Carey, Jacqueline 1964-

PERSONAL:

Born 1964, in Highland Park, IL. Education: Lake Forest College, B.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Douglas, MI. Agent—Jane Dystel Literary Management, One Union Sq. W., Ste. 904, New York, NY 10003. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer. Worked at a London, England, bookstore and at a college art center.

MEMBER:

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America; Novelists, Inc.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Locus Award for best first novel, 2001, Barnes & Noble, Top Ten Science Fiction & Fantasy of 2001, Amazon.com Editors, Top Ten Fantasy of 2001, and Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for best fantasy novel, 2002, all for Kushiel's Dart; Borders, Top Ten Fantasy of 2002, for Kushiel's Chosen; Amazon.com Editors, Top Ten Fantasy of 2003, for Kushiel's Avatar.

WRITINGS:

"KUSHIEL'S LEGACY" TRILOGY

Kushiel's Dart, Tor Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Kushiel's Chosen, Tor Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Kushiel's Avatar, Tor Books (New York, NY), 2003.

"SUNDERING" SERIES

Banewreaker, Tor Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Godslayer, Tor Books (New York, NY), 2005.

"IMRIEL" SERIES

Kushiel's Scion, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Kushiel's Justice, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2007.

OTHER

Angels: Celestial Spirits in Art and Legend, MetroBooks (New York, NY), 1997.

Also author of Earth Begotten. Contributor of essay to Lamidi Olonade Fakeye: A Retrospective Exhibition and Autobiography (exhibition catalogue); author of short stories and essays; story "Jazznight" published in I-94: A Collection of Southwest Michigan Writers; contributor of articles and reviews to Salon.com.

SIDELIGHTS:

Jacqueline Carey's first novel, Kushiel's Dart, was hailed by a Publishers Weekly contributor as a "brilliant and daring debut" that places Carey "immediately [in] the top rank of fantasy novelists." Set in a world resembling that of Renaissance Europe, the book introduces heroine Phedre no Delaunay, who plays the role of courtesan and spy among the political elites of her people. A red spot in her eye shows that Phedre is an "anguisette," an individual chosen by the chastising angel Kushiel for her ability to receive sexual pleasure through the experience of pain—a fact that critics found integral to Phedre's complex and unusual character. Replete with sexual intrigue and adventure, the novel "blends Christianity and paganism with fascinating results," according to Booklist contributor Paula Luedtke.

In the sequel, Kushiel's Chosen, Phedre is now Comtesse de Montreve, bound to serve and protect Queen Ysandre of Terre d'Ange from the evil clutches of Melisande Shahrizai. Luedtke, writing in Booklist, commented that Kushiel's Chosen "fulfills every promise made by Kushiel's Dart." In particular, Luedtke admired Carey's skill in creating an "unforgettable" heroine and a story with "tremendous emotional punch."

In Kushiel's Avatar, Carey concludes the "Kushiel's Legacy" trilogy with Phedre helping her former lover and enemy, Melisande, escape from her confinement in a temple after a failed attempt to seize the throne. In return, Melisande promises to help Phedre to learn the hidden Name of God so Phedre can free her friend Hyacinthe from the control of the Master of the Straits. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called Kushiel's Avatar "a rousing finale to an altogether captivating saga." A contributor to the GLBTFantasy.com Web site wrote: "Darker and more deeply religious than its predecessors, the story plumbs the depths of mortal suffering, revealing the true strength that lies in yielding." Jackie Cassada, writing in the Library Journal, commented: "The dramatic conclusion … provides … for possible future tales set in an alternate Earth."

Carey's next book, Banewreaker, begins her "Sundering" fantasy series with a large cast of characters, including seven gods who helped shaped the earth. Two of the gods, Haomone and Satoris, are rebels, with Satoris having split the earth with his sword. As a result, Satoris lives in Darkhaven with other misfits separated from the rest of the world by a huge sea. It is prophesied that Satoris will face his ultimate downfall when an elven woman marries a human. As a result, Cereline, Lady of the Ellylon, is kidnapped and transported to Darkhaven before her nuptials. Eventually a war breaks out between those on a divided earth. A Kirkus Reviews contributor referred to Banewreaker as "Tolkienesque," adding that it is "pleasingly nuanced, peopled with beings neither wholly good nor irredeemably evil." Another reviewer, writing in Publishers Weekly, noted: "This is a memorable beginning to what should be another strong series."

Godslayer finds the various races united to destroy the evil Satoris, who has not killed Cereline because she reminds him of a former love. Nevertheless, his followers urge him to destroy her to prevent the prophecy from coming true. In a Booklist review, Cassada commented that the author's tale "turns … views of good and evil on their heads." A Publishers Weekly contributor noted that the author "can still create strong, original characters."

Kushiel's Scion is the first book in Carey's "Imriel" series. Set in the same world as the "Kushiel's Legacy" series, the novel finds Phedre and her consort, Joscelin, parents of the adopted Imriel de la Courcel, son of the evil Melisande. The couple has saved Imriel from physical and sexual abuse, which nevertheless continue to have a profound effect on Imriel, leading him to face inner demons as he desires to learn more about his real mother. "Credible and gripping, this is heroic fantasy at its finest," wrote a reviewer in Publishers Weekly. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called Kushiel's Scion "skillfully rendered, sensual and thoroughly engrossing."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, July, 2001, Paula Luedtke, review of Kushiel's Dart, p. 1991; February 1, 2002, Paula Luedtke, review of Kushiel's Chosen, p. 931; November 15, 2004, Paula Luedtke, review of Banewreaker, p. 570; August, 2005, Paula Luedtke, review of Godslayer, p. 2007; May 15, 2006, Paula Luedtke, review of Kushiel's Scion, p. 33.

Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2003, review of Kushiel's Avatar, p. 276; September 1, 2004, review of Banewreaker, p. 842; April 15, 2006, review of Kushiel's Scion, p. 385.

Kliatt, January, 2006, Sherry Hoy, review of Banewreaker, p. 20.

Library Journal, July, 2001, Jackie Cassada, review of Kushiel's Dart, p. 131; March 15, 2003, Jackie Cassada, review of Kushiel's Avatar, p. 119; October 15, 2004, Jackie Cassada, review of Banewreaker, p. 57; August 1, 2005, Jackie Cassada, review of Godslayer, p. 75; June 15, 2006, Jackie Cassada, review of Kushiel's Scion, p. 62.

Publishers Weekly, May 14, 2001, review of Kushiel's Dart, p. 58; February 18, 2002, review of Kushiel's Chosen, p. 80; September 13, 2004, review of Banewreaker, p. 63; June 27, 2005, review of Godslayer, p. 46; April 24, 2006, review of Kushiel's Scion, p. 43.

ONLINE

GLBTFantasy.com,http://www.glbtfantasy.com/ (February 1, 2007), reviews of Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar, and Kushiel's Scion.

Jacqueline Carey Home Page,http://www.jacquelinecarey.com (September 5, 2002).

StrangeHorizons.com,http://www.strangehorizons.com/ (March 8, 2004), Beth Oing, "Interview: Jacqueline Carey."