Set in a mystic land that mirrors the one we live in, Kushiel's Dart is the first of three masterpiece tales as told by Phedre no Delaunay.

 

It is the first chapter in which her abilities and life as a spy are established. The land of Terre d'ange and the people who reside within it value beauty and grace above all. When all that is glitters is gold in her eyes Phedre finds herself to be a special kind of gem. "Pain bearer" is her title and it is exactly as it sounds. Phedre is a woman who is at once cursed and blessed with the ability to turn pain into pleasure.

 

With this as well as a measure of espionage training Phedre finds herself entangled in a deadly game of politics and scandal. She encounters Death face to face a number of times and manages to beat him with the use of her skills, a bit of luck, and Joscelin, the warrior priest who has sworn to "protect and serve" her.

 

While she fights to save everything to holds dear there is always a price to be paid for triumph. Betrayal and loss becomes a constant companion to the woman who is wonderfully human in these pages.

 

I would and have recommended these books to anyone with an open mind who enjoys the gritty world of politics, daring swordfights, and the struggle of desire versus reason. I would, however, caution anyone who has a weak stomach for darker love scenes. The book is filled with sensuality but also tends to have a violent, if not twisted view of all the ways pain does in fact cross over to pleasure.

 

With that in mind, these novels are graphic, heart-pounding, and filled with romanticism. Pick one up and you won't regret the time spent!