The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1) in Beyond Reality

Mar 25, 2013 Bradley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, 2016-shelf, worldbuilding-sf

The first time I read this, I was torn between my respect for Bujold and the slow burning plot of this first fantasy I had ever read by her. It didn't hurt that it was nominated for the Hugo, as she had been nominated over and over, winning several for her classic SF series, but I was like, "What? Fantasy? But she's so excellent with SF, why switch?" And then when I started reading it, there were none of the fast-paced elements or larger than life characters that I expected.

In fact, other than t The first time I read this, I was torn between my respect for Bujold and the slow burning plot of this first fantasy I had ever read by her. It didn't hurt that it was nominated for the Hugo, as she had been nominated over and over, winning several for her classic SF series, but I was like, "What? Fantasy? But she's so excellent with SF, why switch?" And then when I started reading it, there were none of the fast-paced elements or larger than life characters that I expected.

In fact, other than the fact that Cazaril was a broken man like Miles, he was pretty much Miles's opposite. Steadfast, principled, not attention seeking, reflective, Cazaril is the definition of Loyalty To Another, self-effacing willing to sacrifice himself for a much greater good.

The house of Chalion is under a curse, after all, and even after Noble Cazaril's capture and having been turned into a slave, his subsequent escape, and reinsertion into his natural household, he's still a conflicted and broken man in body and in spirit. All he really has to hope for is supporting his liege-woman.

This is NOT an action fantasy. Indeed, it's nearly spiritual in all the divine revelations. There isn't much magic, but don't worry, the true delight is in the messes that the Five Gods make of the world. The Bastard's death magic is particularly harrowing, and it happens to have the largest role and plot significance in the novel.

The other fantastically creative part of this novel is it's devotion to characterization. Bujold has always been a master at this, and while this particular novel seems to be a large departure from what we have known, we get through it feeling as if every character is as real as our own loved ones, we handle and are horrified by all the political intrigues and machinations, doing our absolute and not-quite-sufficient best.

I feel a lot of sympathetic love for Cazaril and the characters that he loves. Being broken is not the end. It's difficult and painful and horrible, but even in his darkest despair, he still managed to keep being wise, even in his (several) self-sacrifices?

How many main characters can you say that about? That the plot wasn't driven by a main character's stupidity? Exactly. This is SUBVERSION OF THE FANTASY TROPE. :) lol

This is a methodical and expertly-paced fantasy, but don't expect it to be flying. It's very careful.

But... the rewards are truly awesome. :) ...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Soo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, audiobook

Read Again 2018-09-14, Mix of Audiobook & Print

Updated Rating from 4 to 5 Stars, Added to Favorite List

Mini-Review:

LMB is one of my favorite authors. It didn't take much to decide that I want to revisit this book, share thoughts about it with some friends and dive into the series. I read this book years ago and haven't read the rest. I remember that I enjoyed the story but little else. I'm glad I got the random nudge to read it again because it was great!

Bujold has a way of making damaged heroe ...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Jasmine M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I'm a big fan of Bujold, her Vorkosigan series is what I always escape to when I feel down or have just read an annoying book, even though I don't particularly like sci-fi, I remember saying, that I believe I'd love a fantasy book written by her and someone referred me to her Chalion series, but I was a bit reluctant and waited almost two years before cracking this one open, and let me tell you, it was like falling in the rabbit hole and finding myself in Wonderland, I was hooked from page one, I'm a big fan of Bujold, her Vorkosigan series is what I always escape to when I feel down or have just read an annoying book, even though I don't particularly like sci-fi, I remember saying, that I believe I'd love a fantasy book written by her and someone referred me to her Chalion series, but I was a bit reluctant and waited almost two years before cracking this one open, and let me tell you, it was like falling in the rabbit hole and finding myself in Wonderland, I was hooked from page one, the sheer beauty of her writing was what caught me in the beginning, and very early in the book it was worming itself into a slot in my top favorite books of all time (No. 3 to be exact)

What's interesting about this book and every Bujold book, is that it has some kind of an undercurrent, a hidden message, an idea trying to creep its way into your subconscious, I've learned to look for those, (The Warrior's Apprentice) was the first book that made me realize and afterword's I was consciously looking for them, I even gave them a name "Bujold's Hidden Gems"

So naturally I was looking for one of these in this book and I was almost disappointed when I didn't find it at first, and the next morning after staying very late the night before to finish it, I sat with my sister who have read it before and told her of my problem, then started explaining to her what I liked best in the book and then it hit me, right there hiding in plain sight was Gazaril, my hidden gem was with me from the first to the last page, the protagonist who was the reason I kept reading none stop, the reason I stayed late at night reading, was right there waiting for me to notice him, well, I admit…it was my fault for not paying attention, I was looking for an undercurrent, remember? But once I started to think of the center of the story, the pillar that held it all, the thing that brought everything together into the conclusion of the story, very beautifully and excellently portrayed, you cannot find a fault, it all becomes clear, I just can't believe how this book didn't win that Hugo, I'll make a point of seeking the winner then, I'd like to read the book that "outdid" the Curse of Chalion.

Am I overreacting? exaggerating? Maybe, but I still feel privileged to have read this wonderful book
...more

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