The Curse of Chalion

No cover — Lois McMaster Bujold: The Curse of Chalion (2004, Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media)

502 pages

English language

Published Jan. 29, 2004 by Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media.

ISBN:: 978-0-606-29782-0
OCLC Number:: 149193744

(2 reviews)

A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is as assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions. but it is more than the traitorous intrigues of villains that threaten Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle here, for a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge -- an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a …

A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is as assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions. but it is more than the traitorous intrigues of villains that threaten Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle here, for a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge -- an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous ... and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death.

14 editions

Kadomi reviewed The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold

Review of 'The Curse of Chalion' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I enjoyed this fantasy novel, though it didn't knock me off my socks. If you dig stories mostly dealing with political intrigue with a smidge of fantasy religion, this might be right down your alley.

Our protagonist is Cazaril who returns to his homeland Chalion a broken man after being betrayed after battle to serve as a slave on the galleys of the Roknari. He returns to the castle where he served as a page in his youth where people are astonished to find out he's still alive. Elevated to the position of secretary for the young princess Iselle, they soon move to the capital of Chalion where they are swept up in the intrigues of the people who betrayed Cazaril. Furthermore, Cazaril finds out there is a dark curse over the royal line of Chalion, and it is up to him to find a means to break this curse. …

I enjoyed this fantasy novel, though it didn't knock me off my socks. If you dig stories mostly dealing with political intrigue with a smidge of fantasy religion, this might be right down your alley.

Our protagonist is Cazaril who returns to his homeland Chalion a broken man after being betrayed after battle to serve as a slave on the galleys of the Roknari. He returns to the castle where he served as a page in his youth where people are astonished to find out he's still alive. Elevated to the position of secretary for the young princess Iselle, they soon move to the capital of Chalion where they are swept up in the intrigues of the people who betrayed Cazaril. Furthermore, Cazaril finds out there is a dark curse over the royal line of Chalion, and it is up to him to find a means to break this curse.

I generally enjoy political intrigues in fantasy novels, and so this was quite interesting to read. But throughout this novel I kept wondering why it had to be Cazaril who saves the day. I would have enjoyed myself immensely more, if Iselle's other sidekick, her lady-in-waiting Betriz, had been the protagonist.

I might pick up the second novel as well, because it deals with Ista, Iselle's mother, who I found rather intriguing. Thumbs up for at least mentioning queer romance, though that one used the Bury Your Gays trope, sadly, alas.

3 to 3.5 stars.

Conni

rated it

May 15, 2008