Kushiel's Legacy
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Kushiel's Legacy is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprised of Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and Kushiel's Avatar. Kushiel's Scion is set in the same world. Since the series features a fictional version of medieval Europe, it can be considered historical fantasy or alternate history.
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[edit] Novels
Kushiel's Legacy consists of the following novels (with release dates). This is also the chronological order within the story.
- Kushiel's Dart (2001)
- Kushiel's Chosen (2002)
- Kushiel's Avatar (2003)
- Kushiel's Scion (2006)
- Kushiel’s Justice (2007)
[edit] Background
The main setting of Kushiel's Legacy is the country of Terre d'Ange (resembling France), the "Land of the Angels". D'Angelines, as the citizens are called, believe they are descended from Blessed Elua and his band of fallen angels. Elua was born when the blood of the crucified Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the One God, mixed with the tears of the Magdalene and then was quickened by Mother Earth. Scorned by his grandfather, the One God, Elua wandered the Earth with eight companion angels, who had rejected God to follow him. The eight were Naamah, Anael, Azza, Shemhazai, Camael, Cassiel, Eisheth, and Kushiel. The companions finally settled in the land that would be become Terre D'Ange. Elua espoused the precept Love as thou wilt and he and his companions inter-bred with the native populace, creating the D'Angeline people.
Kushiel's Legacy is set about one thousand years after the time of Elua, and the D'Angeline people worship him and his eight companions as gods. They live by his precept and, since Naamah sold her body at times to support Elua during their wanderings, consider prostitution to be a sacred service. This service is regulated by its own guild. Furthermore, to serve in the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, composed of several Houses, each with their own interpretation of Naamah's reasons for prostituting herself, is regarded as the highest pinnacle in Naamah's Service.
Terre d'Ange is divided into seven provinces, each with a companion as its patron deity. Cassiel, who eschewed mortal love and never fully rejected the One God, is the only companion without a province. Naamah (goddess of the Night Court) is the patron of Namarre, Anael of L'Agnace, Azza of Azzalle, Shenhazai of Siovale, Camael of Camlach, Eisheth of Eisande, and Kushiel of Kusheth.
The royal House Courcel rules Terre D'Ange from the City of Elua in L'Agnace. Relations are generally good with the neighboring countries of Aragonia (Spain), Caerdicca Unitas (Italy), and Alba and Eire (the British Isles). But Skaldia (Germany) has long sought to conquer the D'Angelines.
The heroine of the series is anguissette Phèdre nó Delaunay, whose unique talents lead her to save her nation from several terrible fates.
[edit] Elua and His Companions
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- See Elua and His Companions for the full article.
Elua is the most important deity of Terre d'Ange, the misbegotten son of Yeshua and the Magdalene. Elua's Companions are seven angels who forsook the One God to follow Elua.
Elua's only commandment to his followers was to love as thou wilt. The nation of Terre d'Ange takes it as their guiding philosophy, and as such embrace all forms of love.
[edit] Major Characters
- Phèdre nó Delaunay, the heroine of the series, an anguissette.
- Anafiel Delaunay, Phèdre's mentor.
- Joscelin Verreuil, Phèdre's Cassiline bodyguard.
- Hyacinthe, a Tsingani, Phèdre's longtime friend.
- Melisande Shahrizai, the primary antagonist, a sadistic plotter.
- Ysandre de la Courcel, queen of Terre d'Ange.
- Drustan mab Necthana, ruler of Alba.
- Waldemar Selig, leader of Skaldia.
[edit] See also
[edit] Kushiel's Legacy MUX
There is also a MUX based on the Kushiel's Legacy setting, called KushielMUX.
