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Kushiel's Dart

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About this listen

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

Winner of the Locus Award for Best First Novel, Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey is an intoxicating fantasy of intrigue, betrayal and desire – perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Servant. Seductress. Spy.

All Phèdre nó Delaunay has known is a life of servitude – until now. When her bond is purchased by a nobleman, Anafiel Delaunay, he transforms her into a charming courtesan and skillful spy. He’s also the first to recognize what she is: one touched by the god Kushiel’s dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

But when Phèdre uncovers a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland, she’s thrown into a world of deadly courtiers, heroic traitors and one truly Machiavellian villainess. Her journey will take her to the edge of despair and beyond. For false friends, loving enemies and beloved assassins all wear the same glittering masks – and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

‘Sophisticated fantasy, intricately plotted and a fascinating read’ - Robert Jordan
‘Superbly detailed . . . sometimes unbearably intense’ - Kirkus Reviews
‘Brilliant and daring . . . an assured and magnificent book’ - Publishers Weekly

Continue the journey with Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey.

 Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical Romance Espionage

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)
A very sophisticated fantasy, intricately plotted and a fascinating read (Robert Jordan, author of The Wheel of Time series)
With her provocative debut novel, Jacqueline Carey introduces herself as an extraordinarily talented writer . . . Ms Carey weaves an exquisite tapestry of politics, intrigue, history, magic, desire and fate into a breathtaking epic that will captivate readers (Romantic Times)
Superbly detailed, fascinatingly textured, and sometimes unbearably intense: a resonant, deeply satisfying and altogether remarkable debut (Kirkus Reviews)
Brilliant and daring . . . This is an assured and magnificent book (Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and characters in this story, it felt like 3 books in one with all the different happenings! Phedre is written so well she felt like a friend by the end-also wonderfully voiced in this performance.
If spice is not your cup of tea it's maybe not going to land for you, BDSM themes but not overgratuatious. I certainly didn't feel like it distracted from the plot. It was very well woven in to the overall story.
I am looking forward to book 2!

Great story and political intrigue

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read this many years ago and it's an interesting story with lots of twists and turns. it's nice hearing the names as they are ment to be pronounced.

deep and twisted

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This is one of my again and again stories. Where is the next? Can’t wait!

Totally love this!

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Firstly, and most importantly, I did really enjoy this. Although, it felt like it could have been 3 separate and more manageable books.
The narrator did a great job 90% of the time, but mixed up when words should have silent ‘t’ and when the ‘t’ is spoken. I wondered what a ‘doubley’ was and looked at the text to find out that it was the garment ‘doublet’!
Also, the sexual encounters at the beginning of the book are the most detailed, when the characters are still undeveloped and the reader/listener cares little. Whereas, the sexual interactions between highly developed characters when the reader/listener is really invested in the story get glossed over.
However, overall, still worth a listen/read.

Loooong, but compelling story. The narrator needs a pronunciation lesson though!

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I first read this on kindle a few years ago but came back to try the Audio version and this doesn't disappoint. The narration is top class and really brings out the story and the characters. Also there are things missed the first time round which make more sense on a second reading.

This is one of those books that is just brilliant with a mixture of adventure, comedy intrigue and sex. Throw in a forbidden romance and is up there with the best of the best.

Really great and lovable characters especially Phedre our heroine. Even the evil rival is a fully developed 3D character who its hard not to like. Its maybe a little slow to start but once it gets going its a real page turner and holds the interest to the end and beyond...
Its the first of a Trilogy and the other 2 books don't disappoint either
Absolutely recommend this, its one of the best of its genre

Absolutely Epic would give it 6 stars if I could

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