55. Jacqueline Carey - Kushiel's Avatar

In this stunning conclusion of the Kushiel Trilogy, it is 10 years after Phedre no Delaunay and her consort Joscelin defeated Melisande and her attempt to overthrow the House Courcel from the throne of Terre-Ange. However, Melisande is still living in La Serimessia under the protection of the cult of Asheron-By-Sea and her son, now third in line to the throne has gone missing. Phedre is summoned by Melisande, seeking her aid in finding her son. Even though her betrayal by Melisande still burns deep, Phedre agrees to the mission for the sake of the innocent child and also for the key that Melisande claims to hold that may free her friend, Hyacinthe, from his curse as Master of the Straits. What would seem a simple case of kidnapping takes Phedre and Jocelin not only across the continent, but to the dire and evil kingdom of Drujan and then to the ancient kingdoms in Africa, in order to find not only the boy but the legendary Name of God.

This book was just incredible. I fell in love with the characters in the first book and Carey kept her standards up when she wrote this one. I highly recommend this trilogy to anybody who would enjoy a good fantasy novel with a strong female protaganist and some eroticism thrown in.