What do you think?
Rate this book
Phèdre's Trilogy #2
Kushiel's Chosen
Phedre no Delaunay is a young woman specially trained in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber. Once before, she gave up almost everything to save her homeland, but the gods are not done with their charge. She must leave again. This the sequel to 'Kushiel's Dart'."
893 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2002
843 people are currently reading
10.7k people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Carey
78books8,342followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name. .
Jacqueline Carey (born 1964 in Highland Park, Illinois) is an author and novelist, primarily of fantasy fiction.
She attended Lake Forest College, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore as part of a work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.
Jacqueline Carey (born 1964 in Highland Park, Illinois) is an author and novelist, primarily of fantasy fiction.
She attended Lake Forest College, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore as part of a work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,256 reviews
July 8, 2016
I was waffling between 3 & 4 stars on this one, but since the second book in this series was a marked improvement for me on the first book, 4 stars it is.
our intrepid heroine Phèdre - courtesan supreme with a very special talent for transmuting pain into pleasure - makes her debut redux as a titled Lady and so re-enters various schemes and plots at a very different level. and with that elimination of class issues (as well as the death of her charmingpimp patron in the first book) came the erasure of a lot of what annoyed me previously. which is odd because I love reading books about class warfare. maybe I am just a softie though, because I'd prefer to read about such things from the perspective of a fully empowered and independent woman capable of making her own decisions rather than reading about it from the perspective of a woman used as a pawn and sex puppet-cum-spy. the word "cum" in that last sentence was used in the formal, non-pornographic sense so keep your minds out of the gutter, pervs. and it's not like there's much class warfare in either book anyway - the appeal of these books rest in the heavy-breathing erotic atmosphere combined with all sorts of courtly intrigue.
which is kept front and center. what a relief! no gallivanting off to versions of Germania and Brittania to have eye-rolling adventures involving barbarians and swordplay and torture. Carey does a fabulous job in making these intrigues as compelling as any battle. her versions of France and Italy are wonderful creations and I was salivating over the combination of ambiguous character motivations, political machinations full of sneaky feints and double-edged words, assassination plots, and a search for a thoroughly enchanting villainess, all delivered amidst delightfully lush descriptions of the various locales through which Phèdre and her retinue travel. it was all quite delicious - a tasty meal.
other observations:
magic was kept at a minimum. it was handled poorly in the first book; its appearance here (during a sojourn in a version of Crete) was a bit painful but thankfully brief.
love story was front and center. still rather annoying but this time I did sort of feel for poor Joscelin. must be hard to have a girlfriend who still rents herself out, despite being a Lady of the Court.
the mythology of this world, featuring Elua (Jesus' sorta son) and his fallen angel companions, was as absorbing as ever.
it was nice to see a sadistic top actually portrayed as a good guy. well, not a bad guy, at least. the first book's bdsm trappings ended up feeling a bit hypocritical when all of its s&m tops were clearly villainous assholes. that's not the case here. Severio (ha! that name!) may be a spoiled, grouchy fratboy of a prince, but he's not evil and is actually pretty supportive once he realizes his tastes don't automatically make him a monster. he just needed to find a partner like Lady Phèdre to make him feel okay with himself. aww! and all that said, I was thankful that the bdsm scenes that dominated the first novel were minimized in this book. I guess I'm just not a big fan of that sort of stuff (anymore).
I also finally began to understand why, sexually, our heroine is a very special person. in the first book, I found the assertion that no one like her had been born in hundreds of years to be a bit hard to swallow - getting some degree of pleasure from some forms of pain is not exactly a super-rare attribute. thousands of fetish sites can surely attest to that. however this book provided a couple eye-opening examples: Phèdre going into orgasmic convulsions when being angrily shaken by Joscelin and, more amusingly, after getting pricked by a seamstress' needle while being fitted for one of her typically gorgeous gowns. okay Phèdre, I get it, you are definitely a very special person. don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
our intrepid heroine Phèdre - courtesan supreme with a very special talent for transmuting pain into pleasure - makes her debut redux as a titled Lady and so re-enters various schemes and plots at a very different level. and with that elimination of class issues (as well as the death of her charming
which is kept front and center. what a relief! no gallivanting off to versions of Germania and Brittania to have eye-rolling adventures involving barbarians and swordplay and torture. Carey does a fabulous job in making these intrigues as compelling as any battle. her versions of France and Italy are wonderful creations and I was salivating over the combination of ambiguous character motivations, political machinations full of sneaky feints and double-edged words, assassination plots, and a search for a thoroughly enchanting villainess, all delivered amidst delightfully lush descriptions of the various locales through which Phèdre and her retinue travel. it was all quite delicious - a tasty meal.
other observations:
magic was kept at a minimum. it was handled poorly in the first book; its appearance here (during a sojourn in a version of Crete) was a bit painful but thankfully brief.
love story was front and center. still rather annoying but this time I did sort of feel for poor Joscelin. must be hard to have a girlfriend who still rents herself out, despite being a Lady of the Court.
the mythology of this world, featuring Elua (Jesus' sorta son) and his fallen angel companions, was as absorbing as ever.
it was nice to see a sadistic top actually portrayed as a good guy. well, not a bad guy, at least. the first book's bdsm trappings ended up feeling a bit hypocritical when all of its s&m tops were clearly villainous assholes. that's not the case here. Severio (ha! that name!) may be a spoiled, grouchy fratboy of a prince, but he's not evil and is actually pretty supportive once he realizes his tastes don't automatically make him a monster. he just needed to find a partner like Lady Phèdre to make him feel okay with himself. aww! and all that said, I was thankful that the bdsm scenes that dominated the first novel were minimized in this book. I guess I'm just not a big fan of that sort of stuff (anymore).
I also finally began to understand why, sexually, our heroine is a very special person. in the first book, I found the assertion that no one like her had been born in hundreds of years to be a bit hard to swallow - getting some degree of pleasure from some forms of pain is not exactly a super-rare attribute. thousands of fetish sites can surely attest to that. however this book provided a couple eye-opening examples: Phèdre going into orgasmic convulsions when being angrily shaken by Joscelin and, more amusingly, after getting pricked by a seamstress' needle while being fitted for one of her typically gorgeous gowns. okay Phèdre, I get it, you are definitely a very special person. don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
January 20, 2009
With the expectations Kushiel's Dart gave me, I might have been worried that Kushiel's Chosen wouldn't match up. I wasn't, but I wouldn't have needed to be anyway. I loved this book just as much as the first one. Everything I've said about how it's not for everyone still stands (see my ), although there was less sex, I think, and perhaps more of the politics. Somehow, this book didn't feel as dense as that one, but there's still a lot of content considering it's the second book of a trilogy, and not a trilogy in itself. I think the feeling of less going on is mostly because there are fewer dramatic changes -- in the first book, there were a lot of milestones, and in this one, maybe not as much. It's still an incredible ride.
The stage is set, in this book, so there isn't such a flurry of characters being thrown at you. The new ones, such as Nicola L'Envers y Aragon and Sevario Stregazza, are quite interesting (not least because of the sex scenes, I have to admit). It's lovely to see how Jacqueline Carey weaves the characters so neatly into the plot -- there are no useless characters. I was sorry not to see anything of Hyacinthe in this book, and I was glad that he wasn't ignored. Ysandre was one of my favourite characters in the latter part of this book: she's written as such a strong, strong character.
The relationship between Joscelin and Phèdre was more painful than ever in this book, so I was very, very glad of the end. I'm not sure it could have continued as it was without getting needlessly painful and boring. While the new development makes me happy now, I have no doubts that Joscelin and Phèdre will find new ways to hurt my heart -- and that's good. The relationship between Melisande and Phèdre is still wonderfully handled. The thin line between love and hate that lies between them is perfectly walked. The scene where Phèdre smashes her head back against something to distract herself from Melisande's kiss is amazing.
Plotwise, it was so good. It seriously surprised me in various places, leaving me to flail and keyboard bash and fangirl at anyone willing to listen. The twists and turns are surprising, and yet brilliantly set up: once it's happened you think, "Oh. Yes. Of course."
There's a lovely conclusion, ending the book with some closure and yet also with threads still waiting to be tied up in the final book of the trilogy. I can't wait. I'm tempted to buy the Imriel books already, but I think I'll wait until they're all out in paperback -- painful as that will be.
I seriously recommend this trilogy, if you don't mind a bit of BDSM sex woven into the plot (you can skip it, after all).
The stage is set, in this book, so there isn't such a flurry of characters being thrown at you. The new ones, such as Nicola L'Envers y Aragon and Sevario Stregazza, are quite interesting (not least because of the sex scenes, I have to admit). It's lovely to see how Jacqueline Carey weaves the characters so neatly into the plot -- there are no useless characters. I was sorry not to see anything of Hyacinthe in this book, and I was glad that he wasn't ignored. Ysandre was one of my favourite characters in the latter part of this book: she's written as such a strong, strong character.
The relationship between Joscelin and Phèdre was more painful than ever in this book, so I was very, very glad of the end. I'm not sure it could have continued as it was without getting needlessly painful and boring. While the new development makes me happy now, I have no doubts that Joscelin and Phèdre will find new ways to hurt my heart -- and that's good. The relationship between Melisande and Phèdre is still wonderfully handled. The thin line between love and hate that lies between them is perfectly walked. The scene where Phèdre smashes her head back against something to distract herself from Melisande's kiss is amazing.
Plotwise, it was so good. It seriously surprised me in various places, leaving me to flail and keyboard bash and fangirl at anyone willing to listen. The twists and turns are surprising, and yet brilliantly set up: once it's happened you think, "Oh. Yes. Of course."
There's a lovely conclusion, ending the book with some closure and yet also with threads still waiting to be tied up in the final book of the trilogy. I can't wait. I'm tempted to buy the Imriel books already, but I think I'll wait until they're all out in paperback -- painful as that will be.
I seriously recommend this trilogy, if you don't mind a bit of BDSM sex woven into the plot (you can skip it, after all).
February 4, 2018
*** 4.35 ***
A Buddy Read with the FBR group!
This second book in the Phedre Trilogy was, in my opinion, better than the first. The pacing was much better and it kept you on your toes throughout. It had some lull moments, but they were well spaced and gave the main heroine time for some angst and going through all the facts and things she had done wrong and has to plan to do still... The more dynamic format might have positively been assisted by the smaller page count, although at 678 pages it is still a hefty tome.
"...“Why is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, that makes us hurt most those we love best?� ..."
This book starts about an year after the end of the first. You would have thought that Countess Phèdre nó Delaunay would be satisfied with her new title, estates, and the love of the man she seems to love as well, the ex-warrior monk Joscelin, but the Chosen of Kushiel doesn't seem to be satisfied with kicking her heels in the genteel country society, so she decides to take the bate and go on a search for the treacherous and very alluring vileness Melisande Shahirizai , who escaped her imprisonment and death sentence. In order to pursue her quarry she goes back to the seat of the royal family and rededicates herself to the goddess Namaah, thinking that by bedding as many nobles as she could, she might find who conspired and helped Melisande, and might be able to figure out where to find and detain her. This of course puts a big dent into the relationship she has with Joscelin and that comes to a complete halt when he decides to start studding with this alternative World's Christians, who actually read much more like the Hasidim Jews of our world. He fits perfectly with them, since they have been promised in a prophecy a country of their own, and he gets to train them to fight. Things between him and Phedre really go bad and this rift comes in play when he is not there to protect her.
"...“And having once chosen, never to seek to return to the crossroads of that decision-for even if one chooses wrongly, the choice cannot be unmade.� ..."
Meanwhile, Phedre gets introduced to a young noble with a temper, a brother and sister who love to chat about court intrigue, a very crabby prince and another beautiful and charismatic woman, which Jacqueline Carey is obviously very good at writing. Queen Ysandre de la Courcey puts on a good show as well, but nothing and no one can compare with Melisande Shahirizai and the heat that comes off the pages when she is in any proximity to Phedre!!! Wow! I hate her, because she is infinitely cruel, but I can't help but love her too!!! Now that is a women of which even the big boys have to be terrified! Good for girl power, but still a bad person in the end....
