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The Curse of Chalion (Chalion #1)

by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author)

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 9,901 ratings · 721 reviews

"In a dazzling display of invention and storytelling, the incomparable Lois McMaster Bujold offers us the razor-keen edge of a very different sword...The Curse of Chalion

On the eve of the Daughter's Day -- the grand celebration that will honor the Lady of Spring, one of the five reigning deities -- a man broken in body and spirit makes his way slowly down the road to Valen...more "In a dazzling display of invention and storytelling, the incomparable Lois McMaster Bujold offers us the razor-keen edge of a very different sword...The Curse of Chalion

On the eve of the Daughter's Day -- the grand celebration that will honor the Lady of Spring, one of the five reigning deities -- a man broken in body and spirit makes his way slowly down the road to Valenda. A former courtier and soldier, Cazaril has survived indignity and horrific torture as a slave aboard an enemy galley. Now he seeks nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, in the noble household where he served as page in his youth.

But the gods have greater plans for this humbled man. Welcomed warmly, clothed and fed, he is named, to his great surprise, secretary tutor to the Royesse Iselle -- the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is destined to be the next ruler of the land. But the assignment must ultimately carry Cazaril to the one place he fears even more than the sea: to the royal court of Cardegoss, rife with intrigues and lethal treacheries.

In Cardegoss, the powerful enemies who once placed Cozoril in chains and bound him to a Roknori oar now occupy the most lofty positions in the realm, beneath only the Roya himself. Yet something for more sinister than their scheming hangs like a sword over the royal family: a curse of the blood that taints not only those who would rule, but those who stand in their circle. The life and future of both Iselle and her entire blighted House of Cholion lie in dire peril. The only recourse left to her loyal, damaged servant is the employment of the darkest and most forbidden of magics -- a choice that Willindelibly mark Cazaril as a tool of the miraculous ... and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.

Only Robert A. Heinlein has won more Hugo Awards for Best Novel than Lois McMaster Bujold, a singularly lauded author whose work has been compared to Jane Austen's. Now channeling her remarkable storytelling genius in an exciting new direction, she creates a riveting tale rich in atmosphere, magic, character, and consequence that twists and turns in unanticipated ways. Much more than simply the next eagerly awaited tour de force by Lois McMaster Bujold, "The Curse of Chalion is a stunning masterwork of fantastic invention that demonstrates the vast range of her astonishing tolents -- and elevates her into the pantheon of premier contemporary fantasists.(less)

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published August 1st 2001 by HarperCollins (first published January 1st 2001)

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Dec 30, 2011 mark monday rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantastickal

when i was younger, i was always confused by the moniker of "Adult Fantasy" (less used today, but more common decades ago). i assumed it meant Sexy Sextime and possibly Ultra-Violence, but that was never the case... what it ended up meaning to me was BORING, I Can't Finish This.

well now that i am clearly an adult, i get it. for example, Curse of Chalion. this is definitely an Adult Fantasy. it does not feature sex - if anything, it is rather pleasingly old-fashioned and discreet about sex. and i...more when i was younger, i was always confused by the moniker of "Adult Fantasy" (less used today, but more common decades ago). i assumed it meant Sexy Sextime and possibly Ultra-Violence, but that was never the case... what it ended up meaning to me was BORING, I Can't Finish This.

well now that i am clearly an adult, i get it. for example, Curse of Chalion. this is definitely an Adult Fantasy. it does not feature sex - if anything, it is rather pleasingly old-fashioned and discreet about sex. and it does not feature extreme violence - the violent moments are just that, 'moments', and there is no juvenile dwelling on the pornography of blood, guts, & pain (although there is definitely blood, guts, and pain in our protagonist's life).

