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mackshadey 's review for:
Kushiel's Dart
by Jacqueline Carey
Exceedingly long and sometimes boring, Kushiel's Dart wasn't always the easiest book to get through, but in the end, I enjoyed it.
First off, this book has hardcore sex scenes. Like, really hardcore. There's a lot of detailed S&M in the first half, but after those start to die down, the plot takes over and such scenes are relegated to "...but that night will stay between the two of us" land. Phedre's role as a servant of Naamah and an anguisette - someone who literally experiences physical pain as pleasure - is a major part of the plot, and it is what enables her to collect the information that she does, so I didn't find the scenes to be particularly over-the-top or unnecessary.
Apart from that, the plot and world are interesting. Phedre's training in the Night Court and then its continuation (and spy-ish nature) at the hands of Delaunay were fascinating, though I'll admit that the abundance of house names sometimes made it really difficult to keep track of the politics being thrown around. Things take a darker turn towards the beginning of the latter half, and though the plot technically delves into new territory, I found it really slow. By the time the major conflict was coming to an end, I was skimming every page because I just wanted to be done.
I think the world and Phedre's role in it have piqued my interest enough for me to pick up another book in the series, but I don't recommend Kushiel's Dart to the faint of heart or the impatient.
First off, this book has hardcore sex scenes. Like, really hardcore. There's a lot of detailed S&M in the first half, but after those start to die down, the plot takes over and such scenes are relegated to "...but that night will stay between the two of us" land. Phedre's role as a servant of Naamah and an anguisette - someone who literally experiences physical pain as pleasure - is a major part of the plot, and it is what enables her to collect the information that she does, so I didn't find the scenes to be particularly over-the-top or unnecessary.
Apart from that, the plot and world are interesting. Phedre's training in the Night Court and then its continuation (and spy-ish nature) at the hands of Delaunay were fascinating, though I'll admit that the abundance of house names sometimes made it really difficult to keep track of the politics being thrown around. Things take a darker turn towards the beginning of the latter half, and though the plot technically delves into new territory, I found it really slow. By the time the major conflict was coming to an end, I was skimming every page because I just wanted to be done.
I think the world and Phedre's role in it have piqued my interest enough for me to pick up another book in the series, but I don't recommend Kushiel's Dart to the faint of heart or the impatient.