Sometimes getting home isn’t the end of the adventure. Phèdre has promises to keep and souls to save. She may have faced down horror and the divine to gain the opportunity to do just that, but that doesn’t mean there are no further obstacles to overcome…

Phèdre comes face to face with a mystery too deep to encompass and does an awful lot of travelling this week. No really, an awful lot of travelling.

It’s week four of the Wyrd and Wonder read-along of Kushiel’s Avatar, which – ignoring the necessarily violent start – is a balm after last week, full of travel and intrigue rather than cruel horrors, along with more than its fair share of moments that made me feel I had something in my eye…

Phèdre is pushed into an impossible decision this week when she learns the terrible history of the kingdom that died and lives. When it becomes clear that her obligation is not only to her loved ones but to her gods, she reluctantly agrees to place herself in the hands of its ruler. But can even Phèdre withstand his cruelty – or survive his love?

I’ve fallen behind in our epic read-along (yes, already) and am chasing Phèdre’s tail (not like that) to catch up so expect a lot of d’Angeline musings this coming week. In our second week, Phèdre and Joscelin hit the road in search of Imriel de la Courcel – only to discover forces beyond even their abilities may be at work…

Two years and a sojourn in Fionavar later, it’s time for us to return to Terre d’Ange. We rejoin Phèdre at the heart of national and Night Court politics, enjoying the peace she worked so hard to secure – and haunted by a foretelling that it cannot last. When Melisande Shahrizai begs her aid and offers a payment she cannot refuse, it’s time to start on her darkest journey yet…

Having decided a couple of years ago that mid-February is the best time to read Jacqueline Carey’s epic fantasy about the many forms of love, this February we’re finally reading Kushiel’s Avatar. We’ll be tackling this chonky trilogy-closer across 6 weeks starting February 12th – if you’d like to join us, you’re very welcome!

Time for the final showdown: reunited at last, Phèdre and Joscelin and their unlikely allies must find a way to warn Ysandre, avenge Asherat and thwart Melisande’s deep-laid plans for a coup in Terre d’Ange.

Beset by political and literal storms, Phèdre and her Illyrian captors find themselves barred safe haven and cast ashore on an ancient island of mysteries. Phèdre needs help at any price, but can she persuade the Kritians – or the Illyrians – that the reward of Ysandre’s friendship is worth the risk of Serenissiman enmity?

Phèdre’s mission hangs by a thread. With certain knowledge of treachery, Phèdre is desperate to get a warning to her Queen before Ysandre falls victim to the same trap that has closed around Phèdre herself. But where Phèdre is too desirable to kill, Ysandre will be assassinated without hesitation…

As Phèdre and the boys settle into La Serenissima, it becomes clear that our anguisette’s familiarity with d’Angeline politics may not have fully prepared her for the sharks of the Caerdicci city state, where family members line up to stab one another in the back. But is Melisande Shahrizai to be found within these murky waters?

Phèdre is back, and the d’Angeline court can’t get enough of her. But the most satisfying patrons in the City of Elua can’t heal the bruises left by Joscelin’s cold shoulder or help her sleep at night. As the pieces start to fall into place, it becomes clear to her that she won’t find her answers in Terre d’Ange – but what will be cost of persuading Joscelin to accompany her to La Serenissima?

Picking up where Kushiel’s Dart left off, we rejoin Phèdre nó Delaunay at Montrève, breaking the news to her household that she will be returning to the service of Naamah. Cue romantic anguish from a certain former Cassiline and a shudder of delight from the Court. Without Delaunay to guide her, Phèdre must set her own course – without tipping her hand – if she is to find Melisande Shahrizai…

February is here, which means it’s time for us to return to Terre d’Ange. We will be reading and discussing Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey over the next 6 weeks; if you’d like to join us, you’re very welcome! A breakdown of our reading schedule and the first week’s discussion prompts are included below.

We’re planning to return to Terre d’Ange! The new year will see a new Wyrd & Wonder read-along as we embark on Phèdre nó Delaunay’s second epic adventure as Kushiel’s Chosen.