Reviews

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

gossy's review

4.0

I can't really claim that I forget how much I like Bujold's writing, because the Vorkosigan Saga is on par with Discworld as one of my two life-long favorite series. (The two series share some thematic bones. I will happily talk your ear off about this if you give me half a chance.)

But I *can* say that I'm pleased to find that I'm liking her writing even outside of the Vorkosigan setting. The plot in this series is certainly less gripping, but it’s still been nice. :)

Anyway! I was excited to learn who the POV character for this book was; she was a side character in the previous book. This woman has faced a protagonist’s challenges before (long before the events of the first book), and it ended badly. This time around, she isn’t merely a reluctant hero. She is deeply, bitterly *enraged* to have a call to action placed before her a second time. And yet… she rises to the task, all the same.

The dialogue got a *little* too poetic for my tastes at times near the end, but it was only 4 or 5 lines out of the whole book, so hardly worth complaining about.

I could imagine how this book might not be for everyone. A lot of the external plot involves people talking and reasoning through theologic and magical theory. (Plus politics, hah.) But it held my own interest just fine, and I liked the book.

angel_koyfish's review

hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

That was glorious. 

noranne's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I started it on a very hot, humid, and hilly run in Australia and finished it up running alongside the frozen lake in Chicago. A very able distraction from some of the downsides to those long runs!

One thing I appreciated about this book is the main character, Ista. She is a side character in the previous novel, and it is absolutely lovely to read about a middle-aged mother riding off to find adventure and calling. She is no-nonsense but also eminently fallible, and her character is very compelling.

I did find this one a touch below the first book in the series, I think because the ending was a bit predictable from far off but took a little too long in getting there. I actually enjoyed the very slow pacing of the first part, similar to the first book, because I knew eventually things were going to start happening, and it was great to get to know the characters and see some of the pieces falling into place. LMB is a fantastic author, and I look forward to continuing this series.

Also, a note on the audiobook, I liked this narrator better than the first book's. She does an excellent job distinguishing the voices of the characters with fewer distracting attempts at acting out some of the narration.

shalini_gunnasan's review

4.0

Captivating! This story is a direct sequel of The Curse of Chalion, and though our lead characters in that book were only heard of in this, we follow the exploits of another very interesting character. Ista was a bit cardboardy at first, but maybe it was because the life she led was also a shallow cutout. The early parts of her daily routine were so suffocating as to be horrifying, and I could see very easily how it could lead to madness. More than that, I can see how such a life of coddling, no matter how luxurious, can easily lead to derangement. We all need a purpose to our lives. It was great how Ista broke free and became a hero. This is a woman's power fantasy, and so satisfying to be the avenging angel, sword ablaze (actually, theologically the reverse, but the analogy serves) to save the day.

ruthorfiction's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

lasikukka's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zngzag's review

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

dasnet's review

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Paladin of Souls is a worth successor to the Curse of Chalion. 

I loved the way the author interwove the story within the world from the previous book - separating it in a way that was organic while simultaneously giving Ista her own story in its' own right. 

The characters are a strong point here. The God system here is also a strong point. This time, focusing on

The Saint of the Bastard

The best part of the book of this for me is Ista's progression and journey

Who is she now that she is not a daughter, wife, or mother? an identity in our 30's

Our 30s-40s are beguiling in it feels like it is time to put us out to pasture - but we have so much life to live. The author does an excellent job intertwining this theme with an engaging, fun, fantasy plot. 

welkinvault's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

kathflynn's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75