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april_does_feral_sometimes 's review for:
Paladin of Souls
by Lois McMaster Bujold
'Paladin of Souls', book two, is a deeper look at the various lands and peoples of Lois McMaster Bujold's fantasy universe of Chalion and the surrounding frenemy kingdoms, first introduced in [b:The Curse of Chalion|61886|The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1322571773s/61886.jpg|1129349], book one in this series. While '...Souls' can be read as a standalone, it definitely is better if 'Curse...' is read first. The Five Gods which interact with people are also brought more into focus, as are the demons and ghosts.
Chancellor dy Cazaril is not in this novel, which might initially disappoint readers. Instead we follow the middle-aged widowed Royina Ista as she embarks on a vacation as a personal recovery plan from the terrible captivity and assumed madness people thought was her affliction three years ago in the previous book. It is a complex backstory, but Ista actually was god-touched, a Saint. She has been relieved of this burden, but she still feels residual effects - seeing some auras and ghosts, knowing things without being told. Although she never was truly insane, people have gotten in the habit of thinking her so, including her brother and attendants in the castle in Baocia. However, bored out of her mind, so to speak, she intends to force her well-meaning relatives and friends to allow her a pilgrimage. Adding to their shock, she proposes to leave without her customary entourage. After a lot of discussion and arguments, she gets her way, mostly. They won't allow her complete freedom from soldiers, servants and a spiritual advisor, but she selects young vibrant fun personalities instead of the usual dour and sour, ritual-minded servants.
Free! Well, for awhile. Then the Bastard God has a some sort of problem, apparently, going by the odd dreams Ista begins having every other night as the troupe rests in the inns between visits to interesting shrines and towns. No! It can't mean anything. Her god is the Mother, not the Bastard. But weird stories are being passed down among travelers of large numbers of demon possessions, lately. The Bastard is actually the master of the demons keeping them under lockdown in his Hell. Could the dreams and the stories be connected, and could the Bastard be demanding that Ista help? She hates the gods with every fiber of her being! Plus, she feels she is too old. Just as she has decided she will refuse to get involved, an unexpected meeting with a band of soldiers from Jokona tries to chase them down. There has been talk of war, but Jokona is far to the north!
Whether she likes it or not, the Bastard needs her...
Bujold is a wonderful writer, and I really have enjoyed this series so far. The world-building is imaginative and complete, and I love so many of these characters. The suspense of who will live and who will die, the heroism and personal sacrifices keep me reading long into the night past my bedtime. I am late at discovering the Chalion books, but I am happy the series was brought to my attention by its selection of a GR club to read!
Chancellor dy Cazaril is not in this novel, which might initially disappoint readers. Instead we follow the middle-aged widowed Royina Ista as she embarks on a vacation as a personal recovery plan from the terrible captivity and assumed madness people thought was her affliction three years ago in the previous book. It is a complex backstory, but Ista actually was god-touched, a Saint. She has been relieved of this burden, but she still feels residual effects - seeing some auras and ghosts, knowing things without being told. Although she never was truly insane, people have gotten in the habit of thinking her so, including her brother and attendants in the castle in Baocia. However, bored out of her mind, so to speak, she intends to force her well-meaning relatives and friends to allow her a pilgrimage. Adding to their shock, she proposes to leave without her customary entourage. After a lot of discussion and arguments, she gets her way, mostly. They won't allow her complete freedom from soldiers, servants and a spiritual advisor, but she selects young vibrant fun personalities instead of the usual dour and sour, ritual-minded servants.
Free! Well, for awhile. Then the Bastard God has a some sort of problem, apparently, going by the odd dreams Ista begins having every other night as the troupe rests in the inns between visits to interesting shrines and towns. No! It can't mean anything. Her god is the Mother, not the Bastard. But weird stories are being passed down among travelers of large numbers of demon possessions, lately. The Bastard is actually the master of the demons keeping them under lockdown in his Hell. Could the dreams and the stories be connected, and could the Bastard be demanding that Ista help? She hates the gods with every fiber of her being! Plus, she feels she is too old. Just as she has decided she will refuse to get involved, an unexpected meeting with a band of soldiers from Jokona tries to chase them down. There has been talk of war, but Jokona is far to the north!
Whether she likes it or not, the Bastard needs her...
Bujold is a wonderful writer, and I really have enjoyed this series so far. The world-building is imaginative and complete, and I love so many of these characters. The suspense of who will live and who will die, the heroism and personal sacrifices keep me reading long into the night past my bedtime. I am late at discovering the Chalion books, but I am happy the series was brought to my attention by its selection of a GR club to read!