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Kushiel's Chosen

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'Rich, intricate worldbuilding meets swoonworthy romance. . . Phédre and Joscelin’s story is the beating heart of every romantasy to follow' - Olivie Blake

The second book in the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy, Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey is a sweeping fantasy of romance, luxuriance and intrigue – perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Temptress. Traitor. Tormentor.

Phèdre was trained as a spy, courtesan and strategist under her tutor’s watchful eye. He also saw she’d been touched by the god Kushiel’s dart, chosen to experience pain and pleasure as one. Above all, he taught Phèdre to observe and analyse – skills that may yet save her life.

Once before, Phèdre sacrificed everything to save her country, but the gods still cast a shadow over her land. For while their young queen is beloved by her people, traitors remain. Those who want others on the throne and aren’t done with schemes for power and revenge. To do her duty, Phèdre must again leave her homeland – only to uncover an earth-shattering plot. One masterminded by the one person she can’t deny. . .

‘Kushiel’s Chosen is elegant, intricate, sensual, and captivating’ - Robert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time series
‘Ms Carey’s alternate Renaissance period is perfection’ - Romantic Times
‘A great love story, intense spirituality, high eroticism, and lots of adventure, intrigue and swordplay’ -Booklist starred review

Start the journey with Kushiel’s Dart, and finish with Kushiel’s Avatar.

 Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical Romance

Critic reviews

A cult classic deserving of its devotees. Rich, intricate worldbuilding meets swoonworthy romance. A tangled web of politics and desire, the Kushiel’s Legacy trilogy is a modern classic. Phédre and Joscelin’s story is the beating heart of every romantasy to follow (Olivie Blake, bestselling author of The Atlas Six)
Kushiel’s Chosen is elegant, intricate, sensual, and captivating. Once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down (Robert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time series)
Jacqueline Carey has a flair for creating Machiavellian plots . . . From the first page I shivered with anticipation, with delight, with awe that a new author could best her breathtaking debut novel. Ms Carey’s alternate Renaissance period is perfection (Romantic Times)
Set in a richly detailed Renaissance-like world, this sequel to Kushiel’s Dart boasts a wealth of stunning visual images and vivid, complex characters. Carey’s sensual, often erotically charged prose, reminiscent of the best efforts of Tanith Lee and Anne Rice, adds an unmistakably sexual tension to an already tautly plotted tale of conspiracy, intrigue, passion, and, ultimately, love (Library Journal)
Carey’s second extravagantly sensuous novel fulfils every promise made by Kushiel’s Dart . . . There is seemingly something for everyone here: a great love story, intense spirituality, high eroticism, and lots of adventure, intrigue and swordplay (Booklist starred review)
All stars
Most relevant
Then this literally cannot be better. They've nailed it. Utterly wonderful. Now there's the books and the audio books, just need a television adaptation on HBO and we can all die happy. #LATW

If you love these books....

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The courtesan Phedre's epic adventure continues apace. Carey's pounding heartbeat of a story brought to life again by the silent ones of a masterful narration.
If Michael Sheen is a master of voices for the Dark Materials, Jessica Whittaker brings to life, women, children and men with equal accomplishment and finesse. Brava!!! From large robust pirates standing a couple of metres tall to incapacitated delicate, ephemeral de Angeline noblewomen racked by illness, she evokes their varied personas with rare skill and sublime subtlety.
Cant wait to get to Part III.

Epic follow up grips like a vice...

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No notes, is even better than the first and I really didn’t expect it. Also a beautiful performance of the narrator.

Amazing, breathtaking and heart stopping!

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The vouce talent has a very clear voice and is easy on the ear. She reads in a pleasant pace. The story (the whole series) is written well. Hardly any clicks. Love it!!

Great performance! Great story.

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I was so impressed by the first book in the series, that I couldn’t wait for the second one. But I have to say, it did not live up to the first books storyline when it comes to character depths and developments, or the story arc, or the pacing. It felt quite contrived, and I let I lost my motivation to listen to it several times. It wasn’t that it was a bad book, it just wasn’t nearly as good as the first one.
Character wise Josclin felt like a pawn/tool for most of the story, as if he had completely changed from the first book. I can see why this was “needed” for the story, but it felt like a character break for me when listening.

I have heard that the third book should be better, nay even the best, so I look forward to listening to that now.

Great performance, meh atory

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