Reviews

Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey

phaedraismyusername's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

Did I love this as much as the first? No. 

Was it still an excellent reading experience? Yes.

Just a super solid second book in the series, it lost a lot of the slow pace of the first once in trade of a faster adventure-ish pace but it was still heavily political, the intrigue was still intriguing, and the characters, especially Phedre, really do feel like they're maturing and developing because of their lived experiences and not just because time is passing or the author requires it.

My only real complaint is that I found the face off with the overarching antagonist in this one a little more annoying in this book. And while I know the hold they have over Phedre is a purposeful choice by the author and not a result of poor writing, i did find it less convincing with this version of Phedre, in comparison to her teenage self in book one, but that's purely down to personal preference.

I'm looking forward to book 3 and seeing how this series wraps up!

talaomte's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lazergoespewpew's review against another edition

adventurous slow-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? Yes

4.0

hollowbound's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Phèdre remains one of my favorite protagonists. It's so refreshing to read this sort of epic, swashbuckling adventure from the perspective of someone who isn't a warrior but still courageous and cunning. I did find Joscelin's arc to be a bit meh, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. 

cedardleland's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.0

The forced conflict between Phedre and Joselin is painful in this one, made it harder to read than the first in the series. Still a great book and worth reading the whole series.

caitann's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

There is so much going for this book, and I could list all its many attributes for you, but at the end of it, for me it’s just Joscelin. IT’S ALL JOSCELIN

OH the romantic tension, the heart-wrenching conflict, the aching, desperate YEARNING between him and Phedre OHHHHH 🔥🔥🔥. It’s as devastating as it’s DELICIOUS OKAY. Their relationship might be more of an undercurrent to an overarching plot rich in political intrigue and court schemes and high-seas adventure crawling with pirates and danger and betrayal etc etc but in the end THESE TWO ARE EVERYTHING

Jacqueline Carey, what do I have to do to convince you to write this book from his POV too?!! The whole thing would be fraught with moulin rouge “el tango de Roxanne” vibes (“the jealousy will drive you MAD” - y’all know it) and can I just say I would DIE FOR THIS 

diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition

4.0

After reading [b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's Legacy, #1)|Jacqueline Carey|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X0K18PHBL._SL75_.jpg|2990010] I knew what to expect in this book so I was not surprised with BDSM sex scenes. I think they were even a little bit tamer and lighter than in a first book. But they are not the point of the book, they are only here to help us better to understand the character of our main heroine Phèdre.
My problem with [a:Jacqueline Carey|9237|Jacqueline Carey|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1205262579p2/9237.jpg] and why I did not give her greater rating is because she takes too much time explaining and developing the plot... In this second book even more than in the first one. Honestly, I felt like first 40% of book was introduction. But when adventure begins it is breathtaking:

Spoiler

Venice and gloomy prison and pirates and kríavbhog and Greek islands and of course epic fight scenes...

jordypertile's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

justmeareader's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

dietdrnepper's review against another edition

4.0

The first one was better, I think.