"...“They are fools, who reckon Elua a soft god, fit only for the worship of starry-eyed lovers. Let the warriors clamor after gods of blood and thunder; love is hard, harder than steel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in it's wake.� ..."
I love the mish-mash of cultures, religions, deities, and characters so much, that I even choose to overlook the heavy irregularities of time periods of different countries co-existing at the same time in the Ms. Carey's world. I will go with "this is Fantasy" so things like that can happen and it is OK! I also love that in the main land where Phedre comes from, love is acceptable in all forms as long as it is between consenting adults. Yes, this whole series is full of sexual relationships - after all, Phedre is a servant of Namaah, which makes her a highly paid prostitute and is also chosen by Kushiel. which makes her really appreciative of the pain and domination which comes with it at times. So yeah, she is using her skills as a sex professional to spy for Queen and Country!!! She is a true patriot:):):):)
"...“The pain of the flesh is naught to that of the heart� ..."
If you are willing to accept the sex as just her job and take it as a background, this story is actually pure adventure and very good one at that! I was even toying with going for 5 stars, but there were things I couldn't overlook, so almost 5 stars it is. I am very glad that some friends encouraged me to start the series and I am looking forward to the next installment with trepidation!!! You have to give it a try!
"...“If you thought better of me, you would not be so surprised� ..."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful Books to come!
A Buddy Read with the FBR group!
This second book in the Phedre Trilogy was, in my opinion, better than the first. The pacing was much better and it kept you on your toes throughout. It had some lull moments, but they were well spaced and gave the main heroine time for some angst and going through all the facts and things she had done wrong and has to plan to do still... The more dynamic format might have positively been assisted by the smaller page count, although at 678 pages it is still a hefty tome.
"...“Why is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, that makes us hurt most those we love best?� ..."
This book starts about an year after the end of the first. You would have thought that Countess Phèdre nó Delaunay would be satisfied with her new title, estates, and the love of the man she seems to love as well, the ex-warrior monk Joscelin, but the Chosen of Kushiel doesn't seem to be satisfied with kicking her heels in the genteel country society, so she decides to take the bate and go on a search for the treacherous and very alluring vileness Melisande Shahirizai , who escaped her imprisonment and death sentence. In order to pursue her quarry she goes back to the seat of the royal family and rededicates herself to the goddess Namaah, thinking that by bedding as many nobles as she could, she might find who conspired and helped Melisande, and might be able to figure out where to find and detain her. This of course puts a big dent into the relationship she has with Joscelin and that comes to a complete halt when he decides to start studding with this alternative World's Christians, who actually read much more like the Hasidim Jews of our world. He fits perfectly with them, since they have been promised in a prophecy a country of their own, and he gets to train them to fight. Things between him and Phedre really go bad and this rift comes in play when he is not there to protect her.
"...“And having once chosen, never to seek to return to the crossroads of that decision-for even if one chooses wrongly, the choice cannot be unmade.� ..."
Meanwhile, Phedre gets introduced to a young noble with a temper, a brother and sister who love to chat about court intrigue, a very crabby prince and another beautiful and charismatic woman, which Jacqueline Carey is obviously very good at writing. Queen Ysandre de la Courcey puts on a good show as well, but nothing and no one can compare with Melisande Shahirizai and the heat that comes off the pages when she is in any proximity to Phedre!!! Wow! I hate her, because she is infinitely cruel, but I can't help but love her too!!! Now that is a women of which even the big boys have to be terrified! Good for girl power, but still a bad person in the end....
"...“They are fools, who reckon Elua a soft god, fit only for the worship of starry-eyed lovers. Let the warriors clamor after gods of blood and thunder; love is hard, harder than steel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in it's wake.� ..."
I love the mish-mash of cultures, religions, deities, and characters so much, that I even choose to overlook the heavy irregularities of time periods of different countries co-existing at the same time in the Ms. Carey's world. I will go with "this is Fantasy" so things like that can happen and it is OK! I also love that in the main land where Phedre comes from, love is acceptable in all forms as long as it is between consenting adults. Yes, this whole series is full of sexual relationships - after all, Phedre is a servant of Namaah, which makes her a highly paid prostitute and is also chosen by Kushiel. which makes her really appreciative of the pain and domination which comes with it at times. So yeah, she is using her skills as a sex professional to spy for Queen and Country!!! She is a true patriot:):):):)
"...“The pain of the flesh is naught to that of the heart� ..."
If you are willing to accept the sex as just her job and take it as a background, this story is actually pure adventure and very good one at that! I was even toying with going for 5 stars, but there were things I couldn't overlook, so almost 5 stars it is. I am very glad that some friends encouraged me to start the series and I am looking forward to the next installment with trepidation!!! You have to give it a try!
"...“If you thought better of me, you would not be so surprised� ..."
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful Books to come!
May 19, 2010
Perhaps some day I will read one of these BDSM courtesan-spy epic fantasy doorstops and actually be able to talk about it afterwards, but today is not that day. Because right now, I am just so fucking grateful to this book, it has eclipsed the book itself � unintentionally hilarious, strangely unproblematic � almost entirely. This is what I read during the final two weeks of my last semester in law school. It’s what I read on the eight minute dog walking breaks, what I read when I snapped awake at 4:30 in the morning but just could not face studying more right then, what I read when I took a half-hour breather twelve-hours out from the end when the euphoria started setting in, it’s what I read on the train in to my exams. And you know, there were pirates! And prison breaks! And kinky lesbian sex scenes! And great battles! But I barely noticed, because this book was pleasant in a white noise kind of way, and it was long so I didn’t have to face finding something else to read, and it just tra-la-la’ed along for 600 pages whether I was paying attention or not. Basically it was the book equivalent of someone quietly holding your hand and telling you about their day just so you could listen to the sound of their voice and not worry about the sense of it.
Oh my God, Jacqueline Carey. Thank you thank you thank you.
Oh my God, Jacqueline Carey. Thank you thank you thank you.
March 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
This was such a wonderfully immersive fantasy novel. I liked the first novel, but I really fell in love with the characters and the story in this second book. The worldbuilding is incredibly rich and the character work is equally as deep. I really appreciated the nuanced conversation surrounding culture, societal roles and sexuality. Once again I really enjoyed the steamy bit, which played with themes of consent and stigma.
The plot in this second book was absolutely engaging from start to finish. The story was a good blend of action, political intrigue and just enough adult content.
I would highly recommend this well written fantasy novel to readers looking for a complex fantasy world filled with morally gray people.
This was such a wonderfully immersive fantasy novel. I liked the first novel, but I really fell in love with the characters and the story in this second book. The worldbuilding is incredibly rich and the character work is equally as deep. I really appreciated the nuanced conversation surrounding culture, societal roles and sexuality. Once again I really enjoyed the steamy bit, which played with themes of consent and stigma.
The plot in this second book was absolutely engaging from start to finish. The story was a good blend of action, political intrigue and just enough adult content.
I would highly recommend this well written fantasy novel to readers looking for a complex fantasy world filled with morally gray people.
June 21, 2024
Strength was not my weapon; only surrender.
In case you'd forgotten Phèdre, our favorite bisexual sex worker & sexspy, is also the subbiest of subs, this book reminds us. And I had a nice time with its 28.5 hours of audiobook, because the narrator is mostly great (though, pun intended, she really butchers the pronounciation for chirurgeon which is already a very labored word) and Phèdre is an engaging character and the world is relatively interesting.
But it does suffer from second book syndrome. I would have rated it 3.5/5, but landing at 4, because when asked for what reward she wants at some point, Phèdre decides to ask for policy in unionizing all the courtesans in La Serenissima (aka Venice) with educational programs for them. And that's extremely my shit.
I would rather not have gone, but one does not refuse anorder from one's sovereign.
However, the book has such a similar structure to the first one that, once the excitement of reading this kinky concept subsided a bit, I was able to critique it more thoroughly. For one, Phèdre is a submissive and as such she really does love authority and goes weak in the knees for all assertive people - which is fun when they're evil or sarcastic, but not as fun when she is all about upholding the monarchy in Terre D'Ange and supporting queen Ysandre (who is rather perfectly bland or blandly perfect). Phèdre doesn't question the state of the state at all, but she is more of a reformist, trying to like help sex workers and indentured servants and also liberate slaves from some parts. I guess I have to live with it.
Then, there's the matter of Joscelin. I totally get why the author would enjoy writing the drama of a kinky submissive woman in a relationship with a very basic, vanilla man, but Joscelin got me on my nerves again, for most of the book. Every time he was on page, I would eye roll at his judgyness re: Phèdre's work. And somehow, Carey managed to make me care about him again by the end and that's skill. My enjoyment of the series now heavily hinges on how these two shake out by the end. I really would be frustrated by another sex worker story where she finds the one and decides to give up on something she finds pleasurable. We'll see, pretty soon I imagine.
The world felt even more awkward this time around, with new places to visit like Kriti and Minos, which is so weird, cause Terre D'Ange is medieval and these Greek city-states are from ancient times and the worldbuilding feels a bit incoherent. Plus, some places are disguised and some barely. Kriti is just Crete in Greek! Minos is freaking Minos! Plus, there is something brewing with Yeshuites in this one, they want to form the state of the Children of Yisra-el so I guess we will see what will happen. I'm not suuuuper excited about it.
Beyond all these critiques, where the book shines is in the way of actual explorations of sex work and kink. Carey feels like she really knows her stuff and understands how these things work. And perhaps the book / character wouldn't be as fun if Phèdre was a submissive in the sheets and an anarchist in the streets.
The priestess took her hand away, calm and undisturbed; I nearly fell yearning against her, but kept myself steady. - This is the kind of fun writing in this book, when our MC just lusts after authoritative people.
And what we do have, is great. We have shibari, we have Phèdre contracting a sex worker herself for the first time! And we have some thoughtful meditations on what a patron of her would have to gain, emotionally, from their encounter. And this is why I keep reading and am excited to read the end of the trilogy soonish, perhaps in a couple of months!
In case you'd forgotten Phèdre, our favorite bisexual sex worker & sexspy, is also the subbiest of subs, this book reminds us. And I had a nice time with its 28.5 hours of audiobook, because the narrator is mostly great (though, pun intended, she really butchers the pronounciation for chirurgeon which is already a very labored word) and Phèdre is an engaging character and the world is relatively interesting.
But it does suffer from second book syndrome. I would have rated it 3.5/5, but landing at 4, because when asked for what reward she wants at some point, Phèdre decides to ask for policy in unionizing all the courtesans in La Serenissima (aka Venice) with educational programs for them. And that's extremely my shit.
I would rather not have gone, but one does not refuse anorder from one's sovereign.
However, the book has such a similar structure to the first one that, once the excitement of reading this kinky concept subsided a bit, I was able to critique it more thoroughly. For one, Phèdre is a submissive and as such she really does love authority and goes weak in the knees for all assertive people - which is fun when they're evil or sarcastic, but not as fun when she is all about upholding the monarchy in Terre D'Ange and supporting queen Ysandre (who is rather perfectly bland or blandly perfect). Phèdre doesn't question the state of the state at all, but she is more of a reformist, trying to like help sex workers and indentured servants and also liberate slaves from some parts. I guess I have to live with it.
Then, there's the matter of Joscelin. I totally get why the author would enjoy writing the drama of a kinky submissive woman in a relationship with a very basic, vanilla man, but Joscelin got me on my nerves again, for most of the book. Every time he was on page, I would eye roll at his judgyness re: Phèdre's work. And somehow, Carey managed to make me care about him again by the end and that's skill. My enjoyment of the series now heavily hinges on how these two shake out by the end. I really would be frustrated by another sex worker story where she finds the one and decides to give up on something she finds pleasurable. We'll see, pretty soon I imagine.
