Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series, the first trilogy comprised of Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar. It's like a mix of alt. history/fantasy. It's not really alt. history, it's just the geography is the same as Europe and many of the nations draw from history, myths, and so on. For example, Germany is Skaldia, British isles are Alba and Eire, Spain is Aragonia, etc. The first book is set in Terre d'Ange (where France would be in our world).
The main character, Phedre no Delaunay, is a courtesan-spy, but to focus on this would give you a skewed view of what it's about. The book is fairly epic and as the books progress, Phedre matures and the world view expands (book 2 introduces the Caerdicca Unitas - Italy - and book 3 goes even farther). Phedre has a very distinct voice - books are first person - and I think you'll find her a very sympathetic and engaging character. Carey creates a very detailed and rich world, and it only gets better.
The only warning - well, two - I would give is that Terre d'Ange was founded by Elua and his motto is love as thou wilt. So, all bisexuals there. Another is that Phedre derives pleasure from pain. This unique ability enables her to get into places that her fellow spy cannot, but there are some scenes.
I highly recommend this series, though.
The main character, Phedre no Delaunay, is a courtesan-spy, but to focus on this would give you a skewed view of what it's about. The book is fairly epic and as the books progress, Phedre matures and the world view expands (book 2 introduces the Caerdicca Unitas - Italy - and book 3 goes even farther). Phedre has a very distinct voice - books are first person - and I think you'll find her a very sympathetic and engaging character. Carey creates a very detailed and rich world, and it only gets better.
The only warning - well, two - I would give is that Terre d'Ange was founded by Elua and his motto is love as thou wilt. So, all bisexuals there. Another is that Phedre derives pleasure from pain. This unique ability enables her to get into places that her fellow spy cannot, but there are some scenes.
I highly recommend this series, though.