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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
I really should stop reading so much high fantasy book; clearly I think I like the genre much more than I actually do.
The overarching plot of this one is interesting, and even more fascinating is the concept of a shared mythos over different storylines over all the books in the series. But there is so much drudgery in this book. the constant descriptions of inconsequential things that don't end up mattering (ciphers, anyone?) are more personal preference, but the needing to inform multiple characters at different points the information the reader already knows is not.
The book at least on a page by page level is less fantasy or mythology and more castle life. This could have been ok of itself, but lots of the key players are pretty one dimensional characters, many key events lurch forward suddenly, and what even was the backup plan if the marriage attempt to the Fox's son had backfired? How was no one concerned of the potential risks beforehand? And of course we need some maidens falling head over heels for our overly capable MC while we are at it.
The overarching plot of this one is interesting, and even more fascinating is the concept of a shared mythos over different storylines over all the books in the series. But there is so much drudgery in this book. the constant descriptions of inconsequential things that don't end up mattering (ciphers, anyone?) are more personal preference, but the needing to inform multiple characters at different points the information the reader already knows is not.
The book at least on a page by page level is less fantasy or mythology and more castle life. This could have been ok of itself, but lots of the key players are pretty one dimensional characters, many key events lurch forward suddenly, and what even was the backup plan if the marriage attempt to the Fox's son had backfired? How was no one concerned of the potential risks beforehand? And of course we need some maidens falling head over heels for our overly capable MC while we are at it.
slow-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
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
One of my all time faves! This is such a classic yet subversive fantasy full of richly-developed characters and high-stakes. Its action is more social than physical, though there are several times when swords cross. But its inherently interested in its characters, the roles they inhabit, and the ways they leverage or bend those roles to navigate a shifting political landscape. One of the things I appreciated most was that Cazaril is a character you can root for throughout the book. He's flawed without being gritty; he could have easily been the stereotypical embittered veteran, but instead he largely remains a good-hearted, sagacious, affable character. There's a coziness in Bujold's writing here that's hard to describe, too. There's plenty going on, the stakes keep getting higher, but it doesn't give you heart palpitations reading it. You keep turning the pages because it's compelling, not because it has you on the edge of your seat, if that makes sense? You're comfortable as you go on this fantastic ride through Bujold's medieval-esque setting. You want to get to the end because you're having such a nice time and you want to find out what happens, not because you're chewing your fingernails to the quick wondering what cruel twist is coming next. I really love this setting in general, but Curse of Chalion remains my favorite of the Five Gods series.
How have I never read anything by this author before?! Better late than never. . . and now I am off to find some more of her writing. This is grand and wonderful escapist fiction, set in an imaginary medieval-like world where five gods reign and goodness is at least sometimes rewarded. Cazaril is a marvelous character! The story is propulsive, with enough action to keep you on your toes, and the smallest touch of restrained romance. Less grim than Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel" series but just as satisfying. (And how cool is it that the wooing -- and marriage proposals -- in both relationships revealed here are initiated by women?! Take that, patriarchy!))
Spoiler
This book wasn't so bad, I quite liked it actually. I liked the worldbuilding of it and the religion written into the world. There are a lot of new terms and titles thrown around at the start that made this book seem dense, but finding a fanmade glossary online helped a lot. The politics were very basic but enough to have the plot centered around them.As with the majority of fantasy, women are written in to be considered inferior by the in-novel society. This was one of the driving forces of the plot, the women of nobility being of strong mind and body but struggling to be recognized as equals. Nothing new was broached here though, and even though Iselle and Betriz had some excellent development in the beginning, it quickly tapered off. Betriz became the love interest of the main character, and her budding romance with Caz throughout the book ended up overshadowing much of her character.
I really, really detested this romance arc and I'm glad it was downplayed until the very end of the book. The main character, Cazaril, was twice Betriz' age and had inappropriate fantasies about her at the start. This is considered just fine by the narrative, as he does't actively act on them until Dondo's death. Despite the narrative insisting on the opposite, Betriz still felt like one of Cazaril's prizes at the end of the story and reeked a bit of 'nice guy' syndrome. I had hoped there would be some kind of interaction with her and Palli, as it was implied at the start, but it never came to fruition. Similarly, the romance/chemistry between Iselle and Bergon felt a little too good to be true but at least their relationship was founded on mutual respect.
