Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Apr 23, 2008 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2008-reads, 2010-reads

This review is based on the second reading.

I love Kushiel's Legacy. I don't know how many times I've said that, or to how many people, but I do. I really, REALLY do. I don't know if it comes down to the beautiful romance between Phedre and Joscelin (and later, Imriel and Sidonie), or if it is the complicated weaving of plot after plot, the incredible world Carey has given us or the epic adventures across lands and seas in said world. I think it's a bit of all four. Alone, these four elements are This review is based on the second reading.

I love Kushiel's Legacy. I don't know how many times I've said that, or to how many people, but I do. I really, REALLY do. I don't know if it comes down to the beautiful romance between Phedre and Joscelin (and later, Imriel and Sidonie), or if it is the complicated weaving of plot after plot, the incredible world Carey has given us or the epic adventures across lands and seas in said world. I think it's a bit of all four. Alone, these four elements are powerful; combined, they are a force that cannot be reckoned with.

The first time I read Dart, I hated it. Well, at least the first 100 pages or go. I absolutely couldn't stand it and mocked it mercilessly. I wanted to kill the friend who recommended it to me. And then somewhere along the line, I went from mocking every turn of event to having my nose glued to the page, and I fell in love. It's nearing three years later and the love is still going strong.

Granted, the intricate political conspiracies went COMPLETELY above my head. I was glued to the page, but I had no idea what was going on. I cheered when there was triumph, cried when there was failure, but I didn't know why these events were happening. It's sadly a bit hilarious to think back on.

Reading the series again, I found I did not have that problem, and the series is all the more mesmerising. I don't know if it's because I've grown up, or because a second reading has dawned comprehending, or for any other reason. It was like reading the series in a fresh new light, and the laughter and tears was all the more stronger thanks to comprehension.

There are still moments in this book where I will groan and cry, "just go HOME already, Phedre!" So many points in which this story could end and yet it just keeps going. It drives you a little insane, but at the same time I think that is Carey's way of drawing you into Phedre's mind. Phedre wants to go home just as much as you do, but sorry, she can't, so you have to suffer along with her.

Some things that still hold strong for me:
- Phedre as a courtesan and spy. The mix is just unbelievably kick ass. She's still one of the greatest heroines I've come across.
- Alcuin and Delauney. I miss these awesome fellows.
- JOSCELIN'S CASSILINE WAYS. Having read the series to the end, where Joscelin has grown and evolved beautifully, reading back to when he was somber and moody and judgemental was just hilarious. I love this boy more than words can say.
- Phedre's Boys' marching chant - how could I have forgotten the awesomeness? I laughed until I cried upon reading them again.
- Melisande is totally one of the greatest villains EVER. I friggen love her as much as I hate her.

So much more. So much more. I would keep going, but I've already finished Chosen and I'm dying to move onto Avatar. ...more

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Mar 26, 2009 Joanna rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, 2010-read

I don't read much fantasy, but I quite enjoyed this book. The world-building and political intrigue carried the book for me and it was a nice break from elves/dwarfs/dragons of much fantasy that I've read. The setting is sort of fantasy-France with an alternate Christianity that uses pleasure and sex as part of the sacrament for the religion.

This book is not for the prudish or the feint of heart -- there are pretty graphic death, torture, and sex scenes. Not to say that the book is pure pornogra ...more

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Jul 10, 2008 Lindsay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, z2007

I really enjoyed this series. The heroine is unexpected and rather than saving the world because she is the 'chosen one' like a number of other fantasy novels, she saves the world through great difficulty and pain, because of love. ...more

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