Kushiel's Dart is a fantasy novel by American writer Jacqueline Carey, the first book in her Kushiel's Legacy series. The idea for the book first came to Carey when she was reading the Biblical Book of Genesis, specifically a passage about the Sons of God coming into the "Daughters of Men." Later, when she was writing a coffee table book, she encountered Jewish folklore, which paralleled the story in greater detail. The fictional nation of Terre D'Ange in the story was founded by a rebel angel.[1]
The World of Terre D'Ange
Setting
The Kushiel's Legacy series is set in a medieval world modeled after Earth (the map at the beginning of the novels is a map of Earth, with creatively historically named countries). The main characters are from Terre d'Ange, which occupies the area of France.
For the full story about Elua, his Companions, the Eluine Cycle, and the founding of Terre d'Ange, see Elua and His Companions.
Each of Elua's companions founded a province of Terre d'Ange, except Cassiel, who chose to remain loyal to the commandments of the One God and not 'commingle with mortals.'[2]
Society
Elua's precept was "Love as thou wilt." This results in the fact that love and physical pleasure is a central aspect of society in Terre d'Ange. Although marriage exists in Terre d'Ange, it is viewed equally with other forms of love, including dalliance, taking a lover or consort, etc. It likewise engendered an acceptance of any form of love, be it reverent or harsh, heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. Usually, as part of a marriage, a D'Angeline lights a candle to Eisheth, asking her to "open the womb" of the woman so that she may be able to become pregnant.
One of the central institutions of Terre d'Ange is service to the angel Naamah. As such, her adepts are courtesans who prostitute themselves in a sacred service that honors Naamah's similar sacrifice to Elua. Naamah was said to have "la[in] down with strangers in the marketplace for coin" in order that Elua could eat when the Companions had no money. She also, according to legend, offered herself to the King of Persis in exchange for Elua's freedom. In Naamah's honour, Servants of Naamah provide sexual services to paying clients (which goes to the owner of their marque, or into the pockets of the courtesans who have earned their marques) and an optional "patron gift" freely offered in honour of Naamah (which pays for the marque to be tattooed onto the courtesans' back.).
The Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, or the "Night Court," is in the City of Elua and comprises Thirteen Houses. Each house has a head, called the Dowayne. Each Servant of Naamah owes a debt to their House for the training they have received, and in many cases upbringing. Their debt is considered complete when their marque, a tattoo covering the entire back, is complete.
Ruling classes
Terre D'Ange exists in a monarchical system, which is currently ruled by the Courcel line. They are directly descended from Elua, and their signature physical attribute is a graceful neck, which parallels the fact that their emblem is the Swan.
Each region has its own ruling elite in a feudal structure.
The judicial system is structured independently from the feudal ruling class and operates with a hierarchy similar to that of contemporary European courts, including multiple levels of appellate court review. The ultimate appellate authority rests with the monarch, who has the discretion to either review cases personally or uphold prior judgments by refusing further appeals. In terms of criminal justice, D'Angelines adhere to standards that are generally comparable to modern European norms. However, the legal system still enforces capital punishment and public floggings. Additionally, rape is classified as a capital crime.
Plot summary
The novel chronicles the life of Phèdre nó Delaunay from her early years. Phèdre is born with a distinctive mark in her eye, initially deemed unsuitable for service as a religious courtesan. However, this mark is later identified as a sign of her being an "anguissette," a person who experiences sexual gratification from pain. She is eventually acquired by a nobleman who trains her in the arts of a courtesan. During her service, Phèdre uncovers a conspiracy threatening her homeland and finds herself in a position to thwart it.
Characters
Delaunay's household
Phèdre nó Delaunay – Main protagonist
Anafiel Delaunay – Noble, Phèdre and Alcuin's mentor
Elua – "The Misbegotten" was conceived from the comingling of the Yeshua's blood from the Tiberium spear that killed Yeshua on the cross, with the tears of the Magdalene who loved him, and born from the womb of Mother Earth.
Naamah – an angel. She is the patron of courtesans, and sanctified all sex as holy as long as it is consensual and motivated by some form of love.
Cassiel – an angel. His form of love centers around abstainment, protection, and self-sacrifice. Cassiel alone has no descendants but his followers are celibate priests/bodyguards.
