Jacqueline Carey
Encyclopedia
Jacqueline Carey is an author and novelist, primarily of fantasy
fiction.
, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore in London as part of a work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras
krewe
in the state.
, published by Tor Books
in 2001, and the recipient of the 2002 Locus Award
for Best First Novel. The Kushiel's Legacy
trilogy, completed with Kushiel's Chosen
and Kushiel's Avatar
, follows the story of a courtesan
in a historical fantasy
or alternate history
(Terre d'Ange) society that follows a demi-god, Elua, whose precept is "Love as thou wilt". The map of Terre d'Ange, the "Land of the Angels," bears a striking resemblance to that of France. Fictional versions of Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, and Spain also figure prominently in the series. Elua was born when the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the one God, mingled with the tears of the Magdelene and carried in the womb of Mother Earth. With Elua's peaceful wanderings and the one God's rejection of him, seven angels then rejected God to become Elua's companions on Earth. These angels and Elua himself then founded a nation and comingled with humans before leaving. D'Angelines are the people from their descent.
The first trilogy, Kushiel's Legacy
, begins with the story of Phèdre nò Delaunay, a courtesan's flawed and unwanted daughter who is sold into indenture. The second trilogy (named Treason's Heir in the UK and frequently dubbed the Imriel Trilogy in North America), is a continuation of the storyline started in Kushiel's Legacy. The main protagonist is Imriel nò Montrève de la Courcel, third in line for the throne of Terre d'Ange and adopted son of Phèdre nò Delaunay de Montrève. Imriel was first introduced in Kushiel's Chosen
as the traitor Melisande's infant son.
The third trilogy, whose third novel Naamah's Blessing came out in June 2011, takes place centuries after both trilogies and features the protagonist Moirin of the Maghuinn Dhon. Moirin is half-D'Angeline and half of the Maghuin Donn. She is touched by the blessing of Naamah as well as her diadh-anam, the bear-goddess of the Maghuin Dhonn. After a terrible accident and the revelation that her father is a priest of Naamah, Moirin sets sail for Terre d'Ange in search of a destiny her bear-goddess has foretold. Instead of a seemingly clear destiny, Moirin finds herself in an entanglement of court intrigue, scandal and passion. Tossed between the Queen and her courtier, Moiron must decide which path to take before she bleeds dry in the process. She also meets Lo Feng, a sort-of priest of Ch'in, present day China. Feng teaches our heroine the five styles of breathing and offers a respite from her complicated court life. In following her destiny, she will also follow Feng and his young apprentice across yet another ocean where she will meet a princess possessed by a dragon. This is just the first test Moiron will encounter along her destiny's path. She discovers through her diadh-anam that her true love has never been far away. She will travel through cities, deserts and vast areas in an attempt to join the two together. Through her travels, she will always remember that she still has unfinished business back in Terre d'Ange before she can ever hope to see her mother again.
According to Publisher's Weekly, "Carey's triumph as a writer lies in her ability to turn these stock-nearly stereotyped-components into an engaging, fascinating novel."
, published in 2004, and Godslayer
, published in 2005. It is a story in the vein of J. R. R. Tolkien
's The Lord of the Rings
, but told as a tragedy
from the point of view of the "dark" side.
Carey's third series begins with Santa Olivia, published in 2009 with an upcoming sequel, Saints Astray. Recently through a Facebook contest, Carey offered fans the chance to choose a new name for the sequel to Santa Olivia, as her publishers were not happy with the working title. The new title of Saints Astray was announced on her Facebook fan page on August 27, 2010.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
fiction.
Life
She attended Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
, receiving B.A.'s in psychology and English literature. During college, she spent 6 months working in a bookstore in London as part of a work exchange program. While there, she decided to write professionally. After returning she started her writing career while working at the art center of a local college. After ten years, she discovered success with the publication of her first book in 2001.
Currently, Carey lives in western Michigan and is a member of the oldest Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
krewe
Krewe
A krewe is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and...
in the state.
