Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Kushiel's Dart

This is the 1st book in the Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey.

Book Blurb:

A massive fantasy tale about the violent death of an old age and the birth of a new one. Here is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Born with a scarlet mote in her left eye, Phedre no Delaunay is sold into indentured servitude as a child. When her bond is purchased by an enigmatic nobleman, she is trained in history, theology, politics, foreign languages, and the arts of pleasure. Above all, she learns the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Exquisite courtesan, yet talented spy, she may seem an unlikely heroine... but when Phedre stumbles upon a plot threatening her homeland, Terre d'Ange, she has no choice but to act. Betrayed into captivity in the barbarous northland of Skaldia, and accompanied only by disdainful young warrior-priest, Phedre makes a harrowing escape and an even more harrowing journey, to return to her people and deliver them a warning of the impending invasion. And that proves only the first step in a quest that will take her to the edge of despair and beyond.

This truly is a sweeping saga: full of court politics, heroic traitors, villains and spies. And if you like that sort of thing - you'll like this book. :)

I honestly did not like the book. I skimmed through more than a third of it and really just wanted it to be over with. But I think that is more my fault than the books.

The book was well written and rich in detail. The characters fully formed and likable. But it just did not inspire me.

I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

M

Kushiel's Legacy


1. Kushiel's Dart (2001)
2. Kushiel's Chosen (2002)
3. Kushiel's Avatar (2003)
4. Kushiel's Scion (2005)
5. Kushiel's Justice (2007)
6. Kushiel's Mercy (2008)
7. Naamah's Kiss (2009)
Kushiel's DartKushiel's ChosenKushiel's AvatarKushiel's Scion
Kushiel's JusticeKushiel's MercyNaamah's Kiss

3 comments:

VampFanGirl said...

I've bought almost the entire series but I've yet to read any of them. Isn't that horrible? *Sigh* My book addiction is such a lost cause.

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like this one Michelle. I remeber buying the series because it was supposed to be pretty erotic. Was it?

:) VFG

Michelle Greathouse said...

VFG
Not so much. LOL There are a few instances where the main character is whipped or beaten - but it was not erotic at all. As a matter of fact I would not call this a 'romance' book - there is no romance. The few sexual encounters are limited to 'I did (sexual favor) and he went to sleep'.

I bought it for the same reason and was disappointed. This book is more about court intrigue and saving a throne.

M

Anna said...

Sorry to hear you didn't like it. This book stood on my shelf for the longest time. Even when I started reading it, it took me a while to get into it. I was surprise who much I enjoyed it.

The romance factor doesn't come until later books. I don't consider this a fantasy romance, just fantasy.