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What are readers saying about Kushiel's Dart?
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-25 02:50:21.
(Language: English)
 
One of the most surprisingly beautiful books I have ever read. The Kushiel trilogy is, without a doubt, one of those trilogies that will stick with me forever. First of all, her writing. It's lucious. It's beautiful. Carey writes English like it's French, and the sentences flow off the page in a sensuous and liquid display of true literary brilliance. It's occasionally layered too thick, but that's all part of the voice of her absolutely brilliant protagonist. Cheers to Carey for creating one of the most memorable, enduring female characters I have ever read-- Phedre is strong in the way that a flower that bends in the wind is strong. She is so subtle and quiet, but confidant and proud... she's a mystery, and completely unlike any other female protagonist I have ever read. What a thought-- girls don't have to be bitchy natural leaders to be strong heroes! And the plotline. I've never, ever encountered such an intricately detailed plotline, one that wraps up beautifully at the end of each book but continues throughout them all. Carey is a masterful, masterful plotter as well as writer and character artist. I could go on, but it's impossible to read these books without falling desperately in love with them. At least, I guess, if you have my interests. Carey is one of the most fascinating fantasy (more like, alternate history) writers I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. These books are classics. The only flaw is that they're all equally good, so it's tough to decide which one to re-read when I get bored. 
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-04 09:03:18.
(Language: English)
A long, intricate, fantasy novel rich in politics, intrigue, interesting characters, and swordplay. The main character is Phèdre nó Delaunay, a woman marked by the Gods and cursed to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. She is trained as a courtesan and a spy and sets off on an adventure to save the land of her birth, Terre d'Ange, from the traitors who seek to take over the throne. Phèdre is a fascinating, believable character, and this book introduces one of the bitchiest and coolest villainesses ever created: Melisande Shahrizai.This novel is a bit wordy and the plot so intricate as to be confusing at times, but this story hooked me from the very beginning. If you enjoy stories with lots of twists, turns, surprises, sex, politics, swordplay, and magestic imagery, you'll probably love this book. It is the first in a trilogy.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-16 01:14:13.
(Language: English)
This book was really one of my first truly adult novels and it had a profound impact on me. I read it when I was first learning as a kid about human sensuality and I really came to wish that the views of sex and love in this book could be put into practice. The beginning was a little slow, but Phedre is such a striking character, you can't help but want to find out more. I got a little confused by the politics and I kept having to go back and re read things, but I don't think that was Carey's fault. I'm just a little slow. But I think that this series is a must read... its so fresh and innovative. It's sexual and sensual without being scuzzy or porn-ish and that is a hard line to walk. Carey did a fantastic job with that.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-17 10:13:03.
(Language: English)
I confess, I didn't actually finish it. I got over a third of the way through, laboriously, and finally threw up my hands in disgust. The main character is a passive observer, and the only thing she ever does is submit to abuse (which she enjoys because of a neurological disorder, I mean an angel's "gift"). Interesting worldbuilding, but there was not enough else to keep me reading.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-04 08:48:46.
(Language: English)
Pros: Considered alternate history. Lush. Beautifully written in a memoir sort of style. Excellent twists, turns and plots. Characters you can care about, even if you don't agree with their behavior. Definite Good and Evil. I was skeptical of this series. I thought: "EWE!" But I bought the novel when it first came out in 2001 at the recommendation of a very Good friend who's brother-in-law knew the author. I didn't actually read until last year in summer. It's one of those, OMG-it's-2am already-books. She brilliantly made the social structure and the mythology of their religion believable enough to swallow the mature content, however in book three of trilogy one I think she might have gone to far. It's dark and heart breaking, but the heroine does save the world from evil. I haven't gotten around to picking up the final book of the final trilogy. Cons: Mature content that's beyond your run-of-the-mill romance novel. And then sometimes it goes a little to far into self-sacrifice, self-selling that I have to role my eyes. Oh Phèdre, do you really have to 'sleep' with this person too?
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-06-13 11:50:50.
