The Curse of Chalion (Paperback)

Typical of many fantasy works, the imagined world is one of a feudal society, with technology appropriate to the Middle Ages, and deals almost entirely with the trials and tribulations of its aristocracy. But odd sidelights are shown on the working class folks, as we learn the details Lupe dy Cazaril experiences. A minor lord who was betrayed into slavery, we open the book with Caz, now a physically broken man, penniless, walks back to the only place he can think of that might offer him at least some sort of job, the castle at Valenda. Fate here is a little kinder, as he is given the job of tutor to royesse Iselle, sister to the heir of Chalion, and her lady in waiting Betriz, a job well suited to his current physical condition, requiring only quick wits and getting his charges to respect him. But this post leads Caz into the deep waters of court intrigue when the two girls and the fourteen-year old heir are called to the royal court of Cardegoss.

For the first 150 pages, there is very little magic, nothing to separate this world from the mundane, except one instance of 'death magic', an item that is attempted only rarely, as, when successful, it invariably kills the practitioner as well as the desired target. But when Iselle is promised to Dondo, brother of the Lord Chancellor, whom she decidedly despises, Caz attempts this magic himself, as the only way he sees to protect her. The fallout from this forms the main basis of the plot, complete with mystery, action, and an unraveling of a curse that exposes the much nearer relationship of the gods of this world to its inhabitants than is seen in our world. The invented religion shown here is one of the main points of departure from our own, and is inventive, believable, and inextricably tied to the plot action.

Caz is a true man of honor, as we are shown in incident after incident. This is one of the appeals of most fantasy works, as heroes are common coin, not relegated to the trashbin of other literary forms, and makes for interesting, uplifting reading. Iselle and Betriz are originally shown as typical teenage girls, flighty and irresponsible, but they show a sudden change to much more mature individuals after Iselle's bethrothal, a change I found a little difficult to believe due to its rapidity. But as adult characters they show steel, inventiveness, recognition of those true to them, characteristics of proper heroines. The minor characters are interesting and in many cases given a fair amount of development, leading to a very satisfactory intertwining of motivations, treachery, and incident. The romance that develops between Caz and Betritz is predictable, but well handled.

Most of the humor that suffuses her Miles books is missing here, and perhaps this book would have been a little better if more of it had been present. But as it is this is a satisfying read, with characters you can empathize with, and just enough touch of different, of things not as they are in our world, to whet your appetite for more words about this world.

Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

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.

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.