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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I keep going back between 3 and 4 stars. I enjoyed this book! At times it dragged a bit -- so many new characters, locations, survival-at-the-last-second moments, but I did really enjoy it by the end, and of course (this is always the case for me), I didn't see the big reveal coming until it was there. Lots of adventure, intrigue, etc. Definitely reading the third one.
Kushiel's Dart was a strong start to the series, so I went into Kushiel's Chosen fully expecting it to fall into the trap of middle book syndrome. I'm happy to say that it actually blew my expectations out of the water & I have trouble picking which of the two is better.
In Kushiel's Dart, Phedre is drawn into a web of political machinations not of her own accord, but through her affiliation with the players in the game. In Kushiel's Chosen, which is set about a year after the events of the first book, she is the one to spin the web in order to solve a lingering mystery from the first book.
Jacqueline Carey's mastery in the art of worldbuilding is second to none. We travel to a new part of the world & not only has she developed *another* fully realized nation with a rich history & culture, she successfully weaves it into the politics of the narrative which sends the story in a completely unexpected direction.
The character work is absolutely divine, and Phedre remains one of the most compelling female leads I've ever read. I enjoyed seeing her growth that began in book one; from a character rendered powerless to one who faces adversity head-on with a quiet strength that I'm in awe of.
In Kushiel's Dart, Phedre is drawn into a web of political machinations not of her own accord, but through her affiliation with the players in the game. In Kushiel's Chosen, which is set about a year after the events of the first book, she is the one to spin the web in order to solve a lingering mystery from the first book.
Jacqueline Carey's mastery in the art of worldbuilding is second to none. We travel to a new part of the world & not only has she developed *another* fully realized nation with a rich history & culture, she successfully weaves it into the politics of the narrative which sends the story in a completely unexpected direction.
The character work is absolutely divine, and Phedre remains one of the most compelling female leads I've ever read. I enjoyed seeing her growth that began in book one; from a character rendered powerless to one who faces adversity head-on with a quiet strength that I'm in awe of.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Continuing a few months after Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen follows Phedre as she seeks Melisande and plays their game as her own master. Her search takes her from Terre de Ange to La Serenissima and even further, expanding the wide world of the Kushiel series. But her service to Naamah sets her at odds with Joscelin, and their relationship takes a rocky turn.
I enjoyed Kushiel's Chosen as much as the first book, and I found that with the main characters and much of the setting already established, this book cuts to the meat of the story more quickly. It still has the same overwrought first-person narration, filled with Phedre's narrative quirks - "for we are D'Angeline" and "Naamah, have a care for your servant". There are more sex scenes, though they still feel short and almost clinical, as Phedre focuses her narration more on what she learns from her patrons than on their pleasures.
Phedre's character also seems to mature as the story goes, and there is a heavy emphasis on her making mistakes and learning from them. Where she was mainly reactive in the first book, she is active in this one, which carries greater responsibility and consequences. Joscelin's character arc is a little more difficult to follow, especially when he develops off-screen, but I thought Phedre and Joscelin's relationship was written well-enough.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Kushiel's Chosen, and I hope the third book in the trilogy wraps up Phedre's story just as well.
I enjoyed Kushiel's Chosen as much as the first book, and I found that with the main characters and much of the setting already established, this book cuts to the meat of the story more quickly. It still has the same overwrought first-person narration, filled with Phedre's narrative quirks - "for we are D'Angeline" and "Naamah, have a care for your servant". There are more sex scenes, though they still feel short and almost clinical, as Phedre focuses her narration more on what she learns from her patrons than on their pleasures.
Phedre's character also seems to mature as the story goes, and there is a heavy emphasis on her making mistakes and learning from them. Where she was mainly reactive in the first book, she is active in this one, which carries greater responsibility and consequences. Joscelin's character arc is a little more difficult to follow, especially when he develops off-screen, but I thought Phedre and Joscelin's relationship was written well-enough.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Kushiel's Chosen, and I hope the third book in the trilogy wraps up Phedre's story just as well.