(Language: English)
Despite the cover, Kushiel's Dart offers an engrossing read. The beginning may be off-putting, as it consists primarily of a confusing description of the political system of Terre D'Ange, which is frustrating since the reader does not get a full picture until late in the book or into the next one. The premise centers around a girl with a scarlet mote in her left eye, sold into indentured servitude by her mother. She experiences pain and pleasure as one sensation, which explains the cover art. The "romance" encounters, while graphic and often violent, are mercifully brief in proportion to the length of the novel. If you enjoy long tales of political intrigue and adventure, you will probably enjoy Kushiel's Dart.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-11 12:13:42.
(Language: English)
The first book of the Kushiel Series and the first in the Phedre Trilogy. This story introduces us to the world of Terre d'Ange and to Phedre, the main character of the first trilogy. This is an intricate story of politics, love, eroticism, betrayal, and of course adventure. The cast of characters are all intricate and interesting and even the moments of eroticism are so intricately woven into the very fabric of the story that it is hard to refer to it as simple smut. The story is lushly told and some may not enjoy what could possibly be called "flowery speech" of the novel itself. I think that it is all integral to the world of Terre d'Ange and that without it one would not gain the proper feel of the terrain, of the land, of the culture. But too each their own. In truth I found that I did not like the heroine, Phedre, half as well as I liked two of the primary secondary characters Josceline and Hyacinth. Still I enjoyed the book very much!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-01 02:01:02.
(Language: English)
With an intricate plot both evocative and engaging, and with language that brings to mind the flow of poetry, Jacqueline Carey has created a rich and colorful masterpiece. The characters are entirely real with their fair share of virtues, vices, personalities, and flaws. Phaedre is a wonderfully-drawn heroine who tells her story with equal parts happiness, shame, irony, and sorrow. A sensual feast of pleasure, intrigue, adventure, triumph, and poignancy, Kushiel's Dart is a powerful contender for fantasy's greatest works.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-15 04:35:00.
(Language: English)
I came upon this book by pure luck one day in the library after looking for something else. I pretty much am happy that I did because this has to be one of my pure favorites. I commend the Ms.Carey for her imagination in crafting the world that Phedre both lived in and dominated (even if that was not what she was). I was hooked almost from the beginning and eagerly waited for each book the series (and the series that followed). So, hats off the Ms.Carey for creating a sensual, yet mysterious world that she gave to us. Keep it up!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-13 08:06:54.
(Language: English)
A very accomplished book from an under-appreciated author. Her wonderful writing style draws you into the story with great clarity and more than a touch of the sensual - the closest I can think of is Anne Rice without the histrionics. The society and ideas she pushes forward are daring and original - an unconventional heroine, Phedre's story is not for the faint-hearted, but Carey handles sensitive scenes and subjects with a clear and objective pen. I especially enjoyed the fact that her mythology is sound and that this is not really a story about magic (in it's worst forms in the fantasy genre, this often involves mages shooting lightning at each other). It is about the politics of people, countries, love and desire, and about religion and belief. Before you read it, throw Tolkien out the window. Throw Robert Jordan out the window - throw any of the big names out the window. This is a thoroughly enjoyable new take on fantasy and it is fantasy for adults. This is probably a book no film-maker would be able to take on, and I think it might be the better for it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-13 12:19:06.
(Language: English)
My review from amazon: There are enough reviews on this product that I would rather push a prospective buyer who is on the fence. The protagonist of Kushiel's Dart is a Mary Sue risen from a sort of poverty (bondage, as it were). She is so beautiful that mortals look upon her countenance with envy, so sexually desirable that every King, Queen, and noble would step over Helen of Troy for a chance with her, so scholarly that she knows more languages and poetry than the actual scholars of the realm, so clever that she never reads another person incorrectly, so physically fit that she can scale buildings and cross countries on foot, so stealthy that she is never noticed when she doesn't want to be, and so hardcore that she need never use her safe word. It is a recommended buy if: - You are looking for a feel good read with BDSM overtones. It might be a nice gift for the sub who has been having a bad week. - You are interested in roleplaying (online or *cough* not) from the thirteen special pleasure houses introduced in this book. - You enjoy the flowery beauty of "le France". I don't recommend this book if: - You want at least one of over 900 mass market pages to be thought provoking. - Verbose, flowery language with inconsistent narrative tone makes you queasy. (Present, past, and future do not mean much in this narration, and the snarky asides do not help in this matter.) Comment
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-14 04:44:58.