The world felt even more awkward this time around, with new places to visit like Kriti and Minos, which is so weird, cause Terre D'Ange is medieval and these Greek city-states are from ancient times and the worldbuilding feels a bit incoherent. Plus, some places are disguised and some barely. Kriti is just Crete in Greek! Minos is freaking Minos! Plus, there is something brewing with Yeshuites in this one, they want to form the state of the Children of Yisra-el so I guess we will see what will happen. I'm not suuuuper excited about it.
Beyond all these critiques, where the book shines is in the way of actual explorations of sex work and kink. Carey feels like she really knows her stuff and understands how these things work. And perhaps the book / character wouldn't be as fun if Phèdre was a submissive in the sheets and an anarchist in the streets.
The priestess took her hand away, calm and undisturbed; I nearly fell yearning against her, but kept myself steady. - This is the kind of fun writing in this book, when our MC just lusts after authoritative people.
And what we do have, is great. We have shibari, we have Phèdre contracting a sex worker herself for the first time! And we have some thoughtful meditations on what a patron of her would have to gain, emotionally, from their encounter. And this is why I keep reading and am excited to read the end of the trilogy soonish, perhaps in a couple of months!
October 19, 2021
I think Jacqueline Carey was channeling Mary Renault and Guy Gavriel Kay while she was writing this novel. The fantasy setting is recognizable as a version of historical Renaissance Europe, altered to accommodate Carey's plotline. Straight historical fantasy would be too limiting, so she makes adjustments like Kay does. She also includes supernatural elements, slightly more prominently than Kay's work. Once the action arrived at Carey's version of Crete, I couldn't help but think of Mary Renault's ancient history settings, especially as Phedre meets the descendants of King Minos.
So, in this fantasy setting, Carey writes a sexy spy thriller. Phedre reminds me of Angelique from the multiple-book series by Anne Golan featuring the French adventuress. Somehow, Phedre is always at the centre of things, despite her lowly beginnings. Her sexuality is part of her rise to prominence (like the aforementioned Angelique), combined with her covert training with her deceased sponsor, Delaunay. She has skill as a linguist and is a devoted student of literature and history. When stated like that, she sounds like a Mary Sue character, but I tended to overlook that because so many things seem to go wrong with her plans.
The largest supernatural intervention in Phedre's world seems to be the influence of the gods in the lives of their worshippers. Several times in this novel, they seem to intervene to save Phedre's life, only to leave her in yet another desperate situation. It is maybe not an advantage to be marked by a god.
The action is unflagging, there are twists and turns, and for the last few chapters I couldn't set the book down. Even after the major plot is dealt with, there remain urgent tasks requiring attention. Only the very last chapter lets the reader come back to reality gently, willing to let go of Phedre until the time comes to pick up the next volume.
Book number 426 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
So, in this fantasy setting, Carey writes a sexy spy thriller. Phedre reminds me of Angelique from the multiple-book series by Anne Golan featuring the French adventuress. Somehow, Phedre is always at the centre of things, despite her lowly beginnings. Her sexuality is part of her rise to prominence (like the aforementioned Angelique), combined with her covert training with her deceased sponsor, Delaunay. She has skill as a linguist and is a devoted student of literature and history. When stated like that, she sounds like a Mary Sue character, but I tended to overlook that because so many things seem to go wrong with her plans.
The largest supernatural intervention in Phedre's world seems to be the influence of the gods in the lives of their worshippers. Several times in this novel, they seem to intervene to save Phedre's life, only to leave her in yet another desperate situation. It is maybe not an advantage to be marked by a god.
The action is unflagging, there are twists and turns, and for the last few chapters I couldn't set the book down. Even after the major plot is dealt with, there remain urgent tasks requiring attention. Only the very last chapter lets the reader come back to reality gently, willing to let go of Phedre until the time comes to pick up the next volume.
Book number 426 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
March 31, 2010
Screw magic. Give me some political fantasy any day, and I'm a happy reader.
I . I'm not sure if there's a definite quality improvement or if I'm going too easy on this one, but I loved Kushiel's Chosen.
The Kushiel's Legacy series takes place in a sort of world where it's Europe, only not. From this starting point, Jacqueline Carey creates a world that, while somewhat similar to our own, nevertheless has unique societies and politics. As she crisscrosses Europe—sorry, Europa—in search of the escaped traitor, Melisande Shahirizai, Phèdre tours many of these societies and inevitably gets involved in her politics. The combination of her stunning beauty, sexual promiscuity, and savvy spy skills can be very persuasive.
Indeed, it's quite possible to label Phèdre a and call it day. That doesn't do justice to Carey's intricate plotting though. Rather, I love Kushiel's Chosen because it teeters on the brink of being contrived; Phèdre balances just on the precipice of Mary Sue-dom. All these people Phèdre encounter tend to help her, for one or more of the three aforementioned character traits she possesses. To put it in perspective: upon escaping from an inescapable island prison (and nearly drowning), Phèdre soon rebuilds her power base, befriending in the process not one but two other nations, and returns to Venice—sorry, La Serenissima—to stop the assassination of her Queen.
What saves the book, and Phèdre, is the difficulty level at which Carey has set her game. Despite her ever-ready allies, despite her shrewdness and knowledge of political intrigue, Phèdre spends most of the book suffering failure after failure. It's like Carey has constructed a giant locked room mystery (where the room is the size of a continent), and Phèdre has interrogated all of the witnesses and suspects, but she still guesses wrongly. Meanwhile, I guessed where Melisande was hiding long before the big reveal (and I never solve those mysteries). But does this make the book bad? On the contrary, it's very smart. By choosing it to do this way, Carey divides the book into two parts that are almost self-contained narratives in themselves, with introduction, rising action, climax, and denouement.
In the first half of Kushiel's Chosen, we're re-introduced to Phèdre, Terre d'Ange, and being a Servant of Namaah. The main focus is on discovering how Melisande escaped custody at the end of Kushiel's Dart (and hence, where she has gone to ground). To this end, we're immersed in the court life in the City of Elua, with Phèdre unsure of who is trustworthy, since someone supposedly beyond reproach had to help Melisande escape. After staging a falling out with Queen Ysandre and relocating to La Serenissima, Phèdre soon discovers where Melisande is hiding. But it's too late, and she's imprisoned in an inescapable fortress on an island.
The second half features Phèdre's lucky escape, several brushes with death, and the befriending and bedding of a pirate. The mystery is over, and now it's all about rebuilding her power base so Phèdre can return to La Serenissima in time to prevent Ysandre's assassination. It's pretty obvious that Phèdre will succeed at this one task, even if she has failed at everything else, so the source of the drama comes from everyone around Phèdre. Who lives and who dies? What's Melisande's fate? More importantly, how do the machinations of a D'Angeline traitor affect Serenissiman politics? Carey constantly impresses me with her ability to effortless manage so many characters. The universe of Kushiel's Legacy is very heavily populated, but not so much so that it's Name Soup.
Kushiel's Chosen is sort of a political/spy thriller set in a fantasy world, albeit only in the sense that slow-moving historical fiction can be a thriller (as the events take place over the course of a year). It's weakest in its characterization, especially with Phèdre and Joscelin's relationship, which is far too prolonged. (Also, of all the exposition that Carey skips in the second book, she doesn't re-explain the nature of the Cassilines, something I had forgotten in the year that managed to elapse between books.)
By far, the most intriguing relationship is the one between Phèdre and Melisande. They are each other's nemesis on both an intellectual and visceral level. Phèdre and I both admire Melisande's aptitude at the game of thrones. She is a delightfully crafty enemy and well a match for Phèdre—in more ways than one, as Phèdre considers Melisande delicious as well as delightful. If her existence as the world's only anguissette isn't conflicting enough, her attraction to Melisande is inconvenient and almost deadly. At first, I didn't entirely understand this aspect of their relationship—it's obvious, after all, that Phèdre would never betray Ysandre and join the dark side.
But it's more than just mere attraction. Phèdre is a lonely heroine, and has been from the start of the series. After the deaths of Alcuin and Anafiel and the loss of Hyacinthe in Kushiel's Dart, Phèdre is more alone than ever. This situation only escalates throughout Kushiel's Chosen as Phèdre alienates Joscelin and loses some of her companions. Moreover, wherever she goes and whatever she accomplishes, she is always still "the anguissette," identified sometimes more by myth than her own personality. (The fact that she saves the kingdom and is commended by Ysandre for this at the end of the book doesn't exactly help.)
As her nemesis, Melisande is a part of Phèdre's identity. She beat Phèdre in the first halves of both books. Although Phèdre was ultimately victorious (twice), Melisande promises that it's not game over. Similarly, Melisande is the only patron of Phèdre's who ever extracted the safe word—sorry, signale—during a sexual exploit. I would go so far as to say that Melisande is the single person who best understands Phèdre, both as an anguissette and as spy—she certainly understands Phèdre better than Phèdre's love, Joscelin. At the best of times he's clueless about the complications of Phèdre's commitments to Namaah's service; at the worst of times he's openly disdainful.
And so, Kushiel's Chosen takes the best aspects of Kushiel's Dart and amplifies them, grafting on a better plot with more sinister intrigue and a stellar cast of supporting characters. More than just court drama (although Phèdre never hesitates to give us a play-by-play of what she's wearing), Kushiel's Chosen is the intimate dance between two like minds conducted with an entire continent as their battlefield. Phèdre and Melisande face off in a conflict that is both deeply political and deeply personal. In so doing, Carey captures the breadth of human expression writ large and writ small.
Returning to Terre D'Ange and Phèdre's Europe—sorry, Europa—was truly a pleasure. I recommended Kushiel's Dart to fans of epic fantasy; now I'll go one step further and say that even straight up historical fiction fans can find enjoyment here. Carey's skill as a writer is something that transcends genre, and while Kushiel's Chosen is fantasy in name, it is fantastic by nature.
My Reviews of Kushiel's Legacy:
|
I . I'm not sure if there's a definite quality improvement or if I'm going too easy on this one, but I loved Kushiel's Chosen.
The Kushiel's Legacy series takes place in a sort of world where it's Europe, only not. From this starting point, Jacqueline Carey creates a world that, while somewhat similar to our own, nevertheless has unique societies and politics. As she crisscrosses Europe—sorry, Europa—in search of the escaped traitor, Melisande Shahirizai, Phèdre tours many of these societies and inevitably gets involved in her politics. The combination of her stunning beauty, sexual promiscuity, and savvy spy skills can be very persuasive.
Indeed, it's quite possible to label Phèdre a and call it day. That doesn't do justice to Carey's intricate plotting though. Rather, I love Kushiel's Chosen because it teeters on the brink of being contrived; Phèdre balances just on the precipice of Mary Sue-dom. All these people Phèdre encounter tend to help her, for one or more of the three aforementioned character traits she possesses. To put it in perspective: upon escaping from an inescapable island prison (and nearly drowning), Phèdre soon rebuilds her power base, befriending in the process not one but two other nations, and returns to Venice—sorry, La Serenissima—to stop the assassination of her Queen.
What saves the book, and Phèdre, is the difficulty level at which Carey has set her game. Despite her ever-ready allies, despite her shrewdness and knowledge of political intrigue, Phèdre spends most of the book suffering failure after failure. It's like Carey has constructed a giant locked room mystery (where the room is the size of a continent), and Phèdre has interrogated all of the witnesses and suspects, but she still guesses wrongly. Meanwhile, I guessed where Melisande was hiding long before the big reveal (and I never solve those mysteries). But does this make the book bad? On the contrary, it's very smart. By choosing it to do this way, Carey divides the book into two parts that are almost self-contained narratives in themselves, with introduction, rising action, climax, and denouement.
