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| Jacqueline Carey's Official Author Site - Books |
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that 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. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.
Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.
Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.
Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.
Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.
Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.
Deb says: This book (and series) is not easily put into a category, but don't dismiss it because it won't fit into a neat cubby. Most often it's described as "Historical Fiction" or "Fantasy" and it is both, but political intrigue is a part, there are some juicy lemons, and the world Ms. Carey creates is fabulous.
Giving too much away and ruining it for someone always worries me with these recommendations, but if you are a body art fan (and who isn't?!) the courtesans in Terre d'Ange are required to earn their marque. A marque is an intricate tattoo that is like a bond debt, certification, and representation of the wearers soul wrapped together, at least if done correctly. This is just one of many, many, details that draw you into the stories.
I like to read books in a series, where there are lots of books in front of me when I discover it. This is a multi-trilogy series, so if you decide to try this one you are set for a while.
Everyone that I have recommended the series to has either LOVED it or said, "I can't read this." That is almost always a good sign that I am going to love the books and these are no exception. There is awesome eroticism to the novels, but is not one of those books that you read just for "the good parts".
Phèdre is a complex character that is dealt an interesting hand by the gods in her world. Interesting like the semi-curse that the Chinese created, "May you have an interesting life."
As always, we would really appreciate your ideas about our features like Sunday Book Club. Please let us know if you have recommendation for books we should read or what you think of the ones here.
As always, we would really appreciate your ideas about our features like Sunday Book Club. Please let us know if you have recommendation for books we should read or what you think of the ones here.
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