Reviews - The Curse of Chalion

1.32k reviews for:

The Curse of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold

4.19 AVERAGE

toddgrotenhuis's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

therealuncleal's review against another edition

4.0

Of all the fantasy books I've read, and I've read so many I couldn't begin to count them, this is one of my favorites. If you're looking for a great story, political intrigue, religious conflict, and a great love story, look no further. :)

bookaneer's review against another edition

5.0

A broken man, former celebrated soldier-cum-slave - but wait, he's not seeking revenge - came to his childhood's place only to serve his old master and spend his days withering away, but instead was forced to dive headlong to a dangerously complicated court life with a dark curse hanging over his charge like the sword of Damocles. Oh and there was this world where they worshiped, among others, a God of Death - the Bastard - who also cared for orphans and the undesirables.

Why yes, the protagonists and villains are pretty two-dimensional. We have a plucky pretty princess, her loyal handmaiden (also plucky and pretty), a useless king, an evil chancellor, a vile & rapey general, a wise priest, all are rehashed fantasy tropes. HOWEVER, the cast selection served their purposes. I blame the great, cohesive writing and the intriguing Iberian-ish world-building. And I fell in love with the humor. Yes, there are lots of galley humors here (courtesy of Cazaril mostly), which added an additional star - the X factor - that made me love this book.

Cazaril, oh I love him so, he might look frail and meek, but he could kill you like quickly, efficiently, and you'll never see the blow coming.

A compact book that can stand on its own, but I love the world so I will continue to [b:Paladin of Souls|61904|Paladin of Souls (World of the Five Gods, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388350884l/61904._SY75_.jpg|819610].

rotfremd's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ksndrsn's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing 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

thatabbygirl's review against another edition

5.0

it started as standard fantasy, but i got sucked in pretty quickly and was soon saying things like "just let me finish this chapter before we go to bed" and "go away i need to finish this book stop talking to me." good intrigue but not too many battles or wars. lots of fun - immediately went to the library to get the next two in the series.