A Novel (Kushiel's Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey (2015-08-25)

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A great series. I am completely addicted to Phedre and her adventures. Jacqueline Casey has mastered the art of taking her readers into Terre d'Ange and keeping you there. She writes as if she has actually seen this country and known the characters personally.

LOL.... I LOVE THE IMAGINATION AND THE FACT IT IS WRITTEN SO... FOR ME TO SEE THROUGH A WOMENS EYES IS VERY INTERESTING... I LOVE HER FIRST BOOK AND I HAVE FRIENDS WANTING TO BORROW THIS BOOK, "I TOLD THEM TO GET THEIR OWN!"

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

I always knew that reading this trilogy would be an amazing experience. It just took me years to take a dive and commit to the page count. And I’m so glad now I’m doing it. It’s so much more than I ever thought it could be. Phèdre nó Delaunay is one of the most complex and riveting characters I have ever read. Add to that the fact that Ms. Carey’s writing is superb and the epic story that unfolds in these pages is bound to stay with anyone who reads it forever.

KUSHIEL’S CHOSEN brings more love and a lot more loss to Phèdre’s life. At times I wonder how can she bear it, and at others I wonder how can I? But in between the hardships there is always a sliver of hope. That small glimpse that keeps us all going. Hoping for better days ahead. While she does what must be done to follow the right path. While battling sometimes her own desires.

A lot more intrigue and political turmoil plague the story in KUSHIEL’S CHOSEN. To protect her Queen, she may just have to give up everything she’s ever held dear. It is that strength of character that keeps me coming back to Phèdre. As does almost everyone in her homeland. With every situation she faces, she grows. She grows in understanding herself. She grows in understanding those around her.utc-top-pick

One thing is for certain, this book is never boring and never dull. For such a long story (coming in at 678 pages) there is not one wasted word or added fluff. The lyrical way in which Ms. Carey writes kept me on the edge of my seat. Simple yet so deep, so intense. I can’t say this book was simply read, it was experienced. It was a tumultuous journey, action packed until the end. Not knowing which way it would go was the best part! Not knowing if there was a happy resolution to each event. Some yes, some no. But I loved every second of it.

I really love the combination of politics, religion and love as well as the lyrical prose of this series! And I think I’m ready for the darkness I feel coming ahead in the final installment.

Ah, Kushiel's Chosen! While I technically enjoyed it a bit less than Dart, I'm still giving it 5 stars because the overwrought prose is vastly improved (still florid, in keeping with Phèdre's voice, but not nearly as bad). I also really enjoyed seeing more of Carey's world – and am always extremely impressed with her research of other cultures and their religions/myths to incorporate them believably into her novels. My review will NOT spoil Chosen, but there's really no way to review this book without spoiling major aspects of Dart, so don't read this until you've read that one.

Kushiel's Chosen picks up after Dart, where Phèdre accepts the gambit that closed Dart and begins her search for the escaped traitor and the unknown allies who orchestrated the escape. We see Phèdre's debut as Naamah's Servant who is also a Peer of the Realm, and all of her childhood dreams come to fruition...but ring hollow without the presence of Hyacinthe, who is still bound by the geis that he took in her place. So Chosen follows her exploration into Yeshuite lore, where she hopes to find the key to his freedom, as well as her returning to intrigue as her own agent rather than Delaunay's.

It does suffer from “middle book syndrome”, whereby our obvious OTP is torn apart by lack of communication, understanding, and general stupid s***. Seems like every trilogy's middle book has this trope. Rigid as Joscelin's Cassiline training is, I can see how this is quite in character during Phèdre's return to Naamah's Service, but then it only exacerbates when they travel to La Serenissima, and I'll always feel that he was pushed outside of proper characterization for the sake of the plot/middle book. Still, he has a lot of his own learning, growing, and healing to do...but most of it is, sadly, off-scene.

While I kind of sped by/skipped over the importance of it the first time I read, I've actually come to really enjoy how this book makes the distinction of pain between the physical, sadistic play that Phèdre experiences with her patrons and the 'exquisite' pain of the heart that she feels when she and Joscelin are tearing apart. We really see the interplay of Naamah & Kushiel's influence versus Cassiel's, and how Phèdre both despises and can't help but enjoy the pain upon her heart and soul – and Joscelin's too. So while I hate the trope, that part is very well done.

Two characters who really come into their own here are Fortun and Barquiel L'Envers. Phèdre, unlike her patron Delaunay, refuses to keep her retainers in ignorance, and Fortun proves to be a surprisingly good spy. All of her chevaliers do, and it's a joy to watch them work their own angle of intrigue in ways that Phèdre never could, but Fortun is especially adept at putting the pieces together. And Barquiel...well, many readers and Phèdre alike took a strong disliking to him, but this novel is where I really fell in love with him. Even as a, well, not necessarily villain but untrusted ally/suspect, he's just a fantastic character. I was glad to see more of him, as well as his cousin Nicola (who provided the spark that led to my introduction into Shibari (if you search: NSFW), so, yes indeed, more please!).

Phèdre's adventures take her to many lands and introduce many amazing characters, but I don't want to touch on that too much for fear of spoilers. They're all quite awesome and very well done, with the exception of one visit where we learn more about the myth/history of Phèdre's namesake, which is incredibly jumbled and confusing if one is not already familiar with the story. And I wasn't, so I tried to learn, but even after learning more about the myth, that passage in the novel is still very clunky and makes no sense (as was the passage that foreshadowed it, which was just an obviously blatant foreshadow-plunk into the narrative).

The character who really steals the show, however, is Ysandre de la Courcel. I've always liked Ysandre, but this book shows a little more about what it's like to be not just a great ruler but an honorable scion of Elua. Many readers (and characters, actually) take issue with the D'Angelines' many blessings, but my favorite is always when we catch glimpses of their tangible connections to their gods. That has always been what drew me to these stories the most. There is a certain scene, which I will not mention in too much depth here, where Ysandre just embodies everything it is to be D'Angeline, to be noble, to be touched by one's god, and to be right, and that scene takes my breath away every time.

There is another amazing scene of Joscelin's which I will not spoil, but it's incredibly well-done. I really love how Carey's writing and description is so well-done whether she's just describing things (clothes, beautiful people, new countries, etc., all of which Phèdre does often), myths/religions, sex, war, fighting, intrigue... It's all well-written by someone who subtly includes just enough to make it real, to make it obvious that she knows her stuff, but not flaunting research or delving into info-dumps. Even in a world where the gods are still watching over and helping their people, where the characters are skilled beyond measure, the writing itself still carries so much realism.

