Kushiel's Dart
Jacqueline Carey
We may earn a commission on purchases — at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
Kushiel's Dart is Jacqueline Carey's fantasy epic set in an alternate Europe-inspired world, following Phèdre nó Delaunay, a courtesan and spy whose beauty masks her role in political and supernatural intrigue.
- 1Phèdre is marked by Kushiel, a divine being, with a powerful gift and curse.
- 2She is trained as a courtesan and spy by a powerful figure in her nation.
- 3Phèdre becomes entangled in political machinations and war.
- 4Her supernatural gifts and beauty are central to her survival and success.
- 5The novel is set in an alternate world with its own mythology and politics.
- 6Phèdre's journey involves both personal growth and national consequence.
Key ideas
Beauty and power
Phèdre uses her beauty and sexuality as tools of power and agency.
Fate and choice
Phèdre navigates between destiny and personal agency.
Supernatural gifts
Kushiel's mark gives Phèdre extraordinary abilities and burden.
Political intrigue
National politics and war shape Phèdre's experiences.
Love and loyalty
Phèdre's relationships complicate her missions and loyalties.
Personal and political
Phèdre's personal choices have large political consequences.
Who is it for?
Readers interested in epic fantasy with complex heroines will find this engaging. It suits fans of fantasy romance and political intrigue.
Full summary
Phèdre nó Delaunay is marked by Kushiel with extraordinary beauty and gifts.
She is trained by her patron as a courtesan and spy.
Phèdre becomes central to political machinations in her nation.
She uses her beauty, intelligence and supernatural gifts to navigate danger.
Phèdre's journey involves romance, betrayal and discovery of her destiny.
War engulfs her nation, forcing Phèdre to choose where her loyalties lie.
The novel traces Phèdre's growth from courtesan to agent of fate.
Carey builds toward confrontation and revelation of Phèdre's true purpose.
