Review by zahrazayd - Kushiel's Dart

zahrazayd 's review for:

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

DID NOT FINISH: 35%

I rarely read things that are written in the first person perspective. It's just not for me I can't really get into it. Beyond that this book drags out too long. I found myself skipping pages at a time to see if it got more interesting and it just didn't. The world building is great, but at times the religious aspects of the world and their explanations are, confusing. Maybe it's the names for religious figures that throw me off. It's an alternate universe but the religion in some parts is very similar to ours and that could be part of why it put me off a little. The story itself isn't anything groundbreaking. Neither are the characters very interesting. Half of the time I'll forget them the moment the chapter ends and they aren't mentioned for a few pages. For me it went into the did not finish category. I made it through half of the book before I could not justify spending my time with this book any longer.

The other thing that really bothered me is the approach to violent sex, sure there was a safeword, but the severity of the encounters Phedre endures and loves, it's not for me. I found it hard to read and felt like this was just abuse. Even in flowery words assault and abuse are just that.
This book came highly recommended by a bunch of people I know and they love it dearly.

The writing is fine, really, if you like first person perspective and very dark themes.

Content Warnings