Curse of Chalion is Adult Fantasy in a few ways.

first, it is all about the interior life and the slow-burning changes in a broken man. he is a man in constant turmoil - one who lives in fear due to his tormented past and the betrayals that haunt him, one whose path appears to be a slow, step-by-step attempt at staying under the radar while looking out for the interests of those he loves. Cazaril is a hero, but not an easy one. action is not his automatic response (and so when it does occur, it is genuinely thrilling). the reader will find little knee-jerk wish fulfillment in his carefully-considered feints & moves. he is one of the most thoughtful protagonists i've come across in Fantasy and a truly Grown Up, Adult Hero.

second, the pacing is very deliberate. this is not a novel where action jumps off the page in a big rush. it moves at a conservative pace, bringing the reader along on Cazaril's slow journey. it forces you into understanding what makes the man, why he acts the way he does, before finally picking up the pace and beginning Adventure Time - if you can even call such a thoughtful progression An Adventure. it seems almost purposefully designed to throw off the rather shallow needs of the thrill-seeking reader (and i include myself in that group). the book is thoughtful.

third, religion is front and center. there is magic in Curse of Chalion - Death Magic even - but it is linked entirely with the worship of 5 gods & goddesses. it is a painful sort of magic. it is a deep and rich and nuanced portrait of religion. i loved it. the novel's intense and nuanced focus on faith and spirituality was my favorite part of the experience.

and finally, it features the inclusion of a major supporting character who is queer. it did not feel arbitrary, the character is not there as some form of liberal tokenism, there was no stereotypical nonsense to annoy me, and the character and his actions are completely organic to the story - he is not shoe-horned into the narrative. as a queer, i really appreciate this sensitive, realistic, and exploitation-free approach.(less)

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Feb 15, 2012 Kay rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those thrown to the whims of fate

Shelves: all-time-favorites, fantasy, formidable-women, heroes-flawed-n-great, kings-queens-n-fools, touched-the-soul, la-españa, power-games

I hate reviewing books that I really like. It’s really freaking hard, especially when I don’t really have a systemic way to determine whether or not a book deserves a five star rating (i.e., the I-want-to-sing-and-gush rating).

So, I thought, what the hey. Let me start this review from the point in time when I first realized that this book was a WIN. And this particular review that was written by a mind that was blown starts out with a sob story:

Last week one morning, I woke up with my face feel...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I am myself surprised at how much I liked this book. Generally I prefer books that are plot driven. Now and then however a wonderful book comes along built on the characters within.This is definitely a character driven story.

There is about this story (much of the way) a melancholy feel of the inevitable doomed hero moving inexorably toward his fate... to go on here about whether said hero meets said fate and so on would constitute (of course) THE spoiler of all spoilers. Let me say however that...more I am myself surprised at how much I liked this book. Generally I prefer books that are plot driven. Now and then however a wonderful book comes along built on the characters within.This is definitely a character driven story.

There is about this story (much of the way) a melancholy feel of the inevitable doomed hero moving inexorably toward his fate... to go on here about whether said hero meets said fate and so on would constitute (of course) THE spoiler of all spoilers. Let me say however that I was drawn into Lupe dy Cazaril's saga from the first words of the book and never lost interest.

There are many reasons why readers are interested in books of any genre, fantasy books are no different. This is a complete world that we get acquainted with through story-telling. No long background speeches about how the world works, it's government etc. it all fits together as we go. The religion in the book is well done (and I'm a Christian. Allowing for the fact that this is a story, it to is fairly interesting). I found interest in the way it (and the magic system here is tied in to the religion and the gods involved.) effected the characters. The overarching sadness here, much of it from the weakness of the story's gods and the way things had to be worked out was very effective.

This was for me a very pleasing book and an enjoyable experience, and I plan to read the sequel(s). Highly recommended. One of my slightly unusual 5 stars.

(view spoiler)(less)

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Jan 04, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, epic-fantasy, male-lead

Really three and a half stars. A slow start for me, but sometimes good stories take a while to build, and by the end, I couldn't put it down.

