- Paperback: 496 pages
- Publisher: Voyager; New Ed edition (3 Feb 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007133618
- ISBN-13: 978-0007133611
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 186,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In The Curse of Chalion Lois McMaster Bujold abandons her usual military space-opera for good reason; this is an emotionally powerful, inventively plotted novel which needs to be fantasy to work. Cazaril, betrayed by his enemies into a crippling two years in the galleys, returns to court a physical and emotional wreck: appointed secretary-tutor to the young princess Iselle, he finds himself in direct opposition to his powerful betrayers. His preparedness to make the ultimate sacrifice and save Iselle from an unwanted marriage to one of them by a death spell that will kill him also has unforeseen results; he learns the hard way that the gods have plans for him, ingenious and mischievous plans.
Bujold does charm very well--we share Cazaril's sheer joy at mentoring the bright snippy Iselle--and she is also good at physical and emotional pain--Cazaril's sense of himself as broken and worn-out is entirely convincing. This is also a fantasy which includes some inventive thinking about the nature of gods and the consequences of curses; there is a nasty-minded logic to almost everything that happens here. Bujold's fans will read it without recommendation; many readers who have resisted the Vorkosigan books will find this an attractive and intelligent fantasy. --Roz Kaveney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Fresh, intriguing, and as always from Lois McMaster Bujold, superb."
Robert Jordan, New York Times best selling author of The Wheel of Time Series
“Bujold continues to prove what marvels genius can create out of basic space operatics.”
Booklist
"This is one of the great ones."
Science Fiction Chronicle
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After some years in which she stuck to science fiction, Bujold has again brought out, in her words, "a fat fantasy." This one is set in an alternate late mediaeval Spain. Only in this world, there are multiple gods. Unlike many fantasies which include gods, The Curse of Chalion treats the gods seriously, exploring in some depth the relationship between the world of spirit and the world of matter, and specifically the kinds of events which would bring the two into contact. Rather than being cheap plot devices to bring about events which wouldn't be believable otherwise, Bujold's gods are real, with their own character and motivations. As such, this book provides a tantalising glimpse into Bujold's own theological thinking, a subject about which she is not otherwise forthcoming.
The protagonist, Cazaril, has had a tough life, culminating in a long stretch at the oars of a slave galley. When he is finally rescued, he makes for the castle where he had a happy period in his childhood, serving as a page. He hopes that the lady of the castle will remember him, and give him a nice, comfortable, safe position, where he can recuperate from his assorted physical and psychic injuries in peace. Of course, knowing Bujold, you just know that comfort, safety, and peace are the last things Cazaril is going to find. What we find in these pages is a new Bujold hero, every bit as worthy to carry on the tradition of her brilliant characters as Miles Vorkosigan and Leo Graf.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've never read any of Bujold's other work, but after _The Curse of Chalion_ I think I might. This is an absorbing, skillfully-woven tale of curses and consequences, told with succinct artistry in a single volume. (I gather more books set in this world are to come, but the story here is self-contained).
Having escaped the slavery that he was betrayed into, Cazaril returns home a broken man. He is appointed tutor to the spirited Royesse Iselle, whose fierce intelligence and infectious passion for life gives him back some of the joy he has lost, and a purpose - protecting her, whatever the cost to himself. Gradually, he becomes aware of a terrible curse afflicting the royal family, and determines to lift it.
The curse itself is a fascinating creation, one intimately bound up in the nature of the world Bujold has created. The gods are very much active forces, here, and consequences resonate through generations. Curse and story alike unfold in unexpected, occasionally shocking directions, resulting in a quite brilliant portrait of how desperation can warp even the strongest fidelity.
The characters are engaging and most are well-rounded, each bringing their own histories and secrets to the story, which unfold naturally with the narrative. Their pain - physical and emotional - is believable and affecting.
Even over 400 pages, the novel doesn't quite retain its momentum; the pacing is a little uneven and the ending a little unsatisfying (to me, at least). Nevertheless, this is a gripping and intriguing tale that I couldn't put down.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All to often fantasy novels deal with a group of stereotypical characters searching for some mystical item in a battle against evil.
Using some believable characters who do not easily fit the stereotypes, taking time to build up those characters to the point where the reader's imagination breathes life into them, and giving them a well thought-out world and theology to interact with, while telling a story that relies on intrigue and politic for its thrills - and thrills are plentiful - instead of swords and sorcery, Bujold has written a captivating book that was a true joy to read.
The stereotypes do creep in in the second half of the book, but never in a way that feels contrived. It is hard to recommend the Curse of Chalion enough. Unputdownable.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
LMB's thinks through the implications of the scenerios she creates
I do not understand reviewers who equate Chalion with mediaeval Spain and the Roknari with the Moors. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Anthony Dallimore
A well-rounded fantasy
ALL Cazaril wanted after he escaped the slave galleys of the Roknari was a simple job as scullion. Instead, his former patron makes him the tutor secretary to the Royesse... Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. Cantrell
Excellent, excellent!
Ms Bujold excels herself in this new series, The Curse of Chalion is a totally different genre from the famous Vorkosigan series but one Ms Bujold has made her own. Read more
Published 16 months ago by LouiseR
Best fantasy novel
She's my favourite author and this is her best book so far. Which is saying something as several of her other books are also in my top ten favourite books. Read more
Published 20 months ago by A. Jones
Amazing Book - Worth Reading
This book is, to be frank an excellent example of a good book. It is *astoundingly* well written especially in certain key locations, the characters have... well character. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2008 by J. Bradley
what a wonderful hero!
I think Cazaril is a real fresh break from the usual hot-headed heroine or rash young warrior who play major parts in most fantasies. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2007 by Sapphire fox
A gripping story in a fascinating world
From page one of this book I was gripped, and as events unfolded I found myself transported to a new world, that of the kingdom of Chalion. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2006 by Helen Hancox
Fantasy with a difference, set in a twisted Spain
Near historical or distorted historical stories have been some of the best of fantasy literature in the past twenty years; Mary Gentle's work, and Guy Gavriel Kay's, for... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2006 by Simon Brooke
The Curse of Chalion
This is a totally gripping read. From the first page the action begins and you are drawn into a new world which is perfectly drawn and completely believable. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2005 by M. Moore
When Gods Really Do Answer Prayers
Those who have become addicted to the antics and wry humor of Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan series will be somewhat surprised by this book, but not disappointed. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2004 by Patrick Shepherd
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