Definitely another wonderful installment. Those who don't care for sweeping epic fantasies balk at the length, but I have few issues with it. I love seeing more of Carey's world and meeting wonderful new characters. There are just a few places where the pacing is off and I lose interest, but not often, and it always quickly draws me back. With the world adequately established and Phèdre growing up a bit more, the narrative is less flowery and focuses more on intrigue, characters, and plot. The plots that began in Dart are seen to almost-full fruition, but of course the villain never shows her full hand. We have a pseudo-set-up for book 3, but the climax of this book is more than enough on its own. I'd even say there are two distinct climaxes, and each are equally brilliant. An engrossing and lovely book all around.

Carey has the skill to take her readers to another place, another world (even those of alternate history) and make you feel like you belong there among the characters. The sequel to Kushiel's Dart is just as good as the first, full of court intrigue, murder, deception and romance.

In this installment, Phedre, now a comtesse, is still worried that her arch nemesis Melisande is out there still plotting to overthrow the D'angeline queen, Ysandre. Hoping to uncover the plot and save her queen once again, Phedre returns to the service of Naamah, hoping that future patrons might have clues to Melisande's whereabouts. Phedre's lover and bodyguard, Joscelin, is not happy the she is returning to the respectable world of prostitution in the capital and throughout the book, their fights bring immense tension to the story. You are always wondering if they will be able to stick together, or if their love is finally doomed. Their story is definitely one for any romance lovers out there.

Phedre's suspicions lead her to new cities and new courts, leading her to an enemy that perhaps is not so hard to find after all. What ensues is heart pounding action, jaw dropping surprises and the inspiring determination of one to discover the truth that may bring down a kingdom.

There are a lot of characters involved in her books and it is very helpful that there is a glossary in the front of the book to help remind you of who everyone is. I'd be somewhat lost without it. The map is also a gem of information. I'll continue onto the third book sometime next year, but first I need a little rest. There is so much going on in the Kushiel books that the mind requires a little rest.

Jacqueline Carey serves up a worthy successor to her first book with this sequel. Considering how epic and layered that first book was, this is no easy feat. In my review for the first book I called Phedre's world a mythical land but it may be more accurate to say that it is an alternate history for our own world. Whatever the case, this second book in the trilogy is just as full of political intrigue, betrayals, losses, and heroism as its predecessor. It even continues the promise of the heartwarming love story that began in the last book. I am hard pressed to think of a more mismatched couple and yet I root for them all the same. I will admit that there were about a 100 pages or so that seemed to drag for me, when it seemed that Phedre was moving further and further away from her goal and I wasn't sure where the story was going. I stayed the course however and was rewarded with an ending that was equal parts maddening and uplifting. If you read and enjoyed the first book, this one will not disappoint. Onward to book three!

Phedre no Delauney is adjusting to life after playing a large part in saving her country of Terre D'Ange and becoming a Comtesse with a country estate as a result of her heroics. However, she cannot deny her nature as an anguisette and spy and is drawn back to the city of Elua where she return's to Naamah's service, causing her relationship with Joscelin to become strained. Phedre also becomes obsessed with the mystery of where Melisande is now and how she was able to escape her earlier imprisonment. As Phedre is drawn deeper into the intrigues, she faces more and more danger and goes back on the road, traveling and following clues of Melisande's whereabouts.

With the world being established in the first book of the series, Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey had more time to focus on weaving the plot and this novel was a bit less meandering. I enjoyed getting to see more of the world, including Illyria and La Serenissima. I still find this series a bit slow moving, the plots have grown very complex so take a long time to set up, losing me a bit in the process. When we finally get to the main action, it's great and exciting, but the build up could be cut down a bit. Phedre remains a very interesting main character, and I'm looking forward to continuing her story in Kushiel's Avatar.

Forgive the punny title, I couldn't resist.

Taking place in a sprawling, lush reimagining of early modern Europe, Kushiel's Chosen picks up right after the events of Kushiel's Dart. The main character, Phèdre no Delaunay, has now become part of the noble society that she catered to in the last book as, essentially, a body slave. Terre D'Ange, where the story takes place, treats prostitution as a religious, honorable calling. Phèdre is a beautiful young anguisette, so called because she is "pricked by Kushiel's Dart" - she has a red mote on her eye which indicates that she is the deity Kushiel's chosen, born to endure and enjoy pain as pleasure. Rather than treat this as some sort of twisted fetish tale, Jacqueline Carey manages to handle the subject with grace and surprisingly little mention. The real draws of this story, she makes very clear within the first few chapters: the stunning and detailed backdrop of Terre D'Ange, the wonderful and intriguing character development, the compelling conflict, and, of course, the love story between Phèdre and her chevalier Joscelin Verreuil.

Carey's language is descriptive and poetic, and takes on a formal-sounding style which firmly places the reader in the renaissance-esque Terre D'Ange. The plot, as with the first installment, is a twisting, intricately woven set of political ties, covert relations, and international intrigue. This is not some courtly drama set in the queen's palace, where everyone is in love with everyone and the plot point revolves around some waifish damsel. If you're looking for bodice-rippers, I suggest Philippa Gregory's retellings of Tudor England. No, Kushiel's Chosen is the big leagues of epic fantasy, up there with A Song of Ice and Fire as a tale that will leave you questioning and breathless to the close.

Finally, let's talk characters, possibly my favorite aspect of this series aside from the marvelous setting Carey has created for these books. Careful and dynamic character development is one of Kushiel's Chosen's many strengths. Ms. Carey is not afraid to put her characters through the wringer, something I exceedingly admire as I become more familiar with her work. The protagonist of the series is a woman, which is slightly unusual for an epic fantasy series, as far as my experiences have been. On top of that, Phèdre is a strong, clever woman who at every occasion proves herself to be able to take care of herself and her country. Being a courtesan does not make her any less a capable and daring leading lady, something I greatly appreciate as a female reader. Furthermore, her love interest Joscelin is not present merely to save Phèdre's life or play the knight in shining armor, which makes for a more interesting relationship between the two.

Overall, I cannot recommend this series highly enough. It really blindsided me with how amazing the setting, characters, and plot turned out to be. It's a long read, but once you're immersed into the world of Terre D'Ange, you'll be hard-pressed to leave it.