There is an interesting mix of characters, somewhat archetypical but done well enough that they developed uniqueness. A feudal system, a failing monarch, an unscrupulous chancellor, a strong-minded but elderly female ruler, young heirs running wild, but all with twists that give them individuality. I do appreciate the hero, Cazaril, being developed more al...more

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Jun 15, 2008 Guy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction-and-fantasy

Funny thing: halfway through this book I found myself thinking about what it is that makes Bujold's writing so distinctive in the world of science fiction and fantasy (she's another one of these writers who straddles both worlds), and it suddenly came to me that she was like Jane Austen, interested most of all in people and their relationships in constraint-ridden societies. After finishing the book I glance idly at the "About the Author" blurb on the inside back jacket and it says that people o...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Andreea Daia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ab, high-fantasy, read-2011, literary, recommended, mystery, metaphysics-spirituality

I loved this book so much and for so many reasons that I wish there was a 6-star rating. I happened to listen to an audio version of this novel, but I am considering reading it too just to take it apart and analyze under the microscope the writing style. Why? Because Ms. Lois McMaster Bujold's technique is probably as close to artistry as modern writing gets!

Let me start by saying that I read several reviews (possible some of them were from Amazon) stating that the novel is too long and it shoul...more I loved this book so much and for so many reasons that I wish there was a 6-star rating. I happened to listen to an audio version of this novel, but I am considering reading it too just to take it apart and analyze under the microscope the writing style. Why? Because Ms. Lois McMaster Bujold's technique is probably as close to artistry as modern writing gets!

Let me start by saying that I read several reviews (possible some of them were from Amazon) stating that the novel is too long and it should have been edited down to at most 300 pages. I couldn't disagree more! I can't find reason to delete a single word from this book because every single detail, as meager as may be, is important for the course of action or building characters; and sometimes they are crucial in more than just one way. For instance most writers use recollection as a way of developing the characters. But for Ms. McMaster Bujold the past is not only a tactic for revealing personalities but also (and this is a mild spoiler) an intrinsic part of the mystery Lord Cazaril tries to solve. He would never have a chance against the curse if it wasn't for the past developments, which are sometimes educed deceivingly obscure.

Some other reviewers complained that the pace of the novel is too slow - but I don't believe that to be the case either. Yes, if you are looking for a book with twenty fights per hundred of pages and countless acts of instant-gratification magic, this is not the one for you. Even so - "The Curse of Chalion" isn't slow-paced but alertly introspective. It is through this inner analysis that we find its purpose.

And here I am, finally arriving to the main question: What is the purpose of this book? What is all about? It's most definitely not a wizardry book, although the word "magic" abounds in it. IMO, it could be seen as a mystery novel, a rather peculiar one since there is neither a dead body, nor a murderer, nor a detective per se. We deal instead with a few characters severely affected by a curse (the victims), a curse (the killer), and a tutor trying to solve the mystery and protect his pupil from being the next victim (the detective).

Yet, I believe that the whole murderer-detective story, donned in a fantasy attire, is just a pretext for the author's de facto mystery: her theological exploration. The Quintarian theology might seem as idiosyncratic, with its Bastard god maintaining the balance between the four established gods, but the questions Ms. McMaster Bujold raises are very universal to anyone who ever gave metaphysics any thought: free will, communicating with gods, destiny, miracles, etc.

And so it is that I believe this book is not about removing a curse, but about finding our place in the Universe.(less)

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Jun 13, 2011 Mackenzi rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes adventure with hints of romance and not TOO much fantasy magic

Shelves: favorite-books, me-n-mom-s-book-club, massive▲fantasy

This is the epitome of my personal experiences with "Don't judge a book by its cover."
I must have gotten this book from a relative or something because I would never have bought it on my own. I've had little to no experience in adventure fantasy before, and many of the covers are off-putting to me. But this book somehow found its way into my room years ago and I finally thought, whatever, I might as well read the summary.
To my insane surprise, it sounded very interesting. So I read it. It took...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 24, 2010 Lymsleia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Note: "The Curse of Chalion" is the first of three books set in the same world, an award-winning sequel and a prequel, but I've read none of the others. So, Chalion can be read as a standalone; it's that self-contained.

* "Five Gods, it really is you. My lord dy Cazaril. I bid you welcome to my house."

Cazaril, protagonist and sole (3rd person) narrator of the book, has nowhere to go when he returns to the royacy of Chalion. Once a page, a courtier, a captain, castle warder and courier, the intrig...more

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Nov 14, 2008 Lori (Hellian) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had previously tried to read this, but as it was right after a marathon of reading almost all the Miles books, I was gravely disappointed. I missed Miles, and this wasn't space opera either. Since many of my friends here have given it 4 or 5 stars, I figured it was time to try again. And I'm so very gladly I did!

