A nation born of angels, vast and intricate and surrounded by danger… a woman born to servitude, unknowingly given access to the secrets of the realm…Born with a scarlet mote in her left eye, Phédre nó Delaunay is sold into indentured servitude as a child. When her bond is purchased by an enigmatic nobleman, she is trained in history, theology, politics, foreign languages, the arts of … of pleasure. And above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Exquisite courtesan, talented spy… and unlikely heroine. But when Phédre stumbles upon a plot that threatens her homeland, Terre d’Ange, she has no choice.
Betrayed into captivity in the barbarous northland of Skaldia and accompanied only by a disdainful young warrior-priest, Phédre makes a harrowing escape and an even more harrowing journey to return to her people and deliver a warning of the impending invasion. And that proves only the first step in a quest that will take her to the edge of despair and beyond.
Phédre nó Delaunay is the woman who holds the keys to her realm’s deadly secrets, and whose courage will decide the very future of her world.
Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel’s Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age and the birth of a new. It is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. A world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, deposed rulers and a besieged Queen, a warrior-priest, the Prince of Travelers, barbarian warlords, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess… all seen through the unflinching eyes of an unforgettable heroine.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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Fantastic world! Carey is one of my inspirations for her believable, intense characters and her complex, engaging plots. Love as thou wilt!
Romance, espionage, culture, sexuality. This book gives so much. The cultural facts mixed with her own imagination make Jacqueline’s work such a beautiful piece of work. It is definitely not a book for everyone but if you love history with a little extra “joie de vivre”, and will have your emotions all tangled in knot this is a read for you. There are characters I love, characters I hate, and ones I love to hate. Keep an open mind and dive in.
This is a dense book–not going to lie. The author’s vocabulary is commendable as is her ability to wordsmith like a gangster. I wasn’t that thrilled to read it, to be honest. BDSM isn’t really my jam, but people talk about it, so I took a gamble, bit the bullet, plugged my nose and took the plunge.
And man alive, I’m so glad I did. I won’t pretend that the first 50 pages were like…the most fascinating or gripping thing I’ve ever read…but then she met Jocelyn. And it was…some of the best Romance I’ve ever read. Their time together in the cold winter Northlands and then their cross-continental escape was heartwarming, inspiring, terrifying, and just…plain beautiful.
I’m a massive fan. So much so…I’m scared to read book 2 because Ms. Carey has proven she doesn’t mind killing off adored characters, and I don’t think I can handle it if she offs Jocelyn.
#scaredshitlessreader #don’tkillJocelyn #JocelynCanNeverDie #readthisbookwithadictionaryhandy
I have talked about Jacqueline Carey’s series of books before, actually, They would make an excellent HBO series, as well as a movie. This first book is full of wonderful lush details about the culture of her world, Terra d’Ange, including the celebration of the Longest Night, the winter solstice during which there is an enactment of the new light taking over for the year… The entire culture is very sensual and accepting of human sexuality and behavior. The book is tastefully sensual in its dealings with these subjects, as could be a movie.
Sometimes we need a book that just takes us far away. And is so hot the pages burn your fingers. This is about a young woman coming into her own in a place and time and culture that celebrates all aspects of human life. This is better than 50 shades of grey ever thought about being. This is about a culture where different aspects f sexuality is celebrated. And about a monarchy and countries with all the drama that any historical book can deliver BUT MORE finger burning pages. This is about finding ones way and making a life that fits. The characters are so well developed and the writing is so well done that you feel like a fly on the wall.
Kushiel’s Dart is an intricate and complex high fantasy filled with politics and desire. Phedre carries a red smote in her eye, declaring for all to see that she is chosen by the God Kushiel. She is an anguissette, a woman who can find pleasure in pain. Castaway as a child for being different, she is sold into the Night Court to become a member of a pleasure house. Until Delaunay discovers what she is and buys her mark. Raised in Delaunay’s household she is treated with respect and educated. While she will still be a servant of Naamah and provided bedroom services to clients, there is more to it than simply money. She is Delaunay’s eyes and ears. Listening to what her clients give up in moments of passion.
I was hesitant to start this book. I lost count how many times I picked it up in the bookstore and put it back down again. Anyone who follows my reviews knows my opinion of sex in books. I prefer to not read it at all. By chance, this was suggested at my book club and I figured I would give it a try. Jacqueline Cary is a magnificent writer. She does not focus on the physical actions when Phedre is with a client, instead, she focuses on what Phedre learns and her emotions. Sure, you know what is happening, but it’s more so in the background to everything else going on.