(Language: English)
Simply one of the most beautifully written books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Jacqueline's style of writting is one of the most beautiful ways that I have ever read.Its exotic and lusteres.She never forgets to describe the way a beautiful gown feels to the touch and folds over the body,or the way the warm sun hits Phedre's skin.She effortlessly thrusts you into the story,characters,places that it grips you until the very end.Her use of words is like water on silk and it glides over ever pore of your being to the point were you believe that you are actually tasting,seeing,touching,feeling,and smelling everything that the characters are.And her way to progect the characters thougts and feelings,makes you believe that your not just reading a book, but that your actually there in Tere De'Ange.Phedre is one of the most captivating character and heroine that I have ever read about.Her strong sense of self,righteousness,pride,sensuality and loyalty is cause for any strong woman to look up to.Her flaws and weaknesses make her all the more likeable and endering as a character.She shows us what true bravery is and what true self sacrafice means,and how amazing it is to be a woman. Jacqueline's intraict plot line flows effortlessly with her use of words and characters.Its not just a novel,but an alternative history to our world that was maybe forgotten.There is intrigue,passion,sensuality,murder,scandals, kiddnapping, enslavement,forbidden love,sacrifice,bravery,and war.This book has everything.By the end of the first chapter you wont be able to put it down!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-07 12:33:27.
(Language: English)
There are many things to be extremely impressed by in this book. While it is a little slow to get going, by about page 200 momentous things start to happen, and it's pretty hard to put down after that. The characters are strong, memorable, and distinctively drawn. Carey has created a fantasy world that is unlike any other with which I am familiar, with intricately drawn political, social, religious, and economic structures. It is a world explicitly modeled after medieval Europe on some levels (with Kushiel's home country clearly modeled after France), most obviously in its geography and political structure. You could almost call this historical fantasy (along the lines of Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lion's of Al-Rassan); there is just a tiny bit of magic involved. All in all, it is amazingly accomplished for a first-time novelist. On the other hand, some potential readers will HATE this book. There is lots of moderately explicit sex, very little of it ""normal."" The sex is not gratuitous. It is a fundamental part of political, economic, social, and religious world Carey has created. The heroine of the story is a trained love toy for the nobility. She gets sexual pleasure from pain, making her a rare and valuable commodity. If homosexuality and/or sadomasochism are truly repulsive to you, you might want to steer clear.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-22 12:44:14.
(Language: English)
I've heard nothing but truly glowing reviews of this book, but it wasn't for me. I found the most eye-catching aspect of the book difficult to stomach: The main character, Phedre, is a masochistic courtesan. (Maybe I just don't have the right fetishes to appreciate this...?) I'm not necessarily offended by that, but it seems a flimsy characteristic to base an entire book upon (for her status as an "anguissette" is central to Phedre's life), and struck me as nothing more than an attempt to take advantage of a well-known fact: Sex sells.Kushiel's Dart isn't a romance novel, though one might be tempted to chunk it in with the erotica at first glance. Actually, the politics were laid on strongly, and right from the beginning. As I result, I found this a very dense book that's difficult to work into. Meanwhile, the resemblance to our own world had the effect of being very off-putting and disorienting, rather than giving Phedre's world a sense of familiarity. Overall, I found Kushiel's Dart a little distasteful and more than a little boring. I was unable to get through it completely.
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Tapio posted a review at 2011-02-11 10:27:57.
(Language: English)
Easy to read, and quite entertaining at times. With shallow, artificial characters, and quite generic plot and bland fantasy world, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Don't expect much erotica either. I definetely won't be continuing with this series.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-06 06:29:07.
