Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Sequel to Kushiel's Dart
Review: In Kushiel's Chosen, Jacqueline Carey has written a phenomenal successor to Kushiel's Dart. The novel picks up where Kushiel's Dart ends and takes the beautiful, bull-headed, intelligent, vain, patriotic and conflicted heroine, Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, on further adventures to distant, fascinating lands. It begins with a well-executed mystery (where is the captivating Melisande hiding?) and progresses through a wild series of misadventures into a thoughtful story about the consequences of one's actions and the act of redemption. In between, we find ourselves caught up once again in the tumultuous relationship between Phèdre and Joscelin. Stubborn courage and their love for each other are the only things they have in common. Can such opposites remain together? Once again, Carey's characters are complex and deal with issues that we can reflect on in ourselves. Another strength of both books is the artful way that Carey has of creating complex, believable religions. Kushiel's Chosen is a fitting sequel to Carey's first brilliant novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Sequel
Review: Kushiel's Chosen is of the same calibur as Kushiel's Dart! I absolutly LOVED it! Jacqueline Carey is now one of my favorite authors, her books just bring you into a believable realm that makes you never want to put the book down. Her vivid imagry and compelling style of story-telling is so captivating. This book was truly excellent, there are so many plot twists, that even I couldn't figure it out until I read what truly happened; it just keeps you guessing. And, I have to admit, I was so worried about what would happen between Phedre and Josceline! The emotional reactions that Phedre has are so believable, and you know the characters so well that it almost makes you cry when one of them is lost. All-in-all, this book kept me enchanted until the very end, (very suprising end indeed!) and I can't wait for Kushiel's Avatar to come out next year!! Trust me, if you loved Kushiel's Chosen, you'll love this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: "Make way for Ysandre de la Courcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange!"
Review: After the epic Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen continues the saga by following, yet again, the story of the Comtesse Phedre no Delunay no Montreve, marked by two gods: Naamah, the goddess of prostitution, and Kushiel, the One God's punisher, who is the lord of pain. Beacause of these marks, she is destined to feel pain and pleasure and one--making her something called an "anguissette". In Kushiel's Dart, her position as an anguisette put her in a position to uncover a plot to overthrow Terre D'Ange, and the book ended in a cliffhanger: Whre is Melisande Shahrizai, traitor to the nation of Terre D'Ange, and who is the mysterious D'Angeline noble that helped her escape the night of her execution? Kushiel's Chosen begins the day after Kushiel's Dart ended; Phedre makes her decision to pursue Melisande...a decision that will take her to the Night Court again, and back into the intrigue of Terre D'Ange. And, as in the first book, Phedre must leave her homeland, traveling to La Serenissima, Illyria, and Kriti in a neverending quest to save her country and her queen.Kushiel's Dart was a masterpiece, unfolding in ever-deeper layers; Kushiel's Dart has just as many, if not more, layers of political intrigue and human nature. Phedre is a unique woman, and because of her training in both the arts of prostitution and the arts of politics and diplomacy, she is a hidden weapon for her sovreign, Queen Ysandre de la Courcel. But because she IS a prostitute, her Cassiline consort, Joscelin, is driven away, to the cause of the Yeshuites, and it looks an awful lot like they won't ever make up. It is a 700 page book, but I was so engrossed I finished in three days. This book is AMAZING. I highly recommend it. I hope that the summary convinces you to read it. Oh, and if by any chance you find yourself compulsively saying "Make way for Ysandre de la Courcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange!" for a few days after reading this book, believe me, it's perfectly normal.
Rating:
Summary: Love as thou wilt!
Review: What a wonderful ending to this world-wind epic adventure! If Kushiel's Dart was mischievously enticing and Kushiel's Chosen was heartbreaking, then Kushiel's Avatar is love's redemption. Enthusiasts of this series will find out how far love will take the characters and what it truly means to accept the pure essence of love. Of course, falling in love with the characters all over again is part of that journey. Carey's cunning twist to "history," comes full circle to its completion in this third and final book. Although it's full of names and details that can be overwhelming, a second read-through would not be too grievous. Not wanting to give too much way, Kushiel's Avatar sets our heroine and Perfect Companion on a trail that only the gods perceive the end of. New readers to this Trilogy should note that it contains adult material (i.e. sex and violence) not for everyone, but Carey's approach is simple and direct. Style of the books? Comparing Kushiel's Trilogy to The Odyssey isn't fair, but the spirit of it is the same, the long journey home. For her first series and written in the difficult to master First Person, Carey has shown the literary world a brief glimpse of her skills and imagination. Forth coming stories will be well looked for.
Rating: 
Summary: Carey Keeps the Plot Twists Coming In Kushiel's Chosen
Review: The only thing I like more than a good book is a good LONG book. (Anyone who has read Kushiel's Dart can indulge in all the double entendres they like). It is hard to classify Ms. Carey's D'Angeline world -- fantasy is perhaps the closest; it is an alternate universe but very like our own. She has subtly twisted cultures, countries, languages, history and religions so they are just similar enough to our own to be comfortably familiar, but different enough to fire the imagination. For example, the Yeshuites who play such a prominent role in this novel are clearly a speculation of what might have occurred if Christ had been officially accepted by Judiasm as the Messiah. But there are also elements of adventure and historical romance and, of course, dollops of titillating soft-core sex. Her characters are complex, likable and engaging and the plot is full of surprises. I was able to predict some of what was to come, but that's not unusual when one already knows a third book is in progress. I could live without some of the language affectations -- "Of a surety" and "Twas" got on my nerves after a while, but only a little. Carey's lays on too thickly her insistence that Phedre's beauty alone enthrall everyone she meets. Certainly I have known that sex can make people stupid (the old "Men have 2 brains, but only enough blood to run one at a time"), but there is a limit. Also, Phedre's weakness for Melisande just does not ring true, when all is said and done. These flaws did not change at all the fact that this book was a blast, far better than Kushiel's Dart, and leaves me eagerly awaiting the next book, and anything else Jacqueline Carey publishes.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling Adventure, Eroticism, & Superb Plot - A Winner!!
