Kushiel's Legacy: Difference between revisions

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The first trilogy, beginning with ''Kushiel's Dart'', continuing with ''Kushiel's Chosen'', and ending with ''Kushiel's Avatar'', follows the exploits of Phèdre, a woman with a red mote in her eye which marks her as an ''anguissette'', one who experiences pain as pleasure. This talent means she draws a high price, as prostitution is a highly valued and respected profession in her home country. Added to this, she is trained in espionage, escape, and other things by her bondholder, with intent to use her as a weapon to stabilize the realm. Over the span of three books, Phèdre goes from girl to adult, and winds up deeply involved in the politics of the realm and the divine, thanks in part to her... unique talents, both as courtesan and spy.

* [[Camp Follower]] - It's mentioned in ''Kiss'' that there are plenty of women on board the great ship the Ch'in Emperor sent to fetch Master Lo Feng. Who are only along to keep the sailors and soldiers from being too lonely.

* [[Can't Stand Them Can't Live Without Them]] - Joscelin towards Phèdre. Really, what do you expect from a celibate warrior-priest paired with a courtesan who enjoys her job?

* [[Celibate Hero]] - Joscelin is a [[Warrior Monk]], raised from age ten to be the "perfect companion." Part of their final vows is indeed a vow of celibacy. {{spoiler|Breaks his vow later in the books, is outcast, but still gets his respect.}}

* [[Chekhov's Gun]] - The Companion's Star Ysandre gives to Phèdre at the end of ''Chosen'', which entitles her to one boon. It finally pays off in ''Avatar'' when {{spoiler|Phèdre uses it to force Ysandre to let her and Joscelin adopt Imriel}}

* [[Self-Fulfilling Prophecy]]: Zigzags in the case of Imriel and the Maghuin Dhonn. They foresee the possibility of a terrible future, and at first all their attempts to avert it make it ''more'' likely and ''worse''. However, in the end, they do manage to change the course of fate... but at a terrible price.

* [[Semi-Divine]]: The D'Angeline people are like this; descended from God's son and his angelic companions.

* [[Sex God]]: Any of Terre D'Ange's courtesan, due to the glorification of prostitution as sacred. Special mention goes to Phedre.

** Taken very literally in the case of Naamah, though she's more of a Sex Angel than a [[Sex God]].

[[Category:Fantasy Literature]]

[[Category:Alternate History Literature]]

[[Category:Literature]]