(Language: English)
I won't lie, I bought this book expecting a good 'ole erotica read. Instead, I got so much more. Much more. At 901 pages, it's pretty heavy, especially for one who is reading on with the anticipation of some smut. However, the story becomes very intriuging. What Carey does best is how she develops Phedre's world. All the history, the relgion, the customs and class is so detailed and rich... In my opinion, the story has a slightly tedious beginning; there's very little dialogue. But getting through the beginning has reaped much, as the bulk of the novel is action-packed. If I have one criticism, it's Carey's use of many many characters without that many distinguishing features. It was hard for me at times to keep track of all the nobles, and what not... but the main characters are very well developed. A great read! I can't wait to get my hands on the sequels.
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Marc posted a review at 2009-08-18 09:25:02.
(Language: English)
An extremely fine book, that is a cross of alternate history, Tolkien fantasy, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Dickens. It starts off slow from the main character's birth and the first 20 years of her life. The second half increases to a near break neck pace, but is thankfully done in a way that does not make the ending feel rushed or cramped. Two warnings: The main character is a BDSM sub. If you are not into that, the scenes do not dominate the book, and the rest of the book outshines them. Second, the book is written from the point of view of the main character and "In Universe." There is no "Concerning Hobbits" to start off the book with an info dump. The world is complex (5+ pages of Dramatis Personae) and its a challenge to keep all of the characters straight. Phedre also rarely dumps information on the reader, and when she does so, it is as commentary or to describe something that the reader in her world would not commonly know. It also in a way reflects the confusion that she experiences being thrust early in her life as a pawn in political games that a teen does not understand. If you enjoy piecing a world together, this book is for you. The book works well as a stand alone. There is an opening left for the sequels, but no ham handed cliff hanger.
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Ysis posted a review at 2010-07-03 05:33:38.
(Language: English)
I tried this book because it was highly recomended in the fantasy series. Although I find a lot of the elements very intriguing and the world very richly made, I think one of my problems with this book is that because it is set in a time equal to pre-Victorianish, probably Romanish era, the language that Jacqueline Carey uses is very 'old' in a sense that I have difficulty relating to it. The characters are solid and I love them, but the way the story is told hampers me from enjoying it fully.
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Darren posted a review at 2010-10-08 10:05:08.
(Language: English)
Spoiler-Free Reviews Genre: Fantasy Fiction Length: about 900 pages Perspective: First Person / Flashback Narrative Why you might read this: If you enjoy mature-themed fantasy epics, this one won't disappoint. There are no cheesy hero saves the world from an obvious evil here and it is definitely not for younger readers. Because it is written in the first person perspective, you easily empathize with the main character and her viewpoints. Rating: Five stars for a superb story and one that I would read again in the future. A definite buy. Final Thoughts: This author used many words not familiar to me and a few that are archaic. I definitely had to look up the most words from this book than any other book I've read. That's a plus.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-02 12:18:40.
(Language: English)
I enjoyed this summer read but the pacing was a bit off...there was a big buildup that lasted just about the first half of the book, but it was good writing so I didn't mind. Then in the middle I couldn't put it down because I was so riveted to find out what happened! Then the excitement died away pretty quickly and *way* before the end and I had a hard time making myself finish it because it seemed so obvious how it would all play out and - yup - things happened exactly like it seemed they would. Also it was a little annoying how the author seemed to feel that she had to bring every single character around full circle at the end...I do not care about every single filler character or the stupid pony! I will probably read the next book in the series at some point but I'm not rushing right out to buy it. In spite of all that, this book has an excellent kink element and also the society's value of women is nice.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-05-02 11:05:03.
(Language: English)
I enjoyed this series so much that I now have the tattoo on my back.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-12 11:28:12.
(Language: English)
When i first came across this series, i was intrigued both because of the topic and the way the author created her own little world so close to our own. After reading the first chapter i was hooked, lined and sinked by how much i loved the heroine of this series. It's sensuous, dark and thrilling plus it has enough to keep you coming back to read it after your done!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-04-07 07:12:43.