Review: "Kushiel's Chosen" is the second book in Jacqueline Carey's thrilling fantasy trilogy of life in a world similar to Earth, during a period reminiscent of our Renaissance. This novel, a fantastic romantic adventure, is every bit as exciting as her first book, "Kushiel's Dart." Our heroine, Phedre no Delauney, is now Comtesse de Montreve, a peer of Terre d'Ange. This lash-loving lady has come a long way from the little girl who was sold by her parents, years before, into the service of Naamah, the honored profession of the courtesan. Phedre was kissed by the god Kushiel. There is a tiny crimson mote in the white of her left eye, (Kushiel's Dart), marking her as an "anguisette," one of Kushiel's Chosen. A true "anguisette" is extremely rare. They are born to find pleasure in pain. Phedre played a major part in ending the violent war that threatened to destroy her country. The new Queen of Terre D'Ange, who Phedre pledged to serve and protect, has been crowned. However, those who would wrest the throne for themselves continue to plot treachery and renewed violence. Chief among the traitors is Melisande Shahrizai, Phedre's nemesis and patron of old. Melisande announces her continued presence in the world of intrigue by beginning a game of cat and mouse with Phedre, who comes out of retirement to thwart plans to harm the Queen. Her return to Court, the City of Elua, and her profession as a spy, threaten her star-crossed relationship with her beloved companion and bodyguard, the Cassiline apostate, Joscelin Verreuil. The plot and subplots are unique and stunning. The excitement just doesn't stop. Ms. Carey combines eroticism with swashbuckling adventure, romance and world building. Her imaginative use of historic detail, diverse cultures, the creation of many varied characters and their development, make this series so special. A riveting novel - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!
JANA
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the first
Review: If Kushiel's dart was great, Kushiel's Chosen can only be described as awesome.
Phedre is now the Comtesse de Montreve, a peer of the realm, and confidante of the queen. Her nemesis, Melisande taunts her into visiting La Serenissima (Venice) and into another complex and richly weaved series of adventures, into the central and eastern mediterranean cultures. The story twists and turns, weaving historical and cultural truth, with the alternate history that Carey's fertile imagination has created. The plot is absorbing and rich; the relation between Phedre and Jocelin matures, and by the end, Phedre again saves Ysandre's kingdom, and we are left anxiously waiting for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Dazzlingly brilliant follwup
Review: In "Kushiel's Chosen," the second of Jacqueline Carey's remarkable trilogy, courtesan-spy-adventuress-linguist-bisexual masochist Phedre no Delaunay, now also Countess of Montreve, returns to court after a year in the country and is soon embroiled in more plots and derring-do (and steamy sex). She sets out to try to learn who has freed the villainous schemer and traitor (and Phedre's nemesis) Melisande Shahrizai. Using her subtle skills, which lead her to an alt-Venice, she does. But that's only halfway through the book. The rest of it, dealing with Phedre's new problem, how to spread the word of what she has learned, pelts to a suspenseful and clever conclusion as Phedre embarks on a tour of this carefully created alt-renaissance Europe in hopes of thwarting a plot against her queen. Ms. Carey's readers will be doubtless delighted to learn that she herself has thwarted the peril of the mid-book-in-the-trilogy blahs. "Chosen" is no mere scene-setter for the finale. In fact, in some sense it appears to be the equivalent of a side quest in a computer adventure game. The payoff's still to come, but you'll have a grand time on this journey, which takes unexpected turns at the slightest opportunity. Again, as in the first book, "Kushiel's Dart," the author uses the first-person technique, and she never cheats. Everything that happens (and plenty does) is related through Phedre's eyes only, despite the huge cast of characters. Ms. Carey never stoops to the "trick" of having a character recite verbatim to Phedre dialog she herself has not heard. (For example: Phedre only hears, but doesn't actually see, the climax of an epic duel.) Parts of the book are near-operatic (when a pirate captain who's come to Phedre's aid has completed his task he virtually bows out), and parts slyly humorous, and the fantastic elements are subtle indeed. It's an amazing accomplishment.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This whole series is my favorite of all time. It is all about politics and ingrigue from the eyes of a courtessan. great concept, great book, great writer. i cant wait for the next trilogy
Rating:
Summary: Ms. Carey has done it again
Review: On the back of this book there is a quote from a published author, saying something like, "Only once in every 10 years or so does a book like this come along." I would agree! I haven't read a trilogy like this in many, many years. Broad of scope, filled with fantasy and magic, an adult fantasy (in all senses of the word "adult"). And the eroticism doesn't read (as in some novels) as eroticsm soley for the sake of titilation, but Ms. Carey has blended the eroticism as a solid part of the overall story, just as eroticism is a solid part of human existence. By creating a world that is similar to, but slightly different from the one we inhabit in our waking ours, Ms. Carey offers - inadvertently or no - an interesting commentary on our own culture. Wonderful read!
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