This starts out at a slower pace, and it is a light read - nothing deep or complicated. And at once you can tell where this is going with the main tortured character - he will be lifte...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Julie Davis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Two readers I trust, Will Duquette and Amy H. Sturgis, have strongly recommended both this author and book. I certainly am glad they did, although if Goodreads allowed it I would give it 4-1/2 stars instead of the full 5, simply because I feel the ending was rushed as if the author was ready to get this situation done and the book sent out. I felt this especially in the case of the romantic resolution for the protagonist.

However, overall I really enjoyed this tale of a bedraggled, galley ship su...more Two readers I trust, Will Duquette and Amy H. Sturgis, have strongly recommended both this author and book. I certainly am glad they did, although if Goodreads allowed it I would give it 4-1/2 stars instead of the full 5, simply because I feel the ending was rushed as if the author was ready to get this situation done and the book sent out. I felt this especially in the case of the romantic resolution for the protagonist.

However, overall I really enjoyed this tale of a bedraggled, galley ship survivor who, despite his best efforts to the contrary, finds himself in the middle of royal intrigue. If that weren't enough, he is also pulled into the the affairs of the gods among men as a result and this complicates his life as one might imagine. This is a land of various gods and strong, dark magic. It is, however, also a land where free will matters in the outcome of events.

I must admit that about 5 or 6 chapters into it I almost put this book down, thinking it was much of a muchness with other such tales. Luckily, Amy H. Sturgis picked that moment to comment that this was one of her favorite books. I was not going to be the one who quit on her after that. I respect her too much. I'd read to the end and either be bored by it or love it for the entire thing. Just about then was actually when it got more interesting, so if you find yourself in similar straits, just keep going.

The Curse of Chalion reminded me strongly in some ways of Barbara Hambly's Sun Wolf trilogy, especially in the author's examination of a mature man humbled by events and forced to learn who he is below the surface. However, Curse is altogether more layered and interesting.

How much did I like it? I gave the book's name to both daughters yesterday with the comment that I'd be looking forward to discussing it with them. (And yes, Scott, you may as well beware too ... it will be coming to Good Story sometime soon I have a feeling.)

Will Duquette's review of the sequel, Paladin of Souls, included this comment, which works pretty well for this book also:

See, this is a fantasy series, but it's almost what you might call theological science fiction. That is to say, Bujold has invented a theology (a very interesting one, I might add) and a religion to go with it--and then, having set up the rules, she's seeing where they take her.

(less)

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Sep 05, 2007 Jamie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I really enjoyed this, and I'm moving right on to the next one, Paladin of Souls. I liked the understated magic, the intriguing religion, the quiet romance, the physically infirm hero, and always Bujold's touches of humor.

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Feb 11, 2009 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Jon by: Jamie

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, read-in-my-40s

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was my first taste of Lois McMaster Bujold and I will definitely be back for me. While the magic was very understated and there were no fantastic creatures or races to mark this as a fantasy, nonetheless it was a fantastic tale of dynastic misfortunes, political machinations and self-sacrificial secretaries.

Cazaril was the embodiment of a humble intelligent man seeking respite from his wearing and near fatal travels. We meet him on the road, walking back to Valendra, fondly remembered from...more This was my first taste of Lois McMaster Bujold and I will definitely be back for me. While the magic was very understated and there were no fantastic creatures or races to mark this as a fantasy, nonetheless it was a fantastic tale of dynastic misfortunes, political machinations and self-sacrificial secretaries.

Cazaril was the embodiment of a humble intelligent man seeking respite from his wearing and near fatal travels. We meet him on the road, walking back to Valendra, fondly remembered from his days there as a page. His hope is to be hired on as a lowly scullery, but fate or the gods, have much grander plans for Cazaril. The Provincara remembers him and assigns him to her granddaughter's household, Iselle.

