Naamah's Kiss (Kushiel's Legacy Series #7) by Jacqueline Carey

From the Publisher

The author of the New York Times bestselling Kushiel fantasy series returns with an all-new saga set in her brilliantly imagined Renaissance world and featuring Moirin, whose divine gifts prove to be crucial as she comes up against an ambitious mage, a noble warrior princess desperate to save her father's throne, and the spirit of a celestial dragon.

Publishers Weekly

The seventh installment in Carey's bestselling Kushiel series (after 2008's Kushiel's Mercy) follows its youthful protagonist, Moirim, from bed to bed as she worships sexuality goddess Naamah. Following a tragic affair, Moirim travels to Terre d'Ange, this world's France. There she takes a variety of lovers, from the aristocratic occultist Raphael de Mereliot to Queen Jehanne herself. The elderly but wise Lo Feng befriends Moirim and leads her to the distant land of Ch'in and the true love of her life, the gruff but affectionate ex-bandit Bao. Moirim and her friends endeavor to save the Ch'in emperor's daughter Snow Tiger from a curse, but their efforts come at terrible costs, not least of which is the certainty of multiple sequels. Carey's triumph as a writer lies in her ability to turn these stock-nearly stereotyped-components into an engaging, fascinating novel. (July)

Karen Kleckner - Library Journal

Carey here returns to the sensual, Renaissance-inspired world of her best-selling "Kushiel's Legacy" series. Moirin knows little of the world outside the forests and caves of Alba, but when she undergoes the Maghuin Dhonn's rite of passage, a powerful destiny is partially revealed to her. In Terre d'Ange she finds her father, a priest serving Naamah, the goddess of desire, and meets Raphael de Mereliot, a talented doctor and the queen's favorite lover (until her majesty meets Moirin). Raphael wants Moirin to use her special powers on his behalf, but Moirin's diadh-anam, or soul, blazes that her path lies elsewhere. Instead, she joins visiting scholar Master Lo Feng and his companion Bao on their return to Ch'in to save the emperor's daughter. VERDICT Carey begins her new series with a bang. Moirin is an exciting heroine who, like Phèdre nó Delaunay, playfully and passionately explores the sacredness of sexuality. Highly recommended for Carey fans and mature readers. [See Prepub Alert, LJ2/15/09; Carey has also just published an urban fantasy, Santa Olivia.—Ed.]—Karen Kleckner, Deerfield P.L., IL

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