In the first half of Kushiel's Chosen, we're re-introduced to Phèdre, Terre d'Ange, and being a Servant of Namaah. The main focus is on discovering how Melisande escaped custody at the end of Kushiel's Dart (and hence, where she has gone to ground). To this end, we're immersed in the court life in the City of Elua, with Phèdre unsure of who is trustworthy, since someone supposedly beyond reproach had to help Melisande escape. After staging a falling out with Queen Ysandre and relocating to La Serenissima, Phèdre soon discovers where Melisande is hiding. But it's too late, and she's imprisoned in an inescapable fortress on an island.
The second half features Phèdre's lucky escape, several brushes with death, and the befriending and bedding of a pirate. The mystery is over, and now it's all about rebuilding her power base so Phèdre can return to La Serenissima in time to prevent Ysandre's assassination. It's pretty obvious that Phèdre will succeed at this one task, even if she has failed at everything else, so the source of the drama comes from everyone around Phèdre. Who lives and who dies? What's Melisande's fate? More importantly, how do the machinations of a D'Angeline traitor affect Serenissiman politics? Carey constantly impresses me with her ability to effortless manage so many characters. The universe of Kushiel's Legacy is very heavily populated, but not so much so that it's Name Soup.
Kushiel's Chosen is sort of a political/spy thriller set in a fantasy world, albeit only in the sense that slow-moving historical fiction can be a thriller (as the events take place over the course of a year). It's weakest in its characterization, especially with Phèdre and Joscelin's relationship, which is far too prolonged. (Also, of all the exposition that Carey skips in the second book, she doesn't re-explain the nature of the Cassilines, something I had forgotten in the year that managed to elapse between books.)
By far, the most intriguing relationship is the one between Phèdre and Melisande. They are each other's nemesis on both an intellectual and visceral level. Phèdre and I both admire Melisande's aptitude at the game of thrones. She is a delightfully crafty enemy and well a match for Phèdre—in more ways than one, as Phèdre considers Melisande delicious as well as delightful. If her existence as the world's only anguissette isn't conflicting enough, her attraction to Melisande is inconvenient and almost deadly. At first, I didn't entirely understand this aspect of their relationship—it's obvious, after all, that Phèdre would never betray Ysandre and join the dark side.
But it's more than just mere attraction. Phèdre is a lonely heroine, and has been from the start of the series. After the deaths of Alcuin and Anafiel and the loss of Hyacinthe in Kushiel's Dart, Phèdre is more alone than ever. This situation only escalates throughout Kushiel's Chosen as Phèdre alienates Joscelin and loses some of her companions. Moreover, wherever she goes and whatever she accomplishes, she is always still "the anguissette," identified sometimes more by myth than her own personality. (The fact that she saves the kingdom and is commended by Ysandre for this at the end of the book doesn't exactly help.)
As her nemesis, Melisande is a part of Phèdre's identity. She beat Phèdre in the first halves of both books. Although Phèdre was ultimately victorious (twice), Melisande promises that it's not game over. Similarly, Melisande is the only patron of Phèdre's who ever extracted the safe word—sorry, signale—during a sexual exploit. I would go so far as to say that Melisande is the single person who best understands Phèdre, both as an anguissette and as spy—she certainly understands Phèdre better than Phèdre's love, Joscelin. At the best of times he's clueless about the complications of Phèdre's commitments to Namaah's service; at the worst of times he's openly disdainful.
And so, Kushiel's Chosen takes the best aspects of Kushiel's Dart and amplifies them, grafting on a better plot with more sinister intrigue and a stellar cast of supporting characters. More than just court drama (although Phèdre never hesitates to give us a play-by-play of what she's wearing), Kushiel's Chosen is the intimate dance between two like minds conducted with an entire continent as their battlefield. Phèdre and Melisande face off in a conflict that is both deeply political and deeply personal. In so doing, Carey captures the breadth of human expression writ large and writ small.
Returning to Terre D'Ange and Phèdre's Europe—sorry, Europa—was truly a pleasure. I recommended Kushiel's Dart to fans of epic fantasy; now I'll go one step further and say that even straight up historical fiction fans can find enjoyment here. Carey's skill as a writer is something that transcends genre, and while Kushiel's Chosen is fantasy in name, it is fantastic by nature.
My Reviews of Kushiel's Legacy:
|
May 20, 2015
Another beautifully written epic fantasy.
Kushiel's Chosen picks up where Kushiel's Dart left off. But whereas Phedre is initially drawn into intrigue for the sake of her murdered mentor & foster-brother, the tragedies & travails in this second installment are a product of Phedre's own impetus. She doesn't have to become involved, but she makes that choice -- the same way she submits to a patron's whims, but on a larger political scale. Likewise, the intrigue in this book has a more personal note. Vanquished is the onslaught of brutal Viking-esque hordes; this time the peril is pretty faces & nobility in the heart of Terre d'Ange, & that duplicity spurs her decision to resume the chess game with Melisande.
Phedre is that rare breed in fantasy -- a strong female character who isn't a warrior, or even royalty. Rather, she's a highly-placed courtesan whose principle talents are looking beautiful on cue, submissive sex, unraveling of political tangles, dicing with soldiers, & a tenacious survival instinct. She has a definite prejudice toward the perfection of all things D'Angeline, yet she is quick to appreciate simple goodness & beauty in other cultures. And though she admits a preference for creature comforts, she values loyalty & kindred souls above all else.
I can't help thinking this author must have devoured bodice rippers when she was younger. Phedre's sprawling adventures -- bouncing from place to place & one impossible situation to the next, all the while repeatedly separated from Joscelin & her closest companions -- smack of classic bodice shredding. But her unabashed femininity & sexual responses are also reminiscent of free-wheeling doorstoppers with kaleidoscopic covers. So many heroines these days are ashamed of having sexual thoughts, let alone sleeping with men who aren't the primary hero. Where's the fun in that? Why is larger-than-life such a dirty concept these days?! The written world needs more Phedres, dammit.
...But I still hate that were killed. ;____; Curse you, Jacqueline Carey.
Not as intense as #1, but still worth the high rating; the characters make up for any slow parts of the story, & the precisely elegant narration is a balm to my brain.
Kushiel's Chosen picks up where Kushiel's Dart left off. But whereas Phedre is initially drawn into intrigue for the sake of her murdered mentor & foster-brother, the tragedies & travails in this second installment are a product of Phedre's own impetus. She doesn't have to become involved, but she makes that choice -- the same way she submits to a patron's whims, but on a larger political scale. Likewise, the intrigue in this book has a more personal note. Vanquished is the onslaught of brutal Viking-esque hordes; this time the peril is pretty faces & nobility in the heart of Terre d'Ange, & that duplicity spurs her decision to resume the chess game with Melisande.
Phedre is that rare breed in fantasy -- a strong female character who isn't a warrior, or even royalty. Rather, she's a highly-placed courtesan whose principle talents are looking beautiful on cue, submissive sex, unraveling of political tangles, dicing with soldiers, & a tenacious survival instinct. She has a definite prejudice toward the perfection of all things D'Angeline, yet she is quick to appreciate simple goodness & beauty in other cultures. And though she admits a preference for creature comforts, she values loyalty & kindred souls above all else.
I can't help thinking this author must have devoured bodice rippers when she was younger. Phedre's sprawling adventures -- bouncing from place to place & one impossible situation to the next, all the while repeatedly separated from Joscelin & her closest companions -- smack of classic bodice shredding. But her unabashed femininity & sexual responses are also reminiscent of free-wheeling doorstoppers with kaleidoscopic covers. So many heroines these days are ashamed of having sexual thoughts, let alone sleeping with men who aren't the primary hero. Where's the fun in that? Why is larger-than-life such a dirty concept these days?! The written world needs more Phedres, dammit.
...But I still hate that were killed. ;____; Curse you, Jacqueline Carey.
Not as intense as #1, but still worth the high rating; the characters make up for any slow parts of the story, & the precisely elegant narration is a balm to my brain.
February 11, 2024
I didn't love this quite as much as book 1, but it's still a fantastic political fantasy novel with a satisfying story arc. Phaedre continues to be a wonderfully interesting and complex heroine. I didn't like Joscelin as much in this book. I feel like he knew what he was getting into falling for her and then couldn't deal. But overall, a really good book and I plan to continue!
September 11, 2010
Kushiel's Chosen was my least favorite of Jacqueline Carey's trilogy featuring the anguisette Phedre no Delaunay. In this novel, the action shifts from Terre d'Ange to Carey's version of Venice (La Serenissima) so Phedre is free to display her snobbery and chauvinism to a grating degree (no one else is as beautiful as Angelines, no other place is as lovely, cultured, fashionable or interesting, no other language is as beautiful, yadda, yadda, yadda. By the time I'd read 700 pages of this, I wanted shut Phedre up in La Dolorosa myself just for being annoying!) And the "Mary Sue"ness of Phedre in this one is off the charts - EVERYONE falls in love with her (Illyrian pirates; Cretan princes, you name it!)
Unfortunately, I think I like Melisande Shahrizai a lot more than I like Phedre or Phedre's boss Ysandre in this (and I think Melisande does have a point about how she'd make a fine queen!) Plus, there was not enough Joscelin in this for my tastes!
I'm always a little weirded out in these books, by the way, by the co-existence of Bronze Age England with Renaissance (or even 18th century?) France and Italy and ancient Crete, as though none of the technological/religious developments in any country can migrate across their borders (yes, I get it that with the Master of the Straits, "England" stayed really isolated, but I don't understand how Crete is still basically Minoan Crete and yet it coexists with Dogal Venice. Really?)
Lastly, Carey overuses certain words and phrases that drive me crazy: Examples: "well and so", "mayhap" and worst of all, "somewhat" when she means "something" which is "somewhat" that makes me have to mentally edit almost every sentence!
And yet, go figure, I still thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy (and loved Kushiel's Avatar).
Unfortunately, I think I like Melisande Shahrizai a lot more than I like Phedre or Phedre's boss Ysandre in this (and I think Melisande does have a point about how she'd make a fine queen!) Plus, there was not enough Joscelin in this for my tastes!
I'm always a little weirded out in these books, by the way, by the co-existence of Bronze Age England with Renaissance (or even 18th century?) France and Italy and ancient Crete, as though none of the technological/religious developments in any country can migrate across their borders (yes, I get it that with the Master of the Straits, "England" stayed really isolated, but I don't understand how Crete is still basically Minoan Crete and yet it coexists with Dogal Venice. Really?)
Lastly, Carey overuses certain words and phrases that drive me crazy: Examples: "well and so", "mayhap" and worst of all, "somewhat" when she means "something" which is "somewhat" that makes me have to mentally edit almost every sentence!
And yet, go figure, I still thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy (and loved Kushiel's Avatar).
March 28, 2021
There is a wild and piercing sweetness in celebrating life after a long sorrow; all of us felt it that night. Spring is ever a time of renewal, and it seemed fit, after so long, to rediscover pure, unalloyed happiness.
I love this book as much in 2021 as I did in 2015. Perfection.
-------------------
[Mild non-specific spoilers for Kushiel's Dart below]
Top 5 Reasons I Loved Kushiel's Chosen
1) The first thing I see when I open the book is a map and a cast of characters sorted by location. I asked for it in my review of Kushiel's Dart and book two delivered! In these kinds of epic fantasies, I find those so helpful.
2) It consistently manages to surprise me. When I got to the end of the chapter that revealed a particularly big bombshell, , I almost screamed out loud. It doesn't get all plot-twisty just for the sake of it, or try for shock value. Characters aren't sacrificed to the alter of plot. Just to swords and various other sharp things.
3) In Terre d'Ange they worship Eula (and his companions), who proclaimed "Love as thou wilt." All types of sex between consenting adults are welcomed. It's so refreshing to read a book with very little sexual stigma. Phèdre has a lot of sex, usually as a submissive. Sometimes with women, sometimes with men, and sometimes she's compensated for it. She has a main love interest, but she isn't monogamous. And she's perfectly okay with this. There's no talk about purity or shame. It's wonderful.
