Kushiel's Dart

By: Jacqueline Carey

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 31 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond.

Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart - a massive tale about the violent death of an old age and the birth of a new.

©2008 Jacqueline Carey (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This brilliant and daring debut catapults Carey immediately into the top rank of fantasy novelists." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A very sophisticated fantasy, intricately plotted and a fascinating audiobook." (Robert Jordan, author of the Wheel of Time series)

Good, but won't get the next one.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There were so many characters, names of places, and general history, it was hard to keep track of who did what to whom and why... Made it easier for me to "forget" to listen. Other books (like Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay) do deep/complicated intrigue much better, by keeping things simpler and easier to follow.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I could see where the story plots were headed from a mile away, so in that respect the story wasn't all that interesting, as it kept confirming my guesses.The most interesting element I guess was the religious aspects of the world. It was an interesting idea.

Have you listened to any of Anne Flosnik’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this was my first time listening to her. I think her voice suited the main character well.

Do you think Kushiel's Dart needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It doesn't *need* one, but there were a few story elements that were left open, and indeed there's a follow-up book already.

Any additional comments?

The story felt a bit slow and the steamy parts (the reason why a friend recommended the book to me) weren't great. Not a bad read, but not a great one either. I'm glad the story concluded as it did, because it left me with the certainty that I don't need to read the next book of the series... reading the publisher's summary was enough.

Eh, not bad

It wasn’t bad, most likely just wasn’t for me, the story overall was interesting enough, and they did spend a fair amount of time on character creation, but at times it was just somewhat dull to me.

Entertaining!

I was hooked from the start! Great action adventure with just the right amount of titillating romance tossed in.

A Family Classic

Where does Kushiel's Dart rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#74

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kushiel's Dart?

The part where she has the sex,and then the other parts wheres she has more sex.Theres some blabbing in between,but you kinda learn to block it out.

What does Anne Flosnik bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A beautiful new york style transvestite voice over for all the men characters.Amazing!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This was my first audio slave/bondage/pervert book.It made me slam my junk in the door when not driving.

Any additional comments?

Beautifully written!!It was like I was there watching freda single handedly destroy each and every
male organ in 13 villages.
Even after several offers from her master to stop her quest,she refuses!!
She humps/blows/destroys everything walking.No stone left unturned,and she undoubtably has
some medevil gonnoreishsiffuluscrabittus disease that spurs her forward.

JUST LIKE MOZART

The imaginaton of the author is wonderful. An astounding opposition to the early religious leaders demonization of desire, sex and women. I enjoyed that because it was so well written and the parallels to Christianity and its dogma were fun and mirror my own opinion of how stupid were the powers that be . My only complaint is that it was too long to be just one book. I look at it this way I am a fool in the melody of Scoliari(sp) in the Mozart movie when he critiqued a piece of music as having "too many notes".

Beautifully written and a wonderful story

This is one of my favorite book series. The writing is exquisite and the story engaging. If you are interested in a book that is an excellent story that explores deep themes while still having hot kinky love making I heartily recommend it!

Beautifully narrated!

The story is compelling and the intrigue pulls you into the story right from the start. The world building is so close to ancient history with an interesting religious addition that puts a completely new spin on things. And the “hero’s quest” is also changed as it is the “heroine’s” quest. But I think what made this story even better for me was the audible performance. Ms. Flosnik did the many voices brilliantly! It was always evident who was speaking—to the point that one would assume there was a whole cast of performers! I also appreciated the accent and French pronunciations. What would have been tongue twisted and garbled in my mind came across elegantly and fluidly. It added a dimension to the characters that would otherwise have been lacking. Altogether, a superbly executed performance, of a fascinating and enveloping tale.

In depth & captivating full blown story telling

In depth & captivating full blown story telling at its best. I've re read it multiple times over 15 years

So worth the listen!

I read this book quite a few years ago and saw it on sale so decided to listen to it. All I can say is that it's a fantastically complex tale with wonderfully written heros and villains. When I started listening I wasn't sure I would like the narrator, but I changed the play speed just a fraction faster and loved her! I've only don't that on one other book so if you find you're having a problem with the reader try speeding up or slowing down just a hint! This joke was sure worth a second go round and I'll definitely continue the series even though I've read all the books before.

Intriguing mix of court suspense and eroticism

What made the experience of listening to Kushiel's Dart the most enjoyable?

This is not my usual type of book. The story of young girl sold into servitude similar to a geisha. Add the backdrop a a society rife with ambitious Counts, Marquis, of various sexes and appetites. Good story but the sex is bdsm and other alt lifestyle. The children are raised to be spies.

Would you recommend Kushiel's Dart to your friends? Why or why not?

This book is geared to the erotic taste. I fast forwarded though a lot of the sex scenes. They were just to rough for my taste.

Which character – as performed by Anne Flosnik – was your favorite?

Phedre was done very well. She is the main character.