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

Lois McMaster Bujold

Start date: August 1, 2013

Finish date: August 31, 2013

Discussion: 2013 Reads

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2013 Reads

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What Members Thought

Jul 18, 2015 Silvana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: series-and-trilogies-i-completed, fyeahfantasy, kindle-google, reading-with-friends, female-nonbinary-authors, mine-mine-mine, z-sff-2017-female-challenge

A broken man, former celebrated soldier-cum-slave - but wait, he's not seeking revenge - came to his childhood's place only to serve his old master and spend his days withering away, but instead was forced to dive headlong to a dangerously complicated court life with a dark curse hanging over his charge like the sword of Damocles. Oh and there was this world where they worshiped, among others, a God of Death - the Bastard - who also cared for orphans and the undesirables.

Why yes, the protagonis ...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Charlotte rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookskype

_The Curse of Chalion_ is a classically good fantasy novel. It takes on many familiar tropes, such as the traitorous adviser and rebellious princess. Through the use of an unconventional protagonist and a unique, well-developed religious system is makes them all fresh again.

Cazaril begins the story an aging, broken man returning home after betrayal and slavery. He takes what is supposed to be an undemanding job of secretary to a princess but is soon thrust into the thick of court politics. Cazar _The Curse of Chalion_ is a classically good fantasy novel. It takes on many familiar tropes, such as the traitorous adviser and rebellious princess. Through the use of an unconventional protagonist and a unique, well-developed religious system is makes them all fresh again.

Cazaril begins the story an aging, broken man returning home after betrayal and slavery. He takes what is supposed to be an undemanding job of secretary to a princess but is soon thrust into the thick of court politics. Cazaril's fear and sense of his own weakness made him an unusual and sympathetic main character and his unwavering honor and courage made him an admirable one. More than anything else, this book was about his recovery and that aspect made the rest of the plot, including the court intrigue, much more personal. Bujold focuses very closely on Cazaril and the rest of the characters are not near as well developed. Even those, though, were appealing and unique.

_The Curse of Chalion_ is set in an alternate version of 15th century Spain and even includes a number of historic events in the plot. I believe that adds to the convincingness of the world but what I was most intrigued by was the religious system. Bujold sets the story in a low-magic world and the five gods (the Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, and Bastard) are the source of much of the society's structure and of all the supernatural happenings. The actions of these gods leads to a plot that unfolds with the same precision and inevitability as a Greek tragedy. Through these gods, Bujold also was able to address ideas such as free-will and the relationship between the human and the godly. It is all very well incorporated into the plot so that even when local mystic lectures Cazaril on some aspect of theology it seems both natural and interesting.

I only had a couple of complaints with the novel. The ending was too tidy and happy and Cazaril ended up with some cringe-worth, out-of-character dialogue. There were also a couple of points where I did not feel that Cazaril's physical capability fit with some of the feats he was able to accomplish. Nevertheless, this book is going on the list of fantasy novels I recommend to friends and Bujold on my list of authors to follow. ...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Jocelyn No rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, reread

Really interesting book that's mostly about theology. The last page always makes me teary-eyed. If everyone knew the gods existed, had proof of it, how holy would we be? ...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Jason rated it really liked it

This should really be 4.5 stars. I can't give it 5 stars because it took a while to get started (about 100 pages) and I struggled to adjust to Ms. Bujold's righting style -> an almost complete shift from Larry Niven in Ringworld.

However, I loved this book and this story and the characters.

Without getting too "spoilery", I loved loved the fact that it had a happy ending. ...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Joby Walker rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

A good character driven story. The second half of the story felt a bit railroaded but then it is Caz's personal journey that is important not the events or quest. The wrap up at the end is a bit long and sacharine, but forgivable. ...more

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