However, I must confess that I couldn’t keep the politics straight. There were too many names and factions to follow. I was more interested in Phedre and her reactions to the world around her. When the politics started to fall into the background, and the story was more focused on Phedre’s survival, I was much more interested because Phedre is almost as complex as the politics she indulged in for Delaunay.
This is also the first high fantasy I have read that featured a non-combative character at the forefront of battle. And Phedre doesn’t run away when the fighting begins. She uses all her skills of espionage to weasel her way into places that no one else can. Her determination to survive in the worst of situations is what made me continue reading this book despite its politics. Phedre is an extremely intelligent woman, who recognizes her downfalls and does what she can to be a better person. She never gives up. There are plenty of times she wants to, but she knows other people depend on her for her survival and she will not let them down.
A surprising find, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I read this way back in the day when the series was first being released, and then it fell off my radar, and then I reread it recently. WOW. Sometimes things you read when you’re younger don’t live up to the hype in your head, but this one does. it’s so beautiful and sexy and enthralling. I definitely recommend it. Phedre is the most amazing protagonist.
I read Kushiel’s Dart back when it first came out, and I absolutely loved it. I recently reread it, and I was not disappointed: it stood the test of time. Phedre is amazing, the world-building is gorgeous, and the twists and turns do not disappoint.
This book starts a wonderful trilogy. I read it all one evening. I love the richness of the world Carey created… Phedre is so intriguing.
It is rare to find a fantasy series that is written with the skill of a literary novel–but Jacqueline Carey does it over and over and over. Her books take you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They have dynamic characters who cannot BE other than who they ARE. And I have read every single one of her books and NEVER been let down. Be aware there is *adult content* in most of her books, but it always serves the plot. It’s never there for the sake of being there. But I haven’t let my kids read them yet. 🙂
This was a unique experience.
One of my all time favourite fantasy/kinky reads. JC’s world building is simply without compare. Melisande is one of my all time favourite villain’s, too!
Ahh, what to say about Kushiel’s Dart. I have read this book several times. The prose is so lush and rich, without being so overblown that you get lost. The world is vivid and real, the characters incredible. I *love* the deconstruction of religion and sex as sacred, and there has yet to be a heroine like Phedre. This series is not for the prudish, but none of the sex scenes are gratuitous, there’s always another purpose…character development, plot, etc. I love everything about this series, and I have purchased several sacrificial copies to give away.
One of my favorite series of all time, Kushiel’s Legacy is a cornerstone of romantic fantasy for good reason. Nine books spread over three unique story arcs encompass the tales of Phedre, Imriel, and Moirin, along with a sometimes mind-boggling slew of other characters. But don’t worry, Carey provides a thorough dramatis personae to help you keep track along the way.
The first trilogy, starting with Kushiel’s Dart, follows indentured courtesan Phedre through french-inspired Terre D’Ange and surrounding nations. While the first quarter of the book can be a bit of an exposition slog with occasional pockets of BDSM erotica (no shade thrown, I enjoy some good smut as much as the next gal), this slow start serves an important role in establishing Phedre’s skill set, history, and relationships at court. After you hit the first major plot twist, the rest seems to fly by. And ugh, OMG, the final battle in this first book gives me goosebumps every time.
Carey’s complex characters and lush, intricate world are second to none in the genre, as is her talent for slow-burn romance. I highly recommend not only this book, but the entire series.
Kushiel’s Chosen
Kushiel’s Avatar
Imriel’s Trilogy:
Kushiel’s Scion
Kushiel’s Justice
Kushiel’s Mercy
Moirin’s Trilogy:
Naamah’s Kiss
Naamah’s Curse
Naamah’s Blessing
This is one of the stories that is so beautiful I can’t help but pick it up over and over again. The characters make you want to jump into the world of Terre de’Ange and never leave, even as the politics and the intrigue keep you with baited breath the entire time. Beautifully written and with a world that is full of twists and turns and love and darkness, this book is a must for fantasy and romance readers alike!
I read the Phedra trilogy twice a year.
Boring and drags on before anything happens
Like your fantasy with a dark and edgy side? How about with magic, and gods, and love in all it’s varied forms? High adventure, characters so real you’ll grow to love them.
Kushiel’s Dart delivers, all of it. Epic fantasy, set in a world you’ll recognize as not so different from our own. Lush, detailed and epic, I could not put this down the first time I read it, and I have returned to it many times since.
too long Have not finished it yet
Page turner that kept me reading. Likable characters.