Plot Summary: All it takes is one cloak to wreck their peace. Joscelin and Phèdre are living a quiet, rustic life when their enemy, Melisande Shahrizai reveals herself through an oblique message. Phèdre is the only one who believes that Melisande is still a threat to Queen Ysandre, and her rededication to Nammah's service in order to ferret out information creates a rift between her and Joscelin. Eventually Phèdre must take to the road to uncover the plot, and it turns into an odyssey of epic proportions.

I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Just like the first novel, Kushiel's Dart, I'd give the first 300-pages three stars, and the last 300-pages five stars. So I'm going to split the difference and give it four stars. These novels choke on unpronounceable names and overly intricate plots, and it frustrates me no end because the adventures are always so thrilling. I suppose a novel this big has plenty of room to encompass both good and bad storytelling. Fortunately the ending always outweighs the beginning.

I liked Phèdre much better this time around. She's matured quite a bit, and she barters with more than just her body, although it's inevitable that her sexual talents come into play as well. Sometimes I chew the inside of my lip, but I can't begin to comprehend Phèdre's calling as an anguissette - someone who derives pleasure from pain. I chalk it up as a superpower that I don't envy one bit. The other thing I don't understand is her love/hate relationship with her archenemy Melisande. It's bizarre and no, I don't buy into it completely. The woman delivered Phèdre into slavery, betrayed Terre d'Ange, and tried to break her like an animal. Sorry, but after all that, I wouldn't get all hot and bothered if Melisande kissed me, yet Phèdre practically pants in heat whenever she is near.

What the story delivers well, it does on an epic scale. The heartstrings of Phèdre and Joscelin's relationship are stretched and pulled until my own heart was breaking. When they were finally reunited I was misty-eyed. The action was also top notch. Only Odysseus had a harder trial, but not by much. Phèdre defied death over and over, and she bobbed like a leaf caught in a snow-melt fed creek. It was a grand adventure that entertained me beautifully once Phèdre got herself out of Elua. The story seems to stagnate whenever Phèdre stays put somewhere, so I hope Ms. Carey has lots of traveling planned for the next novel, Kushiel's Avatar (Kushiel's Legacy).

The sequel to Kushiel's Dart does not disappoint. The first in the series introduced Phedre no Delauney as an anguisette, the red mote in her eye indicating that she's been chosen by Kushiel to follow a path of pain and pleasure. Trained in the skills of a courtesan of the Night Court, she is also trained to be a spy for the master of her marque, Afaniel Delauney.

In this, the court intrigue continues as traitor to the crown, Melisande Shahrizai escapes from prison. Suspecting another traitor within the court of Queen Ysandre de la Courcey of having assisted in the escape, Phedre, now a Countess having inherited Delauney's Montreve title and estate, and her merry band of ex-sailors and her Cassile protector, Joscelin, once again embark on a secret quest to find answers, find Melisande and to save the Queen. Phedre, now experienced in palace intrigue, war strategies, and having suffered the loss of friends and love, finds herself taking on the mantle of a leader, suffering the consequences of certain decisions and understanding not just the weakness of her enemies but also her own.

This book literally kept me up all night. I could not put it down until I had come to the last page despite its rather hefty size.

#2 in the Kushiel's Legacy fantasy series, loosely based on Renaissance Europe. Phèdre nó Delaunay returns to the City of Elua after the death of her adoptive father, Anafriel Delaunay, in the previous book and assumes her place among the peerage as the Comtesse de Montrève, wielding the title her benefactor never got to don. She also resumes her service to the demigods Namaah and Kushiel, both of whom have marked her, which essentially means she is a highly-paid whore who specializes in the pleasure of pain. As an anguissette (the only living one, apparently) marked with a fleck of red in the iris of her left eye, she is meant to be a bearer of pain. The difference here is that in the beliefs of the predominant religion, her service is actually a sacred, religious offering and not something dirty nor illegal.

She resumes her trade in order to ferret out details about the treachery of Melisande Shahrizai, who escaped at the end of the last book. Phèdre believes that Melisande is waiting in the wings orchestrating some complicated political coup to take over the throne of Terre d' Ange, and she is right. She doesn't get to stay comfortably at home for long and soon is off on an adventure taking her to a Venice-like city called La Serenissima, and to several other places in her search for information and a way to bring Melisande's plan to ruin.

Complex and detailed, with a huge cast of characters, exotic locations, plenty of steamy (but well-written!) sex, twisted plots, strange religions, and even pirates (yo ho ho!), this was an excellent followup to Kushiel's Dart and I am kicking myself many times over for waiting so long (it's been at least 2 1/2 years!) to have gotten to this sequel. I won't make the same mistake again--I have four more of them here awaiting my pleasure. This could easily have gotten overblown and off track with the scope of its contents and so much happening in a relatively short time, but the author skillfully keeps things together and makes this a very difficult book to put down.

Phedre no'Delaunay is back, imbedding herself into another masterful intrigue of the courts of Terre d'Ange, a beautiful land populated by beautiful people. Though 'Kushiel's Chosen' uses many flashback moments (too many), I strongly recommend that your read the first installment in the series first, 'Kushiel's Dart'.

Phedre helped to save Terre d'Ange and ensure that queen Ysandre de la Courcel secured her throne. Through all she endured, her nemesis Melisande Shahrizai escaped. Phedre is uneasy, knowing that Melisande is loose. With her reluctant Cassiline, Joscelin Verreuil and her chevaliers known as 'Phedre's Boys', Phedre sets off to the land of La Serenissima to track Melisande's flight. What she finds is a big shock, and another deadly plot against queen Ysandre.

Like the first book, this second adventure of Phedre no'Delaunay is an intricate twist of dangerous intrigue and startling adventures. Unlike the first book, 'Kushiel's Chosen' takes its languid pace into tedium. Too many times, our heroine languishes in reminisces that can cause yawning, especially if you have already read about her previous exploits in the first book. You will also find heavier religious references and closer ties to real-life Europe.

'Chosen' also seems to draw a firmer line between the sensuality of the story and the adventures, with the fist part of the book dedicated to Phedre's return to Naamah's Service. She re-enters the Terre d'Ange courts and conducts a series of liaisons, using her talents as an 'anguissette', one who experiences pain as pleasure. This makes her a valuable courtesan indeed. In the second half of the book, the sensuality is cast aside for some high-tension conflicts and narrow escapes.

