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leefee 's review for:
Kushiel's Dart
by Jacqueline Carey
I have had this book on my shelf for the past two years. I am not exactly the most eager person to throw myself into a series, but I was really tempted with this one.
I loved this book so much! Many have judged its adult content, but I really enjoyed the way everything was portrayed. The world building made so much sense to me, and, if you look beyond the fantasy and erotic elements, you will find a very well written historical fiction. I did not have any issues with the way young people grew up in the Night's Court because, like it or not, history has known many such elements, and more often than not, there was no protection, education or skill offered. Whether one's modern and civilized sensibilities accept or not, young children were often subjected to far more horrendous acts than in this book.
Also, the adult content I found to be extremely well handled. Are the scenes ones that I would re-enact? No. But then again, when I read a novel, I want to be entertained, amazed, frightened, enticed and even disgusted or shaken. The writing is so elegant, gripping and erotic, one cannot read this and be disappointed.
Once again, I was taught that not all heroines must be tom-boys and action girls to be likable and useful. Phedre is neither, yet she is such an enjoyable point of view to read and delve in. She is no less tough than a warrior, but her uniqueness is well designed and used. What she lacks in strength and ability to fight, she makes up for in intelligence, sensibility, adaptability and stubbornness. Her growth is not entirely obvious because, while she does grow and mature, it did not seem to me like she began at an extremely inferior level in the first place. Her voice is quite mature from the get-go, which may be a bit of a negative aspect if you are looking for a coming-of-age story with immense character growth. But I was not looking for such a story.
My favourite character was, needless to say, Joscelin. I cannot imagine who could fail to like him from his very first scene. Is he full of surprises and mysterious? Not in my opinion. But he was such a sweet, eager and adorable character and I really wanted these two to be together. The way in which that was achieved was no great game of twists and turns, but it was beautiful to observe nonetheless. I believe that a romantic liaison, while important, should never become the main goal or element in any story.
This novel is a true epic. The action takes place over an immense area and features a large cast of well-developed or, at least, well-described characters. It also has the noble barbarian trope (not sure if that is the name, but whatever), which is one of my all time favourite cliches. I loved the names, the special terms for certain acts or objects, and the whole reading process was an exciting, fun, kinky, emotional turning of the pages. Also, when the time came for violence and gore, the author delivered.
I will soon return to this beautiful, immense and superbly sexual universe, but I needed a break from its intensity. I recommend this work to all those who like epic novels, but who are not scared of violence mixed in with sex. The world of an anguisette is not exactly tame and easily swallowed, but in the end, it makes for a fascinating read.
I loved this book so much! Many have judged its adult content, but I really enjoyed the way everything was portrayed. The world building made so much sense to me, and, if you look beyond the fantasy and erotic elements, you will find a very well written historical fiction. I did not have any issues with the way young people grew up in the Night's Court because, like it or not, history has known many such elements, and more often than not, there was no protection, education or skill offered. Whether one's modern and civilized sensibilities accept or not, young children were often subjected to far more horrendous acts than in this book.
Also, the adult content I found to be extremely well handled. Are the scenes ones that I would re-enact? No. But then again, when I read a novel, I want to be entertained, amazed, frightened, enticed and even disgusted or shaken. The writing is so elegant, gripping and erotic, one cannot read this and be disappointed.
Once again, I was taught that not all heroines must be tom-boys and action girls to be likable and useful. Phedre is neither, yet she is such an enjoyable point of view to read and delve in. She is no less tough than a warrior, but her uniqueness is well designed and used. What she lacks in strength and ability to fight, she makes up for in intelligence, sensibility, adaptability and stubbornness. Her growth is not entirely obvious because, while she does grow and mature, it did not seem to me like she began at an extremely inferior level in the first place. Her voice is quite mature from the get-go, which may be a bit of a negative aspect if you are looking for a coming-of-age story with immense character growth. But I was not looking for such a story.
My favourite character was, needless to say, Joscelin. I cannot imagine who could fail to like him from his very first scene. Is he full of surprises and mysterious? Not in my opinion. But he was such a sweet, eager and adorable character and I really wanted these two to be together. The way in which that was achieved was no great game of twists and turns, but it was beautiful to observe nonetheless. I believe that a romantic liaison, while important, should never become the main goal or element in any story.
This novel is a true epic. The action takes place over an immense area and features a large cast of well-developed or, at least, well-described characters. It also has the noble barbarian trope (not sure if that is the name, but whatever), which is one of my all time favourite cliches. I loved the names, the special terms for certain acts or objects, and the whole reading process was an exciting, fun, kinky, emotional turning of the pages. Also, when the time came for violence and gore, the author delivered.
I will soon return to this beautiful, immense and superbly sexual universe, but I needed a break from its intensity. I recommend this work to all those who like epic novels, but who are not scared of violence mixed in with sex. The world of an anguisette is not exactly tame and easily swallowed, but in the end, it makes for a fascinating read.