Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

The first of the trilogy that Moira recommended to me as her favorite books. The narrator is Phedre, a girl born with a scarlet mote in her eye and destined to experience pain and pleasure as one. It was hard to follow sometimes - the writing slightly old fashioned and some words not properly explained. Not to mention the obscene number of people and their convoluted relationships. Still, it was nearly 1000 pages and I flew thew it in three days, so I can't say that it didn't keep me interested. I liked it and it became better and better as the pages passed - especially when Phedre's Cassiline protector, Joscelin, a type of celibate priest and pretty much her complete opposite, entered the story. I'm always a sucker for doomed love.

Started the second book, Kushiel's Chosen at work today, and already like it better than the first; hopefully it will stay that way.

Wouldn't recommend it to Dad, but I'm not sure if it's because of the kinky S&M sex or because of the writing and book itself. Probably a little of both; he's never been particularly drawn to stories centered around strong women while they tend to be the stories that I like best. I would probably recommend it to a friend, though. MM would probably like it, DS too.