Terre D'Ange
Her first novel was Kushiel's DartKushiel's Dart
Kushiel's Dart is Jacqueline Carey's first novel and the first of the novels in her Kushiel's Legacy series. The idea for this book first came to Carey when she was reading the Biblical Book of Genesis, and specifically a passage about "sons of God" coming into the "daughters of Men." Later, when...
, published by Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
in 2001, and the recipient of the 2002 Locus Award
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
for Best First Novel. The Kushiel's Legacy
Kushiel's Legacy
Kushiel's Legacy is a series of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprising the Phèdre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy...
trilogy, completed with Kushiel's Chosen
Kushiel's Chosen
Kushiel's Chosen is a historical fantasy or alternate history by Jacqueline Carey. It is a sequel to Kushiel's Dart and the second novel in the Kushiel's Legacy series.- Synopsis :...
and Kushiel's Avatar
Kushiel's Avatar
Kushiel's Avatar is the third novel in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series. It is often referred to as the last of the Phèdre Trilogy.-Plot introduction:...
, follows the story of a courtesan
Courtesan
A courtesan was originally a female courtier, which means a person who attends the court of a monarch or other powerful person.In feudal society, the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
in a historical fantasy
Historical fantasy
Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy and related to historical fiction, which makes use of specific elements of real world history. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too...
or alternate history
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
(Terre d'Ange) society that follows a demi-god, Elua, whose precept is "Love as thou wilt". The map of Terre d'Ange, the "Land of the Angels," bears a striking resemblance to that of France. Fictional versions of Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, and Spain also figure prominently in the series. Elua was born when the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of the one God, mingled with the tears of the Magdelene and carried in the womb of Mother Earth. With Elua's peaceful wanderings and the one God's rejection of him, seven angels then rejected God to become Elua's companions on Earth. These angels and Elua himself then founded a nation and comingled with humans before leaving. D'Angelines are the people from their descent.
The first trilogy, Kushiel's Legacy
Kushiel's Legacy
Kushiel's Legacy is a series of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprising the Phèdre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy...
, begins with the story of Phèdre nò Delaunay, a courtesan's flawed and unwanted daughter who is sold into indenture. The second trilogy (named Treason's Heir in the UK and frequently dubbed the Imriel Trilogy in North America), is a continuation of the storyline started in Kushiel's Legacy. The main protagonist is Imriel nò Montrève de la Courcel, third in line for the throne of Terre d'Ange and adopted son of Phèdre nò Delaunay de Montrève. Imriel was first introduced in Kushiel's Chosen
Kushiel's Chosen
Kushiel's Chosen is a historical fantasy or alternate history by Jacqueline Carey. It is a sequel to Kushiel's Dart and the second novel in the Kushiel's Legacy series.- Synopsis :...
as the traitor Melisande's infant son.
The third trilogy, whose third novel Naamah's Blessing came out in June 2011, takes place centuries after both trilogies and features the protagonist Moirin of the Maghuinn Dhon. Moirin is half-D'Angeline and half of the Maghuin Donn. She is touched by the blessing of Naamah as well as her diadh-anam, the bear-goddess of the Maghuin Dhonn. After a terrible accident and the revelation that her father is a priest of Naamah, Moirin sets sail for Terre d'Ange in search of a destiny her bear-goddess has foretold. Instead of a seemingly clear destiny, Moirin finds herself in an entanglement of court intrigue, scandal and passion. Tossed between the Queen and her courtier, Moiron must decide which path to take before she bleeds dry in the process. She also meets Lo Feng, a sort-of priest of Ch'in, present day China. Feng teaches our heroine the five styles of breathing and offers a respite from her complicated court life. In following her destiny, she will also follow Feng and his young apprentice across yet another ocean where she will meet a princess possessed by a dragon. This is just the first test Moiron will encounter along her destiny's path. She discovers through her diadh-anam that her true love has never been far away. She will travel through cities, deserts and vast areas in an attempt to join the two together. Through her travels, she will always remember that she still has unfinished business back in Terre d'Ange before she can ever hope to see her mother again.