That there were stories about me, I knew full well...So be it. There is no shame in being a Servant of Naamah nor an anguissette. We are D'Angeline, and we revere such things.
4) Phèdre has lived a life of extremes. She has worn a dress of diamonds, attended parties in her honor, and risen in social status. She has also slept with the enemy, nearly been flayed alive, and been enslaved. She has also killed. Both directly and indirectly, she has blood on her hands. And I love that Kushiel's Chosen gives her time for introspection, to look at both the positive and negative impact that she has on the lives of those around her. She feels the weight of her choices and their consequences, but doesn't let herself be overwhelmed by it.
5) Last, but oh definitely not least, Phèdre/Melisande. Myyyyyy god, these two. They are two very well crafted characters with two extremely different plans. Both of them have practically zero limits to what they will say or do to succeed in these plans. They also have an intense passion for one another. I sympathize with Phèdre in this situation; I know she's evil, but I want more of her.
It is a dangerous thing, to admire one's enemy.
As I admire this series, the enemy of sleep & productivity. Bravo, Jacqueline Carey.
I love this book as much in 2021 as I did in 2015. Perfection.
-------------------
[Mild non-specific spoilers for Kushiel's Dart below]
Top 5 Reasons I Loved Kushiel's Chosen
1) The first thing I see when I open the book is a map and a cast of characters sorted by location. I asked for it in my review of Kushiel's Dart and book two delivered! In these kinds of epic fantasies, I find those so helpful.
2) It consistently manages to surprise me. When I got to the end of the chapter that revealed a particularly big bombshell, , I almost screamed out loud. It doesn't get all plot-twisty just for the sake of it, or try for shock value. Characters aren't sacrificed to the alter of plot. Just to swords and various other sharp things.
3) In Terre d'Ange they worship Eula (and his companions), who proclaimed "Love as thou wilt." All types of sex between consenting adults are welcomed. It's so refreshing to read a book with very little sexual stigma. Phèdre has a lot of sex, usually as a submissive. Sometimes with women, sometimes with men, and sometimes she's compensated for it. She has a main love interest, but she isn't monogamous. And she's perfectly okay with this. There's no talk about purity or shame. It's wonderful.
That there were stories about me, I knew full well...So be it. There is no shame in being a Servant of Naamah nor an anguissette. We are D'Angeline, and we revere such things.
4) Phèdre has lived a life of extremes. She has worn a dress of diamonds, attended parties in her honor, and risen in social status. She has also slept with the enemy, nearly been flayed alive, and been enslaved. She has also killed. Both directly and indirectly, she has blood on her hands. And I love that Kushiel's Chosen gives her time for introspection, to look at both the positive and negative impact that she has on the lives of those around her. She feels the weight of her choices and their consequences, but doesn't let herself be overwhelmed by it.
5) Last, but oh definitely not least, Phèdre/Melisande. Myyyyyy god, these two. They are two very well crafted characters with two extremely different plans. Both of them have practically zero limits to what they will say or do to succeed in these plans. They also have an intense passion for one another. I sympathize with Phèdre in this situation; I know she's evil, but I want more of her.
It is a dangerous thing, to admire one's enemy.
As I admire this series, the enemy of sleep & productivity. Bravo, Jacqueline Carey.
March 29, 2011
The second in the Kushiel's legacy series, continues on exactly where the first novel left off.
Phedre no Delaunay, now the comtesse de Montreve, comfortably living in her country home with Joscelin and her three chevaliers, and spending most of her time learning Habiru, in the hopes of discovering the key to freeing Hyacinth from the yeshuite curse. But then a parcel comes from Melisande Sharizhai - Phedre's sangoire cloak - and there is only one way to interpret it; Melisande's games of politics and treachery and not yet finished, and she is inviting Phedre back into the game if she dares. And so Phedre goes back to the city, to take up service of Naamah again, to become again a courtesan and a spy. The first and greatest mystery being, who was it that aided Melisande's escape from Troyes le mont, and how far will Phedre need to go to find out.
I have to say, I enjoyed this one just as much, if not more than Kushiel's Dart. Near the end of the previous I was almost lulled into thinking there would be no more adventure for Phedre, that she was settling down with Joscelin, and that would be it. But of course the adventure was far from over. And really what an amazing adventure this time.. So many new lands, cultures and people in this one. Which only makes me wonder how far she'd have to travel in the third book in order to beat it!
As in the previous book there was no mercy for the heart, I believe Carey is one of those writers that will ruthlessly kill off beloved characters if it's important to the plot. She makes me cry so much, but I'm masochistic and I love a good cry, I can't help myself. Not telling who of course, you'll have to read it yourself and suffer the same as I did!
Some of the aspects that interest me most about this series is the mythology and the magic. At times you could almost believe it's a fantasy world without magic, just myths and legends for them, and then - as with the master of the straits in the 1st book - something just jumps out at you to show you that magic can touch Phedre's world. And if magic can happen.. then are Phedre's visions of her deity Kushiel 'real'..? I am still hoping for this mythology to go further. I don't have as much interesting in the Yeshuite mythology, as so far it's a bit of a mimicry of Jewish/christian beliefs, and as just doesn't shine as much as the other more fantasy elements, but it still hasn't bothered me much, and it does create some interesting characters.
If you were one of those, like I was, worried that the 2nd book would not live up to the 1st book.. just don't worry, keep reading, I promise it's great. And now I've proved to myself that it's just as good, (and I've got this review out of the way - my personal rule) I am now so so ready to jump into the 3rd book!!
See my other reviews of Kushiel's Legacy:
� | �
Phedre no Delaunay, now the comtesse de Montreve, comfortably living in her country home with Joscelin and her three chevaliers, and spending most of her time learning Habiru, in the hopes of discovering the key to freeing Hyacinth from the yeshuite curse. But then a parcel comes from Melisande Sharizhai - Phedre's sangoire cloak - and there is only one way to interpret it; Melisande's games of politics and treachery and not yet finished, and she is inviting Phedre back into the game if she dares. And so Phedre goes back to the city, to take up service of Naamah again, to become again a courtesan and a spy. The first and greatest mystery being, who was it that aided Melisande's escape from Troyes le mont, and how far will Phedre need to go to find out.
I have to say, I enjoyed this one just as much, if not more than Kushiel's Dart. Near the end of the previous I was almost lulled into thinking there would be no more adventure for Phedre, that she was settling down with Joscelin, and that would be it. But of course the adventure was far from over. And really what an amazing adventure this time.. So many new lands, cultures and people in this one. Which only makes me wonder how far she'd have to travel in the third book in order to beat it!
As in the previous book there was no mercy for the heart, I believe Carey is one of those writers that will ruthlessly kill off beloved characters if it's important to the plot. She makes me cry so much, but I'm masochistic and I love a good cry, I can't help myself. Not telling who of course, you'll have to read it yourself and suffer the same as I did!
Some of the aspects that interest me most about this series is the mythology and the magic. At times you could almost believe it's a fantasy world without magic, just myths and legends for them, and then - as with the master of the straits in the 1st book - something just jumps out at you to show you that magic can touch Phedre's world. And if magic can happen.. then are Phedre's visions of her deity Kushiel 'real'..? I am still hoping for this mythology to go further. I don't have as much interesting in the Yeshuite mythology, as so far it's a bit of a mimicry of Jewish/christian beliefs, and as just doesn't shine as much as the other more fantasy elements, but it still hasn't bothered me much, and it does create some interesting characters.
If you were one of those, like I was, worried that the 2nd book would not live up to the 1st book.. just don't worry, keep reading, I promise it's great. And now I've proved to myself that it's just as good, (and I've got this review out of the way - my personal rule) I am now so so ready to jump into the 3rd book!!
See my other reviews of Kushiel's Legacy:
� | �
November 22, 2020
Kushiel’s Chosen is the second book in the first of three trilogies in the Kushiel’s Universe books. It picks up not long after the first book left off, and Phèdre decides to pursue one of the loose ends from that first book. As before, the story ends with a satisfying conclusion to the main issues, but with some loose ends left to carry into the next book.
I enjoyed this as much as the first book, but not as evenly. The first half was on the slow side and easy to put down, but things really picked up in the second half and then I raced through to the end. Part of my frustration in the first half was . That grew tiresome fast. Once that was no longer a constant part of the story, I enjoyed it more.
The writing was a little more polished, I think. I didn’t find myself confused by certain sentences the way I did at times in the first book. It also didn’t feel as overly stylized as the first book sometimes did, if that’s the correct term for it. Part of that might just be because I’ve read over 1600 pages of it now and have become accustomed to it. She does continue to use “somewhat� in abundance, though. For example, ”No, I need somewhat else.�
For those concerned, there are 80 instances of “somewhat� in this book, compared to 79 instances in the previous and longer book. So the “somewhat� quotient has increased, but the boob quotient on the other hand (for those who read my reviews of Brent Weeks� Lightbringer series) has remained low in both books, despite all the sex. ;) Speaking of sex, I thought there was quite a bit less of it in this book. Phèdre doesn’t solve quite everything with it this time, although her great beauty is still highly influential!
A character was introduced in this book whose name is the title for the second trilogy, so I can’t help but speculate about that. I look forward to reading the final book in this trilogy, and I hope for a satisfying resolution to some of the ongoing plot threads, but I suspect at least one plot thread will be left dangling to lead into the next trilogy.
I enjoyed this as much as the first book, but not as evenly. The first half was on the slow side and easy to put down, but things really picked up in the second half and then I raced through to the end. Part of my frustration in the first half was . That grew tiresome fast. Once that was no longer a constant part of the story, I enjoyed it more.
The writing was a little more polished, I think. I didn’t find myself confused by certain sentences the way I did at times in the first book. It also didn’t feel as overly stylized as the first book sometimes did, if that’s the correct term for it. Part of that might just be because I’ve read over 1600 pages of it now and have become accustomed to it. She does continue to use “somewhat� in abundance, though. For example, ”No, I need somewhat else.�
For those concerned, there are 80 instances of “somewhat� in this book, compared to 79 instances in the previous and longer book. So the “somewhat� quotient has increased, but the boob quotient on the other hand (for those who read my reviews of Brent Weeks� Lightbringer series) has remained low in both books, despite all the sex. ;) Speaking of sex, I thought there was quite a bit less of it in this book. Phèdre doesn’t solve quite everything with it this time, although her great beauty is still highly influential!
A character was introduced in this book whose name is the title for the second trilogy, so I can’t help but speculate about that. I look forward to reading the final book in this trilogy, and I hope for a satisfying resolution to some of the ongoing plot threads, but I suspect at least one plot thread will be left dangling to lead into the next trilogy.
May 30, 2023
Spectacular.
This is quite possibly the most underrated fantasy series out there, and Jacqueline Carey writes page-turners rivalled only by George R. R. Martin.
While the big twist could be seen from miles away, the second book of the trilogy was overall extremely satisfying, and while not quite on the same level as Kushiel's Dart, certainly a worthy successor.
This is quite possibly the most underrated fantasy series out there, and Jacqueline Carey writes page-turners rivalled only by George R. R. Martin.
While the big twist could be seen from miles away, the second book of the trilogy was overall extremely satisfying, and while not quite on the same level as Kushiel's Dart, certainly a worthy successor.
March 14, 2022
Même pas je réfléchis 😂 5/5 direct.
C'est mon préféré de la trilogie pour le moment... 😁👍
C'est mon préféré de la trilogie pour le moment... 😁👍
February 29, 2024
Un sequel bellissimo che però vive nell’ombra del primo libro della serie.
La prescelta e l’erede è il secondo volume della trilogia che inizia con Il dardo e la rosa. Seguiamo le avventure di Phédre, una cortigiana che scoprirà complotti, salverà popolazioni, muoverà interi eserciti. Il potere della patong.
