Flights of Fantasy Book Club #4: Jacqueline Carey

How are we on our fourth FOF book club pick already? We've been pretty successful so far and I'm really proud that we managed to read the entire Lotus War trilogy back in May. I say this because Alexa and I definitely underestimated how difficult it would be to invest in an entire series every other month. So that said, for every book club pick we will commit to reading the first book only (unless we dislike it so much that we DNF). Then if we enjoy it, we'll continue the rest of the series in that same month or at our leisure. We're all about less pressure so we hope you join us!

For July, we'll be reading Kushiel's Dart, which is the first book in Phèdre's Trilogy, by Jacqueline Carey. Funny story but I had my eye on this book for a while! I kept meaning to read it but I didn't officially put it on my TBR until Alexa's husband read the series and recommended it. Even then, I was suffering from "too many books, not enough time" (I'm not alone in this right?) so I'm glad this book club will finally force me to make time. As usual we'll be posting our official thoughts on August so look out for it then!

Here's more about series (summary 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.

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Will you be joining us this month?