The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1)

by Lois McMaster Bujold and Lloyd James

Lois McMaster Bujold has won the Hugo award four times, and the Nebula award twice. In this, her first epic fantasy, we join Cazaril -- a former soldier, and courtier who is about to embark on a perilous journey, rife with lethal treacheries, demonic magic, and scheming characters. Lord Cazaril has been in turn courier, courtier, castle-warder, and captain; now he is but a crippled ex-galley slave seeking nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, the noble patroness of his youth. But Fortune's wheel continues to turn for Cazaril, and he finds himself promoted immediately to the exalted and dangerous position of secretary-tutor to Iselle, the beautiful, fiery sister of the heir to Chalion's throne. Amidst the decaying splendor and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient capital, Cardegoss, Cazaril is forced to encounter 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...

• ISBN10: 0786186925
• ISBN13: 9780786186921
• Publish Date: 1 July 2004 (first published 31 July 2001)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 12 February 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Blackstone Audiobooks,U.S.
• Format: Hardcover
• Duration: 18 hours and 42 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[jamiereadthis]

It’s been easier lately for me to review the books I don’t like than the ones I do, because the ones I do, it’s just love, love, love. And it’s often difficult to articulate why.

This is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read, and one of the best books I’ve read regardless of genre. I just loved the… gentleness of it. The kindness and the intelligence. The storytelling. The theology. It unfolds at its own pace and yet doesn’t get boring because the characters are so good. I wanted to dwell in this world as long as I could, and I also couldn’t put the book down; the ultimate dilemma of the reader, and the ultimate compliment to the writer. I foresee re-reading this one and its sequels and the rest of Bujold’s oeuvre many, many times.

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

The Curse of Chalion introduces readers to a man who once held a reputation for being a good soldier and trustworthy commander, but who has crossed the wrong people and now mainly wants to live a quiet life.  The gods, however, seem to have other plans, and soon Cazaril is thrust into the dangerous court intrigue he so desired to avoid, as well as an epic battle to save his country from a curse few even know lie over it.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I began reading this novel, and I admit it took me several chapters to even being to have idea.  It is not clear from the opening pages what exactly Cazaril’s talents are.  Apparently he was a page, then a solider, then a commander, and at the start of the book he’s basically a penniless nobody—but he is quickly hired to act as secretary and tutor to one of the most important noble ladies in the realm.  And all through his exposition, which implies he’s good at basically everything, he downplays his skills and insists he’s good at practically nothing.  I wasn’t immediately sure what to do with this, or where the book would lead if the protagonist had so ambiguous a role.

Finding out is really half the story.  I think, in the end, Carazil has more talents than he gives himself credit for (though he’s certainly no Mary Sue excelling at everything), and yet what seems most valuable about him is his integrity.  His knowledge and his physical abilities are assets, certainly in the various roles he comes to play in the fate of his country, but his dedication to his country, his patron, and his duties in general are what make him remarkable.

I enjoyed following him on his journey, as well as meeting the other characters.  His student, Iselle, is a bit impetuous but eager and strong-willed.  The villains are delightfully villainous, and many of the characters in the story have more facets than they initially let on.  And, despite the pure amount of characters who show up in the story, all are wonderfully developed.  As is the history, culture, and religion of the country they inhabit.

The story is a marvelous blend of court intrigue, revenge, romance, magic, theology, and personal character development.  Some developments did seem a little strange to me—and apparently sounded even stranger to my friends when I tried to talk to my friends about what I was reading.  However, it’s unique and all ends up coming together.  The novel is a bit less complex than Brandon Sanderson, but does remind me somewhat of his books in terms of world building and thoughtful attention to human nature.

I was a bit confused by the titles/ranks the characters had and would have appreciated an appendix outlining who was higher than whom in society.  And a map would have been helpful for geographical purposes.  There are multiple editions of this book, but I purchased mine in the past year, so there are certainly versions being sold today that do not have one—a definite oddity in today’s fantasy market.  However, these are details.  Overall I very much enjoyed the book and do recommend it to others.  I would also be interested in reading more works by the author.