First published 2002
Phedre bears a scarlet mote in her eye that marks her as different. Born with this painful flaw, she serves as Kushiel's Chosen, bound to the deity who governs suffering and redemption. Her work as a courtesan takes an urgent turn when she discovers treachery brewing against the throne. Someone plots to topple the realm through calculated betrayal. Phedre must decode the conspiracy before it destroys everything she holds dear. Her investigation drags her through brutal encounters that push her endurance to breaking points. Political enemies deploy torture and manipulation as weapons. Each revelation about the plot demands greater sacrifices from her body and soul. The deeper she digs into the treachery, the more dangerous her position becomes. Phedre's unique connection to pain becomes both her greatest asset and her heaviest burden as she fights to preserve her nation's survival.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, political-machinations
Setting: Realm
700 pages · Hardcover · Tor Books
Content warnings: abuse, graphic-violence, torture