Although I actually liked the first book of this series, I wasn't sure if I would read the second one or not. It really had nothing to do with the writing itself, I just didn't know if I wanted to get into yet another sprawling fantasy series. I read Kushiel's Dart in November and found myself wondering what the other books were like and what happens to the star struck Phedre and Joscelin. Yeah, Carey can apparently write a well developed character. I actually found this one much easier to read, as I was already familiar with the complex history of the world. There was also less sex.
Anyway, here's what happens:
Phedre and Joscelin's relationship falls apart when Phedre decides to return to the services of Naamah to hunt down her nemesis, Melisande. Joscelin finds solace in the world of the Yeshuites and Phedre begins taking a series of assignations. Figuring out that Melisande is in La Serenissima and they go to look for her with the Queen's blessing. Phedre seducing Joscelin and he leaves her, supposedly to never return again. Phedre and 2 of the remaining Phedre's Boys with Prince Benedicte to warn him of Melisande. Melisande is actually Benedicte's new wife and the 2 retainers are killed and Phedre is thrown into an island prison. She learns of the plot to kill the Queen, where Benedicte and Melisande will take her place. After some time in prison, Melisande offers Phedre the choice of staying there or being her prisoner and gives her one day to decide. She decides being at the mercy of Melisande is better than madness and waits for Melisande to come for her answer. That night, Joscelin climbs the underside of a rope bridge to gain the island to rescue Phedre, but she falls over a cliff and is swept to the sea. She is found by a pirate ship and after a long time is finally able to make her way back to La Serenissima in order to save her queen. She goes to the Yeshuites to look for Joscelin and they take her to him. Joyful reunion ensues. They save the day and Phedre is promised 10 years of peace by an oracle if she does Kushiel's bidding, which she does.
Anyway, here's what happens:
Phedre and Joscelin's relationship falls apart when Phedre decides to return to the services of Naamah to hunt down her nemesis, Melisande. Joscelin finds solace in the world of the Yeshuites and Phedre begins taking a series of assignations. Figuring out that Melisande is in La Serenissima and they go to look for her with the Queen's blessing. Phedre seducing Joscelin and he leaves her, supposedly to never return again. Phedre and 2 of the remaining Phedre's Boys with Prince Benedicte to warn him of Melisande. Melisande is actually Benedicte's new wife and the 2 retainers are killed and Phedre is thrown into an island prison. She learns of the plot to kill the Queen, where Benedicte and Melisande will take her place. After some time in prison, Melisande offers Phedre the choice of staying there or being her prisoner and gives her one day to decide. She decides being at the mercy of Melisande is better than madness and waits for Melisande to come for her answer. That night, Joscelin climbs the underside of a rope bridge to gain the island to rescue Phedre, but she falls over a cliff and is swept to the sea. She is found by a pirate ship and after a long time is finally able to make her way back to La Serenissima in order to save her queen. She goes to the Yeshuites to look for Joscelin and they take her to him. Joyful reunion ensues. They save the day and Phedre is promised 10 years of peace by an oracle if she does Kushiel's bidding, which she does.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Recensione del 28 Mar 2009
Come al solito, copertina straordinaria. Ed è un bel libro, davvero, ma sostanzialmente inferiore al predecessore. Le circa 100 pagine in meno a quanto pare non hanno aiutato.
Faccio fatica a ricondurre la motivazione: forse a Phèdre e Joscelin che ad inizio libro sono quasi esasperanti (il secondo, però, a termine libro diventa assolutamente adorabile ^^), forse per la trama che svela uno schema fisso in ogni nuova città dove la nostra eroina va a finire? Non saprei dirlo con certezza.
Tuttavia, come "Il dardo e la rosa" è scritto con notevole finezza e comunque interessa e coinvolge il lettore; l'ho finito e mi è piaciuto. Il finale poi dona finalmente quello che ormai ci aspettiamo dal primo tomo, e solo questo riscatta tutto il libro! :) Inoltre, alcune scene sono state davvero molto intense, ad esempio la Dolorosa o il thetalos. Meno scene di sesso, media quantità di intrighi, meno nomi da ricordare, più riflessioni di varia natura: questo l'ho apprezzato molto.
