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Kushiel's Dart
I've been recommending KUSHIEL'S DART, a pseudo-historical fantasy, by Jacqueline Carey. It's over 700 pages and is the projected first book of a trilogy but the book is complete in itself. This book has really fascinating and detailed settings, intricate and complex plotting and an unusual and compelling heroine. It's dark and very intense, sensual and exotic, unpredictable and exciting and yet also romantic and totally involving. I'm thinking that readers of Anne Bishop may like this book. The heroine's homeland, Terre D'Ange, is being beseiged by a number of internal and external political threats. The heroine, both a court spy and a courtesan, is instrumental in courteracting the numerous threats to her homeland. She's tough and intelligent. She's also unapologetically sensual with a sadomasochistic streak, which may not appeal to all readers and although I had some initial misgivings, this didn't bother me in the end, because it's part and parcel of who the character is and where's she's coming from. None of the sex and violence of the book is gratuitous - it's just part and only part of the story. If you like adventure, love, political machinations, heroism and treachery, I think you'll find KUSHIEL'S DART highly compulsive and completely absorbing reading.
Kushiel's Dart
Unlike some, I wasn't put off by the flowery prose -- I thought it was beautiful -- and the slow beginning didn't bother me, either. I actually enjoy books that allow you to immerse yourself in them slowly instead of being hit in the face with action on the first page involving people I don't know or care about. The worldbuilding here is lovely, complex, and believable. You can see where the author got her inspiration, but she gives everything its own unique twist. My main reason for giving the book four stars instead of five is that, by the end of the novel, I had gotten frustrated with Phaedre for several reasons. For one thing, she became (to me, at least) more and more Mary Sue-like...she seems to be able to vanquish every situation she's put in, even it means using a talent or skill we haven't really even heard of before. Also, I got annoyed by her apparent weakness with regard to the main villain of the story. If Phaedre is so smart and talented, why can't she show a little more backbone in those situations?Even though I enjoyed many aspects of the book, my frustration with the main character meant that I knew I wouldn't go on to read any more of the books in this series. It's too bad, because I did think the writing was beautiful, but life is too short to read (very) long books that I know are just going to end up pushing the wrong buttons. I'm sure other people will have a very different response to this book, but that's how I felt about it.
Kushiel's Dart
Nothing but praise for this masterpiece of psychological realism, with its dancing plot and convincing pantheon.The heroine grows from a child tossed around by fortune into an agent of fate, while saving a country from treason and invasion. Chance turns into destiny as the background of her tutor unfolds. When she applies her skills of stealth and seduction, she enters a court of intrigue and violence.We are stimulated by a constant supply of surprises and fresh characters.Jacquline Carey's fantasy world is rich and detailed. She never abuses the genre's license to break the laws of physics; the magic in this story never touches the decisive plot points. No convenient dues-ex-machina super-powers, but clairvoyance-type skills to enhance foreshadowing.The rest of the `magic' is interwoven with the pantheon. The world in this story resembles our own in the time of Renaissance, with the best of paganism added. These people have no shame of love and pleasure, and their gods keep a close watch and light touch on their history.I'm guessing the fantasy ingredient is only used to free the characters from the boring bits of actual history. The stripping of puritan values enables characters to pursue high and low passion unhindered. The first half of the story is a chess-like game, played by courtiers who are of the Balthasar Castiglione type on the outside, and Machiavellian at heart.Just before the civilized big-city dynamic begins to wear out, the sophistication is balanced by icy peaks under a blue sky and barbarians with simpler drives.Whatever the drives of the characters, no one escapes the consequences of breaching humanist ethics. The heroine is an instrument of the angel that punishes the sinners, and they all get their due in this story, as a side-effect of destiny, with their honor and free will intact.The flavor of the story hints at modern science and philosophy. Carey sees how psychology is grounded in biology. The beauty of people is fostered by rearing pressures; she knows good breeding makes good character. The open elitism and aristocracy is grounded on materialism, and the semi-pagan gods are the biological ancestors of the main characters. Likely these hints are not accidental. Blessed Elua, the principal god in this story, was born out of Mother Earth, when the blood of "Yeshua" dripped from the cross and mixed with the tears of "Mary Magdelene".
Kushiel's Dart
When my friend pushed me to read these books I thought to myself 'another porny book? Do I really need to?' I had picked up the books, or seen them around, but never purchased them. However once I got around to it, I was glad I had. This book is fabulous. Looking at the map it didn't take me long to realize Carey had based her fantasy world off of the real one, adding touches of realism to her story that are always enjoyable. Phedre is a believable and likable character, starting off stubborn and more than a little self centered and evolving from there. It's one of those stories where you hate the bad guy, and love the good guy, but you're not really sure who is on what side until the very end. (And even then, there is a twist.)At the end I found myself falling in love with all of these characters (and buying the next two books).
Kushiel's Dart
I have never read such a beautiful piece of work. I recommend it for anyone who loves beauty, intrigue, love of fantasy...I can't explain it...I am in love! I love the next book as well, but I am still waiting on the last book because I am poor! I need it in paperback!
Kushiel's Dart
I have read hundreds of fantasy novels...Kushiels Dart springs to the top. Elegant, finely crafted, unique and beautifully written. Rarely is the fantasy genre presented with such a gift. And it's a first book. I am blown away and very eager for her sophomore debut.