Kushiel's Avatar Review: Worth Every Hard Page

Sticking the landing is the hardest thing a trilogy can do, and the third book is where a lot of them stumble. This is my Kushiel’s Avatar review, the finale of Jacqueline Carey‘s Kushiel’s Legacy, and it does not fumble. It is the darkest of the three, yes and the first half genuinely tested me, but it gave Phèdre the ending she deserved, the kind that left me with content tears in my eyes. So if you’ve come this far with her, let me tell you how it ends, without spoiling how it ends.

Jacqueline Carey created a world that I felt immersed in and characters I truly care for. Their journey wasn’t easy, for them or for me, but I am sitting here with content tears in my eyes for how beautiful their story was. ~ Under the Covers

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey

FANTASY

Phedre Trilogy #3
April 1, 2003

Read this if you want:

an epic love story between two people whose natures should not work together
to be wrecked and then healed by the same book
a tearjerker

Grab this book on Amazon

What a ride this was! I have had this series on my TBR for years and last year I took the plunge and started book one. I have to say it’s been a wonderful experience and one I consider a must read if you’re a fan of epic fantasy stories, in the same vein as Game of Thrones.

The Hardest Book to Read, and the Perfect Ending

I picked up KUSHIEL’S AVATAR in February I believe. As with the other books, Phedre doesn’t have it easy and I admit the first half of this book was hard for me to read. And that also means I had to take it in small doses. So it’s taken me a few months to finish reading this book. Jacqueline Carey has really put our emotions through the wringer and these characters have overcome so many obstacles. But KUSHIEL’S AVATAR gives us closure on a lot of people. It was truly the perfect ending to Phedre’s story, even though I didn’t want it to end.

Phèdre and Joscelin, a Pair Unlike Any Other

As much as these books are fantasy, and I wouldn’t classify them as romance, they do depict an epic love story. Joscelin and Phedre are a pair unlike any other. Both their natures are complete opposites and make their relationship one of struggles. And this book brought a major part of that to the forefront. It broke my heart to see Joscelin have to deal with Phedre’s nature so in his face. I admit this was one of the times I had to stop reading. It still gets me teary eyed to think of how deep their love is, and the things they’ve had to deal with. Not many couples in books or real life can say they have and the strength of their love is what pushed through in the end. I love that.

I also absolutely loved the turn of events in the storyline after about half way through the book. It warms my heart to see this added element to their HEA and makes their future even more perfect to me.

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Saying Goodbye to Terre d’Ange

I am sad to say goodbye to these characters but I know they are going to stay with me forever. Jacqueline Carey created a world that I felt immersed in and characters I truly care for. Their journey wasn’t easy, for them or for me, but I am sitting here with content tears in my eyes for how beautiful their story was. Now I know I’ll need more of this world!

Feeling intimidated to start?

Come read the whole series with us for our Kushiel’s Legacy readalong, and start with the Kushiel’s Legacy reading guide if you want to get oriented first.

Kushiel’s Avatar Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kushiel’s Avatar worth reading?

Absolutely. 100% yes. It is the hardest of the three to get through emotionally, but it is the most rewarding. It gave the whole trilogy a perfect ending, and I would do it again.

Do I need to read the first two books first?

You must, yes. Kushiel’s Avatar is the finale of Phèdre’s trilogy, so read Kushiel’s Dart and Kushiel’s Chosen before this one.

Is Kushiel’s Avatar the darkest book in the trilogy?

Yes. The first half was hard enough that I had to read it in small doses over a few months. It goes to really heavy places. But Carey earns every bit of it, and the payoff is worth the dark stretch.

Does Kushiel’s Avatar have a happy ending?

Without spoiling how, yes. The trilogy gives Phèdre and Joscelin an ending I found deeply satisfying, with a turn near the end that made their future even sweeter. I closed the book in happy tears.

Is Kushiel’s Avatar the last book in the series?

It is the end of Phèdre’s trilogy, but not the end of the world. Carey continues in Terre d’Ange with the Imriel trilogy, starting with Kushiel’s Scion, if you need more once you finish. She’s also released Cassiel’s Servant, which is basically book one (Kushiel’s Dart) from Joscelin’s POV.