Just as Cazaril is settling into his secretarial and stewardly dutes, the Roya Orico, rules of Chalion, bids Iselle and her brother, Teidez, his Heir, to attend him at his court in Cardegoss. They travel to the fortress Zangre, where they are wined and dined by the corrupt courtiers, especially the Chancellor dy Jiornal's son, Dondo. Eventually, much to the shock of Iselle, Orico forces a betrothal between Dondo and Iselle with a wedding to follow in just three days. Iselle rails against it, petitions heaven, fasts and determines she would rather die than wed the odious Dondo. Cazaril spends the last day before the wedding attempting to assisinate Dondo, but fails to get close enough. He decides instead to attempt death magic, which if successful, would result in the death of Dondo, but also of himself.

Since Cazaril awakens on the morning of the wedding, he assumes that his death magic has been unsuccessful. He returns to his rooms, where he remains due to an unexplained sickness which weakens him almost to insensibility. He is rudely awakened by the Chancellor, dragging the Roya Orico in his wake, and demanding to see Cazaril, whom he is convinced murdered his son by death magic. Since Cazaril is alive, he obviously couldn't have been the murdered. From this day forth, Cazaril can see strange auras around various people - a black clinging shadow to Orico, his wife Sara, Teidez and Iselle; a white aura around the menagarie keeper, Umgaut; a green order around a midwife of the Holy Mother's Order; and the foggy gray remnants of forgotten ghosts in the fortress.

After seeing the white aura around Umgaut, Cazaril discusses his predicament and learns that he has become a "saint" of the gods, specifically the Daughter and the Bastard. His illness is a tumor created by the Daughter, encapsulating the soul of Dondo and the demon the Bastard sent to retrieve Dondo's soul. It continues to grow, slowing, and every night Cazaril hears the screams of Dondo around the time when the death magic occurred, shortly before midnight.

In order to thwart the next move by the Chancellor to further squander Iselle's marriage prospects, she orders Cazaril to journey in secret to Ibra to propose a marriage contract with the Fox's heir, Borgan. She proposes that they be equals in each domain and that their heir shall inherit the empire of Chalion-Ibra. The journey is long and arduous, but Cazaril's wit, cleverness and intelligence wins him through. He negotiates the treaty and returns, again as secretly as possible, with Borgan to Valendra, hoping to outfox the Chancellor's spies and army.

Within a day's ride of Valendra, they encounter the army of the Chancellor, but also receive word that Iselle has escaped to her uncle's fortress nearby. Cazaril and Bergan arrive safely, and Iselle and Borgan are married a few days before Daughter's Day. Unfortunately, the curse of Chalion not only remains after the consummation of the marriage but has spread to Bergan. Cazaril is chagrined and distraught.

There is not much time to ponder this predicament before the Chancellor invades the Daughter's Day ceremonies with the intention of widowing Iselle. He is distracted when he sees Cazaril and proceeds to skewer him in revenge for his son. He succeeds only in piercing the tumor, releasing the demon, which takes not only Dondo's soul, but the Chancellor's as well. Cazaril's soul is also caught up in the vortex.

Just as he did when performing the death magic, Cazaril submits completely to the will of the gods, in this case the Daughter, allowing her to enter the world through his death and remove the curse of Chalion. In return, the Daughter return's Cazaril's soul to his body, allowing him to live again, having tied twice in the service of the gods and Chalion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and felt the morals of self-sacrifice, humility and submission were well thought and told. Cazaril's very human struggle, his doubts and his ultimate release of will reminded me of the saying "Let go and Let God" which is much harder to do than it sounds. (less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Althea Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a great book!
It reminded me to put everything by Bujold that I haven't read on my wishlist!
Engaging characters meet an action-filled plot with tons of plotting and intrigue. I have to admit that this kind of "castle intrigue" is definitely one of my favorite genres of novels. I'd very much recommend this to fans of George R.R. Martin and Guy Gavriel Kay.

