Cassiel's Servant: Kushiel's Legacy #4    by Jacqueline Carey Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2023 (2023) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Cassiel's Servant tells the first story (Kushiel's Dart) in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series from a fresh perspective, that of Cassiline warrior-priest Joscelin, who loved Phèdre nó Delaunay, and shared her adventures in and beyond the realm of Terre d'Ange. Phèdre was sold as a four-year-old into indentured servitude. She was trained in the arts of a courtesan and educated in the teachings of Blessed Elua, an angel born of the tears of the Magdalene and the blood of the Messiah. Elua's precept, the basis of D'Angeline beliefs, is 'Love as thou wilt.' When the mote in her eye was recognized as the mark of Kushiel, poet/spymaster Anafiel Delaunay bought Phèdre's bond and continued her education. She was a very rare anguissette, one who takes pleasure in pain. Delaunay sent her into a society as his spy and hired Joscelin to protect her. Sworn to celibacy, Joscelin disapproved of Phèdre and of how she did her work for Delaunay. When they were betrayed by Melisande Shahrizai into slavery in barbarian Skaldia, it was Phèdre's turn to use her skills to protect Joscelin. Very gradually, his feelings for her changed as they learned to care for and trust each other. Series fans will know how the arc of the story flows as Phèdre and Joscelin save Terre d'Ange from a Skaldian invasion and win the favor of young Queen Ysandre, but it is fascinating to see how this ill-starred romance develops from Joscelin's point of view. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews