Phèdre was born and has been trained in the Night Court, which specializes in services of the "night" arts. The unusual red mote in her eye marks her as one pricked by legendary Kushiel himself. As soon as she is old enough, Phèdre enters the service of Anafiel Delaunay’s household, and begins a career in both her distinctive arts and one of political intrigue.

The book’s setting is a world which shares our history only up until the advent of Christianity. Instead, the cards of history fell in a very different way. Readers will recognize Europe and some of its peoples and geographic regions, but it’s very, very different.

posted Nov 7, 2008 at 12:03PM

I think that it is rare to find a high-level fantasy novel with a woman for its narrator and hero. While there is plenty of erotica in this story, there are far more important reasons to read this book. First, the elegant style of writing is congruent with the atmosphere of the story -- a quality not always present in other books. Second, Carey obviously spent a great deal of effort when developing the world of Terre d'Ange. And third, the complex political intrigue is marvelously connected to action on an epic scale. Read and enjoy!

posted Aug 7, 2010 at 11:41AM

I love this series! Carey has created a fully realized alternate history that is exciting, compelling, and greatly arousing.

posted Aug 19, 2011 at 10:36AM

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