My edition came with blurbs from Robert Jordan & Dennis McKiernan, and an ad for the latest Weis & Hickman - all of which, I must a...more

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Jun 24, 2010 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Whoa. So, I don't know if it's because of the character or the guy reading the book, but Cazaril is played by Russell Crowe in my mind, which made this SO MUCH BETTER. Other than that, I loved this book because it was never what I thought it was. I'm sure that makes no sense, but I mean that the focus kept shifting. Is it a well-worn epic of a soldier trying to make it in court society? Yes, but only partially. Is it a novel of court intrigue? Yes, but go deeper. Does it have a really interestin...more

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Mar 31, 2009 Kat Hooper rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, audiobook

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Lois McMaster Bujold has long been esteemed in the science fiction genre, so I expected great things from The Curse of Chalion, and I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed. This is an excellent piece of work! Bujold's story is completely fresh, and the world-building and magic system are unique, too. I was hooked from page one and it proceeds at a pleasant pace with plenty of surprises and plot twists. Characterization is deep and somehow Bujold mad...more ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Lois McMaster Bujold has long been esteemed in the science fiction genre, so I expected great things from The Curse of Chalion, and I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed. This is an excellent piece of work! Bujold's story is completely fresh, and the world-building and magic system are unique, too. I was hooked from page one and it proceeds at a pleasant pace with plenty of surprises and plot twists. Characterization is deep and somehow Bujold made me really like the main character, Cazaril, right from the start, even though he is not the type of hero I thought I preferred (see FanLit for the lurid details of that). As a psychologist, I especially appreciate how the characters realistically maintained their natural personalities throughout the story while maturing (or becoming more immature) as they grew from their experiences.

And, so importantly, The Curse of Chalion is beautifully written. I tend to be very critical about the writing style. But Bujold's writing is perfect. I'd like to especially mention the dialogue, which I think is so hard for an author to get just right. Some authors make their characters so annoyingly quick-witted and perfect in speech that it's completely unbelievable. Bujold's characters pause, hem and haw, and say "um" just like I do. And they occasionally have conversations that provide a dry comic relief (I laughed out loud many times).

I read part of this book in print, and I listened to part of it on audiobook. There are many ways an audiobook reader can ruin a book, but I was, as usual, impressed with this Blackstone Audio production. Lloyd James is an excellent reader who has a nice voice and uses different voices and speaking styles for each character. It is very easy to follow and pleasant to listen to. I highly recommend this format for Curse of Chalion.

Curse of Chalion is the first in a series of books which are set in the same world and have some of the same characters, but which can be read independently. So, Curse can stand alone if you like, but I think you'll want to go on to Paladin of Souls because it's highly decorated (many awards) and it tells a story which you'll want to hear after reading Curse.

Read more Lois McMaster Bujold book reviews at Fantasy literature. (less)

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Jul 14, 2008 Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As I read this book, I couldn't help but draw parallels with it to a non-fiction book I read recently called "Dogs of God," about the Spanish Reconquista in the 1490s.

There exists a young, pious but pragmatic princess of a landlocked high-medieval Hispanic nation, living in a remote countryside retreat. Her younger brother desperately wants to become King, but his immaturity and impatience leads him to make disastrous decisions and eventually take his life. The princess's older half-brother is t...more As I read this book, I couldn't help but draw parallels with it to a non-fiction book I read recently called "Dogs of God," about the Spanish Reconquista in the 1490s.

There exists a young, pious but pragmatic princess of a landlocked high-medieval Hispanic nation, living in a remote countryside retreat. Her younger brother desperately wants to become King, but his immaturity and impatience leads him to make disastrous decisions and eventually take his life. The princess's older half-brother is the king of this nation, and stubbornly persists on trying to marry off the princess to undesirable (to her) suitors. The clever princess protects her own future by conducting secret marriage negotiations with the heir of a neighboring kingdom, who must be smuggled across the border for fear of violence from the crown. Though each partner in this marriage will retain rule of their separate nations, their heirs will inherit both their kingdoms as a united empire, poised to strike at quarreling foreign princedoms in one direction and a strong, united maritime kingdom in another.

In reality, this story is that of Queen Isabella I of Castile, the young, rash brother Alfonso, the older half-brother King Enqrique IV in Toledo, the countryside retreat is Segovia, the marriage is to King Ferdinand II of Aragon, the foreign princedoms are the last remaining Muslim states of al-Andalus, the maritime kingdom is neighboring Portugal, and the united nation is what will eventually become Spain.

