Phedre no Delaunay is a woman born with a scarlet mote in her left eye and sold into indentured servitude as a child. Pricked by Kushiel's Dart means that she is chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has taken a strange and sometimes dangerous course. She has lain with princes and pirate kings and battled a wicked temptress who is still determined to win the crown at any cost. All this time she has had the devoted swordsman Joscelin at her side, who has never violated the central precept of the ...
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Phedre no Delaunay is a woman born with a scarlet mote in her left eye and sold into indentured servitude as a child. Pricked by Kushiel's Dart means that she is chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has taken a strange and sometimes dangerous course. She has lain with princes and pirate kings and battled a wicked temptress who is still determined to win the crown at any cost. All this time she has had the devoted swordsman Joscelin at her side, who has never violated the central precept of the angel Cassiel: to protect and serve. Now Phedre's plans will put his pledge to the ultimate test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture to the Master of Straits, a bargain with the gods that he struck so a nation could be saved. Phedre is determined to seize one last hope to redeem Hyacinthe, even if it means her death. Their search will take Phedre and Joscelin on a dangerous journey that will carry them to distant countries where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world...And to a power so mi
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Seller's Description:
Used: Acceptable. Paperback in good condition, minor creasing to cover. 2003 Tor edition. The promise of Kushiel's Dart (2001), the first volume of Carey's immense trilogy set in a skewed Renaissance world, is more than realized in this splendid conclusion. In the 10 years since the action of the second, relatively uneventful volume, Kushiel's Chosen (2002), the winsome and gritty anguisette Phedre, bidden to seek pain in love by her demi-gods, the cruel Kushiel and the loving Naamah, has matured gracefully. Now the Comtesse Phedre no Delaunay de Montreve, she enjoys maintaining an estate together with the swordsman Joscelin, her faithful consort. She still follows her calling, though accepting but three patrons a year. Only the lonely fate of her imprisoned childhood friend, Hyacinthe, who's courageously volunteered to become Master of the Straits, disturbs her serenity. Then the beautiful, treacherous Melisande Shahrizai asks the anguisette to rescue her kidnapped son, Imriel. In return, Melisande promises to help Phedre find the Name of God, the key to freeing Hyacinthe. Having traveled west in the first book from the French-Italianate city-state of Terre d'Ange, Phedre here journeys south into the equivalents of the Middle East and Africa, where she triumphs gloriously. Effortlessly rich in adventurous incident, with a huge cast of well-defined characters, this poignant and robust story will appeal to both fantasy lovers and fans of erotic romance. *Starred Review* Terre d'Ange's inhabitants are the descendents of angels, a race of breathtaking beauty whose highest law is Love as Thou Wilt. Extraordinarily skilled as a courtesan as well as in diplomacy and espionage, Phedre no Delauney has risen to be a queen's companion and peer of the realm. Ten years earlier, she was critical to Terre d'Ange's defense against invaders. Peace and her life were bought with the sacrifice of her friend Hyacinthe, who assumed an ancient, eternal contract as apprentice to the master of straights. Phedre vowed to free him, and has finally discovered how. She must speak the true name of God, which will banish the embittered angel Rahab, who controls Hyacinthe's fate. To discover the true name, Phedre journeys to distant lands and dangerous places, and not the least of the latter lies within. For Phedre is the only living anguisette, chosen by the god Kushiel to experience pain and pleasure as one, and to maintain divine balance in the world. At the hands of the insane warlord and servant of the dark god Mahrkagir, Phedre learns what true horror is, nearly losing her soul to keep the covenant with Kushiel. As her spirit and strength drain away, the love of her life, Josceline the Cassiline warrior priest, must stand by. Carey's lush, sensuous prose again makes her heroine's story a savory feast for mind and heart. Paula Luedtke. -used books, secondhand books, out of print books, hard to find books, for sale, second-hand books, college books, student books, nonfiction, first edition, signed copies, non-fiction books delivered world wide. ISBN 1-4050-3414-9 1405034149.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 576 p. Kushiel's Legacy, 3. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 576 p. Kushiel's Legacy, 3. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Arguably the darkest of the trilogy featuring Phèdre nó Delaunay, "Kushiel's Avatar" also provides the climax and denouement that these characters deserve.
Never having forgotten her vow to free her childhood friend from the curse that isolates him on a lonely isle, Phèdre finds herself compelled to bargain with her old nemesis, who claims to hold a clue to her friend's geas. Ultimately, Phèdre walks into a country of terrifying darkness for love of her friend.
The travels in the first and second book don't hold a candle to the new countries and realms these characters explore in "Kushiel's Avatar." The vivid descriptions of these places alone are enough to recommend the book, but once again, it is the theme of love that provides the backbone of the narrative. Indeed, it is Carey's relentless obsession with the fortifying, healing power of love that will get the reader through the most dire, horrifying sections of the book.
Ultimately, this may be my favorite of the three books, perhaps because it delivers so satisfyingly on the theological and political themes set up throughout the first two books. Phèdre's adventure in obtaining the ultimate key to Hyacinthe's release is unmatched among contemporary fantasy in sheer jaw-dropping awesomeness, in my opinion.
This trilogy is a favorite of mine, and I look forward to coming back to it again some day.
