Kushiel's Chosen - Jacqueline Carey

Reviewed By: Kashiko Black
Review Date: July 6, 2012
Category: Fiction, Entertainment, BDSM, Kink, Queer, Heterosexual, Sex, Polyamory
Fetishes/Kinks Found Within: Fear play, Power Exchange

Back Cover Summary:

The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. The inhabiting race rose from the seed of angels and men, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt. Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman, the first to recognize that she is one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. He trained Phèdre in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber--and, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. When she stumbled upon a plot that threatened the very foundations of her homeland, she gave up almost everything she held dear to save it. She survived, and lived to have others tell her story, and if they embellished the tale with fabric of mythical splendor, they weren't far off the mark. The hands of the gods weigh heavily upon Phèdre's brow, and they are not finished with her. While the young queen who sits upon the throne is well loved by the people, there are those who believe another should wear the crown... and those who escaped the wrath of the mighty are not yet done with their schemes for power and revenge.

Reviewer Comments on Rating:

This book is an interesting addition to the first novel of this series (Kushiel's Dart). The author's writing is colourful and interesting to read but can be quite wordy at times. The story continues to keep you guessing about the plot and she expands on her character development beautifully. While the primary characters still believe in the most important thing being love in any form and positively promote expression of that love, the author does cover discrimination in the attitudes of characters abroad. I found this book difficult to put down and a real pleasure to read. While this book can be read independently of the first book, I would recommend reading them in order. The author does recap the events of the first book so many of the important details required for the plot of this book will be provided but you would get a better experience of the story having read the first. Overall an excellent read.