Series: World of the Five Gods by Lois McMaster Bujold ("The Curse of Chalion")

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Update! This is now the World of Five Gods buddy read starting with Curse of Chalion and progressing in an orderly fashion onward.

Please remember to use spoiler tags, book title, and chapters so that folks can follow along :)

(original message) We're doing a buddy read to overwhelm Ariana sort of off the cuff here, but I know this is some of y'alls GOAT series, so chime in even if you're not physically reading it!

[Anna]

I will most likely start tomorrow, unless I start today. I'm finally going to read this! This has been the most bestest year for getting things off my long-term TBR.

(I'm hoping for GOAT, but I've read so many books with goats lately, I could do without.)

[Margaret]

Coincidentally, I just reread this in the past couple of days.

I don't recall any goats. Mules, yes. ;)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

lololol XD

I hope you'll poke in and talk with us, Margaret! I am also looking to start tomorrow.

[Trike]

I read this for the first time within the past couple years. I don’t know about GOAT status, but it is damn good, one of those books which lives up to its reputation.

[Anthony]

I won’t start till tomorrow either. I need more short stories as a palate cleanser today after completing the epic, enveloping, deeply moving Tigana experience I just had.

[Trike]

Oh, and as for trigger warnings — I don’t recall it being graphic with violence, rape, etc., but it *is* a medieval fantasy with evil bad guys doing vicious, brutal things and all that entails.

[Ariana]

I am starting this NOW, so I will finally not be behind on a buddy read. I figure there's not that much difference between a 2-week-late and a 3-week late necropost for the others in my queue.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Trike wrote: "Oh, and as for trigger warnings — I don’t recall it being graphic with violence, rape, etc., but it *is* a medieval fantasy with evil bad guys doing vicious, brutal things and all that entails."

Cool, thanks, Trike! I really can't stress enough how helpful it is to have my expectations set. I get so much more enjoyment out of books this way.

lol, Ariana! Yeah, the dead are really forgiving like that, just patiently waiting for us to come nudge 'em back to life. Great co-workers.

Anthony, glad you could fit this into your schedule!

[Travis]

WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING TO ME?

Lol. I really, really, really want to read this book, but I think this thread will just have to be something I resurrect from the dead sometime in the future.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING TO ME?

Lol. I really, really, really want to read this book, but I think this thread will just have to be something I resurrect from the dead sometime in the future."

mwahaha!

Sounds good, though! I will be very curious to hear what you think whenever you think it!

[Anna]

I hadn't realized that Chalion and the rest of the trilogy isn't narrated by Grover Gardner, like the Penric novellas. No matter, I'm still listening to the audio, the narrator(s) better be as good! (Yes, obviously I'm going to listen to all three in a row.)

[David]

Anna wrote: "I hadn't realized that Chalion and the rest of the trilogy isn't narrated by Grover Gardner, like the Penric novellas. No matter, I'm still listening to the audio, the narrator(s) b..."

Chalion and Paladin of Souls are connected and I guess you could call them a duology of sorts, but The Hallowed Hunt is really more of a standalone with little connection to the other two apart from the world and the gods (hence the name of the series).

The Penric & Desdemona stories are great. I hope you all like this enough to go on and read those too :)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Nice!!

[Anthony]

Read chapter 1. I had been a little worried about reading another medieval-style fantasy so soon after being blown away by Tigana, but refreshingly the tone of the writing feels distinctive, and the decisive centering on only one man’s point of view is also vastly different from Gavriel Kay’s approach.

I may have mentioned that this is my first reading of anything by Bujold, and so far I’m impressed by her clear, concise prose. There is a welcome sense of unfolding taking place in the story, some mystery, and a sense of things hinted at, the significance of which I look forward to discovering.

[Bree]

Hoping to rescue this one from the local library shelves in the next few days...