Jacqueline Carey's 'Kushiel Legacy' books are far too rich and intricate to describe them in detail, but rest assured they are well written in a beautiful, flowing prose and offer up much more than your average romantic fantasy. Phedre is smart and well trained, caring and beautiful, interesting and sometimes funny, a unique heroine that you cannot help but like.

'Kushiel's Chosen' maintains a slower pace than 'Kushiel's Dart', but in the end does not disappoint, in spite of the too frequent episodes of digging up past thoughts and deeds. There is also a nice surprise waiting in this installment, so don't miss it. I'm already well into the third installment, 'Kushiel's Avatar'. Enjoy!

Kushiel's Chosen begins soon after Kushiel's Dart ends. Phedre, now the Countess of Montreve makes a difficult decision to return to the service of Naamah, much to the dismay of her lover the Cassiel guard Joscelin. But she has her reasons to returning to her past life as a prostitute, Melisande Shahrizai, a woman who betrayed the Queen Ysandre to the Skaldi, has escaped from her imprisonment and only Phedre can find her. Phedre, who still feels intense love and desire for Melisande, finds herself traveling to La Serenissima to search for the traitorous woman. Her only companions are Joscelin and the final three members of Phedre's boys. Unfortunately things are not what they seem in La Serenissima. Phedre soon finds herself involved in a large plot of assassination that has infiltrated even the temples of the Goddess Asaharat-of-the-Sea. Just when Phedre thinks she has everything found out she is kidnapped and taken away, separated from her protector Joscelin and utterly alone. Can she get back to Terre D'Ange soon enough to save her queen?
Kushiel's Chosen has all of the attractive elements found in Kushiel's Dart, wonderful storytelling, attractive settings, and complex characters. Phedre has learned a lot from her previous adventures and has matured quite a bit but still finds herself coming up against problems. You find yourself wishing that she and Joscelin would just throw away there differences and make up again, despite both of their stubbornness.
Although this book is quite amazing it does not live up to its groundbreaking predecessor. There is a rather long lull in the text starting when Phedre travels to La Serenissima. But don't give up on this book! Once you get further into it, the novel turns into the exciting page turner. This book has many new things that the first novel lacked. We get to see new countries, all which exist along southern Europe. Also we get our first pirate characters, something that fans are sure to appreciate.
So if you're in the mood for a sexy fantasy novel with plenty of plot twists and turns read this book! Although it isn't quite as good as the first in the series it's an amazing novel that you'll be sure to love.

"Chosen" continues the adventures and political intrigues of one of the most unusual characters I've seen as star in a fantasy story.

The story itself is good, workmanlike, and sustained (i.e. long) adventure. Phedre, the heroine, knows of a plot against the queen, and gives up her life of relative ease and comfort to hunt the traitor down. She succeeds, and that's where the adventure really begins: to an island prison where people are sent to be forgotten, into a stormy sea, off with the pirates, into the cave of sacred torment and wisdom, and more. It's right down to the wire, but Phedre succeeds in the end. She's no fighter herself, but is always surrounded by soldiers or armed adventurers, and usually in charge of the band.

Phedre herself is a striking character. Some god-given quirk of genes has given her a magical ability to heal from wounds, and an equally magical short-circuit between her senses of pain and pleasure - leaving her with urges that give plenty to heal from. Maybe they're god-given talents, but it wasn't a very nice god. Also, Phedre is a priestess in a cult that holds the body to be a temple, and it's the priestess's holy duty to encourage active kinds of worship at that temple. For all its steamy potential, the author describes only one passage of Phedre's carnal devotions. Given that pain thing, one is all I wanted.

If you have a long trip coming up, this book's 600+ pages of thud factor will keep you amused for at least a few hundred miles. I've read better, but this one was good enough to keep me interested in Phedre and her adventures

//wiredweird

Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Chosen (Tor, 2002)

Carey's second Kushiel novel may actually be better than the first, which is a welcome change from the second-novel slump one usually finds in trilogies. Phedre and Joscelin have been living happily in self-imposed exile after the events of the first novel, but a traveler comes bearing a present for Phedre-- her blood-red cape. Melisandre is the only one who could have sent it, which means she's playing games again. And the only way Phedre can stop her, and prevent the crumbling of the empire, is to go back to spying. (Needless to say, Joscelin is not at all happy about this.)

For the second time, Carey has presented the world with a well-written, fast-paced fantasy thriller that looks like a doorstop but reads like haiku. The biggest problem with the book is that carrying it may prove cumbersome; it weighs in at seven hundred pages (in hardback), but once you're enmeshed in the story, they'll fly past faster than you'd think. (It took me nine days to get through it, while working and reading four other books-- two of which were also over four hundred pages.) The characters are very well-drawn, the action is almost nonstop, and the plot is sufficiently labyrinthine to absorb both the fantasy reader and the mystery fan. Very good stuff, this, for a second time. ****

I absolutely loved the first book Kushiel's Dart and feel the exact same about the continuation in the form of Kushiel's Chosen. Carey in my opinion is an amazing world builder to the point where I felt like I was on the journey with the characters. I really enjoy when an author can write erotic scenes but the book isn't simply a porno on pages. The story itself is detailed and unique. The eroticism simply adds onto what is already and epic story line. I originally got the other books from the library but now will have to purchase the others so I can re-read the series. Also, I absolutely love Melissande even though she would be the bad guy I wish I could have had another series for just her although I am a sucker for a good villain.

After vowing to finish the original trilogy before the new books come out, I ventured back into Terre d'Ange curious and ready to see where Phedre's adventures would take her next!

I liked Chosen less than Dart and find it inescapable to compare it to the first novel. There's still plenty of adventure, intrigue, and twists to keep us interested, but after such endearing characters, epic plot twists, and a variety of dangerous and intriguing assignations for Phedre (all which occur in Dart), Chosen only partially lives up to the epic feel of the first novel.

Unlike Dart, none of the characters in Chosen seem as prolific as before and feel more like tools to help Phedre to her destination rather than well-rounded individuals. Even still, the people Phedre meet along the way are characterized enough to be interesting, despite that sense that we just *know* they're going to end up allies, in the end. Dart left me guessing between who could be ally and who could be foe. There were times I often doubted anyone would be there to help Phedre or that she would fall into the debts of despair. I had no such doubts as I watched her journey unfold in Chosen, not even when our heroine falls into very dire straits.

