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

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!!

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.

Better than I thought it would be

Since this book is a repeat of Kushiels Dart, from Jocelyn’s viewpoint, I thought it would be a bit of a ripoff. But the beginning is all new, and his viewpoint of the shared action is definitely different enough to be interesting. Though he is a bit whiny about ‘breaking his vows’. The repetition gets tiring though a valid reaction as young as he is, and as dedicated as he is to his faith.
A genuine addition to Phaedre’s saga. But I hope Carey doesn’t continue his view through 2 more books. That would be a ripoff.

A classic viewed from another angle

I read this series years ago as it was being published and loved it then. This chance to reexperience that tale, told for Jocelyn's viewpoint was wonderful and narrator was perfect to perform this piece.

Masterful voice work

I very much enjoyed gaining some insight into Joscelyn's perspective of this first part of their story. I am curious to see if the remainder of the trilogy will be retold, and it was certainly written to form! Although there weren't too many surprises, it was a fun read nonetheless.

Mr. Findlay, the narrator, was my biggest surprise -- in a good way! At first sample, I felt that his voice was... well, it wouldn't have been my first choice because it seemed pitched a bit too high, felt too feminine for this particular role. I reminded myself that the character is youthful throughout (from age 10 - 22ish?) and left my mind open. In turn, I was rewarded with a delightful, theatrical narration. It seemed to me that Mr. Findlay had done his research (something too often overlooked by narrators, imo). Many of the voices and accents established by Ms. Flosnik (who narrates the trilogy and who is also excellent!) were carried over seamlessly in his reading. I deeply appreciate this continuity as it upholds the immersive quality of the work a as whole. All of his voices were top notch -- one particular stand out for me was his Master of the Straits, which I thought enriched that character's presence over the original narration without feeling like an entirely other character.

Having not read the text, but only listened to the audiobooks, I am uncertain why it seems so -- whether it be due to Ms. Carey's writing, Mr. Findlay's performance or some combination of the two -- but my experience of Cassiel's Servant is that I can picture almost all of the settings of Kushiel's Dart much more clearly. It was a lovely revisit. I cannot be sure how well it stands on its own, as I did not experience it that way, but I suspect that it does so well.

Wonderful!

As someone who has reread Kushiel's Legacy countless times over the years, this book had me hooked from the first few minutes, more than excited to see through the eyes of a well-loved character throughout all 6 books of the series. Any slight differences in the narrative are of course due to the perspective shift. After all, Joscelin was not trained in the arts of covertcy as Phedre was, so of course he would remember things a little differently, as the story is told from his perspective. An amazing book... and I am crossing my fingers in the hopes that his story is made into a trilogy, to cover all three books of Phedre's story. What was it like for him on La Dolorosa, or in the darkness of Darsanga? These are questions I must know!

Narration was not a winner on this one!

Every. Sentence. Is. Not. A. Reason. To. Pause.

I enjoyed listening to the book and seeing events from another viewpoint than that of the original book’s narrator.

Listening to the audiobook was difficult because of the way the narrator paused after almost every sentence. I ended up listening to the book at a higher speed in order to try and make the pauses less noticeable and distracting.

Spectacular addition

I was reserved about this book, but pleasantly surprised beyond all expectations. To hear Joscelin’s view on things was a wonderful layer added to one of my favorite stories. Owen Findlay did a great job bringing Joscelin’s voice to life and I hope he narrates any future stories from The Cassaline.

awesome story

beautiful story
narrator voice would change and that was weird. I can't wait for the next one