Cassiel's Servant
Ratings4
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings4
Average rating3.9
A USA Today bestseller! The lush epic fantasy that inspired a generation with a single precept: “Love As Thou Wilt." Returning to the realm of Terre d’Ange which captured an entire generation of fantasy readers, New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey brings us a hero’s journey for a new era. In Kushiel’s Dart, a daring young courtesan uncovered a plot to destroy her beloved homeland. But hers is only half the tale. Now see the other half of the heart that lived it. Cassiel’s Servant is a retelling of cult favorite Kushiel’s Dart from the point of view of Joscelin, Cassiline warrior-priest and protector of Phèdre nó Delaunay. He’s sworn to celibacy and the blade as surely as she’s pledged to pleasure, but the gods they serve have bound them together. When both are betrayed, they must rely on each other to survive. From his earliest training to captivity amongst their enemies, his journey with Phèdre to avert the conquest of Terre D’Ange shatters body and mind... and brings him an impossible love that he will do anything to keep. Even if it means breaking all vows and losing his soul. “Decadent and dark, Cassiel’s Servant reveals the secrets of the mysterious Cassiline brotherhood. In this gorgeously realized novel, Carey returns to the world of Terre d’Ange and offers us a new and dazzling perspective on a character we thought we knew.”—Nghi Vo, author of The Chosen and the Beautiful and Siren Queen Kushiel's Legacy #1 Kushiel's Dart #2 Kushiel's Chosen #3 Kushiel's Avatar Standalones Miranda and Caliban Starless The Sundering #1 Banewreaker #2 Godslayer At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Reviews with the most likes.
I love this book so much! Joscelin is my favorite in the series and it was delightful to read about his perceptive, especially how endearing his feelings towards Phedre where. I also loved his interactions with other characters such as Hyacinthe. The first part was so immersive, I enjoyed reading about his boyhood and his dynamic with Selwyn.
I am thoroughly enjoying this retelling of Kushiel's Dart from Joscelin's perspective. I was a little skeptical at first. Retellings from another point of view have never been a favorite of mine. At most, they've felt like an easy way for an author to bring in more money. HOWEVER, I think Jacqueline Carey puts a lot of thought and quality into her novels, and this one is no different. Yes, it follows the same storyline as Kushiel's Dart very closely. I think the best time to read this is when you're craving a re-reading of Kushiel's Dart. I reread the Kushiel's Legacy series fairly often, so it was a joy to return to this world with a fresh perspective. There were some genuine laugh out loud moments for me, particularly when Joscelin is meeting Phedre for the first time and they don't exactly get along. His repulsion to her anguissette lifestyle is relatable; I don't know many readers who actually enjoy Phedre's assignations in the original novels. In general, Joscelin's perspective on sex is a lot closer to the American perspective on sex, so it's an easier lens to view Phedre's world through. They both grow a lot throughout the events of this novel, and getting Joscelin's internal dialogue during those events sheds a light on why Joscelin acts as he does, which isn't exactly clear in Kushiel's Dart.
I'll be interested to see if Jacqueline Carey returns to Joscelin's perspective for the events of Kushiel's Chosen. There is a good chunk of time during that novel where Phedre is off traveling the seas after her imprisonment and while we get a short summary of Joscelin's story during that time, there's certainly room for a lot more. Whether that story would be interesting without Phedre's presence, I'm not sure, but if anybody can pull it off, it's Jacqueline Carey. Whether she does or not, reading this book was exactly the return to Terre D'Ange that I needed.
Series
3 primary books5 released booksPhèdre's Trilogy is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2001 with contributions by Jacqueline Carey.
Series
9 primary books10 released booksKushiel's Universe is a 10-book series with 9 primary works first released in 2001 with contributions by Jacqueline Carey.
Series
6 primary books7 released booksKushiel's Legacy is a 7-book series with 6 primary works first released in 2001 with contributions by Jacqueline Carey.