This is perhaps due to the growing theme of being a chosen of divinity, whom the gods favor by providing the means to success through unexpected avenues. Still, the difference between being aided by divine providence and the feeling of a convenient plot twist is a very thin line to walk.

Kushiel's Chosen is skirting that line for this reader, but there's enough mystery and intrigue here that I have no doubt that I will be reading the next novel very soon!

If there's anything I will always enjoy throughout this series, it is the attention to detail in the culture and premise of the land of Terre D'Ange, which was ever-present and shining still in Kushiel's Chosen, and that is enough in itself to keep me wanting more!

Having saved Terre d'Ange (see KUSHIEL'S DART), Phedre no Delaunaey is proud of becoming a member of the peerage yet bored with the acceptable social life as the Comtesse de Montrève. Tedium changes into anticipation as Phedre learns that her deadly enemy Melisande has escaped from incarceration. Phedre knows that Melisande will do anything including treason to avenge her recent defeat. At about the same time, though the young queen is popular amongst the people, there are others who believe she is unworthy of the throne. If Melisande joins with these traitors hell will break loose in the land.

A former anguisette Phedre feels an adrenaline rush as she plans to return to her vocation while chasing down her foe. However, the hunted becomes the prey when, in spite of her anguisette talents and her abilities to spy, Phedre becomes the prisoner of Melisande. With no hope to escape from her mountaintop jail on an isolated island, Phedre understands the consequence if she fails to find her freedom and stop the sedition led by Melisande.

KUSHIEL'S CHOSEN is an intriguing fantasy that follows the adventures of its heroine trying to save her world. The problem is that in an extremely short time, Kushiel hops from one adventure to another without any closure at a pace that would make Indiana Jones require bed rest against a villain who seems to have lost her bite at least in this sequel. Though not as strong as its predecessor, KUSHIEL'S DART, Phedre still remains an interesting champion who readers will root for in hope that she attains a slow but glorious victory.

Harriet Klausner

A good adventure/fantasy read from Jacqueline Carey.

I've decided to do a review of all three "Kushiel" books,(that being "Kushiel's Dart', "Kushiel's Chosen" and "Kushiel's Avatar") as one review; all three books are connected with the same ongoing story line, quality of prose and a consistent level of interest and intrigue.

This is a story of Phedre, a heroine who is blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with some special talents and skills; she rises from obscure beginnings to queens' favorite over the course of the three novels.

The books were well written and gripped one's interest from early on. There is travel, love, betrayals, unexpected enemies and friends, and a few situations where magical qualities are displayed; but my favorite scenes were those of the battles and escapes. You should also be aware that there are some very intense, sexually explicit encounters in these books.

All in all, I enjoyed this trilogy very much; while not deep or philosophical it was easy to read and found myself looking forward to finding time to return to these books when the opportunity arose. The only negative, (and this is purely a subjective, personal opinion) was that I found the areas involving travel within the book a little long and dragged out; but this is a minor complaint compared to the overall quality of the entire trilogy. 4 1/2 stars.

Phedre ne Delauney, the courtesan/masochist/spy heroine of the superb "Kushiel's Dart" is back for this strong sequel. In this story she finds herself enmeshed in a plot in La Serenissima (Venice), hatched by her old enemy Melisande de la Courcel, which threatens both the local leadership and her own homeland. To defeat it she will have to survive being captured by pirates, thrown in prison, and even the desertion of her beloved Joscelyn.

The story is strong, with interesting characters, complex politics, multiple locations, and lots of adventures. All of it is dominated by Carey's wonderful and paradoxical heroine; submissive, as befits an accomplished masochist and courtesan, but never weak.

Some reviewers have complained that readers of the prior novel will just find this more of the same. They're right, and the problem with that is? "Kushiel's Dart" is one of the very best fantasies I've ever read, and I read a LOT of fantasy. This book is quite similar, and just as good. The series, good as it is, might well become tiring if stretched to the infinite horizons of the "Wheel of Time" or "Sword of Truth" series. But Carey wrote only three books about Phedre and shows no signs of writing more. The character and setting are more than good enough to justify a trilogy, and similarity in approach is not a major flaw for a writer as skilled and resourceful as her.

Someone mentioned that this book ended with a similar cliffhanger as the first, but I did not read the ending as a cliffhanger. It ended just the way I would have hoped. I was not bothered by the repetition of events from the first book. In fact I hardly noticed them, the story was so intriguing and breathtaking. I give the author credit for her courage in killing off endearing characters. Although this made me cry as it did in the first book, I understood that life is not always fair.

I am well aware that Phaedre and Jocelyn will have ten years of peace and happiness, and then we shall see what befalls them. That is one of many reasons I am compelled to read the next book in this series, afterall, I have to know how she frees Hyacinthe. I will continue this saga and perhaps go on to the related books, but I will miss Phaedre's voice, her intrigues, and her consort Jocelyn. I cannot imagine any of the future voices being as compelling as Phaedre's.

Jacqueline Carey returns to the lush and decadent world of Terre d'Ange in "Kushiel's Chosen", sequel to the strange but beautiful "Kushiel's Dart", and produces a sequel that unfortunately doesn't quite live up to its predecessor.
Our masochistic heroine, Phedre, leaves behind her comfortable new life as a country countess when she begins to suspect that all is not well in Terre d'Ange. She believes that Melisande Shahrizai, from her hiding place in La Serenessima (Venice), still plots against Queen Ysandre--with the help of at least one D'Angeline noble. But who is her co-conspirator, and what are they planning? Phedre returns to prostitution in the hopes of finding clues, but doesn't accomplish much except driving away her bodyguard-lover Joscelin. Phedre decides there is only one thing to do--travel to La Serenissima and investigate there. In Italy, Phedre uncovers the conspiracy--but disaster strikes and she finds herself lost at sea and entangled with pirates. Now, Phedre's task is to get back to La Serenissima in time to save Ysandre. Along the way, she begins to realize that maybe being marked by the angel of punishment means more than having weird sexual proclivities.
While "Chosen" is a decent book, it fails to engage the reader in the way that "Dart" did. I think my essential problem lies with the middle section of the book--the pirate part. Maybe it's because Phedre's skills are espionage and seduction, not sailing and fighting, so she doesn't do much during this period of time except sit around and feel guilty whenever someone dies. Maybe it's because this sequence doesn't seem to advance the main plot any (except maybe that Phedre's absence makes Joscelin think about his feelings). It almost feels like Carey wrote the beginning and ending of the book, then said, "Oh no...I unraveled the conspiracy too quickly and now I need 300 more pages."
This isn't a bad book; it's a faster read than "Dart", though it never attains the heartbreaking power or the sensuality of the previous novel. I still plan to read the third.