Ho apprezzato meno, invece, il ricondurre lo splendore della Serenissima agli ingegneri angeline... Purtroppo il mio animo non ha sopportato l'ennesima incensazione del popolo angeline, soprattutto a discapito della splendida Venezia...!
Come al solito, copertina straordinaria. Ed è un bel libro, davvero, ma sostanzialmente inferiore al predecessore. Le circa 100 pagine in meno a quanto pare non hanno aiutato.
Faccio fatica a ricondurre la motivazione: forse a Phèdre e Joscelin che ad inizio libro sono quasi esasperanti (il secondo, però, a termine libro diventa assolutamente adorabile ^^), forse per la trama che svela uno schema fisso in ogni nuova città dove la nostra eroina va a finire? Non saprei dirlo con certezza.
Tuttavia, come "Il dardo e la rosa" è scritto con notevole finezza e comunque interessa e coinvolge il lettore; l'ho finito e mi è piaciuto. Il finale poi dona finalmente quello che ormai ci aspettiamo dal primo tomo, e solo questo riscatta tutto il libro! :) Inoltre, alcune scene sono state davvero molto intense, ad esempio la Dolorosa o il thetalos. Meno scene di sesso, media quantità di intrighi, meno nomi da ricordare, più riflessioni di varia natura: questo l'ho apprezzato molto.
Ho apprezzato meno, invece, il ricondurre lo splendore della Serenissima agli ingegneri angeline... Purtroppo il mio animo non ha sopportato l'ennesima incensazione del popolo angeline, soprattutto a discapito della splendida Venezia...!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
I think I may love Phèdre at least as much as I do Aelin. But my review will have to wait as it’s back to work tomorrow. Though there are a couple of scenes from book one that would be hard pressed to be outdone (specifically the scene outside of the besieged castle, Joscelin ready to complete the terminus, and L’Envers riding like the devil himself for them), I believe book two overall is just better.
This book was mf intense. I’ve already put it up so I can’t check and see when the betrayal happens but I believe it to be in the first third maybe, and from there on there was not a chance in hell I was putting it down. I read 541 pages yesterday and forsook the laundry.
(I’m on my MacBook and I hate fighting autocorrect so I forgive the lack of accents in names/places.)
Phedre is gettin a little antsy once her scholar friend comes to visit, bringing her cloak from Melisande, which she takes as the opening to their next game. As Phedre plays by taking assignations and patrons in service to Naamah and Kushiel, it’s back to the city they go after Joscelin says he will go but only to protect and serve, no more. And so begins their hurtful bickering and fighting, while Phedre’s Boys, Remy, Fortun, and Ti-Phillipe prepare. (Seriously I’m about to fucking scream at the autocorrect.)
Phedre believes she can find Melisande though most anyone she allows in her confidence believes she goes for little reason; the realm is at peace, it is thriving, trade is up, the people are happy. But there are still questions on who helped her escape and killed the guards, and where the remaining living guards went to question. The further along we get, the more we realize there really is some iffy shit afoot. There are plans to assassinate Ysandre, queen of the realm. When these people rebel they sure go all out.
And every step of the way Joscelin and Phedre grow further apart. And then he leaves. Forsakes his final oath and leaves her. I was sick, do you hear me?! And then the shit hit the fan as it can only for Phedre, and she is thrown in a foreign prison. The anger and despair I felt, would this have happened if Joscelin had been with her? Would he have been killed? Does anyone even know? Oh, it was a rough MANY pages; over 100 I believe. Then a prison riot happens, and in the melee Phedre is thrown off the rock cliff into the sea, where sometime the next day pirates find her. I swear man, lol, it gets insane. And the whole time you’re wondering about Joscelin. DOES HE KNOW SHE LIVES?! Does he live?! Motherfucking emotional turmoil times infinity.
