Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy)
Book Review: Phedre's next adventure
Summary: 4 Stars
Kushiel's Chosen begins soon after Kushiel's Dart ends. Phedre, now the Countess of Montreve makes a difficult decision to return to the service of Naamah, much to the dismay of her lover the Cassiel guard Joscelin. But she has her reasons to returning to her past life as a prostitute, Melisande Shahrizai, a woman who betrayed the Queen Ysandre to the Skaldi, has escaped from her imprisonment and only Phedre can find her. Phedre, who still feels intense love and desire for Melisande, finds herself traveling to La Serenissima to search for the traitorous woman. Her only companions are Joscelin and the final three members of Phedre's boys. Unfortunately things are not what they seem in La Serenissima. Phedre soon finds herself involved in a large plot of assassination that has infiltrated even the temples of the Goddess Asaharat-of-the-Sea. Just when Phedre thinks she has everything found out she is kidnapped and taken away, separated from her protector Joscelin and utterly alone. Can she get back to Terre D'Ange soon enough to save her queen?Kushiel's Chosen has all of the attractive elements found in Kushiel's Dart, wonderful storytelling, attractive settings, and complex characters. Phedre has learned a lot from her previous adventures and has matured quite a bit but still finds herself coming up against problems. You find yourself wishing that she and Joscelin would just throw away there differences and make up again, despite both of their stubbornness.
Although this book is quite amazing it does not live up to its groundbreaking predecessor. There is a rather long lull in the text starting when Phedre travels to La Serenissima. But don't give up on this book! Once you get further into it, the novel turns into the exciting page turner. This book has many new things that the first novel lacked. We get to see new countries, all which exist along southern Europe. Also we get our first pirate characters, something that fans are sure to appreciate.
So if you're in the mood for a sexy fantasy novel with plenty of plot twists and turns read this book! Although it isn't quite as good as the first in the series it's an amazing novel that you'll be sure to love.
Book Review: Thrilling Adventure, Eroticism, & Superb Plot - A Winner!!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Kushiel's Chosen" is the second book in Jacqueline Carey's thrilling fantasy trilogy of life in a world similar to Earth, during a period reminiscent of our Renaissance. This novel, a fantastic romantic adventure, is every bit as exciting as her first book, "Kushiel's Dart." Our heroine, Phedre no Delauney, is now Comtesse de Montreve, a peer of Terre d'Ange. This lash-loving lady has come a long way from the little girl who was sold by her parents, years before, into the service of Naamah, the honored profession of the courtesan. Phedre was kissed by the god Kushiel. There is a tiny crimson mote in the white of her left eye, (Kushiel's Dart), marking her as an "anguisette," one of Kushiel's Chosen. A true "anguisette" is extremely rare. They are born to find pleasure in pain.
Phedre played a major part in ending the violent war that threatened to destroy her country. The new Queen of Terre D'Ange, who Phedre pledged to serve and protect, has been crowned. However, those who would wrest the throne for themselves continue to plot treachery and renewed violence. Chief among the traitors is Melisande Shahrizai, Phedre's nemesis and patron of old. Melisande announces her continued presence in the world of intrigue by beginning a game of cat and mouse with Phedre, who comes out of retirement to thwart plans to harm the Queen. Her return to Court, the City of Elua, and her profession as a spy, threaten her star-crossed relationship with her beloved companion and bodyguard, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil.
The plot and subplots are unique and stunning. The excitement just doesn't stop. Ms. Carey combines eroticism with swashbuckling adventure, romance and world building. Her imaginative use of historic detail, diverse cultures, the creation of many varied characters and their development, make this series so special. A riveting novel - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!
JANA
Book Review: Even better than the first
Summary: 5 Stars
If Kushiel's dart was great, Kushiel's Chosen can only be described as awesome. Phedre is now the Comtesse de Montreve, a peer of the realm, and confidante of the queen. Her nemesis, Melisande taunts her into visiting La Serenissima (Venice) and into another complex and richly weaved series of adventures, into the central and eastern mediterranean cultures. The story twists and turns, weaving historical and cultural truth, with the alternate history that Carey's fertile imagination has created. The plot is absorbing and rich; the relation between Phedre and Jocelin matures, and by the end, Phedre again saves Ysandre's kingdom, and we are left anxiously waiting for the next book.
Book Review: Dazzlingly brilliant follwup
Summary: 5 Stars
In "Kushiel's Chosen," the second of Jacqueline Carey's remarkable trilogy, courtesan-spy-adventuress-linguist-bisexual masochist Phedre no Delaunay, now also Countess of Montreve, returns to court after a year in the country and is soon embroiled in more plots and derring-do (and steamy sex). She sets out to try to learn who has freed the villainous schemer and traitor (and Phedre's nemesis) Melisande Shahrizai. Using her subtle skills, which lead her to an alt-Venice, she does. But that's only halfway through the book. The rest of it, dealing with Phedre's new problem, how to spread the word of what she has learned, pelts to a suspenseful and clever conclusion as Phedre embarks on a tour of this carefully created alt-renaissance Europe in hopes of thwarting a plot against her queen.Ms. Carey's readers will be doubtless delighted to learn that she herself has thwarted the peril of the mid-book-in-the-trilogy blahs. "Chosen" is no mere scene-setter for the finale. In fact, in some sense it appears to be the equivalent of a side quest in a computer adventure game. The payoff's still to come, but you'll have a grand time on this journey, which takes unexpected turns at the slightest opportunity.
Again, as in the first book, "Kushiel's Dart," the author uses the first-person technique, and she never cheats. Everything that happens (and plenty does) is related through Phedre's eyes only, despite the huge cast of characters. Ms. Carey never stoops to the "trick" of having a character recite verbatim to Phedre dialog she herself has not heard. (For example: Phedre only hears, but doesn't actually see, the climax of an epic duel.) Parts of the book are near-operatic (when a pirate captain who's come to Phedre's aid has completed his task he virtually bows out), and parts slyly humorous, and the fantastic elements are subtle indeed.
It's an amazing accomplishment.
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
This whole series is my favorite of all time. It is all about politics and ingrigue from the eyes of a courtessan. great concept, great book, great writer. i cant wait for the next trilogy