Il primo libro mi aveva sorpreso tantissimo per lo stile di scrittura, il worldbuilding pazzesco, i personaggi complessi, la scala già immensa della storia. Questo secondo libro mantiene le stesse caratteristiche, senza migliorare in nessun campo a mio avviso. Un libro di questo livello è comunque una perla rara, ma mi aspettavo qualcosa di più.
È vero che il mondo in cui si muove Phedre si espande ancora di più, e scopriamo l’equivalente di Venezia di questo mondo fantasy, così come la Grecia. Pirati, balli in maschera, prigioni che ricordano Il Conte di Montecristo…di avventura ce n’�, e come al solito Phédre non avrà un attimo di respiro. Peccato che già nel primo volume aveva affrontato sfide al pari del test di Cooper.
Inoltre, come nel Dardo e la rosa, non sono riuscita a inquadrare la relazione tra lei e Joscelin. Il libro inizia con un interessante conflitto, credibile e ben costruito. Peccato che questo conflitto si risolva…senza risolverlo. Non si vedono per qualche capitolo, e quando si ritrovano uno dei due ha cambiato completamente idea. Contenti voi, contenti tutti, I guess?
Detta così sembra che il libro non mi sia piaciuto, ma non potrebbe esserci affermazione più falsa. Ho adorato questo libro, magari questo fosse lo standard nei fantasy. Il fatto è che ogni lode sarebbe una ripetizione della mia recensione del primo volume, quindi se siete curiosi vi invito a leggere quella.
Vi consiglio tantissimo questa serie, se volete un fantasy originale, ricco di personaggi incredibili, avventura, un worldbuilding intricato, sotterfugi, intrighi e colpi di scena.
La prescelta e l’erede è il secondo volume della trilogia che inizia con Il dardo e la rosa. Seguiamo le avventure di Phédre, una cortigiana che scoprirà complotti, salverà popolazioni, muoverà interi eserciti. Il potere della patong.
Il primo libro mi aveva sorpreso tantissimo per lo stile di scrittura, il worldbuilding pazzesco, i personaggi complessi, la scala già immensa della storia. Questo secondo libro mantiene le stesse caratteristiche, senza migliorare in nessun campo a mio avviso. Un libro di questo livello è comunque una perla rara, ma mi aspettavo qualcosa di più.
È vero che il mondo in cui si muove Phedre si espande ancora di più, e scopriamo l’equivalente di Venezia di questo mondo fantasy, così come la Grecia. Pirati, balli in maschera, prigioni che ricordano Il Conte di Montecristo…di avventura ce n’�, e come al solito Phédre non avrà un attimo di respiro. Peccato che già nel primo volume aveva affrontato sfide al pari del test di Cooper.
Inoltre, come nel Dardo e la rosa, non sono riuscita a inquadrare la relazione tra lei e Joscelin. Il libro inizia con un interessante conflitto, credibile e ben costruito. Peccato che questo conflitto si risolva…senza risolverlo. Non si vedono per qualche capitolo, e quando si ritrovano uno dei due ha cambiato completamente idea. Contenti voi, contenti tutti, I guess?
Detta così sembra che il libro non mi sia piaciuto, ma non potrebbe esserci affermazione più falsa. Ho adorato questo libro, magari questo fosse lo standard nei fantasy. Il fatto è che ogni lode sarebbe una ripetizione della mia recensione del primo volume, quindi se siete curiosi vi invito a leggere quella.
Vi consiglio tantissimo questa serie, se volete un fantasy originale, ricco di personaggi incredibili, avventura, un worldbuilding intricato, sotterfugi, intrighi e colpi di scena.
May 24, 2012
So, while I don't plan to give away any major plot twists, I'm reviewing the second in a series, so spoilers, of course, if you haven't read the first, and probably light spoilers here anyway.
I'll note that my copy of this arrived while I was 18 chapters into the first Game of Thrones book. NIGHT AND DAY. Carey's prose is so much richer, her characters so much more complex, her paragraphs so much more unified-in-a-single-thought (okay, that last is just uncharitable; sorry to Martin). Sincerely, though, it was a breath of fresh air to pick this up.
I'll continue the Martin comparison a moment longer: Kushiel's Chosen is character driven and has a single protagonist; part of her agony and the reader's is not knowing what's going on with the other characters, and it's well-done. Unexpected things happen, but surprise is not the engine that moves the plot. There's a mystery, and there are good clues to its solution along the way, but Phedré is not Sherlock Holmes, and the ways in which she pursues her investigation are wonderfully consonant with her character as established in the first book and the early portions of this one. If she notices something, she notices it as Delauney's protégé and Kushiel's Chosen. If she misses something, she does it in the same way. If she makes a promise or breaks one, commits to someone or holds them at distance, suffers or rejoices, she does it as herself. And when she grows, she does it as herself, taking the experiences she gathers in this novel in, again, as Delauney's protégé and Kushiel's Chosen. Five star rating just for pulling that off with such a flourish.
The religious commitments in this novel are deeper than the first. The characters' traits are also more compelling to them, but without being at all charicaturish. Phedré continues to be a great heroine -- not talented at everything, but with a narrative voice that is incredibly mature and aware of her own strengths, weaknesses, successes and failings. It's fun to watch her grow. It's also fun to watch the other major characters grow: somehow this is accomplished in the background with elegance and grace -- no clunky exposition to catch you up to "Oh, now this person knows about her feelings and this one has killed someone in cold blood so he's a warrior now too."
I will say briefly that the fight Phedré and Joscelin have, and the playing out of its consequences, is SO much more satisfying than the idiocy between Bella and Edward in the second Twilight book, and a pretty clear illustration of what ACTUAL fantasy/romance can deliver (and we're talking the fantasy genre where there is a romance here, not checkout-aisle texts). Sadly, the sex and exploration of sensitive religious topics keep this pretty firmly beyond most young adult readers.
I heartily recommend the book to lovers of fantasy, epic, Tolkien, space opera (it's a different genre, but you'll find some familiar elements), and historical fiction. There's just enough magic, the religious landscape is incredibly well-developed, and the pacing's a lot of fun. I certainly intend to finish the series.
One note about that religious landscape -- Christ is known to have been the Messiah in this fantasy world's history, but there's also magic, other gods whose existence is left ambivalent but pretty-heartily endorsed, and the main character's national religious heritage is descended (as are the citizens of that nation) from angels who rebelled against God's disowning of a second son begotten accidentally of earth through the wounds of the Messiah. Carey doesn't fling this in your face, but if it's going to make you queasy, you're forewarned.
I'll note that my copy of this arrived while I was 18 chapters into the first Game of Thrones book. NIGHT AND DAY. Carey's prose is so much richer, her characters so much more complex, her paragraphs so much more unified-in-a-single-thought (okay, that last is just uncharitable; sorry to Martin). Sincerely, though, it was a breath of fresh air to pick this up.
I'll continue the Martin comparison a moment longer: Kushiel's Chosen is character driven and has a single protagonist; part of her agony and the reader's is not knowing what's going on with the other characters, and it's well-done. Unexpected things happen, but surprise is not the engine that moves the plot. There's a mystery, and there are good clues to its solution along the way, but Phedré is not Sherlock Holmes, and the ways in which she pursues her investigation are wonderfully consonant with her character as established in the first book and the early portions of this one. If she notices something, she notices it as Delauney's protégé and Kushiel's Chosen. If she misses something, she does it in the same way. If she makes a promise or breaks one, commits to someone or holds them at distance, suffers or rejoices, she does it as herself. And when she grows, she does it as herself, taking the experiences she gathers in this novel in, again, as Delauney's protégé and Kushiel's Chosen. Five star rating just for pulling that off with such a flourish.
The religious commitments in this novel are deeper than the first. The characters' traits are also more compelling to them, but without being at all charicaturish. Phedré continues to be a great heroine -- not talented at everything, but with a narrative voice that is incredibly mature and aware of her own strengths, weaknesses, successes and failings. It's fun to watch her grow. It's also fun to watch the other major characters grow: somehow this is accomplished in the background with elegance and grace -- no clunky exposition to catch you up to "Oh, now this person knows about her feelings and this one has killed someone in cold blood so he's a warrior now too."
I will say briefly that the fight Phedré and Joscelin have, and the playing out of its consequences, is SO much more satisfying than the idiocy between Bella and Edward in the second Twilight book, and a pretty clear illustration of what ACTUAL fantasy/romance can deliver (and we're talking the fantasy genre where there is a romance here, not checkout-aisle texts). Sadly, the sex and exploration of sensitive religious topics keep this pretty firmly beyond most young adult readers.
I heartily recommend the book to lovers of fantasy, epic, Tolkien, space opera (it's a different genre, but you'll find some familiar elements), and historical fiction. There's just enough magic, the religious landscape is incredibly well-developed, and the pacing's a lot of fun. I certainly intend to finish the series.
One note about that religious landscape -- Christ is known to have been the Messiah in this fantasy world's history, but there's also magic, other gods whose existence is left ambivalent but pretty-heartily endorsed, and the main character's national religious heritage is descended (as are the citizens of that nation) from angels who rebelled against God's disowning of a second son begotten accidentally of earth through the wounds of the Messiah. Carey doesn't fling this in your face, but if it's going to make you queasy, you're forewarned.
July 24, 2017
A solid 3.5 stars.
This is the 2nd book in the series and while good and true to the story line, it just seemed to drag on.
It's a chunkster and I probably wasn't in the right head frame to be reading something that required me to remember a lot of names, places and previous story lines.
Jacqueline Carey is an excellent writer. It is her beautiful writing style that kept me going with this one.
This is part of an epic long series (7 books in all, I believe?) and each of them is well over 500 pages+.
I still loved the story line of the main character, but at times it just seemed to take forever to get the end spot.
I might pick up the 3rd in the series (the ending to Phedre's part in the story line) but it will be sometime in the future.
This is the 2nd book in the series and while good and true to the story line, it just seemed to drag on.
It's a chunkster and I probably wasn't in the right head frame to be reading something that required me to remember a lot of names, places and previous story lines.
Jacqueline Carey is an excellent writer. It is her beautiful writing style that kept me going with this one.
This is part of an epic long series (7 books in all, I believe?) and each of them is well over 500 pages+.
I still loved the story line of the main character, but at times it just seemed to take forever to get the end spot.
I might pick up the 3rd in the series (the ending to Phedre's part in the story line) but it will be sometime in the future.
January 4, 2009
Loved this one though after a great beginning it sagged a bit in the middle but the rousing finale more than made up for that. I plan to read books 3-6 faster since I want to have them done by the time book 7 is released later this year.
August 10, 2024
It has been much too long, and it was good to return to a sweeping epic. It's hard to find adult fantasy novels these days written with such intricate details in every facet of the story. For the long game to play out in such a beautifully fantastic way.
For as long as I live, Phèdre will forever be one of the greatest literary characters and one who sticks with my soul.
This continuance shows Melisande's long game and the character growth of everyone involved. Terre d'Ange is left behind as Phèdre must uncover the mysteries and search for more knowledge in her attempts to rescue the Master of the Straits.
New locations visited
Caerdicca-medieval Italy
La Serenissima-Venice
Illyria-the Balkans
Kriti-Crete
Hellas-Greece
Joscelin knows now where his heart lies. His duty has him torn between love and religion.
The ending scene is one of my favorites of the entire series. The growth and the evolution of relationships show the strength that has been built and that the sacrifices made were worth something in the end.
Solid 5 stars.
For as long as I live, Phèdre will forever be one of the greatest literary characters and one who sticks with my soul.
This continuance shows Melisande's long game and the character growth of everyone involved. Terre d'Ange is left behind as Phèdre must uncover the mysteries and search for more knowledge in her attempts to rescue the Master of the Straits.
New locations visited
Caerdicca-medieval Italy
La Serenissima-Venice
Illyria-the Balkans
Kriti-Crete
Hellas-Greece
Joscelin knows now where his heart lies. His duty has him torn between love and religion.
The ending scene is one of my favorites of the entire series. The growth and the evolution of relationships show the strength that has been built and that the sacrifices made were worth something in the end.
