreciate in this book.I also started to like her companion and romantic interest Bao a lot more. His character hasn't been very popular with fans for some reason. Still, while he's no Joscelin Verreuil, Bao has been much developed over the last three books and he is very much one of Jacqueline Carey's men. I've always admired her talent for writing male characters, and over time she has given Bao the same treatment she has given to others like Barquiel L'Envers or Hyacinthe, transforming him into a hero I can respect.There are, however, things I felt the book missed. Once again, Moirin is off to single-handedly save the world and right all its wrongs, but thankfully this was not as overdone as the last book. Still, the outcomes of the novel were very predictable. It is an irony that while Moirin being a child of the Maghuin Dhonn possesses a connection with magic, her story felt markedly less magical than the previous two trilogies. It was like something faded away from the series after Prince Imriel's trilogy. I've always felt Moirin's story lacked a focus, her mysterious destiny a tenuous reason for her adventures at best.A lot of it has to do with so much of the plot feeling so convenient, such as the timely insertion of a usurping regent as an antagonist in the beginning of the book, or the child princess Desiree, three years old when she first meets Moirin, but who happens to be the spitting image of her mother Jehanne and acts and speaks in a way beyond her years. It's discomfiting, even when it is explained to the reader that she is unusually precocious for her age. Or even Raphael de Merliot, the book's main villain. While he poses a real and dangerous threat to Moirin and our heroes, his wickedness is one-sided, and he has none of the subtlety or delightful avarice, of say, Melisande Shahrizai whom we all loved to hate.Overall, however, I still really liked this book. The trilogy really picked itself up following the last installment, and I also liked it for its themes of deities and destinies. Throughout her many adventures, Moirin has to remind herself time and time again that things get ugly when mortals misinterpret the will of the gods.
    • 5/5
      Wow. That’s pretty much all I can say after two days of processing an amazing ending that was NINE BOOKS in the making. If “Naamah’s Blessing” doesn’t propel the “Kushiel’s Legacy” series into epic fantasy, I don’t know what will, or even what epic fantasy even is anymore.It really amazes me how Carey managed to tie up pretty much everything from the first book in the “Kushiel” series (“Kushiel’s Dart”) up until this last book in the series, number nine. Any loose ends that readers might have picked up at the end of each trilogy was brilliantly tied together by the end of “Naamah’s Blessing”. Seriously. Guys, this is talent. Any doubts I might have had about Carey as a writer are more or less absolutely gone now.All I can hope, though, is that this isn’t the last we’ve heard of the “Kushiel’s Legacy” world. It seems that per trilogy time in that world progressed somewhere from 100-300 years from the last book of one trilogy to the first of a next. That’s just an estimate for me, but it felt about right. I think we started somewhere in what might be the mid-to-late 15th century in Kushiel’s Dart and ended in the 18th Century (or possibly the early 19th century). But the mirrors that Carey built from her world to ours (or perhaps the reverse) were striking in detail with nothing left to the imagination in terms of a firm and solid setting.And it was good to see all of the old characters coming back in some way or another by the end of this book. It was good to see Moirin reflecting on not only her own journey, but the journey of humanity within the “Kushiel” world, and where it might be going. How in the end, we’re all connected, regardless of color, creed, etc. It seems too grandiose when I say it now, but if you read it, you’ll surely feel it on the same epic scale I did. This is the final message of the “Kushiel” series, should it choose to end here. And I really hope it doesn’t. Not by a long shot. I’d love to see what might turn out to be America in that other world, and the other countries, the wars, and everything that comes with them. I want to see the evolution of the people of Terre d’Ange to what they might be like today. If that makes sense.If this is the end, then it’s a good ending. If not, it’s a fantastic place for a new story to begin. I can only hope it’s the former, though, because I’m addicted to the “Kushiel” world. Definitely one of my picks under the romantic fantasy catagory for 2011.(posted to librarything, goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
    • 5/5
      A Note About This SeriesBefore I get to my review of this book I wanted to talk a little about this whole entire D'Angeline series.The journey first started with Kushiel's Dart and the divinely touched masochistic courtesan heroine named Phedre no Delaunay and her unfailing protective companion Joscelin Verreuil. Phedre and Joscelin took us through 3 books filled with adventure, betrayal, pain and most of all unfailing love. In the second trilogy we were introduced to our beloved character's adoptive son Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel and his journey of growth under the shame of his treasonous parents. We journey with him through his heart breaks and desires to be good and not be his mother's son. And at last we come to the conclusion of the 3rd trilogy generations later to follow Moirin of the Maghuinm Dhon and the path that her diahn-anam to even further more treacherous corners of the world.If you have never picked up this series I highly recommend you do so. This is my number one most recommended series to everyone. These book are so beautiful in so many ways, I love the D'Angeline culture, their gods and their precept "Love as thou wilt". The characters I have come to love so much and I am so sad to say good bye to them, knowing that their might not be any more new D'Angeline heros or heroines, it makes me very sad.My ReviewThis is going to be hard, this book is so huge and contains so much. So I will probably be a little vague and short for people who haven't read the series, I don't want to soil anything for the readers. What I LovedMoirin: I saw her grow and make foolish mistakes throughout her young adult life and in this book she is righting all her wrongs and fixing everything. Through the hard and treacherous journey through an unknown land she keeps her head held high and doesn't let anyone persuade her from what she has to do. She learns from her mistakes and keeps on trekking no matter what, and I love this about her. She has a heart of gold and willing to forgive even the worst offense. Moirin is a clever top class heroine that doesn't fail those who are counting on her the most. AdventureMoirin has to go to the new world Terra Nova (aka South America) to find the lost rightful heir to the throne of Terra d'Ange. She has a long and perilous journey fraught with danger and death ahead of her. Along the way she gains new friends and allies and saves her companions many times over. I don't know what else to say without giving any spoilers for the books. Like I said earlier this book is epic and a it picks up right where Naamah's Curse left off. What I Didn't LikeAn end, no more new books (possibly). Jacqueline doesn't know if there will be anymore, currently this is the final book and a goodbye to this beautiful world, but their is the possibly the muses could bring her back. I am rooting for this. RecommendationRead this series if you haven't read them. Start with the 1st book in the 1st trilogy and finish with this one. I do recommend taking a break between the books, they can be very overwhelming if you try to read them all one after another.