Throwback Thursday (12)

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books.

It’s the nature of book blogging to focus mainly on new releases, but there are thousands of great books out there that haven’t seen the “New Releases” shelf in years. We hope to be able to bring attention to some older titles that may not be at the top of the current bestseller list, but still deserve a spot in your To-Be-Read pile.

You don’t have to be a book blogger to participate! You can put up a Throwback Thursday post on your non-bookish blog; or if you don’t have a blog at all, just use the comments to tell us about a book you remember fondly.

Here’s how it works:
1. Pick any book released more than 5 years ago. Adult, YA, Children’s; doesn’t matter. Any great book will do.
2. Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it. Make sure to link back to The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books in your post.
3. Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!

Title: Kushiel’s Dart

Author: Jacqueline Carey

Original Publication Date: March 15, 2002

Available at: Amazon – Kindle – Barnes and Noble

From Goodreads:

The land of Terre d’Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good…and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission…and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel’s Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair…and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel’s Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.

Kushiel’s Dart is a stunningly sensuous high fantasy book. Phedre no Delaunay is a deceptively strong heroine that I truly enjoyed reading about. The book is about courtesans but it isn’t as naughty as it sounds. It’s not out and out erotica. It’s all done with a bit of class. Although there is BDSM between the pages it’s not a shocking revelation. It’s not dirty or anything like that.

The book doesn’t solely revolve around sex either. There’s court intrigue that is fascinating and dangerous. I was left wondering what the motives were of several people all at once. Who had possible double dealings? What were their secret aspirations? It was something that had me thinking along with the plot throughout the book.

It’s been awhile since I read this book, but I still remember it with a great deal of fondness. I keep meaning to reread it and I know I keep saying this every Thursday, but I mean it every time. Maybe I’ll just set aside one month to reread my favorites. This would definitely be among them and since I have Carey’s newest trilogy awaiting me. It would be the perfect time to revisit this trilogy.

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