Solid 5 stars.
December 5, 2014
When I wrote my first review, I wondered for a while if this was really fantasy - or rather, said that up until one particular thing happened, there was nothing that made this particularly fantasy in terms of magic. I'm not sure what genre non-magical but certainly not Earth-based historical fiction would fall under.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in ŷ policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in ŷ policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at
July 28, 2021
After 1st Re-Read:
In many ways this is the "hardest" for me to re-read because I find the first half just a bit tedious with all the stregazza politics, but the 2nd half more than makes up for it!
Original Review:
I read this in a day. And it leaves me wondering how in the world I thought her first book was average. I am already a few hundred pages into #3, and am very glad that she writes very long books, and that there are 4 awaiting me.
In many ways this is the "hardest" for me to re-read because I find the first half just a bit tedious with all the stregazza politics, but the 2nd half more than makes up for it!
Original Review:
I read this in a day. And it leaves me wondering how in the world I thought her first book was average. I am already a few hundred pages into #3, and am very glad that she writes very long books, and that there are 4 awaiting me.
September 30, 2022
4.5*
Despite the 150 pages Odyssey in the middle of the book, I'm too in love with Joscelin and Phèdre to give this less than 4.5*.
I can't remember the last time I rooted this strongly for a m/f romance.
I can't remember I tolerated this much drama in a fictional relationship.
But they did it.
They are perfection.
Aside from these rather gushy thoughts, I do believe this book is extremly good on many fronts.
Jaqueline Carey's writing is outstanding as always. There is so much compassion and tenderness, so much feeling for timing in what she does with words.
"They are fools, who reckon Elua a soft god, fit only for the worship of starry-eyed lovers. Let the warriors clamor after gods of blood and thunder; love is hard, harder then steel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in its wake."
The other two elements Carey excells at, are relgious world building and political intrigue.
This book deepens the discussion of the "what if..." already started in book one. Here, we learn more about the Yeshuites - an interesting mesh of Christians and Jews. While in there believes and mission very much Christian, there are treated similarly to how Jews were treated by the Christians in Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. I can't explain all of it here but be assured, it gave me alot to think about.
And then, there's the political intrigue. Seldom if ever have I read political machinations so subtle and yet so grand. Planned out meticulously and hinted at throughout the whole book without ever making it easy. Truly unmatched.
I did mention that there is and odyssey. It's the only thing I diliked about this book as I would it so obvious a method of time-stalling and rather boring. Especially as Phèdre is on her own and we're completely left without a plan or goal. Sure, there were things we needed to happen and it made more or less sense in the end... but it simply was too much time for my own taste.
With any other book, this might have been a deal-breaker.
Nto with this author. Not only did I come to really like the character we met on this side-quest, the finale to this book was fantastic. Filled with tension and plot-twists, emotional and epic... and eventually, very very sweet.
It felt earned, it truly felt earned.
Despite the 150 pages Odyssey in the middle of the book, I'm too in love with Joscelin and Phèdre to give this less than 4.5*.
I can't remember the last time I rooted this strongly for a m/f romance.
I can't remember I tolerated this much drama in a fictional relationship.
But they did it.
They are perfection.
Aside from these rather gushy thoughts, I do believe this book is extremly good on many fronts.
Jaqueline Carey's writing is outstanding as always. There is so much compassion and tenderness, so much feeling for timing in what she does with words.
"They are fools, who reckon Elua a soft god, fit only for the worship of starry-eyed lovers. Let the warriors clamor after gods of blood and thunder; love is hard, harder then steel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in its wake."
The other two elements Carey excells at, are relgious world building and political intrigue.
This book deepens the discussion of the "what if..." already started in book one. Here, we learn more about the Yeshuites - an interesting mesh of Christians and Jews. While in there believes and mission very much Christian, there are treated similarly to how Jews were treated by the Christians in Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. I can't explain all of it here but be assured, it gave me alot to think about.
And then, there's the political intrigue. Seldom if ever have I read political machinations so subtle and yet so grand. Planned out meticulously and hinted at throughout the whole book without ever making it easy. Truly unmatched.
I did mention that there is and odyssey. It's the only thing I diliked about this book as I would it so obvious a method of time-stalling and rather boring. Especially as Phèdre is on her own and we're completely left without a plan or goal. Sure, there were things we needed to happen and it made more or less sense in the end... but it simply was too much time for my own taste.
With any other book, this might have been a deal-breaker.
Nto with this author. Not only did I come to really like the character we met on this side-quest, the finale to this book was fantastic. Filled with tension and plot-twists, emotional and epic... and eventually, very very sweet.
It felt earned, it truly felt earned.
March 2, 2020
Although this isn’t a perfect book, it made me feel *so* deeply and think about the characters *so* much that I can’t rate it less than 5 stars!
I found Kushiel’s Chosen a lot easier to get into than the first book - because I knew the world and characters, it was easy to be swept away by the story immediately. Sure, the intricate politics still go over my head a bit, but I was captivated nonetheless!
Phèdre remains a compelling heroine and I still love her, despite her numerous flaws (e.g. how she treated a certain character in this story, and her views on non-D’Angelines). I also loved all the side characters, particularly Phèdre’s Boys � Fortun, Remy and Ti-Philippe ♥️ � and, of course, Joscelin. 😭♥️ Sometimes, when things got too much at various points, I’d pause to reread earlier scenes or even bits of Kushiel’s Dart. That’s a sure sign I’m invested in these characters!
I won’t talk about the plot in case of spoilers, but overall I thought it was engaging; it was only around the middle of the story where I found it less interesting. But despite this, Carey has a way of writing such that I gasp and have to put my ereader/book down to compose myself when ~things~ are revealed or dramatic events occur. This is definitely helped by her use of short sentences, which give the book a snappy pace despite its length. When shocking things happened at the end of this chapter or that, you bet I had that ‘just one more chapter� mindset each time!
The villain in this story is so intriguing, and I really liked how Phèdre’s relationship with her was explored! The line between love/desire and hate can be a fine one indeed.
I’m waiting for the next book to become available at the library because I’ve seen that these books are being rereleased later this year, so I’ll purchase them for my collection then!
I found Kushiel’s Chosen a lot easier to get into than the first book - because I knew the world and characters, it was easy to be swept away by the story immediately. Sure, the intricate politics still go over my head a bit, but I was captivated nonetheless!
Phèdre remains a compelling heroine and I still love her, despite her numerous flaws (e.g. how she treated a certain character in this story, and her views on non-D’Angelines). I also loved all the side characters, particularly Phèdre’s Boys � Fortun, Remy and Ti-Philippe ♥️ � and, of course, Joscelin. 😭♥️ Sometimes, when things got too much at various points, I’d pause to reread earlier scenes or even bits of Kushiel’s Dart. That’s a sure sign I’m invested in these characters!
I won’t talk about the plot in case of spoilers, but overall I thought it was engaging; it was only around the middle of the story where I found it less interesting. But despite this, Carey has a way of writing such that I gasp and have to put my ereader/book down to compose myself when ~things~ are revealed or dramatic events occur. This is definitely helped by her use of short sentences, which give the book a snappy pace despite its length. When shocking things happened at the end of this chapter or that, you bet I had that ‘just one more chapter� mindset each time!
The villain in this story is so intriguing, and I really liked how Phèdre’s relationship with her was explored! The line between love/desire and hate can be a fine one indeed.
I’m waiting for the next book to become available at the library because I’ve seen that these books are being rereleased later this year, so I’ll purchase them for my collection then!
February 20, 2024
Following the betrayals of book one, Phèdre is set on discovering how Melisande escaped custody at the end of Kushiel's Dart (and where she has gone to ground).
She ventures into court life in the City of Elua, unsure of who to trust since a seeming ally had to have helped Melisande escape.
Why is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, that makes us hurt most those we love best?
Book one kept my attention through the beautiful writing and deep character connections and development. Book 2 sadly felt like it was going nowhere, and I felt myself growing bored.
All of the reveals didn’t feel surprising and I felt myself frustrated with characters and their behaviours. It felt like quite a lot of character development from book one was just ignored.
I don’t think I’ll be continuing sadly.
Low three stars.
She ventures into court life in the City of Elua, unsure of who to trust since a seeming ally had to have helped Melisande escape.
Why is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, that makes us hurt most those we love best?
Book one kept my attention through the beautiful writing and deep character connections and development. Book 2 sadly felt like it was going nowhere, and I felt myself growing bored.
All of the reveals didn’t feel surprising and I felt myself frustrated with characters and their behaviours. It felt like quite a lot of character development from book one was just ignored.
I don’t think I’ll be continuing sadly.
Low three stars.
September 4, 2018
This second book of the series follows broadly the pattern of the first. We have a first part - almost one third of the book - especialy sexually charged where we are watching the political controversies and the various scheems that are knitting in Terre d'Ange, followed by a second where we go out on the road and wander around the world where the series takes place - who is essentially the world that we are living quite ... mixed - and we end up in the fight that resolve most things. In spite of all these similarities, I believe that there will be several differences, and I dare to say that in this second book we are witnessing an upgrading as the writer becomes more daring - and I am not referring to the erotic scenes that are just a little more ... dangerous - in all areas, offering us something really epic.
But this that fortunately for us not change at all is the amazing writing of that remains beautiful and touching. In this book, indeed, she is called to pass a test as the plot itself makes our dear Phedre wonder about many things as he goes through emotionally painful moments. This test, therefore, she passes it perfectly as she offers us with the description of very touching moments. That, you see, is also the main concern of this book: how emotional pain can one stand for something worthwhile, such as love. Difficult question, as you understand.
So the conclusion that comes out is that we again have an excellent result though I feel that this second part is slightly inferior to the former. Several times I felt that the writer repeats himself, recycling many of the ideas of the first book, while there are some excesses. Nevertheless for the second time swept me away so much that I could not put anything less than five stars.
Αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς ακολουθεί σε γενικές γραμμές το μοτίβο του πρώτου. Έχουμε ένα πρώτο μέρος - σχεδόν το ένα τρίτο - ιδιαίτερα φορτισμένο σεξουαλικά όπου παρακολουθούμε τις πολιτικές διαμάχες και τα διάφορα σχέδια που πλέκονται στην Terre d'Ange, το οποίο ακολουθείται από ένα δεύτερο όπου βγαίνουμε στο δρόμο και περιφερόμαστε στον κόσμο που διαδραματίζεται η σειρά - ο οποίος ουσιαστικά είναι ο κόσμος που ζούμε αρκετά... ανακατεμένος - και καταλήγουμε στο μαχητικό ξεκαθάρισμα. Παρά όλες αυτές τις ομοιότητες πιστεύω ότι θα βρίσκονται και αρκετές διαφορές, τολμώ, μάλιστα, να πω ότι σε αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο γινόμαστε μάρτυρες μία μιας αναβάθμισης καθώς η συγγραφέας γίνεται πιο τολμηρή - και δεν αναφέρομαι στις ερωτικές σκηνές που γίνονται λίγο πιο... επικίνδυνες - σε όλους τους τομείς προσφέροντας μας κάτι πραγματικά επικό.
Αυτό, όμως, ευτυχώς για εμάς δεν αλλάζει καθόλου είναι η καταπληκτική γραφή της που παραμένει όμορφη και συγκινητική. Σε αυτό το βιβλίο, μάλιστα, καλείται να περάσει μία δοκιμασία καθώς η ίδια η πλοκή κάνει την αγαπητή μας Φαίδρα να αναρωτιέται για πολλά πράγματα καθώς περνάει συναισθηματικά επώδυνες στιγμές. Αυτήν τη δοκιμασία, λοιπόν, την περνάει με άριστα καθώς μας προσφέρει την περιγραφή πολύ συγκινητικών στιγμών. Αυτός, βλέπετε, είναι και ο βασικός προβληματισμός αυτού του βιβλίου: πόσο συναισθηματικό πόνο μπορεί να αντέξει κάποιος μπροστά σε κάτι που αξίζει τον κόπο, όπως για παράδειγμα τον έρωτα. Δύσκολα πράγματα όπως καταλαβαίνετε.