In Bujold's book, the princess is Iselle, the young brother is Teidez, the half-brother is Orico in Cardegoss, the retreat is Valenda, the marriage is to Bergon of Ibra, the foreign princedoms the Roknari states, the neighboring kingdom is Brajar, and the empire Chalion-Ibra. These parallels are obvious, noting both the similarity in some of the names, and also the map of Chalion, whose outlines are almost exact copies of the Iberian states of Aragon, Catalonia, al-Andalus, and Portugal, only turned upside down.

The book is much more than simply a retelling of Isabella and Ferdinand, however. The main character is the secretary-tutor of the young princess, a cynical and grizzled war veteran who must lead her household safely through the political minefields of the Machiavellian capital. The book also deals with a "quintarian" pantheon of Gods (a unique hierarchy of Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, and Bastard), along with a type of black death magic, soul-stealing demons, shining auras, and lost souls. The author has constructed a very vivid and fantastical world which served well to support her large story.

The writing did seem a bit clunky at times (the last two chapters were unbearably sappy as it ended with a corny goodbye to all the characters like some sitcom series finale). The plot had a few holes, some developments could be seen coming a mile away, and the climax had WAY too much "deus ex machina" to it. The best aspect of the book was its richly drawn central characters: Cazaril (the tutor), Iselle, and her loyal attendant Betriz. Each seemed well put-together, full of life, and realistic. The story was better when it was a setpiece for these interesting people put in dangerous situations than when it was anything else. All in all a decent fantasy story, but not my favorite.
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Nov 18, 2007 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sff-fantasy

I must admit I am guilty of typecasting Ms. Bujold. I am a hardcore and dedicated fan of her Vorkosigan series so I was a bit skeptical about this new, non-Miles book. I had a weird sense of displacement as I began to read it. It took a chapter or two to stop it, but I couldn't help trying to find Miles somewhere in there.

Miles isn't there but the elegant writing and exquisite prose that are a hallmark of Ms. Bujold most certainly are. While the plot of this book is not groundbreaking or even pa...more

8 likes · like · see review

Oct 22, 2007 Irfon-kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

The strength of this story is in is characters, who are incredibly well fleshed-out, strikingly human, very believable, and more often than not quite likeable. Also a huge plus are that despite a standard patriarchal fantasy world, the novel contains a number of intelligent, active, well-portrayed female characters who exist and work of their own right rather than acting as props or foils for the male characters.

The story itself is interesting and has good momentum and a few interesting twists,...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 19, 2009 Eh?Eh! rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: babble-added, weep

This is a book I can pick up over and over again. It never gets old...how did she do it? Reasons I love this series:

1. The religion has 5 deities: Daughter, Mother, Son, Father, and Bastard. The Bastard! How great is that? They each have their special areas of godliness but the Bastard is like the thumb, able to touch and balance all the others. In a way, the Bastard is the most powerful. Yeah! (Note: Me being tickled by there being a Bastard god does not mean I am a bastard*)

2. She writes so th...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2008 Jenne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A nice way to start off the new year--the first book I finished in 2008 turns out to be, I think, a perfect genre novel.

And it's not as easy to write one of those as you might think. You have to give your readers some of the conventions of the genre, because that's usually why they're reading it in the first place. You also have to make it seem fresh, not just a tired rehash of whatever came before.

This book has all the stuff you look for in a political-intrigue-type fantasy (princesses, dark ma...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2007 David Dashifen Kees rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who like fantasy, especially politics and theology.

Shelves: fantasy, alt-theology, male-protagonist, medieval, political

This was a pretty solid book. My wife and I mistakenly picked up book two of this three-book (so far) set and it was some time before we got this one. I was pleasantly surprised, not having read a book by Lois McMaster Bujold in the past.