In the second book of the Kushiel's Legacy series, Phedre and her Cassiline, Joscelin, journey to La Serenissima in search of Melisande. But, as always, there is more to the game than anyone suspects at first. Phedre must learn to navigate her way through a whole new politcal climate and use all her wits to try and decipher the clues she has which lead her on a not so merry journey across the seas, where she encounters pirates, gods, and ancient rituals. She is forced to look at herself in a new light time and time again, and make sacrifices she never thought she would have needed.

I was happy to see so many of my favorite characters back for a second book. The change of scenery and introduction of the La Serenissiman characters was the perfect addition to her already fantastic mix. The people and the setting meshed in a way that improved the flow of the story. Throwing in the action, which never seems to stop for Phedre, you have the perfect combination for an amazing book.

5/5

After the epic Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen continues the saga by following, yet again, the story of the Comtesse Phedre no Delunay no Montreve, marked by two gods: Naamah, the goddess of prostitution, and Kushiel, the One God's punisher, who is the lord of pain. Beacause of these marks, she is destined to feel pain and pleasure and one--making her something called an "anguissette". In Kushiel's Dart, her position as an anguisette put her in a position to uncover a plot to overthrow Terre D'Ange, and the book ended in a cliffhanger: Whre is Melisande Shahrizai, traitor to the nation of Terre D'Ange, and who is the mysterious D'Angeline noble that helped her escape the night of her execution? Kushiel's Chosen begins the day after Kushiel's Dart ended; Phedre makes her decision to pursue Melisande...a decision that will take her to the Night Court again, and back into the intrigue of Terre D'Ange. And, as in the first book, Phedre must leave her homeland, traveling to La Serenissima, Illyria, and Kriti in a neverending quest to save her country and her queen.
Kushiel's Dart was a masterpiece, unfolding in ever-deeper layers; Kushiel's Dart has just as many, if not more, layers of political intrigue and human nature. Phedre is a unique woman, and because of her training in both the arts of prostitution and the arts of politics and diplomacy, she is a hidden weapon for her sovreign, Queen Ysandre de la Courcel. But because she IS a prostitute, her Cassiline consort, Joscelin, is driven away, to the cause of the Yeshuites, and it looks an awful lot like they won't ever make up.
It is a 700 page book, but I was so engrossed I finished in three days. This book is AMAZING. I highly recommend it. I hope that the summary convinces you to read it.
Oh, and if by any chance you find yourself compulsively saying "Make way for Ysandre de la Courcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange!" for a few days after reading this book, believe me, it's perfectly normal.

This novel is a capable sequel: Jacqueline Carey gives her readers more of what they've come to expect after Kushiel's Dart. Therefore, if you enjoyed the first book, you will probably enjoy this one, too. However, if you're like me, Carey will continue to leave you a little disappointed, given the story's potential. She has developed an intriguing alternate reality Europe, in which the child of Jesus and Mary Magdalene fostered a kingdom in France, built around the credo: "Love as thou wilt." She has a compelling character concept in Phedre, a masochistic courtesan and adept spy. She immerses her heroine in a web of political intrigue, as well as giving her an unlikely lover in the form of Joscelin, a warrior monk sworn to protect her despite his distaste for her way of life.
These elements are all familiar from Carey's previous work, but I still feel that she has yet to exploit them fully. The tension between Phedre and Joscelin feels too artificial; we don't see enough of Joscelin's struggle among his love for Phedre, his vows of chastity, and his seeming destiny among the Jews. The resolution here is far too facile. I similarly wish that Carey would give us more direct confrontation between Phedre and her nemesis, Melisande, whose power over Phedre is the only force that makes our heroine seem truly vulnerable. The relationship between these two women also bridges the gap between the plot Phedre's masochism, which otherwise plays far too small a part in the story, outside of some rather enticing scenes with some of her patrons. If you're into that sort of thing.
Honestly, Kushiel's Chosen works well enough as a tale of adventure, but I feel that Carey has laid too much groundwork to ignore her heroine's more internal conflicts. I still intend to read the last novel in the trilogy. Perhaps then Carey will not be afraid to bring these conflicts to a head.

Jacqueline Carey's excellent Kushiel's Chosen is twice as good as its predecessor, Kushiel's Dart. The rise in quality comes not from the fast-paced plot, which is enough to keep you turning pages, but from Ms. Carey's exceptional development of her characters.

The book picks up right from where Kushiel's Dart left off. Phedre decides at once to pursue Melisandre Shahrizai to La Serenissima, the seat of the powerful Stregazza family. However, there is one problem: to do it, she must re-enter Naamah's Service, the sacred prositution of Terre D'Ange. Phedre's decision causes a rift between her and her lover/protector, Joscelin Verreuil. Joscelin, a former Cassiline celibate, is torn between keeping his vow to protect Phedre and dealing with the realities of exactly what Phedre does with her clients.

There is a great more detail about some of these encounters, explicit but elegantly phrased and sometimes humorous. (A scene where Phedre is bound up by a lover who tries, and fails, to interrogate her played beautifully on the fact that Phedre was as far from intimidated as could be.) In the end, all these encounters lead to a staged scene which gets Phedre on her way to La Serenissima to find Melisandre. And once there, Phedre gets caught in an assassination plot that sees her sent to prison, facing death, and undergoing a purification ceremony.

The fun of Kushiel's Chosen is that while there's a romance at heart, Joscelin and Phedre stay true to who they are--at least, as the writer has written them. Phedre doesn't try to shield Joscelin from the consequences of her decision to go back to Naamah's Service; nor does Joscelin attempt to "understand" or excuse Phedre's behavior. Their warfare goes on for nearly half the book, with exchanges that made me wince. Likewise, Melisandre is one of the best villains in fantasy--a dark goddess, seductive, and driven as much by love as she is by ambition. And then there is the Stregazza family, with brothers Marco and Ricciardo fighting for position in the Dogal elections, and Marco's son Severin struggling to win Phedre's heart.

There are more events I could discuss (the Unforgiven, Benedict de la Courcel's marriage), but why give the book away? This review has already given enough of the novel away, and you'll want to savor this book page by page. Kushiel's Chosen is a treasure hunt; get started and enjoy the quest. You'll be happy you did.

