Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great.
Review: Kushiel's Dart was brilliant, no question there. But the sequel
lacked in a few ways that left me happy but disappointed.
Primarily, the framework of the story is nearly identical to the
original. Phedre in the service of Namaah, searching her assignations for any clues of treachery against the crown. A
quest to search out her most hated enemy. Captured, escaped,
travel through a strange and exotic land...
Even the sequence of events is the same! Regardless of these
these flaws, I managed to hold on to enjoy the story. I hope "Phedre's Boys" like myself, did the same and
had a good time revisting old friends and the world of Terre D'Ange.
Rating:
Summary: Weaker than the last, better than some others, all in all ok
Review: I thought this book was weaker by far than it's ancestor, Kushiel's Dart. It's hard to follow and the language doesn't ring like it did in the first book, but rather clunks and clogs from time to time. Still, it isn't awful. The first person account gets a little tiresome about midway through the book, and the relationship with Joscelin does nothing for me. Still, I would recommend reading the Kushiel books, assuming you are not squeamish or easily put off by sex of a deviant nature, including child prostitution and glorified S&M. I tend to not make assumptions about the proclivities of an author, but this one made me wonder.
Rating: 
Summary: Elua Blessed This Writer!
Review: As a huge fan of the previous novel Kushiel's Dart, I am so very happy this writer could do a follow up to it, that didn't fall too much below it's predecsor. It's not perfect but for second novel and middle book to a trilogy it is very good.
Rating: 
Summary: 4.5 stars, better than the other reviews implied
Review: Based on the reviews, I expected to be terribly disappointed with this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. While not as stunning as the first novel, it was extremely interesting and entertaining. My only disappointment was in the simplistic and unexplained resolution of Phedre's and Joscelin's relationship. I am looking forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely riveting book
Review: I consider myself a connoisseur of fantasy, since I've read quite a lot, and I have to say J. Carey is amazing! I didn't expect the second book to be as good as the first one, but it's at least as good, if not better. I've read it in less than two days, earning a headache from so much uninterrupted reading, but I just couldn't put it down. Great job!
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as "Kushiel's Dart" but still a great read...
Review: Kushiel's Chosen picks up shortly after Kushiel's Dart ends, when Phedre chooses to return to Naamah's Service because she belives Terra d'Ange is not yet at peace. In seeking to unravel the treachery that threatens Ysandre de Courcel's throne, Phedre winds up travelling to numerous new lands and making new allies. At the same time, she continues her quest to free Hyacinthe from the Master of the Straits and her relationship with Joscelin Verreuil takes on a new dimension.
Although it's an interesting read, Kushiel's Chosen lacks the freshness that Kushiel's Dart had. Where Kushiel's Dart was daring and innovative, Kushiel's Chosen feels like an ordinary fantasy novel-- well written, but nothing special. The epic feel is gone. Part of it is because the "villains" in the story feel too obvious-- what was suspenseful and uncertain in the first novel is too blatant in the second. While the conflict in the first novel was broad and convincing, in "Kushiel's Chosen" the tension is reduced to a Melisande-Phedre battle of wits. This is simply not as interesting -- Melisande as the scheming villain at the heart of all conspiracies is unconvincing, and Phedre as the heroic, talented, persevering "weapon" lacks the appeal that the very human and flawed Phedre of Kushiel's Dart had.
However, Carey does insert tiny hints of foreshadowing within the book that suggest the conclusion to this trilogy will be phenomenal (the title provides a hint-- "Kushiel's Avatar"). Carey develops the religious theme within the book (Elua and his Companions, a new goddess known as Asherat of the Sea, and Yeshua are all discussed in much greater detail) and the prophecies she introduces suggest that they will play a still greater role in the future. Therefore, if nothing else, Kushiel's Chosen serves as a fun-to-read teaser while we wait for the last book to come out.
Rating:
Summary: intriguing fantasy
Review: Having saved Terre d'Ange (see KUSHIEL'S DART), Phedre no Delaunaey is proud of becoming a member of the peerage yet bored with the acceptable social life as the Comtesse de Montrève. Tedium changes into anticipation as Phedre learns that her deadly enemy Melisande has escaped from incarceration. Phedre knows that Melisande will do anything including treason to avenge her recent defeat. At about the same time, though the young queen is popular amongst the people, there are others who believe she is unworthy of the throne. If Melisande joins with these traitors hell will break loose in the land.
A former anguisette Phedre feels an adrenaline rush as she plans to return to her vocation while chasing down her foe. However, the hunted becomes the prey when, in spite of her anguisette talents and her abilities to spy, Phedre becomes the prisoner of Melisande. With no hope to escape from her mountaintop jail on an isolated island, Phedre understands the consequence if she fails to find her freedom and stop the sedition led by Melisande.
KUSHIEL'S CHOSEN is an intriguing fantasy that follows the adventures of its heroine trying to save her world. The problem is that in an extremely short time, Kushiel hops from one adventure to another without any closure at a pace that would make Indiana Jones require bed rest against a villain who seems to have lost her bite at least in this sequel. Though not as strong as its predecessor, KUSHIEL'S DART, Phedre still remains an interesting champion who readers will root for in hope that she attains a slow but glorious victory. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Flabby and overhyped, but still an interesting read
Review: Phedre is back in her ongoing pursuit of sex and power in the sequel to Kushiel's Dart, one of the most praised books of last year. The early review copies drip with praise that has always been over the top in my mind, but there was no denying that Dart was a startling read. Kushiel's Chosen is a decidedly less impressive. The character of Melisande has gone from menacing to annoying, while Phedre is suffering from Honor Harrington Syndrome; is there no trial too great for our heroine to overcome? The excessive praise heaped on this series is just that--excessive. Which is a shame, because it ends up meaning that the praise that IS deserved--this is a mostly interesting, though not earthshattering book--gets lost in the great hype, which only serves to make the experience disappointing...
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Kushiel's Dart was a book deserving of most of the praise it got. Kushiel's Chosen proves that, more often than not, lightning does not strike twice in the same place. What in Dart was dramatic, in Chosen is melodramatic. What was sexy in Dart is overdone in Chosen. What was interestingly evil [Melisande, one of my favorite villianesses of last year] is now flat and screechy, reminding me of Rita Repulsa in the old Power Rangers cartoons. Some stories are epic enough to nake into series or trilogies. Some do better on their own. The Terre d'Ange is one of those. Harsh as I know it must be to tell a writer who has poured as much effort into world development as Jaqueline Carey has that she should move on to bigger and better things, Jackie, move on. Characterization is not your strong suit.
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
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