The Price of Passion; An Erotic Novella Book

Amazingly lush, lyrical, and beautifully drawn, like all of the books in this world; I always have to read them in one sitting, because they're so full-body immersive that to stop mid-way leaves me feeling like I've been hit with a bucket of cold water. And when I'm done, I always have to close the cover and sit for a while, quietly reflecting and trying to absorb and engage with the story. They make you think, and more than that, they make you feel.

This one is much better than the first in Imriel's trilogy (which was good, almost great even, but not the same level of incandescent that the first trilogy always had). Carey has found Imri's voice, and it's a good one: clear and distinct, and watching him mature through this book is a delight. The dilemmas that drive the book are natural and real in the context of the world Carey's created, though it might feel artifical to someone who isn't familiar with the imperatives and values of her society.

This isn't quite a five-star book, but it's better than what I'd consider four-star, and since we can't give half stars, I'm rounding up! Still, if you're interested -- and I really think that any fantasy fan should read this series if you haven't already -- start with the first book of the first trilogy, Kushiel's Dart, and go from there. (I will warn you that the first bits of Dart are slow-going; in the grandest High Political Fantasy tradition, she jumps right in and starts throwing political machination around within the first few pages, and it will take you a while to sort out who's who and what factions exist. Stick with it. It's worth it. Oh, is it ever worth it.)

Carey's one of those authors that I wish I could read again for the first time, immersing myself in her world and her characters and all of her societal structures and discovering them slowly again. This is a series for people who love political high fantasy with deep roots and immersive worlds. Seriously, if you haven't read them yet, do.