"Kushiel's Chosen" is the second book in Jacqueline Carey's thrilling fantasy trilogy of life in a world similar to Earth, during a period reminiscent of our Renaissance. This novel, a fantastic romantic adventure, is every bit as exciting as her first book, "Kushiel's Dart."
Our heroine, Phedre no Delauney, is now Comtesse de Montreve, a peer of Terre d'Ange. This lash-loving lady has come a long way from the little girl who was sold by her parents, years before, into the service of Naamah, the honored profession of the courtesan. Phedre was kissed by the god Kushiel. There is a tiny crimson mote in the white of her left eye, (Kushiel's Dart), marking her as an "anguisette," one of Kushiel's Chosen. A true "anguisette" is extremely rare. They are born to find pleasure in pain.
Phedre played a major part in ending the violent war that threatened to destroy her country. The new Queen of Terre D'Ange, who Phedre pledged to serve and protect, has been crowned. However, those who would wrest the throne for themselves continue to plot treachery and renewed violence. Chief among the traitors is Melisande Shahrizai, Phedre's nemesis and patron of old. Melisande announces her continued presence in the world of intrigue by beginning a game of cat and mouse with Phedre, who comes out of retirement to thwart plans to harm the Queen. Her return to Court, the City of Elua, and her profession as a spy, threaten her star-crossed relationship with her beloved companion and bodyguard, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil.
The plot and subplots are unique and stunning. The excitement just doesn't stop. Ms. Carey combines eroticism with swashbuckling adventure, romance and world building. Her imaginative use of historic detail, diverse cultures, the creation of many varied characters and their development, make this series so special. A riveting novel - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!
JANA

If you liked Kushiel's Dart, you'll probably enjoy this sequel. The idea no longer seems as fresh, and the sensuality is definately toned down. The book is still worth reading, but it could have been done much better.
The plot follows the pattern of the first book. Phedre returns to the life of a courtesan and becomes popular and sought after. She then departs on a secret mission to expose a traitor to the throne, visits faraway lands under stressful circumstances, has adventures including several imprisonments and a sea voyage, and saves the country and her queen. Sound familiar?
I had several problems with the story. First, Phedre's return to her former occupation seems pointless. There's only one patron that she learns things from that she couldn't get from common gossip. My favorite character, Jocelin, is constantly disappearing for badly explained reasons. He's supposedly exploring his faith, but it seems like a device to remove him whenever it would be more interesting for Phedre to be in danger. And at the end of the story Jocelin goes through a poorly justified character transformation. The main conflicts seem like rehashed versions of the problems from the first book Phedre and Jocelin try to figure out their relationship. Phedre agonzies over her attraction to Melissande. Phedre feels guilty when people die protecting her. It's all stuff we've read before.
There is adventure and danger and suspense, and the story's not bad. It just doesn't feel as satisfying as the first book because I was expecting so much more.

I was so excited reading this book after "Dart" and enjoyed it almost as much. Characters and politics that were a struggle at first in the earlier book are so much more familiar here and a good thing too as Ms. Carey takes her characters and us on a thrilling "road trip". The narrative prose is as strong and the first person method just as satisfying as it was before. The only flaw for me was that the quarrel between Phedre and Joscelin seemed to go on a bit too long as once you gain a certain understanding of who/what the characters are and their relationship to one another, as so carefully entertwined and divulged by Ms. Cary, a resolution is an envitable and it is almost frustrating waiting. So, the book can be not only thought provoking but perhaps an emotional one as well ;) This book is not as much of a sensual read as the earlier one but maintains the overall nature of the first book. This is still an excellent read, an excellent journey and I would highly recommend this second book to the trilogy as a "must".

Kushiel's Chosen is the second volume of a trilogy. In the first book, Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey introduces the reader to an alternative past for France called Terre d'Ange which is a land founded by Jesus and Mary Magdalene's son Elua and his 12 followers. Kushiel's Dart is Phedre, a young woman who was sold into prostitution by her mother, but who was raised to be a spy. After many adventures she foils the plot of Melisande Shahrizai to take over the country and becomes a national hero and a comtesse. However, Melisande escapes punishment in a mysterious jailbreak.

This second book picks up the action when Phedre receives a clue that Melisande may be hiding in La Serenissima, our modern Venice, and goes in search of her. As with the first book, there are lots of adventures, narrow escapes, and court intrigue. Many new characters are introduced and the struggle between Melisande and Phedre continues. There is even less BDSM than in the first novel, although the theme is still present.

There are enough background details in Kushiel's Chosen that it can be read without having read Kushiel's Dart. However, I can't see too many people wanting to do this. The plot structure of the two books is very similar which might irritate some readers of both books. Hopefully in the third, the author mixes it up a bit. Still, an impressive creation full of detail and very tightly developed for such a large book.

Jacueline Carey has done something few writers can attest to:
She wrote a sequel that is just as good as it's predecessor!Carey returns us to the kingdom of Terre D'ange, the land of holy prostitution and lethal intrigue.Kushiel's Chosen leads off where the first book ends, with the mysterious escape of archvillianess, Melisandre.Phedre, our heroine is determined to find out the traitors who helped Melisandre escape from prison and when she gets cloak sent by her enemy as a challenge she takes it upon herself to find Melisandre. Phedre's obession with her enemy will pull her back into her holy order and it will strain her relationship with her lover, Joscelin.Phedre's adventure will take her sun-drenched villas of La Serenissima
where she will uncover Melisandre's sinsiter conspiracy to gain the crown and a deadly assasination plot against queen Ysandre!
This novel has all of the ingredients that made the first one such a smash hit: lyrical prose that sings upon the page; outstanding world-building that makes Phedre's world come alive
sweeping action sequences like daring escape upon island prison that holds our heroine and unforgettable swashbuckling swordfight between Joscelin Queen Ysandre's would be assasin! The characters of this epic novel are also a wonder like blood-cursed pirate Kazan Atrabiades who rescues Phedre and helps her at her cause.I love Phedre and her world of dark desire, darker intrigue and swashbuckling adventure! Bring on Kushiel's Avatar!

This story is an amazingly rich and layered fantasy that will completely suck you in if you give it half a chance.

