The Curse of Chalion

by
Lois McMaster Bujold

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The Curse of Chalion (Chalion #1)

by Lois McMaster Bujold, Lloyd James (Read by)

4.13 · rating details · 5,012 ratings · 460 reviews

Lord Cazaril has been in turn courtier, castle-warder, and captain; now he is but a crippled ex-galley slave seeking nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, the noble patroness of his youth. But Cazaril finds himself promoted to the exalted and dangerous position of tutor to Iselle, the beautiful, fiery sister of the heir to Chalion's thro...more

Compact Disc, Unabridged - 15 CDs / 17.9 hours, 0 pages

Published June 1st 2004 by Blackstone Audiobooks (first published January 1st 2001)

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Dec 30, 2011

mark monday rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantastika

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 dis...morewhen 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 - a little spoiler here - there is definitely blood, guts, and pain in our protagonist's life... in spades).

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 - on a rather personal note - 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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Oct 13, 2011

Mike (the Paladin) rated it

· 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 ...moreI 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

· 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 devel...more

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Jun 15, 2008

Guy rated it

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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 th...more

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Jan 25, 2009

Zachary marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of Guy Gavriel Kay and other masters of stand-alone fantasy

Shelves: fantasy, re-read

Almost halfway through this book, I stopped reading and realized that nothing had actually happened yet. No major conflict had appeared, very little real background had been established, and the "curse of Chalion" still hadn't been mentioned. But I had managed to devour those pages in a few short hours and remained hungry to know what happened next. Why? Because I was completely seduced by the main character - a scrawny, sickly, self-deprecating man approaching middle age. This is the ...more

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Jun 13, 2011

Mackenzi rated it

· review of another edition

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. S...more

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Nov 14, 2008

Lori rated it

· 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 w...more

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Nov 13, 2011

Andreea Daia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, high-fantasy, read-2011, literary, recommended, mystery

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 ...moreI 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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Sep 05, 2007

Jamie rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-traditional

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

· 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 ...moreThis 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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Jun 24, 2010

Jen rated it

· 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 in...more

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Jul 14, 2008

Ryan rated it

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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 o...moreAs 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.
(less)

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Nov 18, 2007

Tina rated it

· 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 groundbreakin...more

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Oct 22, 2007

Irfon-kim rated it

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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 interestin...more

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Oct 19, 2009

Eh?Eh! rated it

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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...more

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Jan 01, 2008

Jenne rated it

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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 fa...more

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Sep 24, 2007

Dashifen rated it

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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 l...more

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Jun 13, 2011

Sandra aka Sleo rated it

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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 ...more

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Feb 11, 2008

Radical Rutabaga rated it

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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 unmistakab...more

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Jan 11, 2008

Donna rated it

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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 sa...more

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Feb 06, 2009

Ellen rated it

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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.

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Dec 09, 2008

Melissa rated it

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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.

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Sep 27, 2010

Kelly rated it

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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.)

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Oct 27, 2007

Roberta rated it

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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. ...more

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Nov 28, 2011

Kay Iscah rated it

· review of another edition

Over all this book gets an A. I'm not sure it's something I want to reread, but it was solid, kept me guessing, left me satisfied. There's a religious aspect of the book, which is....interesting. It's a fairly well developed religion, which manages to be fresh but not hard to swallow. It even has sects that disagree with each other. Part of it echos Christianity very well, even to the point of being insightful, but then it dramatically divulges...which as a fantasy is good but as a metaphor...more

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Oct 30, 2011

Elf M. rated it

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The Curse of Chalion is, understandably, not Lois McMaster Bujold's most popular work. The book is certainly not her best work; she is far too habituated to science fiction, and phrases from that genre keep creeping into her language. The one that leapt out at me most was "emotionally toxic," which while apt for the scene seemed out of place in Extruded Fantasy Product.

It is undoubtably some of the best Extruded Fantasy Product I've read in a while. And I have been refamil...more

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Oct 15, 2011

Yvonne rated it

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Shelves: fantasy

Although this was in the sci-fi section in the local book store it has nothing to do with science and everything to do with fantasy. It depends heavily of magic and miracles and other kinds of supernatural events. The main character changes a great deal over the course of the story. The ending is satisfying.

I sometimes grew impatient with the slow pace of the book and the often contradictory actions of the characters. The protagonist has a dark secret that should have cost him his lif...more

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Oct 13, 2011

Brenda Clough rated it

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A truly superb fantasy novel! To a world vaguely similar to 15th century Spain, Bujold has added a totally original religious system, a complete theology, a teeming cast of gripping characters, and some of the finest set pieces you could ever wish for. The depth of the world and story is just a pleasure to see -- she is a writer's writer.

The story follows Cazaril, a minor official in the kingdom of Chalion, as he rises from street-vagrancy to responsibility and love. Hairpin turns o...more

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Sep 18, 2011

Tim rated it

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Shelves: fantasy

The first half of the book was incredibly boring. There were maybe 5 pages there were interesting. Normally I would have given up on book by page 100 if it wasn't grabbing me, but this book came so highly recommended and I have loved other books by this author. It wasn't just that nothing happened, it was also poor writing. I will paraphrase one little bit because I don't want to go look up the exact quote: "I spent a year gathering evidence of the crimes and tomorrow I present it to ev...more

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Sep 10, 2011

John rated it

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The Curse of Chalion

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Eos, 442 pages, hardback, 2001

Bujold is of course extremely well known for her science
fiction: her mantelpiece must groan under the weight of all those
Hugos. Yet this particular reader — and it's perhaps an
embarrassing confession — has always had deep reservations
about her sf novels. They have seemed to be no more than
enjoyable light entertainment: books to be picked up and read
quickly, mildly enjoy...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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Books by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Warrior's Apprentice (Vorkosigan Saga, #3)

Cordelia's Honor (Vorkosigan Saga, #1-2; Vorkosigan Omnibus, #1)

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“The gods' most savage curses come upon us as answers to our own prayers. Prayer is a dangerous business.” — 21 people liked it

“I need words that mean more than they mean, words not just with height and width, but depth and weight and, and other dimensions that I cannot even name.” — 14 people liked it

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