[Anna]

I'm a bit into chapter three, listening at 1x speed for the first time in a long time to really be able to enjoy the story. It feels veeery slow, but it also suits the pace of the book. Anyway, having read the Penric novellas, I was able to drop into this world immediately. Not that there is anything very confusing going on, but it's nice to already be familiar with the five gods and temple divines, etc. I love Bujold's worldbuilding, and how she introduces her characters. I really get to know them gradually, it's not just bouncing from one thing to the next. Of course the best thing is the very subtle humor that lurks between the lines.

I'm so happy for this impromptu buddy read! I knew I'd love this book/series, but it's taken me forever to get to it.

[Anthony]

Read chapter 2. I don’t read blurbs or descriptions, so I have zero idea of what sort of story is unfolding, or what to expect. I just know people really love Bujold’s writing (all them Hugos!) and I can see why. There’s a delightful clarity and humanity so far.

(view spoiler)[I also think it’s really interesting to tell the story of a man who’s been deeply broken by what he’s experienced but is putting the pieces of his life back together. I feel for him already, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s to come. (hide spoiler)]

[Bobby]

I really want to join this one, but I've got a book I'm reading right now, plus two I'm about to pick up from the library today. I'll see if I can squeeze it in after I finish my current read.

[Anthony]

Read chapter 3. Bujold’s dialogue is really sparky and delightful. I’m very much enjoying this.

@Bobby join when you can, we will be here!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I'm liking this very much. Just finished Ch. 2.

(view spoiler)[ I remember from the other Bujold I read that she made very likable characters. I'm hoping this stays a bit more "linear" in that I remain their friend throughout the book! Agree, Anthony, I really feel how at sea he still is, both mentally and metaphorically. I like that I'm interested in the politics already, too. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

I think I'm in chapter 6 (stupid Storytel doesn't have chapter breaks in their audiobooks), and hit a tiny bit of a personal snag. Nothing major, but once again those who don't enjoy reading anything about things done to animals, be ready for it. I don't know if I've somehow managed to become even more sensitive to this, or have I just picked all the wrong books lately?

I also haven't read the blurb at all, so I have no idea where this is going, but that's fine, I'm enjoying the ride (for the most part).

[Anthony]

Did it involve a fox? I love foxes and that was upsetting to me. That was in chapter 4 though.

[Anna]

That was upsetting to me too, but the chapter 6 one isn't foxes.

edit: And it is chapter 6, I just started chapter 7 so it's confirmed.

[Anthony]

Wow, chapter 5. (view spoiler)[Such a harrowing sharing of his time aboard the galley. Written with incredible restraint and sensitivity. I continue to be deeply impressed with Bujold’s skillful navigating of delicate and rich dialogue scenes. (hide spoiler)]

[Wen]

Anthony wrote: "Did it involve a fox? I love foxes and that was upsetting to me. That was in chapter 4 though."

I haven't started reading the book yet... But I just want to say I love foxes too(Fennec fox the most:)

[Anna]

I also love foxes, especially Shuos Ninefoxes!

This is not at all off topic, don't even try Allison! There's a novella in the Penric series called Penric's Fox, so we're totally discussing the World of the Five Gods!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I was not even going to attempt yelling at you about foxes.

I like life, thanks!

[Anthony]

Just finished chapter 7. I haven’t read much fiction that details court life, and I feel like she’s been doing a really fantastically credible job of it.

[David]

Anna wrote: "Nothing major, but once again those who don't enjoy reading anything about things done to animals, be ready for it. I don't know if I've somehow managed to become even more sensitive to this, or have I just picked all the wrong books lately?"

Content warning (spoiler): (view spoiler)[people who don't want to hear about things happening to animals might have a bigger problem later. Sorry. (hide spoiler)]

[Anthony]

Just finished chapter 9. (view spoiler)[I’m enjoying very much the tightening of the tension between Cazaril and Dondo. It’s nice to have the story anchored by someone who’s a formidable, moral person who keenly recognizes dangers and threats and who is also still coming back to himself after suffering severe trauma. He’s a very compelling character. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

Thanks for the warning David, I'll try to be ready for it. If someone who is further along can give me a heads up which chapter it's in, that would be appreciated. (I'm starting chapter 10 later today.)