The main character, Cazaril, is delightfully sarcastic and, in some ways, reminded me of John Falstaff of Shakespearian fame. His disdain for his own station and the true exposition and exploration of his emotions surrounding the ordeals of his life are painsta...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Sandra aka Sleo rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, fantasy

Revised from 3 down to 2. I really like her scifi a LOT better. I found the hero too good to be true - I mean almost a parody of a hero at times. The world is the tired old medieval-cum-fantasy world, the story fairy tale like with what you know is going to be a happy ending - therefore no suspense, of COURSE Cazarel is not going to die for Pete's sake. Fortunately all threads are tied up so I do not feel any compulsion to continue.

In fairness, it may have had a lot to do with the narrator, Llo...more

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Feb 11, 2008 Radical Rutabaga rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are few books labeled "fantasy" that I enjoy: too many smug elves that live off of the ether and never have to take the garbage out or pull thorns out of their little green-tinged feet. However, since Lois McMaster Bujold is such an all-around fabulous writer, I figured I'd try this one even though there are no space ships involved.

It's good. Trust me.

Bujold manages the common problems of invented worlds with impressive grace: her world is unmistakably not ours, and yet we are not overwh...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 11, 2008 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

QUOTES [both from p. 339]:

“To paraphrase an old Chinese saying, mystics understand the roots of the Tao but not its branches; scientists understand its branches but not its roots. Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science; but men and women need both.”

“In mysticism, knowledge cannot be separated from a certain way of life which becomes its living manifestation. To acquire mystical knowledge means to undergo a transformation; one could even say that the knowledge is the...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 06, 2009 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fantasy novels are my literary junk food. I love them when they are well written and not just rehashes of Tolkien. This one is excellent. Very well drawn characters, many of them women.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 09, 2008 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved Curse of Chalion. Once I got sucked into the story I couldn't put the book down. I would love to write a true review but I don't want to spoil the story for anyone else.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 27, 2010 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century-postwar-to-late, fiction, fantasy-and-scifi

If I fail my French test this week, I'll know who to hold responsible, LOIS!*

(At certain moments, I'm on a first name basis with everyone.)

5 likes · like · see review

Oct 27, 2007 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who likes fantasy or Bujold

Shelves: fantasy

As usual, her writing is superior. Her main character isn't perfect, he has flaws, but not flaws that make you dislike him. Her religion is fascinating, and her world is interesting. Rather than borrowing from real life, she creates her own titles (Royse for prince, Royesse for princess, etc.). Her story is gripping, and you aren't sure of the outcome until very near the end. The main character is likeable as are the supporting characters. The villain is despicable, and very easy to hate.

Typica...more

1 like · like · see review

May 11, 2013 Fayley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, fantasy, swords, character-driven

A rare fantasy book that is a real book - not a set up for the next 10 books! Like all of Lois McMaster Bujold's books, this is character driven with like able but imperfect characters, and the political observations are spot on. The religious culture is well thought out and interesting, and the relationships and conversations are all possible and believable in the context. One of the reasons I love nearly all her books is that I never feel like yelling at the main characters telling them that t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 10, 2012 Beth Cato rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: in, 2010, fantasy, chalion, series

There are mere fantasy novels, and then there are works of art. This is both. I had never read Bujold's work before, though I've heard a lot about her. This book has made me a convert to her writing.[return][return]The protagonist of the story is Cazaril, a man broken and battered by life's cruelty. A spiteful lord arranged for him to be sold into slavery, and by whim Cazaril survived. He returns to the land of his youth, looking far older than his age and scarred mentally and physically. This i...more

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About Lois McMaster Bujold

One of the most respected writers in the field of speculative fiction, Lois McMaster Bujold burst on to the scene in 1986 with Shards of Honor, the first of her tremendously popular Vorkosigan Saga novels. She has received numerous accolades and prizes, including two Nebula Awards for Best Novel (Falling Free and Paladin of Souls), four Hugo Awards for Best Novel (Paladin of Souls, The Vor Game, B...more

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Quotes from The Curse of Chalion

“The gods' most savage curses come upon us as answers to our own prayers. Prayer is a dangerous business.” — 37 people liked it

“Ignorance is not stupidity, but it might as well be. And I do not like feeling stupid.” — 31 people liked it

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