Arwen Spicer's Blog: Diary of a Readerly Writer (and Writerly Reader) - Posts Tagged "fantasy"

The Curse of Chalion (2001) by Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the best fantasy novels I’ve read in a long time, though the first half is stronger than the second. The novel closely follows its single point-of-view character, the minor lord and battered veteran, Cazaril, as he navigates a cutthroat world of court politics, with some magical assistance. Returning from war and imprisonment as a galley slave, Cazaril wants nothing more than a modest sinecure where he can live out his life in obscurity. But this is not to be, as he soon finds himself employed as a tutor for the Royesse (Princess) Iselle, who stands only a couple of relations away from inheriting the kingdom. When Iselle is summoned to court, Cazaril finds himself enmeshed in court intrigue made more malign by a curse that taints Iselle’s royal family. He must use all his wits and courage to help steer Iselle and the kingdom to safety.

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