Chelsea S. (PengQueen) reviewed on 4/26/2010 + 114 more book reviews

There is so much I could say about this book, but it would be impossible to explain it with complete accuracy. It's fantasy, intrigue, and romance. It's dark and gritty. It's unexpectedly entertaining.

First of all, this book is long. The plot elements are too many to summarize, so I'll just gloss over the main points. The setting is a sort of alternate reality historical Europe--most specifically Terre-D'Ange (France). It's told first person from the point of view of Phedre, a young girl who was given into servitude as a child. She grows up being trained as a courtesan and a spy--to pleasure men and women and to observe and interpret the things she sees. Phedre is unique in that she has the ability to yield to pain, taking pleasure in the process. As a result of this calling she is thrown into a world of intricate political intrigue, tumultuous romance, violence, and war. She is joined by a varied cast of secondary characters and villains, too many to list or describe.

There are a lot of great things about this book, and I believe it would appeal to a wide audience. Phedre is a unique character who stands out both by the standards of modern culture and withing her own world. As a result, I found her likable and for the most part relateable. The setting and culture created is extremely detailed and entertaing--from the political and social hierarchies, to the legends and religions, to the customs and languages. It takes some concentration to keep everything straight. Which is why I must warn- this isn't exactly light reading. Not only is the plot complex and full of politics, mysteries, and secret plots, but much of the content is vaguely disturbing. But if you put the time and thought into it, you will almost certainly find something appealing.

The parts that appealed to me specifically were the relationships. Phedre meets and interacts with quite a variety of characters. There is Hyacynthe, a gypsy boy she meets as a child. Joscelin, Phedre's protector who lives by strict priestly vows which are strongly tried by his growing love for her. I could go on, but the point is that there is every character type imaginable and there's quite a bit of development for each of them.

I had some issues with this book, and the top one is length. I like my books long, yes, but I hate filler. Was there much of it? No. But enough that I had moments of boredom, or later when I thought back on a chapter I realized it could have been cut to no ill effect. In fact I feel there were a few characters that could have been cut out as unnecessary to the plot. The language is very flowery, which is mostly a plus, but at times it detracts from the narrative--sometimes simpler would be better.

Overall, this is very impressive fantasy. I encourage readers to try it and draw their own conclusions--most fantasy fans should find something positive.

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