According to Publisher's Weekly, "Carey's triumph as a writer lies in her ability to turn these stock-nearly stereotyped-components into an engaging, fascinating novel."
Other
Carey's second fantasy series is The Sundering, consisting of BanewreakerBanewreaker
Banewreaker is a fantasy novel by Jacqueline Carey. It is Carey's fourth novel and the first in The Sundering duology. Banewreaker is set in Urulat, a world based on J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, and many of the plot points mirror The Lord of the Rings...
, published in 2004, and Godslayer
Godslayer
Godslayer is a fantasy novel by Jacqueline Carey. It continues the epic tragedy of The Sundering duology, begun in Banewreaker....
, published in 2005. It is a story in the vein of J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
, but told as a tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...
from the point of view of the "dark" side.
Carey's third series begins with Santa Olivia, published in 2009 with an upcoming sequel, Saints Astray. Recently through a Facebook contest, Carey offered fans the chance to choose a new name for the sequel to Santa Olivia, as her publishers were not happy with the working title. The new title of Saints Astray was announced on her Facebook fan page on August 27, 2010.
Fiction
- Kushiel Universe series
- Kushiel's LegacyKushiel's LegacyKushiel's Legacy is a series of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprising the Phèdre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy...
series- Phèdre Trilogy series
- 1 Kushiel's DartKushiel's DartKushiel's Dart is Jacqueline Carey's first novel and the first of the novels in her Kushiel's Legacy series. The idea for this book first came to Carey when she was reading the Biblical Book of Genesis, and specifically a passage about "sons of God" coming into the "daughters of Men." Later, when...
(June 2001) - 2 Kushiel's ChosenKushiel's ChosenKushiel's Chosen is a historical fantasy or alternate history by Jacqueline Carey. It is a sequel to Kushiel's Dart and the second novel in the Kushiel's Legacy series.- Synopsis :...
(April 2002) - 3 Kushiel's AvatarKushiel's AvatarKushiel's Avatar is the third novel in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series. It is often referred to as the last of the Phèdre Trilogy.-Plot introduction:...
(April 2003) - Earth BegottenEarth BegottenEarth Begotten is a companion book to Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy fantasy series. It is essentially a prelude to the tales of Terre d'Ange and explores the mythology and origins of Blessed Elua and his seven angelic companions...
(April 2003) limited edition companion book
- 1 Kushiel's Dart
- Imriel Trilogy series
- 1 Kushiel's ScionKushiel's ScionKushiel's Scion is the 2006 novel by Jacqueline Carey, following on from the Kushiel's Legacy trilogy...
(June 2006) - 2 Kushiel's JusticeKushiel's JusticeKushiel's Justice is a novel by Jacqueline Carey. It is the sequel to Kushiel's Scion. Kushiel's Scion is itself the sequel to the Kushiel's Legacy Trilogy...
(June, 2007) - 3 Kushiel's MercyKushiel's MercyKushiel's Mercy is the final novel in Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey. It is the sequel to Kushiel's Justice. Kushiel's Justice follows Kushiel's Scion, which makes Kushiel's Mercy the sixth book in the series, or the third book in the series dubbed the Imriel Trilogy.-What Came Before:After...
(June, 2008)
- 1 Kushiel's Scion
- Phèdre Trilogy series
- Moirin Trilogy series
- 1 Naamah's Kiss (June, 2009)
- 2 Naamah’s Curse (June 2010)
- 3 Naamah’s Blessing (June 2011)
- Kushiel's Legacy
- The SunderingThe Sundering (series)-The Shapers:Haomane First-Born:The first of the Shapers and has become the leader of the Six in facing the Sunderer. He created the Ellylon, who are immortal except if killed by steel. His Gift is thought, for which he is named Lord-of-Thought. He gave this Gift only to Elyll and Man, making them...
series- 1 BanewreakerBanewreakerBanewreaker is a fantasy novel by Jacqueline Carey. It is Carey's fourth novel and the first in The Sundering duology. Banewreaker is set in Urulat, a world based on J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, and many of the plot points mirror The Lord of the Rings...