But my girl Phedre stands her ground against Melisande. It may take a dramatic flair to see it through, but she shows she can. And she keeps her wits. She is truly ready and willing to do anything it takes to protect her queen, though being marked by 3 gods at this point can only help. I don’t have the book near me, but when Ysandre bids her welcome to ride with the soldiers she says something to the effect of “if I tell you know you’ll just show up later down the road with a gang of brigands” and it’s one of the truest fucking statements in the entire book lol.
Anyway I can’t concentrate and I’m ready to start book 3. Just know that this one is better than the first, if only because we already have the familiarity of the people and places.
This book was mf intense. I’ve already put it up so I can’t check and see when the betrayal happens but I believe it to be in the first third maybe, and from there on there was not a chance in hell I was putting it down. I read 541 pages yesterday and forsook the laundry.
(I’m on my MacBook and I hate fighting autocorrect so I forgive the lack of accents in names/places.)
Phedre is gettin a little antsy once her scholar friend comes to visit, bringing her cloak from Melisande, which she takes as the opening to their next game. As Phedre plays by taking assignations and patrons in service to Naamah and Kushiel, it’s back to the city they go after Joscelin says he will go but only to protect and serve, no more. And so begins their hurtful bickering and fighting, while Phedre’s Boys, Remy, Fortun, and Ti-Phillipe prepare. (Seriously I’m about to fucking scream at the autocorrect.)
Phedre believes she can find Melisande though most anyone she allows in her confidence believes she goes for little reason; the realm is at peace, it is thriving, trade is up, the people are happy. But there are still questions on who helped her escape and killed the guards, and where the remaining living guards went to question. The further along we get, the more we realize there really is some iffy shit afoot. There are plans to assassinate Ysandre, queen of the realm. When these people rebel they sure go all out.
And every step of the way Joscelin and Phedre grow further apart. And then he leaves. Forsakes his final oath and leaves her. I was sick, do you hear me?! And then the shit hit the fan as it can only for Phedre, and she is thrown in a foreign prison. The anger and despair I felt, would this have happened if Joscelin had been with her? Would he have been killed? Does anyone even know? Oh, it was a rough MANY pages; over 100 I believe. Then a prison riot happens, and in the melee Phedre is thrown off the rock cliff into the sea, where sometime the next day pirates find her. I swear man, lol, it gets insane. And the whole time you’re wondering about Joscelin. DOES HE KNOW SHE LIVES?! Does he live?! Motherfucking emotional turmoil times infinity.
But my girl Phedre stands her ground against Melisande. It may take a dramatic flair to see it through, but she shows she can. And she keeps her wits. She is truly ready and willing to do anything it takes to protect her queen, though being marked by 3 gods at this point can only help. I don’t have the book near me, but when Ysandre bids her welcome to ride with the soldiers she says something to the effect of “if I tell you know you’ll just show up later down the road with a gang of brigands” and it’s one of the truest fucking statements in the entire book lol.
Anyway I can’t concentrate and I’m ready to start book 3. Just know that this one is better than the first, if only because we already have the familiarity of the people and places.
A near perfect ending.
As usual, Phedre has great adventures, but it takes up so much time to get to the. Carey doesn't waste words and everything that happens in the book is important, but I can't help but get impatient when Phedre was ONCE again sidetracked, I mean, 700 pages?! It was all an entertaining read, but I kept waiting for the little adventures to get wrapped up, and the wait was worth it in the end - oh the glorious, heart stopping, tear-jerking, inspiring, ALMOST perfect end.
Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
As usual, Phedre has great adventures, but it takes up so much time to get to the. Carey doesn't waste words and everything that happens in the book is important, but I can't help but get impatient when Phedre was ONCE again sidetracked, I mean, 700 pages?! It was all an entertaining read, but I kept waiting for the little adventures to get wrapped up, and the wait was worth it in the end - oh the glorious, heart stopping, tear-jerking, inspiring, ALMOST perfect end.
Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
Still as deep as the first one, Phèdre faces some of the greater threats she can imagine, in a world of secret, faith, love, loyalty, betrayal and pain.
One of my all time favorite.
One of my all time favorite.