(Language: English)
A completely innovative novel--Carey takes a semi-historical context and places her own fantasy world within it. This is different from anything you've ever read, but don't read the synopsis on the back and dismiss it as another cheesy roamnce novel, because it is far more than that. Yes, there is romance, but the plot is not centered around it. Instead, Carey centers her plot on intricate political intrigue, deception and power struggles within the realm. Phedre is the information-gathering tool of choice for one Anafiel DeLauney, and she plies her trade to her utmost in delving deep into the subterfuge of her patrons to uncover a plot to overthrow the realm of Terre d'Ange .
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-23 07:16:53.
(Language: English)
It took me a long time to read this book. By "a long time," I mean something like TWENTY WEEKS. Granted, I put it down for a couple of months in the middle, and the fact that I came back to it says something about it. I don't read a whole lot of fantasy, which is probably the best "genre descriptor" for Kushiel's Dart. However, people who think fantasy is lame crap full of dragons and wizards and such might like this. It's alternate history, complete with alternate religions. Everything has a different name, but it has an analogue in late medieval/early Renaissance history. Carey's style is extremely descriptive and almost old-fashioned, and she does a lot of interesting things with language and syntax. There's a lot of suspense as well, and a love story, and some war action too. I bought the second book in Phedre's trilogy a few months ago, and I'll probably read it soon. Of course, my TBR pile is huge, so I'll probably get around to it the next time I have a huge plane trip or something. I know I'll come back to this author, though. If it was compelling enough that I wanted to pick it up again after eight weeks of not touching it, then it must be good.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-25 07:55:38.
(Language: English)
Synopsis: In the land of Terre d’ Ange, it is said that the blood of angels flows through the people, particularly in the blood of the aristocracy. However, the influence of the divine shows itself in the most unlikely place, in the eyes of a courtesan, Phèdré, who was born to the Night Court. The blood red spot in her eye, said to be the prick of the fallen angel, Kushiel, has marked her as one cursed to feel pain and pleasure as one. When Phèdré is sold into indentured servitude to the nobleman, Anafiel Delaunay, a chain of events involving political intrigue, murder, and mystery opens her to a world of unknown possibilities. Review: This book is an impressive epic that grabs one’s imagination and keeps it held with the decadent and lush descriptions of an alternative medieval France full of tattooed courtesans, glittering masquerades, and all the intrigue one can expect of royal courts. Phèdré shows herself to be a strong and capable character who believably evolves from an ignorant, headstrong girl into a mature woman tempered by her experiences in love and loss. However, her narrative repeatedly refers to things that she wishes she could have changed, as it is told in first person through Phèdré’s reflection of the past. This is only a minor peeve, as the rest of the epic is quite thrilling with its weaving of intrigue and erotic moments into a passionately charged plot. The scenes of eroticism involved with Phèdré’s calling as one pricked by Kushiel’s Dart and profession as a courtesan are never distasteful and are sprinkled appropriately throughout, never overwhelming the reader with gratuitous sex nor leaving them wanting for the little bit of id this book satisfies with its portrayal of Phèdré’s profession and desires. At times, the rich detailed writing style of this story can envelope you in a world full of some of the most beautiful imagery I’ve seen in a book, but it is also not for the light reader. At 901 pages, it took me over six years to read as I had to start over multiple times to remember where I was and what was going on due to the complex plotline and my own distractions. Luckily for us, there is a handy Dramatis Personae at the beginning to remind us who all the characters all. Overall Rating: :star::star::star::star: out of 5 This book left me so inspired to illustrate and to write that I highly recommend it for you visual readers out there who are also artists, or those who are inspired by the gothic decadence of historical fantasy settings. Related Discussions -<a href="http://funayurei.net/forums/shadowscript/index.php?topic=30.0">Discuss this review at Shadowscript</a> -<a href="http://funayurei.net/forums/shadowscript/index.php?topic=28.0">Talk about your favorite character</a> -<a href="http://funayurei.net/forums/shadowscript/index.php?topic=29.0">What scene would you illustrate from this book?</a>
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