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!
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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.
As war sweeps across Terre d’Ange, Phèdre and Joscelin face one last challenge: to bring Ysandre enough allies to stop Waldemar Selig in his tracks. But even as bitter enemies make common cause against a greater threat, some friends prove faithless…
Questions are dangerous, for they have answers. Phèdre, Joscelin and Hyacinthe are despatched to find Queen Ysandre’s betrothed – but the Long Road is haunted by secrets. As the value – and the cost – of the dromonde becomes clear, they will all wrestle with the price of duty…
Epic adventure, acute peril, looming disaster, reputational damage and… is that a sniff of romance? It’s week four of Kushiel’s Dart and everybody needs a hug. Everybody. Okay, okay, maybe not Waldemar Selig.
It’s a strange way to keep someone alive, that’s all I’ll say. Just as Phèdre finally learns his secrets, Delaunay’s careful schemes come apart, plunging her into a nightmare of blood and ruin…
That which yields is not always weak. After Phèdre’s debut, offers flood in from the powerful for a night with Delaunay’s anguisette and the Spider is proven right: people let slip secrets in their passions. But it is gentle Alcuin who will take the greatest risk…
All knowledge is worth having and Phèdre nó Delaunay is willing to pay a terrible price in its pursuit. Raised as a courtesan, her rare gift is to experience pleasure in pain, attracting powerful patrons with dark urges. Trained as a spy, she will seek to uncover their secrets. But knowledge can be dangerous…