30 Day Geek Out Challenge – Day 13

Last Updated on September 3, 2023 by Jenn | The Nerd Mom

Megan over at A Geeky Gal blog created this challenge for fellow geeks to share all about what makes them nerdy. You can see her completed challenge post here.

Favorite book series?

I’ve read a lot of awesome books series over the years, but my absolute favorite stands out from the rest.

It’s the Kushiel’s Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey.

This page uses affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links. Click to read full Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, you would probably like this series.

Also, if you don’t like the sex in Game of Thrones, you probably would not like this series.

It takes place in a fictional interpretation of Europe around the medieval ages. In Terre d’Ange (comparable geographically to France), prostitution is considered a sacred art and the motto of the D’Angeline god is “Love as thou wilt”.

Our hero is Phédre, marked from birth as someone who takes pleasure in submission and pain and trained from childhood to become an expert courtesan (did I mention this series is a bit X-rated?).

She is employed by a spy-master and uses her wit and skills to aid him in the plots and mechanations of domestic and foreign politics. This leads to her being swept off in an adventure that is epic, sometimes disturbing, and very moving.

I feel like I am not doing the plot justice because I am so tired right now.

It’s intrigue, sex, and intricate world-building fantasy. Carey does a great job developing characters and immersing you in her fantasy world.

This series impacted me when I read it as a teenager. It led to a bit of a sexual awakening for me, and it shaped a lot of my early views on femininity, sensuality, and relationships.

It’s also a bit of a guilty pleasure. Carey can be indulgent in her writing and I loved getting lost in her descriptions of the beauty and wonder of her world.

If you’re looking for some great fantasy and don’t mind (or are seeking!), something a bit naughty, I recommend Kushiel’s Legacy.

What is your favorite book series? Have you read any of Jacqueline Carey’s work? Tell me in the comments!