Title: Kushiel’s Chosen
Author: Jacqueline Carey
First published April 6, 2002
678 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780765345042 (ISBN10: 0765345048)
Rating: 4.29
Overview
In the land of Terre d’Ange, love is the only rule. Phèdre nó Delaunay, a woman chosen by Kushiel’s Dart to experience both pleasure and pain, has already sacrificed much to save her homeland.
But when a new threat arises, Phèdre must once again use her unique skills to protect her beloved queen and her people. As she navigates dangerous political waters and faces old enemies, Phèdre realizes that her fate is in the hands of the gods.
Will they continue to guide her towards greatness, or will they lead her to her ultimate downfall? This stunning tale of love, betrayal, and adventure will leave you breathless.
Cover art by John Jude Palencar.
About the Author
Jacqueline Carey is a talented author and novelist who primarily focuses on fantasy fiction. Born in 1964 in Highland Park, Illinois, she attended Lake Forest College where she earned B.A.’s in psychology and English literature.
During her time in college, Jacqueline spent six months working in a bookstore as part of a work exchange program. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for writing professionally.
After completing her studies, she began her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. It took her ten years to achieve success, but in 2001, she published her first book.
Jacqueline Carey currently resides in western Michigan and is a proud member of the oldest Mardi Gras krewe in the state.
Editoral Review
Kushiel’s Chosen is the second book in Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy trilogy, first published on April 6, 2002. Carey is an award-winning author of fantasy novels, with a focus on political intrigue, eroticism, and intricate world-building.
Her books often revolve around strong female protagonists, reflecting feminist and sex-positive values. Set in an alternate-history version of Europe, Kushiel’s Chosen follows the adventures of Phdre n Delaunay, a courtesan-spy who possesses a magical ability to experience pain and pleasure as one.
In this installment, Phdre is tasked with saving her beloved country Terre d’Ange from a brewing war with Skaldia, a neighboring realm. Along the way, she faces numerous challenges, including a vengeful queen, a deadly cult, and a conflicted love triangle with two powerful men.
What makes Kushiel’s Chosen stand out from other fantasy novels is its complexity and ambition. Carey not only creates a richly detailed world with its own mythology, geography, and language, but also tackles weighty themes such as identity, destiny, forgiveness, and redemption.
She weaves historical and cultural elements from real-world sources such as Ireland, France, and Japan, adding depth and texture to her fictional world. The book also explores subversive sexual practices and gender fluidity, pushing the boundaries of mainstream literature.
Carey’s writing style is lush, poetic, and immersive, with a distinctive voice that captures both the elegance and brutality of her characters’ lives. She excels at creating nuanced, multifaceted characters who evolve over time, with their own flaws, virtues, and motivations.
Phdre, in particular, is a compelling and relatable heroine, who learns to balance her duty and desire, her loyalty and integrity, her love and independence. The supporting cast is equally memorable, from Joscelin, Phdre’s stoic bodyguard, to Imriel, her troubled cousin, to Melisande, her cunning rival.
However, Kushiel’s Chosen is not without its shortcomings. The plot can be convoluted at times, with a plethora of subplots, secondary characters, and flashbacks, that may overwhelm or confuse some readers.
The pacing is also uneven, with slow parts that drag and fast parts that rush. The book also contains graphic and explicit scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences, especially those who are uncomfortable with BDSM or non-monogamous relationships.
Overall, Kushiel’s Chosen is a remarkable book that transcends its genre and challenges its readers. It combines imagination, intelligence, and sensuality in a unique blend that defies easy categorization.
It is a book for those who seek adventure, romance, and thought-provoking fiction. It is also a book for those who appreciate outstanding writing and profound insights into the human condition.
It is a book that leaves a lasting impression, and that demands to be reread and analyzed. Thus, I highly recommend Kushiel’s Chosen to anyone who wants to experience the power of storytelling at its best.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
