A review by lucrezi
Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
4.0
Kushiel’s Dart is about Phedre no Delaunay, a courtesan and anguisette—someone who finds intense pleasure in pain—swept into political conspiracy. You’d think that this would just be some raunchy romantic fantasy, but it’s not. Sure, the romance is there, but it takes a backseat to more pressing matters (“There is no point in speaking of love when survival is at issue”), and BDSM was actually worked well into the plot. There are decent reasons for the sex scenes (which aren’t even graphic and are rather elegant), such as Phedre’s skills being vital to loosening lips and obtaining favors from powerful people.
The cast of characters felt real and not like those in your typical fantasy or romance. I didn’t think much of the characters introduced after Phedre and Joscelin came back from Skaldia, at first. Then I somehow found myself tearing up over the death of one of the Twins, had goosebumps for d’Aiglemort, and goddamn did I love Quintilius Rousse and Phedre’s Boys.
I didn’t even like Joscelin at first. I thought he was meant to be the catalyst of some turbulent love triangle, to make Phedre have to choose between Hyacinthe (I really wanted them together) and the new kid. I got to love him after a while, because he’s such an angry, politically-naive summer child who is, at the same time, dangerous and loyal to a fault (see: terminus).
As for Phedre, I love that her being an anguisette is not the most important or interesting thing about her; she actually has a love-hate relationship with it and usually uses it as a means to an end, rather than for pleasure alone. Despite her age, she’s extremely grounded in reality, resourceful, observant, and analytical. She is fiercely loyal to her country and people, most especially her mentor Delaunay.
I applaud Carey for how she wrote Phedre’s voice, which actually has a personality, unlike more recent first-person novels. Phedre is careful with her words, and after becoming Delaunay’s pupil, her observations are more shrewd and analytical. I sometimes have to use the Kindle dictionary function because Carey uses a thesaurus, but she makes it work; Phedre would use big words to describe her luxurious environments (“We are D’Angelines; we know what it is to weep at the sight of beauty”). You can’t just blaze through her prose; you have to savor it. I was initially averse to it but I adjusted and enjoyed.
There are, of course, the negative things. Early in the novel (eighth chapter), Carey throws a whole bunch of history and geography at you. I skimmed that part, as it didn’t seem as important as Phedre sneaking about, but after a second reading—after meeting the players and people described—it’s easier to follow.
The endless foreshadowing reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but it was less darkly humorous and more somber and sad. I kept imagining dreadful scenarios a la GRRM but don’t worry, only a few important people die and we get a happy ending… which leaves you at a cliffhanger. But yeah, she went a little overboard.
Kushiel's Dart is a brilliant start to a series, with memorable characters and an interesting world. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants something like ASOIAF, with one point-of-view and far less rape and senseless murder.
The cast of characters felt real and not like those in your typical fantasy or romance. I didn’t think much of the characters introduced after Phedre and Joscelin came back from Skaldia, at first. Then I somehow found myself tearing up over the death of one of the Twins, had goosebumps for d’Aiglemort, and goddamn did I love Quintilius Rousse and Phedre’s Boys.
I didn’t even like Joscelin at first. I thought he was meant to be the catalyst of some turbulent love triangle, to make Phedre have to choose between Hyacinthe (I really wanted them together) and the new kid. I got to love him after a while, because he’s such an angry, politically-naive summer child who is, at the same time, dangerous and loyal to a fault (see: terminus).
As for Phedre, I love that her being an anguisette is not the most important or interesting thing about her; she actually has a love-hate relationship with it and usually uses it as a means to an end, rather than for pleasure alone. Despite her age, she’s extremely grounded in reality, resourceful, observant, and analytical. She is fiercely loyal to her country and people, most especially her mentor Delaunay.
I applaud Carey for how she wrote Phedre’s voice, which actually has a personality, unlike more recent first-person novels. Phedre is careful with her words, and after becoming Delaunay’s pupil, her observations are more shrewd and analytical. I sometimes have to use the Kindle dictionary function because Carey uses a thesaurus, but she makes it work; Phedre would use big words to describe her luxurious environments (“We are D’Angelines; we know what it is to weep at the sight of beauty”). You can’t just blaze through her prose; you have to savor it. I was initially averse to it but I adjusted and enjoyed.
There are, of course, the negative things. Early in the novel (eighth chapter), Carey throws a whole bunch of history and geography at you. I skimmed that part, as it didn’t seem as important as Phedre sneaking about, but after a second reading—after meeting the players and people described—it’s easier to follow.
The endless foreshadowing reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but it was less darkly humorous and more somber and sad. I kept imagining dreadful scenarios a la GRRM but don’t worry, only a few important people die and we get a happy ending… which leaves you at a cliffhanger. But yeah, she went a little overboard.
Kushiel's Dart is a brilliant start to a series, with memorable characters and an interesting world. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants something like ASOIAF, with one point-of-view and far less rape and senseless murder.