Fair warning, this series has BDSM in it and some scenes that have sexual assault in them. But I absolutely adore it to my very soul and if you can, please read!! Skip the parts that are uncomfy because it has such a beautiful story to it.
I picked up the 3rd book I’ve been finishing from the first series, Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. AND I JUST FOUND OUT THERE’S 2 MORE SERIES!!! One is of another character that’s introduced in the second books end-ish. He features more fully in the last book (just a kiddo, a baby in the second when introduced) and I’m excited. The third series is set hundreds of years after the characters you know from the first two series so I’m excited for that too but in a different way. Jacqueline Carey has a way of world (and character) building that really gives it personality and life in my mind at least.
However, the last bit of the third book has me thinking. I’m not even finished yet but some of the trials she’s faced have cumulated in her achieving a great task and not by cunning, wit, arms or military might or really anything of the sort.. But purely through love. (I won’t put what I originally had for this sentence purely because I’d sent it to a friend who didn’t plan on reading it because she prefers manga.)
It got me thinking, what she thought about afterwards. How if humanity would just hold love and compassion above all else, we would be truly at peace with the world and each other. She reflected on how humans have inside them the qualities her god and angels showed in stories and legends, and indeed literally fill her with at times to give her strength and show the way. Humans have love, but also prideful nurturing sides, as well as greed, anger and guilt. However, now that she’d been through so many adventures and seen both horrible and heart touching things.. She finds herself having even stronger faith in what she’s believed since she was little. That which does bend, does not always break. In that she, who gives everything for those she loves and is loyal to, is resilient and will spring back from any horror with the right care, rest and love. And honestly I think that’s beautiful.
I’m adding a picture from what changed my life a little and cropped it so it didn’t show any spoilers, though they’re minor, in the comments. Just.. Amazing.
by WolfieParks