Teidez' death actually bothered me a lot, though I should have seen it coming. I felt like he was set up for what could have been a path to redemption but was killed off last minute. Because of his death, the events that followed actually went rather smoothly. He went from being a character to just a vessel to start wrapping the Zangez plot up. Sanda's murder felt similarly unnecessary earlier in the book.
As with most fantasy novels, I felt more affinity to the minor characters than the main ones. Umegat was particularly interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about his character (other than him being the ~mysterious foreign sage~ type character). Palli, though the standard and somewhat bland best friend character I liked, as well as his cousins introduced towards the end.
Cazaril as a main character wasn't so bad. It was a nice change from the usual bright eyed and virile young adventurer we are usually saddled with in fantasy. I liked that he was mostly infirm and would choose desperate self preservation over swaggering bravado. Even better was that these ailments were never magically cured but accepted as part of the character. He sees very little character development over the course of the story, though.
Overall not a bad read. The story moved along at a well enough pace and was just interesting enough to keep me reading.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
I really liked this book even though it was pretty slow for the first, idk TWO HUNDRED OR SO PAGES. I loved all the women characters in this book, and the roknari (sorry for spelling i listened to the audiobook) saint of the bastard. I had no idea how Lois was going to wrap it all up at the end but by the five gods she did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy
2014 review: I think the proper term to staying up almost all night to finish a book because you literally cannot put it down should be to Bujold someone. As in "Once again, I didn't get enough sleep last night because I was Bujolded by this book." But then again, I'm operating on <4 hours of sleep thanks to the second half of The Curse of Chalion so maybe that only makes sense to me.
It took me longer than usual with a Bujold book to get into this one. Things felt a bit wonky in the first 25% or so of the book. Maybe I was thinking too much about Miles Vorkosigan? But once I got past the opening gambit and the pieces of the story started shifting around and reassembling themselves into something awesome, the story just pulled me along. I kept thinking I'd finish the chapter and turn off my kindle and then NO! Something exciting would come up in the story. When all the pieces of the plot fell into place and the story arc became clear, I actually gasped out loud. Bujold is a truly masterful storyteller. Lovely.
Finished listening to the audiobook version of this and any doubt I had about giving it 5 stars is gone. Enjoyed it even more the second time, and a fantastic audiobook narration by Lloyd James.
2022 reread: I didn’t love this as much this time as I did the first time, but still did enjoy it, sticking with the 5 star rating.
It took me longer than usual with a Bujold book to get into this one. Things felt a bit wonky in the first 25% or so of the book. Maybe I was thinking too much about Miles Vorkosigan? But once I got past the opening gambit and the pieces of the story started shifting around and reassembling themselves into something awesome, the story just pulled me along. I kept thinking I'd finish the chapter and turn off my kindle and then NO! Something exciting would come up in the story. When all the pieces of the plot fell into place and the story arc became clear, I actually gasped out loud. Bujold is a truly masterful storyteller. Lovely.
Spoiler
I suppose one could argue that everything comes together a little too nicely. That things turn out too well for the main character. That he should of died. Sometimes, it's nice for something to go right for a character that you really like. Bujold being Bujold, I'd bet that at some point, all off this goodness will have repercussions later - probably in some subtle ways that I can't even begin to predict.Finished listening to the audiobook version of this and any doubt I had about giving it 5 stars is gone. Enjoyed it even more the second time, and a fantastic audiobook narration by Lloyd James.
2022 reread: I didn’t love this as much this time as I did the first time, but still did enjoy it, sticking with the 5 star rating.
I'm a big fan of Bujold's science fiction books. This was my first of her fantasy series. It was well written with her usual focus on strong character development within twisted plots. I loved the lead Cazaril, a somewhat broken man who doesn't strive to do great deeds, but fate brings him to do them nevertheless. An interesting world, filled with Gods and Goddesses miracles that rise above the usual epic fantasy magical tropes. I can see why this series had so many Award nominations and am looking forward to book two of the trilogy.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fantasy novels are my literary junk food. I love them when they are well written and not just rehashes of Tolkien. This one is excellent. Very well drawn characters, many of them women.