Οπότε το συμπέρασμα που βγαίνει είναι ότι έχουμε πάλι ένα άριστο αποτέλεσμα αν και νιώθω ότι αυτό το δεύτερο μέρος είναι ελαφρώς υποδεέστερο του πρώτου. Αρκετές φορές ένιωσα ότι η συγγραφέας επαναλαμβάνεται, ανακυκλώνοντας πολλές από τις ιδέες του πρώτου βιβλίου, ενώ δε λείπουν και κάποιες υπερβολές. Παρ' όλα αυτά για δεύτερη φορά η με παρέσυρε τόσο που μου είναι αδύνατο να βάλω κάτι λιγότερο από 5 αστέρια.
But this that fortunately for us not change at all is the amazing writing of that remains beautiful and touching. In this book, indeed, she is called to pass a test as the plot itself makes our dear Phedre wonder about many things as he goes through emotionally painful moments. This test, therefore, she passes it perfectly as she offers us with the description of very touching moments. That, you see, is also the main concern of this book: how emotional pain can one stand for something worthwhile, such as love. Difficult question, as you understand.
So the conclusion that comes out is that we again have an excellent result though I feel that this second part is slightly inferior to the former. Several times I felt that the writer repeats himself, recycling many of the ideas of the first book, while there are some excesses. Nevertheless for the second time swept me away so much that I could not put anything less than five stars.
Αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς ακολουθεί σε γενικές γραμμές το μοτίβο του πρώτου. Έχουμε ένα πρώτο μέρος - σχεδόν το ένα τρίτο - ιδιαίτερα φορτισμένο σεξουαλικά όπου παρακολουθούμε τις πολιτικές διαμάχες και τα διάφορα σχέδια που πλέκονται στην Terre d'Ange, το οποίο ακολουθείται από ένα δεύτερο όπου βγαίνουμε στο δρόμο και περιφερόμαστε στον κόσμο που διαδραματίζεται η σειρά - ο οποίος ουσιαστικά είναι ο κόσμος που ζούμε αρκετά... ανακατεμένος - και καταλήγουμε στο μαχητικό ξεκαθάρισμα. Παρά όλες αυτές τις ομοιότητες πιστεύω ότι θα βρίσκονται και αρκετές διαφορές, τολμώ, μάλιστα, να πω ότι σε αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο γινόμαστε μάρτυρες μία μιας αναβάθμισης καθώς η συγγραφέας γίνεται πιο τολμηρή - και δεν αναφέρομαι στις ερωτικές σκηνές που γίνονται λίγο πιο... επικίνδυνες - σε όλους τους τομείς προσφέροντας μας κάτι πραγματικά επικό.
Αυτό, όμως, ευτυχώς για εμάς δεν αλλάζει καθόλου είναι η καταπληκτική γραφή της που παραμένει όμορφη και συγκινητική. Σε αυτό το βιβλίο, μάλιστα, καλείται να περάσει μία δοκιμασία καθώς η ίδια η πλοκή κάνει την αγαπητή μας Φαίδρα να αναρωτιέται για πολλά πράγματα καθώς περνάει συναισθηματικά επώδυνες στιγμές. Αυτήν τη δοκιμασία, λοιπόν, την περνάει με άριστα καθώς μας προσφέρει την περιγραφή πολύ συγκινητικών στιγμών. Αυτός, βλέπετε, είναι και ο βασικός προβληματισμός αυτού του βιβλίου: πόσο συναισθηματικό πόνο μπορεί να αντέξει κάποιος μπροστά σε κάτι που αξίζει τον κόπο, όπως για παράδειγμα τον έρωτα. Δύσκολα πράγματα όπως καταλαβαίνετε.
Οπότε το συμπέρασμα που βγαίνει είναι ότι έχουμε πάλι ένα άριστο αποτέλεσμα αν και νιώθω ότι αυτό το δεύτερο μέρος είναι ελαφρώς υποδεέστερο του πρώτου. Αρκετές φορές ένιωσα ότι η συγγραφέας επαναλαμβάνεται, ανακυκλώνοντας πολλές από τις ιδέες του πρώτου βιβλίου, ενώ δε λείπουν και κάποιες υπερβολές. Παρ' όλα αυτά για δεύτερη φορά η με παρέσυρε τόσο που μου είναι αδύνατο να βάλω κάτι λιγότερο από 5 αστέρια.
Read
May 11, 2021This is a joint review with book #2, Kushiel's Avatar.
I am not rating either of the second two books in this trilogy, and here is a review length treatise on why that is not at all actually a review:
Sometimes you make a mistake and then instead of admitting it, you just double down. Or, you know it's a mistake and you double- and triple down anyway. This is both of those in one instance.
I read the first book in this (well-written! imaginative! sexy!) series back in 2015 after my lovely internet friend Malin gave it to me in a book exchange. I should have immediately read books two and three. Or, at least within months. (The mistakes made here were legion.) Instead, I leisurely collected books two and three from used bookstores over the next several years, and then let them linger on my shelves also for years, figuring someday I'd pick it back up and enjoy. I also in the back of my mind knew the longer I waited meant I would probably have to re-read because my brain is no longer a steel trap for fiction. I ignored this back of the head knowledge and allowed myself to get distracted by shinier (smaller) books.
Fast forward to 2020 when I was planning the first quarter of my 2021 TBR, when I somehow decided this was it, this was the year I finally needed to finish Phèdre's Trilogy. I also for some reason decided I wasn't going to re-read book one despite barely remembering anything, and KNOWING going in that I felt emotionally distant from the characters. This was the second mistake. Here are the rest in order:
*Knowing within twenty pages that I was helplessly lost and emotionally distant, a truly terrible combination when reading a book.
*Instead of capitulating and scheduling a re-read of book one for later in the year, I then decided to switch to the audiobook to see if that would make it better or easier. It did. Slightly. It was easier for me to make the decision to actually put it on rather than picking up a huge daunting book I was emotionally divorced from. But I still didn't really care. And also Anne Flosnik, one of the truly strangest narrators in the business, was doing the narration. I actually weirdly loved her strange performance of the first book in Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders series, but also switched to hard copies for the second two books in that series, so.
*After having to force my way through book two, instead of then stopping and scheduling a re-read of books one and two maybe for 2022 or even later at this point, I decided, no, let's just keep going! And let's do that audio thing again!
*Literally ten minutes into the first book I knew I wasn't into it, and was actively starting to resent having to listen to it. Did I stop?
*No, I did not.
*Goddammit, OCD.
So, that whole thing, hours of listening, was a complete waste. I am going to have to revisit this entire series in several years (at least three at this point so I can forget my resentment). I really do want to do it justice, and nothing about my approach here did that. I enjoyed the first book so much!
So that is what is happening in my head right now. Have a nice day!
I am not rating either of the second two books in this trilogy, and here is a review length treatise on why that is not at all actually a review:
Sometimes you make a mistake and then instead of admitting it, you just double down. Or, you know it's a mistake and you double- and triple down anyway. This is both of those in one instance.
I read the first book in this (well-written! imaginative! sexy!) series back in 2015 after my lovely internet friend Malin gave it to me in a book exchange. I should have immediately read books two and three. Or, at least within months. (The mistakes made here were legion.) Instead, I leisurely collected books two and three from used bookstores over the next several years, and then let them linger on my shelves also for years, figuring someday I'd pick it back up and enjoy. I also in the back of my mind knew the longer I waited meant I would probably have to re-read because my brain is no longer a steel trap for fiction. I ignored this back of the head knowledge and allowed myself to get distracted by shinier (smaller) books.
Fast forward to 2020 when I was planning the first quarter of my 2021 TBR, when I somehow decided this was it, this was the year I finally needed to finish Phèdre's Trilogy. I also for some reason decided I wasn't going to re-read book one despite barely remembering anything, and KNOWING going in that I felt emotionally distant from the characters. This was the second mistake. Here are the rest in order:
*Knowing within twenty pages that I was helplessly lost and emotionally distant, a truly terrible combination when reading a book.
*Instead of capitulating and scheduling a re-read of book one for later in the year, I then decided to switch to the audiobook to see if that would make it better or easier. It did. Slightly. It was easier for me to make the decision to actually put it on rather than picking up a huge daunting book I was emotionally divorced from. But I still didn't really care. And also Anne Flosnik, one of the truly strangest narrators in the business, was doing the narration. I actually weirdly loved her strange performance of the first book in Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders series, but also switched to hard copies for the second two books in that series, so.
*After having to force my way through book two, instead of then stopping and scheduling a re-read of books one and two maybe for 2022 or even later at this point, I decided, no, let's just keep going! And let's do that audio thing again!
*Literally ten minutes into the first book I knew I wasn't into it, and was actively starting to resent having to listen to it. Did I stop?
*No, I did not.
*Goddammit, OCD.
So, that whole thing, hours of listening, was a complete waste. I am going to have to revisit this entire series in several years (at least three at this point so I can forget my resentment). I really do want to do it justice, and nothing about my approach here did that. I enjoyed the first book so much!
So that is what is happening in my head right now. Have a nice day!
September 17, 2009
I was almost scared to read this, because I was just sure it wouldn't be able to measure up to Kushiel's Dart. If I'd known how wrong I was, I wouldn't have waited two months to pick it up! I probably won't be able to wait even a week to start the third one.
So often, books in a series have different vibes, and the feelings you get while reading them are so varied that its hard to consider them connected. Not so with these, Kushiel's Chosen was very much a continuation of the first, and I can't really give it any higher praise. I picked up where I left off, feeling the exact same way about all the characters and immediately picked up my deep emotional connections to most of them.
Carey has such an awesome way of writing things. You spend the first 300 pages (give or take) knowing something awful is coming, and to some degree I'm sure everyone tries to figure out what that might be...but then all of a sudden it hits out of nowhere and spins the story out of control straight to the end. It is CRAZY. I loved that about Dart, and loved it in this one also.
Its also a great mark of her writing abilities that she can display such a wide emotional range in these characters. Seduction and sex are these peoples' occupations as homage to their gods, and as such the acts are displayed as duty, not pleasure. But, when the emotions are real, such beauty and love shine through.
I can't recommend this series enough to the people willing to take a risk on such an original and fascinating storyline.
So often, books in a series have different vibes, and the feelings you get while reading them are so varied that its hard to consider them connected. Not so with these, Kushiel's Chosen was very much a continuation of the first, and I can't really give it any higher praise. I picked up where I left off, feeling the exact same way about all the characters and immediately picked up my deep emotional connections to most of them.
Carey has such an awesome way of writing things. You spend the first 300 pages (give or take) knowing something awful is coming, and to some degree I'm sure everyone tries to figure out what that might be...but then all of a sudden it hits out of nowhere and spins the story out of control straight to the end. It is CRAZY. I loved that about Dart, and loved it in this one also.
Its also a great mark of her writing abilities that she can display such a wide emotional range in these characters. Seduction and sex are these peoples' occupations as homage to their gods, and as such the acts are displayed as duty, not pleasure. But, when the emotions are real, such beauty and love shine through.
I can't recommend this series enough to the people willing to take a risk on such an original and fascinating storyline.
June 27, 2019
Truth be told, there were a few small things in this book that annoyed me a little (mainly the 1373829 side quests inside each side quest), but in the end the amazing world building and the glimpses of so many different cultures, and especially the characters and the political intrigues made it so worth it!
It also made me enjoy Melisande a lot more as a villain, and I adore her complicated relationship with Phèdre.
And now I’m an even bigger trash for Phèdre/Joscelin lol.
It also made me enjoy Melisande a lot more as a villain, and I adore her complicated relationship with Phèdre.
And now I’m an even bigger trash for Phèdre/Joscelin lol.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,256 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.