Okay, I have read the first book in this series, Kushiel's Dart, and I was impressed enough that I have ordered all of the other paperbacks (there are six). I didn't yet order the seventh as that is just in hardback.
I don't quite know how to classify the setting but would term it as an alternative universe historical novel. It is set in a time frame where horses and carriages are the norm, there are farmers, peasants, kings and nobles, and a gypsy-like tribe of nomads. The land is Europe, but with names that differ based upon the variant in religion and history. In Carey's world, a different savior sprang from the blood of Jesus and the tears of Mary Magdaline to create Eula, who more resembles Dionysus than Christ. The followers of Eula are told to "Love as you will" and thus the concept of promiscuity and the condemnation of courtesans and prostitutes that is true in our universe is absent in theirs. Instead, men and women who follow the art of prostitution do so in emulation of one of Eula's "apostles" and are venerated as if they were priests and priestesses, because they are seen as following a calling and serving the goddess Naamah.
With this premise, the life of the main character, Phedre, is a fascinating one. She is not only a prostitute, but one who finds pleasure in pain, and she is unique enough to be revered as touched by the god. Her unique talents leads her into political intrigue, war, slavery, and eventually to serve the Queen and be rewarded with a title and lands as a part of the nobility.
The first book is dense with detail, the characters are good, and if the machinations and plot twists are somewhat thick and at times confusing, it is still a decent read with delicately drawn sex scenes that avoid crudity but still draw clear pictures of the action.
Worthwhile reading.
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