Cassiel's Servant

Kushiel's Legacy, Book 4

By: Jacqueline Carey

Narrated by: Owen Findlay

Length: 22 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The lush epic fantasy that inspired a generation with a single precept: “Love As Thou Wilt."

Returning to the realm of Terre d’Ange, which captured an entire generation of fantasy fans, New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey brings us a hero’s journey for a new era.

In Kushiel’s Dart, a daring young courtesan uncovered a plot to destroy her beloved homeland. But hers is only half the tale. Now see the other half of the heart that lived it.

Cassiel’s Servant is a retelling of cult favorite Kushiel’s Dart from the point of view of Joscelin, Cassiline warrior-priest and protector of Phèdre nó Delaunay. He’s sworn to celibacy and the blade as surely as she’s pledged to pleasure, but the gods they serve have bound them together. When both are betrayed, they must rely on each other to survive.

From his earliest training to captivity amongst their enemies, his journey with Phèdre to avert the conquest of Terre D’Ange shatters body and mind… and brings him an impossible love that he will do anything to keep.

Even if it means breaking all vows and losing his soul.

“Decadent and dark, Cassiel’s Servant reveals the secrets of the mysterious Cassiline brotherhood. In this gorgeously realized novel, Carey returns to the world of Terre d’Ange and offers us a new and dazzling perspective on a character we thought we knew.”—Nghi Vo, author of The Chosen and the Beautiful and Siren Queen

Kushiel's Legacy

#1 Kushiel's Dart

#2 Kushiel's Chosen

#3 Kushiel's Avatar

Standalones

Miranda and Caliban

Starless

The Sundering

#1 Banewreaker

#2 Godslayer

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2023 Jacqueline Carey (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Decadent and dark, Cassiel’s Servant reveals the secrets of the mysterious Cassiline brotherhood. In this gorgeously realized novel, Carey returns to the world of Terre d’Ange and offers us a new and dazzling perspective on a character we thought we knew.”—Nghi Vo, author of The Chosen and the Beautiful and Siren Queen

“Lovingly appl[ies] a full painter’s palette to what had previously been only sketched. Carey proves she has lost none of her inimitable style nor her ability to fully realize characters; devoted fans will revel in getting Joscelin’s backstory.”—Publishers Weekly

Exquisite and perfect.

Jacqueline Carey gave us an exquisite and perfect gift with Cassiel's Servant - a view of a familiar and treasured story but from a whole new perspective. I truly hope she considers writing more of this series from Jocelin's point of view. Owen Findlay elevates the experience - he is the penultimate Jocelin, his melodious voice speaking the Casseline's words as if from his own heart. Highly recommend.

Emotional Nostalgia

I wasn't sure at first, but it was as well written as any of her other books set in Terre D'Ange. I loved having things we already know about seen from the perspective of another person who was part of them. I liked hearing the (extraordinary) mythos Carey created told from another viewpoint. It's fun because as descriptive as she is, the character's voice comes through as his own and not a rehash of the other stories.

Amazing Story......

LOVE IT !! it was wonderful to hear it from his point of view. being able to hear his journey growing up in the brotherhood was very interesting and hearing his trials of learning to love her was very intriguing, wonderful story!!

A wonderful revisit to Terre D’ange

I loved hearing this story from Joscelin’s perspective. This answered a few questions i’d always had, and added depth to Phedre that i hadn’t realized i’d been missing.
The pacing chosen by the narrator is a bit awkward in the beginning but as he settles into the story it’s not so weird.
Overall i loved it and can’t wait for the next one!
Will JC write the second three from Sidonie’s POV??

Loved it

Great perspective on a beloved series. Would like to see more of this. Recommended for folks that love the series

His side of things is lovely and funny

I would read this before i read the rest of the trilogy, but it does make for a nice after read if you wondered what he thought through it all. Very lovely. Nice voice too!

A Worthy Successor to Kushiel's Dart

Big fan of the earlier tales of Terr D'Ange, and this one holds up.

But when do we get to read Hyacinth's perspective?

A wonderful addition to the Kushiel series

I love the Kushiel series, and this one was a POV I never knew I needed. Jacqueline Carey's writing captivates me, and no matter how many times 5 read the series, there is always something that I didn't quite catch before. That being said, this book is from Joscelin's point of view and I recommend at least reading the first book before jumping into this one because the author dives into so much in depth details whereas this book is just a condensed version since it's already been covered.
The only thing that I struggled with was the reader, but that might just be because of my own mindset on how Joscelin should sound.

In the beginning I struggled.

I had to let this digest for a few days before I could leave a review. I read all the Phaedra books. Or devoured may be more appropriate. I absolutely loved them. I never came back to listen to them as the characters and their voices were definitely developed in my mind. (We all know the pain of trying to watch the movie of that beloved book.) Yet when this one came out I searched and realized while Jocelyn had a voice it wasn't as fully formed and that I would be interested in listening to it. Having said that I struggled with relaxing into the story and letting it sweep me away. I started and stopped. I started again and put it down again. The voice was wrong. I've seen the maps, the accent is wrong. I fought with myself and I gave it a chance one more time. Once I got past the accent (continuing myself of the right of artistic license) and closed my eyes and just listened, I was able to fall into the story. The narrator does actually do a very good job with the characters and The voices and The storyline. You just have to let go of any preconceived notions of Jocelyn's speech. It is well worth the listen.

Loved the story so much!

Loved how detailed and insightful Joscelin is. I hope there will be more books with Joscelin's pov. can't wait!