Kushiel's Avatar (3)
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From Publishers Weekly: The promise of Kushiel's Dart (2001)¸ the first volume of Carey's immense trilogy set in a skewed Renaissance world¸ is more than realized in this splendid conclusion. In the 10 years since the action of the second¸ relatively uneventful volume¸ Kushiel's Chosen (2002)¸ the winsome and gritty anguisette Phedre¸ bidden to seek pain in love by her demi-gods¸ the cruel Kushiel and the loving Naamah¸ has matured gracefully. Now the Comtesse Phedre no Delaunay de Montreve¸ she enjoys maintaining an estate together with the swordsman Joscelin¸ her faithful consort. She still follows her calling¸ though accepting but three patrons a year. Only the lonely fate of her imprisoned childhood friend¸ Hyacinthe¸ who's courageously volunteered to become Master of the Straits¸ disturbs her serenity. Then the beautiful¸ treacherous Melisande Shahrizai asks the anguisette to rescue her kidnapped son¸ Imriel. In return¸ Melisande promises to help PhŠdre find the Name of God¸ the key to freeing Hyacinthe. Having traveled west in the first book from the French-Italianate city-state of Terre d'Ange¸ Phedre here journeys south into the equivalents of the Middle East and Africa¸ where she triumphs gloriously. Effortlessly rich in adventurous incident¸ with a huge cast of well-defined characters¸ this poignant and robust story will appeal to both fantasy lovers and fans of erotic romance. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information¸ Inc.