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inside_my_head's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really struggled with the beginning, both with some troubling themes and with the slowness , but it really picked up and blossomed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
ojoy's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
Minor: Rape and Torture
evgeorge's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
storyorc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Despite being an alternate Earth setting, Kushiel's Dart demands you set aside your idea of morals and norms more than many a fantasy novel bursting with magic and fanciful landscapes. D'Angeline culture systematically grooms children for careers in sex work, auctions off virginities at fancy parties, and sees nothing wrong in otherwise very likeable people sleeping with those whom they have a huge amount of power over. It also doesn't blink at queerness and is built around the radical commandment to "love as thou wilt". These positives and negatives are explored at a character level too: Phèdre is enthusiastic about her job as a prostitute/spy but is clear with her beloved master that he is not her friend, and is very aware that even though he invites her to decline clients, she is not truly free to choose.
Although there are only a couple instances of literal magic in the story, it is best to view the D'Angeline beauty and sex as magic. They are literally descended from angels. Characters of other cultures often respond to them as if bewitched and the D'Angeline bend wills and learn secrets through seduction as much as through political maneuvering. This could easily become ridiculous (and there are times when it does verge on it) but, like enchanting faeries in folklore of old, the D'Angeline are bound by their own rules. Phèdre is a victim of her own desires as much as she uses her appeal for influence, and even villains fall prey to their own lusts at times. This also applies to honour. Even D'Angeline traitors and thieves have some sliver of a noble spirit that can be played to, as if they were all beautiful actors in a grand tale. It's an interesting look at the drawbacks of pinning your whole culture on chivalric ideals of beauty, love, and honour.
The book is almost as interested in beauty on a line-level as its characters are and the flowery language for the most part enhances the feeling of being told a romantic tale of heroines and knights. Carey finds a way to breathe life into her descriptions of parties and gowns long after I would have thought I'd grow numb to them. Phèdre is constantly finding beauty in people and things that other narrators would skim past, even in people who abuse her or foreigners her countrymen find ugly. She does so partly by finding something to respect in their personalities but, markedly, will also usually highlight an aspect of their physical features, too so it is not just a cop-out 'they have a beautiful soul' kind of thing. At first, I dismissed Phèdre as overly obsessed with aesthetics but her showing us the beauty in everyone is what makes it so painful to see them do evil, or endure it. I had so much more anguish and heartache and love for the characters of in this book than I expected.
Perhaps more even than the character work and political plot machinations, this book is interested in the intersection of love and pain. One is never far behind the other. The world Carey has crafted demands equally that people love and that they suffer for that love, to the point that Phèdre's identity as the once-in-a-generation anguisette (sexual masochist) takes on the space that would be occupied by a farm-boy Chosen One in any other novel. If that subject matter interests you at all, I can't think of another popular fictional work as invested in the question of whether pain is necessary - even good for - love.
Although there are only a couple instances of literal magic in the story, it is best to view the D'Angeline beauty and sex as magic. They are literally descended from angels. Characters of other cultures often respond to them as if bewitched and the D'Angeline bend wills and learn secrets through seduction as much as through political maneuvering. This could easily become ridiculous (and there are times when it does verge on it) but, like enchanting faeries in folklore of old, the D'Angeline are bound by their own rules. Phèdre is a victim of her own desires as much as she uses her appeal for influence, and even villains fall prey to their own lusts at times. This also applies to honour. Even D'Angeline traitors and thieves have some sliver of a noble spirit that can be played to, as if they were all beautiful actors in a grand tale. It's an interesting look at the drawbacks of pinning your whole culture on chivalric ideals of beauty, love, and honour.
The book is almost as interested in beauty on a line-level as its characters are and the flowery language for the most part enhances the feeling of being told a romantic tale of heroines and knights. Carey finds a way to breathe life into her descriptions of parties and gowns long after I would have thought I'd grow numb to them. Phèdre is constantly finding beauty in people and things that other narrators would skim past, even in people who abuse her or foreigners her countrymen find ugly. She does so partly by finding something to respect in their personalities but, markedly, will also usually highlight an aspect of their physical features, too so it is not just a cop-out 'they have a beautiful soul' kind of thing. At first, I dismissed Phèdre as overly obsessed with aesthetics but her showing us the beauty in everyone is what makes it so painful to see them do evil, or endure it. I had so much more anguish and heartache and love for the characters of in this book than I expected.
Perhaps more even than the character work and political plot machinations, this book is interested in the intersection of love and pain. One is never far behind the other. The world Carey has crafted demands equally that people love and that they suffer for that love, to the point that Phèdre's identity as the once-in-a-generation anguisette (sexual masochist) takes on the space that would be occupied by a farm-boy Chosen One in any other novel. If that subject matter interests you at all, I can't think of another popular fictional work as invested in the question of whether pain is necessary - even good for - love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Torture
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexism
Racism: There is a minority culture of travellers within D'Angeline society called the Tsingano whose portrayal is multi-faceted. The main Tsingano character is held in great regard by the main character (I personally found him extremely winning) but he is also a little side-lined compared to white characters. Their culture has a taboo against sleeping with indentured servants that the D'Angelines are sorely lacking but is more hung up on women remaining virginal. Some Tsingano have the very stereotypical gift of prophecy but even D'Angeline characters respect and fear it. Casual racism toward them is common but the narrative does not endorse it. Just keep in mind it was written in 2001 when people were still naming their pets the g-slur.bookworms101's review against another edition
Yes w have a nursery in the brothel but we abide by age of consent laws I swear 😑
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
willow1113's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, and Medical trauma
maya_mckenzie's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
hardbackednooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a really great read, with the exception of about 20-25% of the book. I blitzed through the first 65%ish, then everything came to a screeching halt for the next 20%. The last portion of the book moved pretty quickly, comparatively, though it also got to be much easier to predict at that point.
With the first-person past tense narrative and occasional breaking of the fourth wall, it was hard to feel any tension about Phedre's fate, but my heart was in my throat any time one of the other characters was threatened or involved in some machination. There are some truly shocking parts of this story and I found my jaw hanging open on more than one occasion.
If you're one for worldbuilding, politicking, and fantasy religions, this might be the perfect fit for you. The layers and maneuvers playing out throughout the world are endless and fascinating; even with all the info now that I'm done, there were still things that surprised me when I was able to piece it all together. Overall, this could've been a 5-star read with more editing towards the middle/later third, but still very deserving of a read. I'll be continuing the series once my hold comes in.
All that being said, this is a very intense book. Definitely NSFW and 18+, and absolutely do not read if you are triggered by pain, abuse, or assault of any kind.
With the first-person past tense narrative and occasional breaking of the fourth wall, it was hard to feel any tension about Phedre's fate, but my heart was in my throat any time one of the other characters was threatened or involved in some machination. There are some truly shocking parts of this story and I found my jaw hanging open on more than one occasion.
If you're one for worldbuilding, politicking, and fantasy religions, this might be the perfect fit for you. The layers and maneuvers playing out throughout the world are endless and fascinating; even with all the info now that I'm done, there were still things that surprised me when I was able to piece it all together. Overall, this could've been a 5-star read with more editing towards the middle/later third, but still very deserving of a read. I'll be continuing the series once my hold comes in.
All that being said, this is a very intense book. Definitely NSFW and 18+, and absolutely do not read if you are triggered by pain, abuse, or assault of any kind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
alexalily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
hippievamp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Racism