Customer Reviews

The Curse of Chalion

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are wondering about whether to buy it because it isn't SF and it isn't Miles, stop wondering--buy it now. The Curse of Challion is head and shoulders above Bujold's other fantasy novel, Spirit Ring. The Curse of Challion is well worth the price in hardcover. This is the best book Lois McMaster Bujold has written in several years. Unlike some SF/fantasy authors (Anthony, Norton, McCaffrey), her writing continues to improve with experience.

The Curse of Challion is more realistic than most fantasies. Her world-building has matured greatly since she started the Vorkosian series. And Bujold did a much better job of including a god as a character than David Weber did in his most recent fantasy, The War God's Own.

This book will earn Bujold a Hugo nomination, and she just might win. I read dozens of books a year, mostly Fantasy and Science Fiction. This is the best book I've read this year. Heinlein was my favorite author and this book is as good as anything he ever wrote. Plot, characterization, pace, dialog--all are terrific. Although dark in places, The Curse of Challion is ultimately uplifting.

Cazaril is a much different hero than Miles Vorkosian. Where Miles is young and incredibly irrepressible, Cazaril is old and more cautious. The mapcap early adventures of Vorkosian/Naismith, while vastly entertaining, are much less realistic than the plot in this book.

Although the first in a series, the book ends happily without any significant loose ends. The entire book is deftly woven together--all the threads come together very satisfyingly at the end. My only complaint about the Curse of Challion is that the promised sequel is not yet in print.

There are a few things I have come to expect from Lois McMaster Bujold:
1. Intelligent and atypical main characters
2. Excellent world-building
3. Da*n good storytelling
4. Original ideas
The Curse of the Chalion did not disappoint me one iota on any count.

Since the Editorial review does such a good job of summing up the plot, I'll forego that part in my review here. Fans of the author's SF series may be a little apprehensive about Bujold's foray into Fantasy; let me reassure them right now that they shouldn't be. Although her only previous Fantasy effort, The Spirit Ring, was a little below her usual level of excellence, TCOTC shows none of TSR's hesitant plotting. The story forges ahead fully confident and daring.

In keeping with what you might expect from an author who earned her stripes for @ 20 years in SF, the fantasy world of TCOTC has underpinnings of logic and a natural order to stabilize the magical flourishes. This is a universe in which magic is a power much like gunpowder: the common folk may know about it, could theoretically get their hands on it and use it, but rarely have the desire to considering the well-known risks and consequences. Rather than being used as a device to solve plot problems or dazzle the reader, magic is left to the Gods...except by the foolish who just insist on making life a little too interesting for everybody else.

The central character, Cazaril, is far and away the scene stealer in this book however. A brilliant minor nobleman who was betrayed four years ago into foreign slavery, he returns destitute to his birth land looking for a place to belong. It becomes obvious to everybody that his honor and wisdom are not to be underestimated, particularly when a few political enemies make that very mistake. Underdogs that rise and outshine the proud are a particular specialty of Bujold's; if Cazaril seems a little familiar to us longtime readers, remember that we wouldn't have our heroes any other way.

Curse of the Chalion is a marvelous introduction to this new fantasy universe; it had that gripping, can't-put-down quality somewhere after the first few chapters. I now look forward to the next outing into this fascinating landscape of swordsmanship, intrigue and theological musings. In all, a brilliant read.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Lois McMaster Bujold has been my absolute favorite sci-fi author since I found her first book way back in 1986. With the publication of 'Curse of Chalion' she has also become my favorite fantasy writer. She's created a character in Cazaril who is more than 'everyman' and even more than 'Hero'. Bujold has basically created a fantasy wrapped in a mystery peopled by conundrums. It twists, it turns, it mystifies! Heck, in the end, it even makes sense! But best of all...it satisfies the soul, even while you still mull over some of the actions of the characters even after the cover snaps shut.

The world of Chalion is a wonderful land created less out of fairy tale and more from Spanish-influenced history. Bloody, yes, but also bloody brilliant. The best I've read all year, without any doubt. For many of the same reasons I love her Miles Vorkosigan series (humor, heart, action & adventure, etc..) I also love 'Curse of Chalion'. But there are other reasons to love this novel all on its own. Her characters breathe; her world is whole unto itself; and this story can stand alone and be great even if the author chooses never to visit here again. But I'm really hoping that she will, sometimes at least. :)

As usual Lois Bujold's latest book, "The Curse of Chalion" is tightly plotted and beautifully and sympathetically written, with believeable three-dimensional characters. It is a fantasy, set in an area not unlike 15th Century Spain, but with a very different theology. It is written from one point of view, that of Cazaril, sometime page, sometime soldier, sometime commander of a besieged castle, and, most recently, sometime galley slave. Like all her heroes he has the ability to play the hand he has been dealt - and to make wry observations, to himself and others, about it. A short review should not risk spoiling the plot for readers, but I shall tantalise with one most Bujoldian quote:- "...utterly indifferent to wealth." "No, I'm not," Cazaril assured him earnestly, "I just dress badly. I quite like wealth."

This book is a wonderful story, featuring a new fantasy world and peopled with new characters. Usually I prefer the author's Vorkosigan novels -- but this book was great! The protagonist, Cazaril returns destitute to Valenda, in rags and injured after escaping as a galley slave due to betrayal. He is given a position as tutor to the princess Istelle and her companion Betriz. The intrigues, strategies, and divine intervention make a lively and interesting story. But this story has more than a good plot. Unlike a run of the mill sword and sorcery, here the characters are richly developed and the story is laced with humor. Parts of the book are very funny indeed. I read much of this book while stuck in an airport. I couldn't stop chortling, even though my fellow delayed passengers were giving me some strange looks. Buy this book! You won't regret it, it is a keeper!

