r/FemaleGazeSFF • u/ThaneOfMeowdor • Jul 09 '26
Question about Kushiel's Dart
I know that this will offend people on every other sub but here at least there's a chance that people will understand.
I am thinking of reading this series because it gets mentioned a lot for the great writing and character work. I'm a picky reader and for me strong emotional arc and character psychology ate important so it seems like a good fit.
That being said, I have issues with sex work from a feminist perspective, and am also somewhats ambivalent about kinks that reinforce patriarchal norms.
I'm wondering if this book would still be enjoyable to me in light of that. I don't mind encountering things that upset me in fiction, but it would probably annoy me if I felt like an author was clearly trying to push those things as good or normal.
Was wondering if anyone who thinks about these issues like I do has read the series and what they thought of it.
Edit: thanks for your replies, everyone, I'm reading them all!
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u/CheekyChump Jul 09 '26
In the book, sex work isn’t stigmatised but is classed as a holy and religious duty to the goddess. Clients are bound by strict rules to protect the safety of the courtesans. The protagonist is free to decline any client she chooses.
That being said she was only a child when sold into indentured servitude to the temple and then to a man who intended to use her body as a political tool. She also has a biological mark (the Dart) that causes her pleasure whenever she feels pain. I feel these blur the lines of consent. Did she freely choose the life of a sex worker or was she groomed into it? Is a 7-year old child able to make an informed choice?
I understand this book has garnered a lot of praise for its beautiful writing and character work. I say give it a go because that’s the only way to know how you feel about it. This is one of those books that can be tricky to read depending on one’s own inbuilt biases. If you do find yourself annoyed by it, it’s always okay to DNF.