Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

No words can give justice to this brilliant novel

The fantasy world that Carey creates with the land of Terre d’Ange, bears no equal. It is beautiful and dangerous, coveted and unyielding, a place of beauty and grace. Carey constructs an entire mythos of god and angels, among them Blessed Elua, whom created the D’Angelines. Under their religion, they follow a single rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. To her parents, she was flawed, and at a young age was sold into indentured servitude to the Night Court of Blooming Flowers. Her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman and banned poet, who not only gives Phèdre a home and family, but also a purpose. Recognizing the scarlet mote in her eye as more than a flaw, he explains to her that she was pricked by Kushiel’s Dart, a rare anguissette and Kushiel’s Chosen; chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained from a young age in the art of sexual pleasure to be a courtesan, but under the tutelage of Anafiel Delaunay, she is also equally adept at espionage, able to observe, remember, and analyze.­­­ Her diversified skill set, from her orthodox education, her knack for languages, and her desirable bedroom skills, make her a prized possession. But soon, Phèdre becomes a pawn in a game that Delaunay is playing, and stumbles upon a plot that threatens her homeland.

In Carey’s mesmerizing world, courtiers, royalty, traitors, and villains set Phèdre on a path to save the home she loves. As she undergoes her quest, she experiences treachery, betrayal, love, loss, sacrifice, war, conspiracy and desire at its most dangerous.  Kushiel’s Dart is a truly epic adventure, Filled with mystery, fantasy, romance, erotica, and adventure that transports readers into the unknown and leaves them hanging on to every word.

Kushiel’s Dart deserves the highest praise. A must read! 

Also recommended, the rest of the Kushiel’s Legacy series…