From reading all three of the Kushiel's novels thus far, I can tell that Ms. Carey has done her research about ancient places, languages, myths, and religions to weave her stories into something that feels real even as you are swept away in the fantasy of it all. You are able to see the world that was, yet imagine a world that might have been all at the same time. Kushiel's Chosen takes you to whole new places with Phedre, and lets you explore the Medditeranean in a new and fantastical way.

These are NOT kids books. They have sexual themes that definitly make them grown-up reading and make it necessary to be able to put personal preferences aside and simply go along with the story, but nothing about those situations feel gratuitous or simply placed there for shock value; they actually help propel the story.

All in all, I love the Kushiel's stories and am anxiously looking forward to the next books. If you love history and love fantasy, I think you will also find this series facinating.

It's actually my favorite book in the Kushiel series.

Yes it has flaws (every book has flaws) but the story is thrilling and engaging, it makes you not want to stop reading. One consistent problem in all the books is that none of the main characters, including the person telling the story, have any real flaws. I wouldn't say they are depth-less and flat, but their "flaws" are pretty flimsy ones, and they seem almost superhuman with their listed abilities and strengths. The plot is very engaging, though. (Keep in mind, none of these books are for you if you can't get past lengthy prose and nearly-perfect people.) In my opinion, the point is to tell a fantastic tale, and the author succeeds in doing so, and gives ample reason as to how the characters are able to accomplish those ends, which ended up making them all slightly more perfect than any normal human is.

The first book was brilliant one of my favourite ever and most likely if it never existed this book would be a 4. Its still a good book but when its the continuation of the story of phedre and josceline it becomes a must read.

Plot - Phedre finds out melisande is in la sessimistra and starts playing her game again to find her. Lots of travelling happens josceline and her fight alot much the same as the first book.

I find where this book lacks is in the 2nd half where it just seems there is a lot of filler, you can see the ending coming half way through the book and then suddenly it detours and phedre just seems to be filling in time far from the action till the exciting stuff begins again. In contrast kushiels dart was a constant roller coaster till the very end.

I havent mentioned much of the positives here but hopefully you have read kushiels dart and that should tell you what to expect here, rest assured 'chosen' is very well written and enjoyable to read just not the perfect book the first one was.

In the end i give it 4 and a half stars, a well made continuation but no classic like the first. Reading the third soon, ive heard i wont be dissapointed.

Kushiel's Dart was brilliant, no question there. But the sequel
lacked in a few ways that left me happy but disappointed.
Primarily, the framework of the story is nearly identical to the
original. Phedre in the service of Namaah, searching her assignations for any clues of treachery against the crown. A
quest to search out her most hated enemy. Captured, escaped,
travel through a strange and exotic land...
Even the sequence of events is the same! Regardless of these
these flaws, I managed to hold on to enjoy the story. I hope "Phedre's Boys" like myself, did the same and
had a good time revisting old friends and the world of Terre D'Ange.

In this second book, our heroine Phèdre takes up the challenge of the clever villainess Melisande Sharizai, who has escaped the death penalty for high treason.

This time Phèdre has the advantage of being a "peer of the realm". She is respected as a saviour, courtesan, spy and comtesse, which helps the search for Melisande and her allies. We start at court, which is, as always, brimming with intrigue.

Two strong points in this story are the dazzling plot twist in the middle, and Phèdre's forced association with the pirate captain Kazan Atribiades. Jacqeline Carey is good with adventure stereotypes: the soldiers, priests, rulers and pirates are all developed as real people, without tainting the glamour of their professions.

Like in Kushiel's Dart, the psychological realism is based economic and political relationships. The characters either have deeply held loyalties, or are trapped by material necessity. These clean drives clash nicely, making a hot and sexy story that reads like a literary James Bond movie.

What a wonderful ending to this world-wind epic adventure! If Kushiel's Dart was mischievously enticing and Kushiel's Chosen was heartbreaking, then Kushiel's Avatar is love's redemption. Enthusiasts of this series will find out how far love will take the characters and what it truly means to accept the pure essence of love. Of course, falling in love with the characters all over again is part of that journey. Carey's cunning twist to "history," comes full circle to its completion in this third and final book. Although it's full of names and details that can be overwhelming, a second read-through would not be too grievous. Not wanting to give too much way, Kushiel's Avatar sets our heroine and Perfect Companion on a trail that only the gods perceive the end of.
New readers to this Trilogy should note that it contains adult material (i.e. sex and violence) not for everyone, but Carey's approach is simple and direct. Style of the books? Comparing Kushiel's Trilogy to The Odyssey isn't fair, but the spirit of it is the same, the long journey home.
For her first series and written in the difficult to master First Person, Carey has shown the literary world a brief glimpse of her skills and imagination. Forth coming stories will be well looked for.

My disillusionment with fantasy has only deepened these last few months, but this book and it's predecessor...are incredible! I can't say this enough, I love these books! This sequel to the amazing Kushiel's Dart is every bit as good as the first. Phedre has somehow become even more magnetic and enthralling. Her adventures take her everywhere in this book, opening up the alterna-world of Carey's creation. The world is sublime, the cultures rich and textured and the people are fantastic. The action scenes and plot twists are enough to make you gasp outloud and scare the cat sleeping at your feet. It's been so long since a book has really and truly surprised me, I almost forgot what it felt like. This book has everything fantasy fantatics need and want, while throughing in things you didn't even know you wanted! I'd better stop before I run out of adjectives. Just one more thing, if you really want to try something different, please, please pick this book up, I promise you won't regret it.

I actually borrowed this book from a friend, and liked it so much that I went searching for a first edition hardcover online. *Great* new series! Interesting world, original characterization, exciting storyline, everything one could wish for in an intelligent adult fantasy novel. Jacqueline Carey doesn't make her female characters into men with breasts or helpless princesses--they are real women, with real minds and strengths and weaknesses just like everyone else--in other words, just human.
Keep in mind that this is an adult oriented series--no real shocking sex scenes, but many adult themes are explored, so this book would be appropriate for mature teenagers or older. Five stars!

After finishing Kushiel's Dart, I wouldn't have believed the series could get any better. The Kushiel's series, and this book in particular, masterfully blends political intrigue, a believable smart romance and great action. I got goosebumps equally from Phedre and Joscelin's story and Joscelin's serious ass kicking.

The erotica is never forced, but I'd learned to trust that after reading the first book, it serves to further the story and provide insight into the characters' deepest cores.

I'm looking forward to the next book and scared as to what I'll read when it's over, being the last one in the series.