[Brenda]

This is one of the great fantasy novels of all time. (It won a boatload of awards.) Is there anyone who doesn't love Caz?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Brenda wrote: "This is one of the great fantasy novels of all time. (It won a boatload of awards.) Is there anyone who doesn't love Caz?"

Caz just said something that made me go "wait, does Bujold know my dad??" lol So yes, right now I love Caz!

[David]

Anna wrote: "Thanks for the warning David, I'll try to be ready for it. If someone who is further along can give me a heads up which chapter it's in, that would be appreciated. (I'm starting chapter 10 later to..."

(view spoiler)[Chapter 17. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

Thanks again David!

[Christopher]

I absolutely loved this novel, read it for the first time earlier this year and have already read the first two novellas as well. I picked up Paladin of Souls at a used book store over the summer too, but haven’t started it yet, I’d definitely join a buddy read of that should one start up after this.

[Anna]

Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[ Oh yes! A tiny hell in his stomach? This is great! (hide spoiler)]

[Anthony]

@Anna that’s a very funny way to refer to it, but it seems accurate! (I just started chapter 14 so I know what you’re referring to.)

[Anthony]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[I very much appreciate how Bujold is able to create female characters who are resourceful and intelligent and and able to navigate a landscape that is so very much stacked against them.

I’m also very curious to see where this Chosen One status of Cazaril will lead him... (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I've finished Chapter 6, you all read much faster than me or the narrator of this book!

(view spoiler)[ I'm liking it. It feels very "Downton Abbey" to me so far, substitute the butler for a former galley slave and gentleman and war-Era England for pseudo-medieval uh...England. Caz is a great, kind person, even if I grumble at how he looks at people almost half his age, and more importantly, very young-seeming. I'm telling myself it's because that's the age he was when his world was taken from him, and so he naturally wants to rebuild where he remembers leaving off. I really wanted to give him a hug after he told Pally about his experiences. I hope he gets some peace!! That's likely not quite how this story goes, though, huh? (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

I read this one a long time ago. Apparently the audiobook is on the Romance Package. Which makes no sense to me but I'll take it. Snagged a copy & gonna listen to it. I don't think I ever read the other books in this series.

Book 2 of this series is available on Kindle Unlimited. *nudge nudge* If anyone wants to continue the series. =D

[Bobby]

I will start today! I'm excited because I've heard great things about Bujold, and have been wanting to read something by her for a while.

[Anthony]

@Soo I’m definitely interested in reading the continuing stories in this series, but it’ll have to go on the back burner for me for a while. I have tons of other books lined up...

[Anthony]

@Allison I hear you re England. (view spoiler)[I actually read that Bujold was inspired by Spanish court history. Other than the Spanish-seeming names I wonder how closely aspects of the story adhere to Spanish history. (hide spoiler)]

[Ariana]

Ch. 9: milch cow!

[Jemppu]

Anthony wrote: "@Allison I hear you re England. [spoilers removed]"

Dangit, you two! I am getting too intrigued!


Edit: wow, judging by the preview, the audiobook of this sounds *awful*. At least the version on iTunes by Audible (couldn't find it on Google Play).

[Anna]

Ariana wrote: "Ch. 9: milch cow!"

Haha! :D

Jemppu wrote: "judging by the preview, the audiobook of this sounds *awful*."

I think the narration is fine, but to answer Allison's original question, I think this might be better read with your eyes. Some of the names annoy me, because I don't know the spelling. I can tell people apart, but I like seeing the names/terms at least once. I looked up some of the names here. It says first thing that there will be spoilers, so beware. I only looked at the leftmost column to find some of the names that have been bothering me.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

lolol @ milch cow. I'm so looking forward to meeting the new one!

And yeah...the narration is okay. I did have to read the wiki to figure out who these people are, and there's a lot of spluttering that takes away from my broody impression of Cazaril, and probably is increasing my impression that this is a British-inspired country lol.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Also, Soo, it's too early for me to decide if I want to continue, but if I do, I might be able to do so in a week or two? I think I'm caught up after Tigana, and Ammonite.