Kushiel's Avatar

Starred review from March 17, 2003
The promise of Kushiel's Dart
(2001), the first volume of Carey's immense trilogy set in a skewed Renaissance world, is more than realized in this splendid conclusion. In the 10 years since the action of the second, relatively uneventful volume, Kushiel's Chosen
(2002), the winsome and gritty anguisette
Phèdre, bidden to seek pain in love by her demi-gods, the cruel Kushiel and the loving Naamah, has matured gracefully. Now the Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, she enjoys maintaining an estate together with the swordsman Joscelin, her faithful consort. She still follows her calling, though accepting but three patrons a year. Only the lonely fate of her imprisoned childhood friend, Hyacinthe, who's courageously volunteered to become Master of the Straits, disturbs her serenity. Then the beautiful, treacherous Melisande Shahrizai asks the anguisette
to rescue her kidnapped son, Imriel. In return, Melisande promises to help Phèdre find the Name of God, the key to freeing Hyacinthe. Having traveled west in the first book from the French-Italianate city-state of Terre d'Ange, Phèdre here journeys south into the equivalents of the Middle East and Africa, where she triumphs gloriously. Effortlessly rich in adventurous incident, with a huge cast of well-defined characters, this poignant and robust story will appeal to both fantasy lovers and fans of erotic romance. Agent, Jane Dystel. (Apr. 21)Forecast:A recent interview in
Locus and strong cross-over appeal to romance readers who don't mind a touch of kinky sex will ensure sales that build on those of the previous two volumes.

March 15, 2003
Trained as a courtesan and dedicated to the service of Naamah, the goddess of love, and Kushiel, the god of pain and punishment, Phedre no Dalauney, now a countess and friend of the Queen of Terre d'Ange, finds herself drawn reluctantly into the service of a former enemy. When the traitor Melisande Shahrizai's child disappears, she offers Phedre a bargain: find her son, and she will give Phedre the information she needs to rescue a childhood friend trapped in perpetual service to the gods as the Master of the Straits between Terre d'Ange and the rest of the world. Phedre's search takes her on a trip to exotic and dangerous lands, from the fabled court of the Pharaoh of Mnekhet to the dark and deadly land of Drujan, where a mad king serves a dark god and makes plans to conquer the world. The dramatic conclusion of Carey's trilogy (Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen) provides enough loose ends for possible future tales set in an alternate Earth ruled by the descendants of fallen angels and forgotten gods. Graphic and explicit scenes of sex and violence, reminiscent of the works of Terry Goodkind and Storm Constantine, suggest a mature readership. Highly recommended.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2003
Terre d'Ange's inhabitants are the descendents of angels, a race of breathtaking beauty whose highest law is Love as Thou Wilt. Extraordinarily skilled as a courtesan as well as in diplomacy and espionage, Phedre no Delauney has risen to be a queen's companion and peer of the realm. Ten years earlier, she was critical to Terre d'Ange's defense against invaders. Peace and her life were bought with the sacrifice of her friend Hyacinthe, who assumed an ancient, eternal contract as apprentice to the master of straights. Phedre vowed to free him, and has finally discovered how. She must speak the true name of God, which will banish the embittered angel Rahab, who controls Hyacinthe's fate. To discover the true name, Phedre journeys to distant lands and dangerous places, and not the least of the latter lies within. For Phedre is the only living " anguisette," chosen by the god Kushiel to experience pain and pleasure as one, and to maintain divine balance in the world. At the hands of the insane warlord and servant of the dark god Mahrkagir, Phedre learns what true horror is, nearly losing her soul to keep the covenant with Kushiel. As her spirit and strength drain away, the love of her life, Josceline the Cassiline warrior priest, must stand by. Carey's lush, sensuous prose again makes her heroine's story a savory feast for mind and heart.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)