Jacqueline Carey

This wonderful novel is a sensuous fantasy of sacrifice and conspiracy, which will be loved by fans of George R. R. Martin and Sylvia Day alike. Phèdre has been trained as a skilled spy, courtesan and strategist under her tutor's watchful eye. He was the first to see she'd been touched by the god Kushiel's dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. And above all, Phèdre was taught to observe, remember, and analyze, skills that may yet save her life. Once before, Phèdre gave up everything she held dear to save her homeland, but the gods wishes still cast a shadow over her. For while their young queen is well-loved by her people, there are some who believe other heads should wear the crown. It seems factions who previously escaped the wrath of the mighty are not yet done with schemes for power and revenge. To protect and serve, Phèdre must once again leave her beloved homeland. She will meet old friends and new enemies . . . and uncover an earth-shattering plot masterminded by the one person she cannot deny. Kushiel's Dart, the first in this trilogy, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. It also won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Fantasy.

Kushiel's Chosen

Following hard on the heels of Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey's spectacular debut novel, comes Kushiel's Chosen, the second in a glittering and riveting historical fantasy trilogy. The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It is said that the angels found the land and saw it was good, and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt. Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye and sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with a very special mission--and the first to recognize her for who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Phèdre has trained in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Having stumbled upon a plot that threatened the very foundations of her homeland, she gave up almost everything she held dear to save it. She survived, and lived to have others tell her story, and if they embellished the tale with fabric of mythical splendor, they weren't far off the mark. The hands of the gods weigh heavily upon Phèdre's brow, and they are not yet done with their charge--for while the young queen who sits upon the throne is well loved by the people, there are those who believe that other heads should wear the crown. And those who escaped the wrath of the mighty are not yet done with their schemes for power and revenge. To protect and serve, Phèdre will once again leave her beloved homeland. From the sun-drenched villas of La Serenissima to the wilds of old Hellas, from a prison designed to drive the very gods mad to an island of immutable joy. Phèdre will meet old friends and new enemies and discover a plot so dreadful as to make the earth tremble, masterminded by the one person she cannot turn away from.

A Novel

lianna

Kushiel's Chosen (Kushiel's Legacy)

Annabella

Evil Lizzard

A wonderful continuation. I adore all the intrigue, the tension between the characters, the descriptions of the landscapes, fashion, languages and customs of the various cultures, the religions and rituals… loved it all. I also love how unapologetically and explicitly bisexual the main character is. (And many others also.) So refreshing! Not a gay panic in sight - she loves and longs for whomever intrigues her, and that is all there is to it. 

If you loved the first book, you will love this one also! Jacqueline Carey is a masterful storyteller. I will most definitely read the third book of the trilogy too, and live in this fascinating world for a bit longer.

A grudging 3.5 stars. A good story and good characters even if it took 3432423 years to read

Erica

I think that the time I took reading this book is the longest span over any novel I’ve ever read before. (Unless you count the ones I never finished.) Between work and school and other novels I read in the middle, I wasn’t sure I’d ever finish it! But I’m glad I did. Now, having completed two Kushiel novels in a row, I need a break. Though, I must say, the deep-set political intrigue is brilliant!

Oliver Magnanimous

Jennifer S

Aubrey Hicks

The Rabid Geek

altlovesbooks

Barbara

Nikki Milton

Mélissa

Shannon Cooper

Jeff James

A.L.L.

Phedre no Delaunay, now ruler of her people, faces new challenges, including court intrigues, factions out to remove her from her throne, the return of the ruthless Melisande Sharizai, and a conspiracy that could destroy all humankind.

Kushiel's Chosen

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