Synopses & Reviews
Mighty Kushiel, of rod and wealLate of the brazen portals
With blood-tipp'd dart a wound unhealed
Pricks the eyen of chosen mortals
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. The inhabiting race rose from the seed of angels and men, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.
Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman, the first to recognize that she is one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. He trained Phèdre in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber--and, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze.
When she stumbled upon a plot that threatened the very foundations of her homeland, she gave up almost everything she held dear to save it. She survived, and lived to have others tell her story, and if they embellished the tale with fabric of mythical splendor, they weren't far off the mark.
The hands of the gods weigh heavily upon Phèdre's brow, and they are not finished with her. While the young queen who sits upon the throne is well loved by the people, there are those who believe another should wear the crown... and those who escaped the wrath of the mighty are not yet done with their schemes for power and revenge.
Review
"Carey's second extravagantly sensuous novel fulfills every promise made by Kushiel's Dart....There is seemingly something for everyone here: a great love story, intense spirituality, high eroticism, and lots of adventure, intrigue, and swordplay." Booklist (starred review)
Synopsis
A sangoire cloak issues the challenge.
Risen from indentured servitude to become a peer of the realm, Phèdre nó Delaunay, now Comtesse de Montrève, accepts the challenge of her greatest enemy. Somewhere, close to the DAngeline throne, there is a traitor. Who freed Melisande Shahrizai? It will take the wiles of a courtesan with the wits of a spy to find the answer-and in the end, the price may prove higher than Phèdre is willing to pay.
Once, she had the Perfect Companion at her side; but her choice exacts a toll.
Struggling to prevent her relationship with Joscelin from unraveling, bereft of her mentor, torn by her desire to seek the key to Hyacinthes freedom, Phèdre treads her way through a maze of intrigue and deceit. Ancient quarrels and fresh lies complicate her path, and no one can be trusted. Her quest will take her farther afield than she knew.
And answering Melisandes riddle is only the beginning.
This time, the threat to Terre dAnge lies within it. In a world filled with dubious allies, cunning villains and blood-cursed pirates, Phèdre will reckon the true cost of what it means to be Kushiels Chosen.
About the Author
Jacqueline Carey was born in 1964 in Highland Park, Illinois. After receiving B.A. degrees in psychology and English literature from Lake Forest College, she spent half a year living in London and working in a bookstore, traveling once the work permit expired. Upon returning to the U.S., she embarked on a writing career while working at a local college to provide a steady income and traveling when possible, thus far ranging from Finland to Egypt. She currently lives in western Michigan, where she is a founding member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.