Wetdryvac reviewed The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Review of 'The Curse of Chalion' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Well, that was a grimness I somehow wasn't expecting, but very well done indeed.
paperback, 416 pages
Published Jan. 31, 2003 by Harpercollins Pub Ltd.
Well, that was a grimness I somehow wasn't expecting, but very well done indeed.
4.0 stars
This book didn't overcome me with strong emotions that I sobbed or love the characters so much it makes my heart ache. But there's such a satisfaction in a book that does exactly what it needs to do and is so well-constructed. This is like the quintessential Good Fantasy Novel. Bonus points for actually having interesting things to say about religion and faith.
As usual, Bujold's characters and situations are wonderfully created and get to you in a progressive and solid manner. I just love the way she writes.
Exceptional!
I was already sold on Bujold after Shards of Honor, but this sealed it. Cazaril is a wonderful character, but more importantly this book is a case study in escalating the plot. Even divine intervention never felt forced but fit in neatly with where Bujold was taking the story.
Very elegant and gentle writing. However, she knows how to pluck those heartstrings somewhat fierce ;-)
One thing I didn't like, and that was because it was repetative from the Vorkosigan saga: The stomach/belly problems for the main character. Miles had something like that as well. It is sloppy writing to reuse that idea.
The book was a delight to read. The take on religion as a kind of magic well worked out.
A very good book by the author of the Vorkosigan saga. It's a fresh, new universe and Bujold does an excellent job of not explaining too much. The societal structure and, most importantly, the theology of this world are revealed throughout the entire book.
Theology and broken people are the focus of this book. The hero, Cazaril, is a broken man at the start of the book and through his ponderings we learn about the gods of this realm and the role they play in the society. Especially towards the end I felt the explanations were a bit vague, but this didn't hurt my overall impression of the book, which was very good.
I'm a huge fan of the Verkosigan series. Chalion doesn't hold me in its thrall to the same degree. It's still well written, fast paced, and often funny. I think that it's not as often funny. The protagonist is as smart, honorable, and competent as Cordelia Verkosigan. Perhaps my reservations are due to the gods? This world has 5 of them, and they meddle in the lives of mortals quite a bit. That messes with a plot a bit, to my mind.