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Kushiel's Chosen  By  cover art

Kushiel's Chosen

By: Jacqueline Carey
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
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Publisher's summary

The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. The inhabiting race rose from the seed of angels and men, and they live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt. Phèdre nó Delaunay was sold into indentured servitude as a child. Her bond was purchased by a nobleman, the first to recognize that she is one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. He trained Phèdre in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber---and, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze.

When she stumbled upon a plot that threatened the very foundations of her homeland, she gave up almost everything she held dear to save it. She survived, and lived to have others tell her story, and if they embellished the tale with fabric of mythical splendor, they weren't far off the mark. The hands of the gods weigh heavily upon Phèdre's brow, and they are not finished with her. While the young queen who sits upon the throne is well loved by the people, there are those who believe another should wear the crown...and those who escaped the wrath of the mighty are not yet done with their schemes for power and revenge.

©2008 Jacqueline Carey (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"There is seemingly something for everyone here: a great love story, intense spirituality, high eroticism, and lots of adventure, intrigue, and swordplay." ( Booklist Starred Review)
"Reminiscent of the best efforts of Tanith Lee and Anne Rice.... Highly recommended." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about Kushiel's Chosen

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Great second book in the series

This is a very long book, too long. However, if you liked Kushiel's dart, this book will satisfy. The story has great twists and turns and the narrator is very good.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Not your average love story!

This is an awesome read! I will tell you that this is not for the average reader and please do not read these books if you do not have an open mind!
If you do... This is the series for you! Carey uses reality to weave a wonderfully woven story intermixed with things and ideals of our world into the world of Elua and his chosen. You will love the beauty of Ann Flosnik's voice as she gives life to the characters in this book and series.
This is book two of 6 in the Kushiel's series and then there is now a Naamah's series and should prove to be as additive to those that loved Kushiel's books.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perhaps even better than Book 1.

Note: It is possible to read this book as a stand alone as relevant events from Book 1 are reflected upon in enough detail for a reader of Book 2 to grasp the point. However, I highly recommend reading Book 1 as it is just so damn good!

We return once again to the alternate history of Terre D’Ange (France) and the surrounding lands. Book 2 picks up several months after Book 1 ended. Melisande Sharhizai is still at large. However, very early in Book 2 our heroine Phedre receives a challenge of sorts from Melisande – her sangoire cloak is returned to her via a carrier from Caerdicca Unitas (Italy) and more specifically La Serenissima (Venice). Phedre truly believes that Terre D’Ange and the queen (Ysandre) are in danger so long as Melisande is free. The challenge sets in motion events that will change Phedre’s life forever.

Here we have another masterfully crafted book from Jacqueline Carey. Sometimes sequels aren’t near as good as the first in the series but this series holds it’s own weight as it progresses. I have read this book several times now and this is my second time listening to it. First, I love how the characters continue to grow and how the world continues to expand as Phedre’s travels take her further afield. Second, Melisande continues to make a most worthy opponent. Phedre definitely has her work cut out for her in this book!

Once again, we are told the story through Phedre’s eyes. She was raised in the Court of the Night Blooming flowers and being subservient and unseen (expect maybe as a pretty plaything) comes easily to her. She polished off her training in Anafiel Delaunay’s house where she learned history, politics, languages, and how to think in a rational manner. Both served her well in Book 1 and they do so again in Book 2. Yet this journey she comes to understand her powers a bit more – her will power to live, her ability to forgive, her strength to deny Melisande. That which yields, is not always weak (a quote from Kushiel’s Dart).

There were two interesting themes that twined throughout the novel: loyalty and grief. Again and again, we see Phedre and other characters having to figure out where their loyalties really lie – with queen and country? To the deities they serve? To family? I think Joscelin struggled the most with this one. Grief made an interesting thread throughout the book. What is a mortal’s grief compared to the grief of a goddess? How do you mourn the passing of something not of a physical nature, such as friendship or love? These were some big ideas to contemplate even as my mind was fully engaged in the day to day decisions of the characters.

This time through, I listened to the book as part of a read along. It was a great experience and let me see things about the book I had not seen before. For instance, I had not really noticed before that Phedre is, on occasion, a little bit of a snob. Now I see it in small things and I see how it ties to her upbringing and culture. This in turn let’s me see it in other Terre D’Ange characters. And this leads to a nuanced part of the plot of this book – how Terre D’Ange has been a bit xenophobic towards other cultures for too long and it has cost them in the larger arena of politics. This book (and the entire series) is awesome because you can reread it and take something new away each time.

As with Kushiel’s Dart, there is also plenty of sex and it is told in just as much detail as the rest of the story. You may blush a bit. The sex scenes serve to show certain aspects of the characters involved or to move the plot forward. I never feel that space is wasted on these scenes. Plus, some of them are rather educational in and of themselves. ;)

As with Book 1, I was completely swept up into Phedre’s world once again. Jacqueline Carey makes great use of languages to round out a culture. If you’re a bit of a linguistics geek, you will love this aspect of the series. It’s a rich world, a devilishly intriguing plot, and characters you will never forget. Reading it the 7th time was just as good as reading it the first time.

The Narration: Anne Flosnik is once again the voice of Phedre, and a great fit she is too! Phedre’s voice is how we experience the story and, hence, Phedre’s emotions come through the loudest. Flosnik did a great job imbuing the characters with emotions, but especially, Phedre. My heart broke and soared for her multiple times throughout the tale! The linguistics keep piling up in this series and Flosnik met the challenge magnificnetly.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Jacqueline Carey is such a talented writer!

What about Anne Flosnik???s performance did you like?

I love how Anne Flosnik pronounces all of the names and places. Her accent is beautiful and so smooth.

Any additional comments?

Jacqueline Carey + Anne Flosnik = Happy Listener :)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Does not disappoint!

I am now half way through the book. Carey and Flosnik do not disappoint at the very least in the politicking and intrigue of the inner workings of Terre D'ange and its nobles.
Carey describes Phedre's pain, despair, and might so vividly. She's also very creative.
I am going to #3 just as soon as I am done here. :)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Painful

Gave up... story hard to follow... fulll of lengthy snobish titles of characters. Got up to chapter 9 and I'd had enough. Waste of money.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Needs to be Abridged!

I enjoyed the first book, Kushiel's Dart. I thought that I would like this book as well. The story itself is good; but there is too much repetition and whining by the heroine. She is just not likeable or sympathetic in this book. I had a hard time finishing the book and at times I found myself skipping through her whining (thank goodness for that feature on the IPOD!). I don't know if I'll listen to Kushiel's Avatar at this point. After this book, I need some rest from Phedre!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining story w/action, adventure, and love.

Better than the first. Without needing to spend time on lengthy character introductions and historical explanations, the adventure and excitement came quickly (no pun intended). The mostly unpredictable storyline unraveled at a good pace, with new personalities and themes woven throughout. Overall, an entertaining story with an excellent balance of action, adventure, and love.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This is an excellent follow up to Kushiel’s Dart, in fact I like it better. The storyline is solid and the characters are relatable and the reader is top notch. She does an excellent job of bringing the story to life.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Urgh......

I bought this book b/c it had just good reviews....but found it pain to even get into the story b/c of the narrator!...I found myself trying to understand her more than being able to get into this book...... DISAPPOINTED!

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2 people found this helpful