Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy sequel., 13 April 2002
This review is from: Kushiel's Chosen (Hardcover)
The first book in the "Kushiel Trilogy", _Kushiel's Dart_, was one of the best -- if not the best -- fantasy book of last year, and its sequel, _Kushiel's Chosen_, did not disappoint me in the least. It is a certainly a different book, at least compared to the first half of _Kushiel's Dart_ which centred around Phèdre's coming of age, as _Kushiel's Chosen_ combines the headache-inducing intrigues of the first half of _Kushiel's Dart_ with the fast-paced action of its latter half. To keep the kingdom of Terre d'Ange and its queen Ysandre safe, Phèdre must learn not only who it was who betrayed them and released Melisande, but also where Melisande hides and what she plans to do. To do this, Phèdre must use all the skills taught to her by her dead mentor, as well as her unique skills as an anguisette. The price for her choice, however, may be higher than she would like, and the pain of the body is nothing compared to the pain of the soul. Like the previous book, _Kushiel's Chosen_ is well-written and a pleasure to read. But it is also not, as was the case with the first one, a book for those who dislike a fair amount of adult content, a first-person narrative and plenty of both brilliant and beautiful characters. Obviously, I quite like those things myself, and I've already started the count-down until the final part, _Kushiel's Avatar_, is out...
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mystique, 6 Nov 2009
While Kushiel's Dart caught us with its unbelievable eroticism Kushiel's Chosen has led us on into Ms Carrey's chosen forte, the court intrigue. Phedre's games cease to be of the bedroom and move onto the world's stage at Venice (La Serrenissima). And at this point we are willing to let go. Indeed Phedre's initial calling is crass compared with the purity of Joscelyn's love. So Jacqueline Carey has brought us to the brink of a full romance. But all these sideshows are just the prelude for Ms Carey's greatest skill which is the intrigue of a political mystery. And as with all great loved epics she cannot move out of the original creation without destroying it. It is to her great, remarkable skill as an authoress that we can go so far with her; and her every moment must be one of "how do I not destroy this?"
Indeed she lapsed toward the end of Kushiel's Dart into melodrama, but her crafted characters have so much more to say than running endlessly across barbarian Europe. Ysandre, for instance, could have an entire book about her thought processes as young queen, as could Joscelyn, or even Phedre's Boys.
This an excellent story which is not fantasy, despite its classification, but Romance. How lucky we are that it has been so classified for it opens an entire readership to her skill who otherwise would not read this.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kushiels Chosen, 15 Feb 2005
The follow up to the fabulous Kushiels Dart... Phèdre nó Delaunay fights to save her queen and country in a battle whose greatest weapon proves to be Phèdre herself.Again we see Phedre plying her skills as an anguisette and a spy. Whilst this novel is not as good as Kushiels Dart it certainly comes very very close. Phedre has come a very long way in this novel since she was sold by her parents in the first, she has been kissed by the god Kushiel and has a small red mote in her left eye this is what is referred to as Kushiels Dart thus making her an anguisette, which is Kushiels Chosen. An anguisette being someone who finds pleasure out of pain. Phedre managed to end the war which threatened to destroy her country, among Phedres enemies is Melisande the battles between Phedre and Melisande continue throughout. Again we see the erocticism that we saw in Kushiels Dart, written in the fabulous way as the first. Another stunning novel from Jacqueline Carey, Kushiels Avatar the next novel brings this trilogy to a close, until the story of Imriel of course.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|