Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's Legacy) by Jacqueline Carey Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's Legacy)
Book Review: Breathtaking
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many ways to measure the success of a novel - plot, pace, characters etc etc. Speaking for myself the novels that get 5 stars from me are the ones that leave me near-grieving for the characters, and the world, when I finish. Ones that have me soaking in every word in the last chapter, aware that it's coming to an end.This is such a book, as are the other two in the trilogy.
Generally, I don't hanker after dragons, quests and elves in my fantasy novels, although I do enjoy them from time to time, and these things certainly don't appear in the Kushiel trilogy. Rather I search for world-building; a superior writing ability; and characters so real I could almost be reading a biography.
Carey has achieved these three aspects so well it hurts. The world she has created is so real I almost forgot it's based on a mesh of historical cultures. Even the inclusion of a pharoah seemed somehow natural to her world, rather than a borrowing of our own. Elua, and particularly Terre D'ange, is a rich, lavish place and turns traditional moral notions completely on their head - definitely refreshing in a fantasy setting.
Carey writes with a fluid grace - no stumbling, awkward prose as occurs too often. Strong dialogue, strong description, a good balance of the two. Writing from first person isn't always easy, as you can't have back-up characters to rely on to provide fresh perspectives. Therefore, writing three books so well with the voice of a sole character is impressive.
I still miss Phedre, and Joscelin. Getting to know Phedre was not an easy task, at times it was downright uncomfortable. One can get lulled, within fantasy, into thinking the often-repeated rescue of female characters is a 'natural' literary device; an expected cliche of your standard fantasy. It was quite disconcerting to come across a heroine who actively seeks pain, and uses it as a means to attain her goals.
I shared Joscelin's frustration/revulsion as he stood by, knowing Phedre was being hurt. Initially, each time I realised that she didn't want his help, or even need it, it shocked for a moment. I felt I was sharing the journey with Joscelin as he slowly came to accept Phedre for who and what she is. Whether Carey intended the reader to walk this journey with him or not, it's very successful.
There is enough pace, and action, to keep the book going, athough they certainly aren't, in my opinion, what sustains the novel. I think Carey has handled the intriguing/politicking quite well, though these things are suppressed by Phedre's strong character presence - which, of course, is fine by me, but others might not agree.
This trilogy comes highly recommended and I can't wait to see what else Carey has to offer.
Book Review: Giggle as thou wilt
Summary: 1 Stars
Oh dear. The publisher's synopsis is the first warning sign - "for adult readers". The first 400 pages of this 1000 pager are largely a fantasy soft-porn, as Phedre our heroine discovers her S&M calling in the Night Court of Terre d'Ange. The second warning is the several pages of character lists at the start of the book. The author aims to create an intriguing political web but in truth with so many characters, and little consistency as to whether they are referred to by elaborate name or confusing title, it simply becomes a web to tangle the reader.The first-person narrative veers occasionally into very formal and archaic English which sticks out like a sore thumb, and some readers may find the transformation of some Judeo-Christian stories into a rationale for state-sanctioned prostitution a little hard to swallow.
If you want a good fantasy read with a strong female heroine, a bit of geo-political tension, and a smidgeon of romance, I'd recommend Wurtz's Daughter of the Empire series. Else save this for when you've a few dull nights and need a bit of a giggle.
Book Review: Kushiel's Dart
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of Phedre No'Delauney, and starts when she is a very small child and her story as an anguisette, chosen to experience pain and pleasure as one.This book can be quite erotic at times, but this book should not be dismissed as erotic fiction it is much more than that, an extremely well told book based in the middle ages in Europe, the use of the old country names such as Alba emphasises this.
Phedre bears the mark of Kushiel's Dart, a scarlet mote in her eye. The main part of this story revolves a\round Terre D'Ange (Land of Angels), the inhabitants of Terre D'Ange are descended from divine beings.
The story is based on politics, love & betrayal, aside from Phedre the cast of characters is impressive with extremely well-developed characters, and JC has detailed these very well within the story. The beginning of the story can get quite cumbersome and this is quite a long book but, it is well worth sticking to it after the first 150 pages or so the plot gets much more interesting. I did get the feeling that Phedre was narrating from sometime long ago in the past and seems as though she was looking back and re-living her experiences.
This is a fantastic novel, it has been criticised but, I personally feel this is a brilliant book and remains one of my all-time favourites, it is a very long book as indeed are the others in this trilogy, though this one is the longest but, it is never drawn out and is simply a stunning book to read.
Book Review: Amazing...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a stunning debut from Carey, compelling, exhilarating , engaging and very memorable. The story follows a girl called Phedre on her journey through the affairs of the Night Court, as she discovers that by the scarlet mote in her eye she is marked as Kushiel's (the god of pleasure and pain) own. The plot that follows is complex and engaging, the characters are strong, the writing is beautiful and the imagery is striking. From reading the above reviews I understood that some people had some difficulty dealing with the names of the many characters. It is a pity that they didn't make the effort to familiarise themselves with the inhabitants of the Night Court and other places that Phedre visits. Just as in life, it is essential sometimes to immerse yourself in different, unfamiliar and a little confusing surroundings, so we must learn our way around the vivid world that Carey created. Read this and enjoy your journey!
Book Review: just ok
Summary: 3 Stars
this isn't a bad book, but it isn't also the intricate political saga that it's supposed the be. The characters are fairly typical and the whole S-M thing seems pretty superimposed just for the sake of adding a bit of controversy. I finished it, but don't have any inclination to read any of the others in the series.