(November 2004) - 2 GodslayerGodslayerGodslayer is a fantasy novel by Jacqueline Carey. It continues the epic tragedy of The Sundering duology, begun in Banewreaker....
(August 2005)
- 1 Banewreaker
- Santa Olivia series
- 1 Santa OliviaSanta OliviaSanta Olivia is the first novel by Jacqueline Carey in a series that is continued by Saints Astray.-Plot summary:Set in a future dystopia United States, the town of Santa Olivia is effectively a desert war zone where people have no rights and legally no longer exist, with the town's name even being...
(May, 2009) - 2 Saints Astray (October, 2011)
- 1 Santa Olivia
Short stories
- "You and You Alone" in Songs of Love and Death (2010), edited by George RR Martin and Gardner DozoisGardner DozoisGardner Raymond Dozois is an American science fiction author and editor. He was editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine from 1984 to 2004...
- "In The Matter of Fallen Angels" in Elemental: The Tsunami Relief Anthology (2006), edited by Steven SavileSteven SavileSteven Savile is a British fantasy, horror and thriller writer, and editor living in Stockholm, Sweden...
and Alethea KontisAlethea KontisAlethea Kontis is an American author and editor living in Ashburn, Virginia. Her children's picture book, AlphaOops: The Day Z Went First was published by Candlewick Press in 2006, followed by H Is for Halloween in 2010. She shares credit for The Dark-Hunter Companion with Sherrilyn Kenyon, whose... - "The Isle of Women" in Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy (2004), edited by the Rev. Andrew GreeleyAndrew GreeleyFather Andrew M. Greeley is an Irish-American Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist and fiction writer....
- "Jazznight" in I-94: A Collection of Southwest Michigan Writers (1997), edited by Brett Van Ernst
Online archived short stories
- "The Peacock Boy,"in The ScrollThe ScrollThe Scroll may refer to:*School newspaper for The American School in London*Newspaper for Brigham Young University–Idaho...
(issue 4, 1995), edited by Thom O'Connor - "Actaeon," in The ScrollThe ScrollThe Scroll may refer to:*School newspaper for The American School in London*Newspaper for Brigham Young University–Idaho...
(issue 6, 1995) - "The Antedivulians," Prisoners of the Night No. 9 (1995)
- "In the City," in Quanta (1995), edited by Daniel K. Appelquist
- "Bludemagick," in InterText (issue #26, July–August 1995), edited by Jason SnellJason SnellJason Snell is a writer and editor whose professional career has been spent covering Apple Computer's Apple Macintosh computers and related technologies. He was also one of the early users of the Internet as a publishing medium, with several magazines and web sites to his credit...
- "What Bled Through the Wall," in Clique of the Tomb Beetle (1996)
Awards
- 2002 Locus Award for Best First NovelLocus Award for Best First NovelWinners of the Locus Award for Best First Novel, awarded by the Locus magazine. Awards presented in a given year are for works published in the previous calendar year....
for Kushiel's Dart - 2001 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Best Fantasy Novel for Kushiel's Dart
- Barnes & Noble, Top Ten Science Fiction & Fantasy of 2001 for Kushiel's Dart
- Amazon.com Editors, Top Ten Fantasy of 2001 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
External links
- The Official Jacqueline Carey Homepage
- House Montrève, a Jacqueline Carey & Kushiel Fansite
- Terre d' Ange – The official home of Jacqueline Carey fans on the internet
- Jacqueline Carey: Novel synopses, cover art, and reviews at Fantasy Literature.net
- Kushielverse – Terre d'Ange and Beyond, The world of Jacqueline Carey
Interviews
- Jacqueline Carey Writes Sexy Fantasy Because She's Creating a Land Where She'd Like to Live 2009 Interview with TheTorchOnline.com
- Interview with SFFWorld
- Interview on wotmania.com
- (2007) Three-Part, In-Depth Interview at WRITER UNBOXED, conducted by fantasy author Juliet Marillier.