I was a little reluctant to read anything by Lois McMaster Bujold that didn't have Miles Vorkosigan in it (if you haven't read this series, you must), but decided to give her a chance. Wow.

Ex-soldier Cazaril seeks nothing but the lowest possible job to live out the rest of his prematurely aged life. Instead, he becomes tutor and secretary to a young princess. The royal family has been cursed and is slowly failing as the legal ruler abdicates all of his responsibilities to a corrupt Chancellor. Somehow, Cazaril must keep his charge alive and find a way to break the ancient curse.

The best thing about any Bujold novel is the characters and she certainly doesn't disapoint here. Cazaril, in particular, is finely drawn and emotionally compelling. In THE CURSE OF CHALION, Bujold adds powerful world-building. I found the religion, legends, and history of her fantasy world completely compelling.

Unlike a slash and march adventure, THE CURSE is remarkable for its intelligence. Cazaril might not be at his physical peak, but he uses is intelligence and a ton of faith to change his world.

Another Bujold winner--fabulous.

BooksForABuck

Lois McMaster Bujold has demonstrated a talent in her many books for having middle-aged characters fall in love ("Shards of Honor", "Falling Free", "A Civil Campaign"). She's also well-known for creating damaged - but not broken - heroes and heroines who pull victory from the jaws of defeat at the last moment. These talents have held her in good stead in her Miles Vorkosigan science fiction series, but they perhaps even serve her better in "The Curse of Chalion", Bujold's second fantasy novel.

Her protagonist, far from being another Miles Vorkosigan, actually reminds me a bit of a cross between Brother Cadfael from Ellis Peters' series of the same name and her avuncular spymaster Simon Illian from the Vorkosigan novels - a kindly, frustrated teacher with a worldly past who follows his cause to and past the point of selflessness. This character is definitely unique, though he shares the same spark of and for life that so many of her other characters have.

The story is one of unexpected boons and dangers, familiar danger (from within and without), intrigue, love and trust. Her world is better put together than many multi-novel series I have read and her religion system is surprisingly well thought out. The narrative is strung together surprisingly well and weaves to a wonderfully well-choreographed ending.

I really can't recommend this novel enough. It's got the political and social cohesion of a George R. R. Martin novel, the heart of an Orson Scott Card novel and the humanity of, well, a Bujold novel. It is, however, it's own unique entity and stands quite well on it's own merits. If you're a Bujold fan that's skittish of her non-Vorkosigan Saga stuff, I definitely recommend giving this a shot. If you're a fantasy fan that's a little wary of reading fantasy from a science fiction author, I also recommend trying it. I recommend this to everyone, really, but I am hard-pressed to think of other types of readers that would need cajoling to read it. "The Curse of Chalion" is simply the best fantasy novel I have read this year. While I look forward to more from the Miles Vorkosigan universe, I hope she returns to this one someday as well.

Award-winning science-fiction author Lois McMaster Bujold turns her pen to the fantasy genre, with breathtaking results. Lord Cazaril has been in turn courier, courtier, castle-warder, and captain; now he is but a crippled ex-galley slave making his way across a countryside reminiscent of Renaissance Spain, hoping to beg a warm hearth and a scullion's position from the noble patroness of his youth. But Fortune's wheel continues to turn for Cazaril, and he finds himself in short order promoted to the exalted-and dangerous-position of secretary-tutor to the Iselle, the beautiful, fiery sister of the heir to Chalion's throne. Amidst the decaying splendor and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient fortress capital, Cazaril encounters both old enemies and surprising allies, as he seeks to lift the curse of misfortune that clings to the royal family of Chalion, and to all who come too close to them. While the novel can - and should - be appreciated as a rousing tale of romance and adventure, Bujold deftly weaves sophisticated speculation on the nature of free will and destiny in the guise of an intriguing mythology, underpinned by a constant subtle evocation of potent symbolic archetypes. Chalion is a beautifully constructed world, both warmly familiar and achingly distant; it breaths hints of shores yet unseen, stories yet to be told, without burdening the reader with a weary litany of exotic names and historical background. Supernatural power and events are carefully derived from the intrinsic nature of the world, displaying the simple inevitability of a chemical reaction - with consequences just as devastating. Bujold, justly celebrated for her complex characterization, excels in her portrayal of the observant, sardonic, devoted Cazaril, and provides him with a rich and appealing cast of supporting characters. She avoids the twin temptations of making her heroes too nobly pure or her villains too blackly malevolent, allowing even the smallest character to emerge as recognizably human. For, with all the her grand canvas of nations and gods and fates, it is humanity - in all its shame and glory - that Bujold celebrates, and readers will be swept along to rejoice in their own. Very possibly a masterpiece.

Her second fantasy novel (after The Spirit Ring), this book is imaginative and tightly written. As we've come to expect from Bujold, the characters are sympathetic and full of wit. The protagonist is particularly engaging, even if he dresses badly!

The worldbuilding is superb. The details on religion are novel and thought-provoking. And best of all, all the details come together in a brilliant piece of work that will keep you up all night.

Although I love the Vorkosigan series, I sincerely hope Ms. Bujold returns to Chalion for more.

A slow start, but it still held my interest due to the characterization and how well written it is. Not really a sword and sorcery fantasy tale, and not a grand epic(I mean that in a good way- it's a more personal tale and it is wrapped up very completely in this novel). The protagonist, Cazaril, is an interesting and complex character, but definitely not an invicible warrior. I empathized with Caz throughout his journey, and enjoyed the philosophical and theological struggles that accompany his many challenges.
If you've liked other books by this author, you'll probably like this one a lot. A better tale than her prior fantasy novel "The Spirit Ring", imho.
Fun, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.