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    The Curse of Chalion
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    The Curse of Chalion
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    The Curse of Chalion
    Ebook598 pages10 hours

    The Curse of Chalion

    By Lois McMaster Bujold

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril returns to the noble household he once served as page and is named secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions.

    But it is more than the traitorous intrigues of villains that threaten Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle here, for a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge -- an act that will mark him as a tool of the miraculous . . . and trap him in a lethal maze of demonic paradox.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateOct 13, 2009
    ISBN9780061793042
    Unavailable
    The Curse of Chalion
    Author

    Lois McMaster Bujold

    One of the most respected writers in the field of speculative fiction, Lois McMaster Bujold burst onto the scene in 1986 with Shards of Honor, the first of her tremendously popular Vorkosigan Saga novels. She has received numerous accolades and prizes, including two Nebula Awards for best novel (Falling Free and Paladin of Souls), four Hugo Awards for Best Novel (Paladin of Souls, The Vor Game, Barrayar, and Mirror Dance), as well as the Hugo and Nebula Awards for her novella The Mountains of Mourning. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages. The mother of two, Bujold lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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    Reviews for The Curse of Chalion

    4/5

    1,834 ratings99 reviews

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    • 3/5
      From the moment that Cazaril trudges up the road to Valenda, fate seems to take a hand. Or perhaps the gods were gently guiding Cazaril long before. Who knows? His first task is to find some form of employment in this town where years earlier he had been a Page. And once he has managed to sustain mind and body, he can look to reclaiming some of his honour. Yet each step brings him closer to events which will transform both himself and the land from which his honour springs.In this rollicking work of high fantasy, Bujold masterfully moves the chairs about in order to set up the ordering for the momentous events that will follow. And although plot is of necessity to the fore, she paints a bold portrait of her protagonist, Cazaril, and the two young women he is employed to serve, Iselle and Betrix. The political manoeuvrings of this medieval-like world might have been sufficient to hold any reader’s attention, but this is also a world in which the gods have a palpable presence. They lie behind the curse that enfolds Chalion and its eventual cure through the bravery and self-sacrifice of Cazaril.I especially enjoyed Bujold’s pacing throughout. She provides just enough explanation to keep us riveted while continually pressing the larger plot forward. It gave the effect of brisk leisureliness, unexpectedly. In so doing, Bujold manages to encompass an epic story — what might have taken volumes for another writer - in one tome. Nicely done!Gently recommended.
    • 5/5
      This book would be a stand-out among pseudo-mediaeval fantasy novels if only for the fact that it has a believable and well-thought-out religion that actually matters, not only to the plot, but to the characters as well. This is not a fantasy where no one but the gullible believes in the gods, and the clergy are all either dupes or villains. (That the gods are, in the context of the novel, quite real, and take a meaningful role in the personal and especially the political conflicts, has its effect here.) The rest of the background is also fairly well thought out, and while what we see is the portion of the world that the characters, limited to the speed of foot and horse and sailing ship, can reach, it has the feel of extending well beyond that.

      Chalion is a kingdom at about a 15th century level of technology, with some resemblances in its culture and situation to Spain of about that time-- and also, of course, a great many differences. The Spanish monarchy, for instance, was probably not actually under a curse, however tempting an explanation that may seem.

      The Castillar Lupe dy Cazaril walks home to Chalion after enduring many months of captivity as a galley slave aboard an enemy ship, and months of illness in a neighboring kingdom after being rescued. Still far too weak to do most of the things he did before his captivity, he is appointed secretary and tutor to the Royesse Iselle, half-sister of the Roya of Chalion. His life at court is enlivened by the fact that the enemies whose treachery let to his being sold rather than ransomed have become the Roya's most powerful advisors, in some ways more powerful than the roya himself.

      Gradually he discovers that the royal family is under a curse, a curse that is slowly destroying the family and the kingdom. Desperate circumstances lead to equally desperate measures, and Cazaril learns more about Chalion's history, the gods, and what passes for domestic and international politics in a 15th century setting than he ever wanted to know.

      Very much worth reading, even if there is one glaring coincidence buried in the plot.
    • 3/5
      My son picked this off my shelf to read while home. He finished it, declared it a good light read, and I believe even called it a good beach read. Goodreads seems to think I have read it twice, but it is mistaken. I picked it up to try now, for the first time. While there were elements I did, indeed, enjoy, I didn't find myself as swept into the story as I'd hoped. (For instance, I really liked how the crows and animals found their way into the story, but the politics and romance just didn't grab me as I might have wished. Still, this is the first time I've found Lois McMaster Bujold slightly less than highly satisfying, and while I might not follow this set of characters further, I certainly will not hesitate to pick up another novel of hers that attracts my attention.
    • 4/5
      Entertaining if not particularly original. The characterisation was good enough to mostly overcome irritation at damsels in distress and feckless princes...
    • 4/5
      Excellent. I could not sit still while I read this; it was too exciting. I loved everything, not least the detailed society and three dimensional characters.
    • 5/5
      What a great book!
      It reminded me to put everything by Bujold that I haven't read on my wishlist!
      Engaging characters meet an action-filled plot with tons of plotting and intrigue. I have to admit that this kind of "castle intrigue" is definitely one of my favorite genres of novels. I'd very much recommend this to fans of George R.R. Martin and Guy Gavriel Kay.

      My edition came with blurbs from Robert Jordan & Dennis McKiernan, and an ad for the latest Weis & Hickman - all of which, I must admit, I eyed with trepidation, not having an overly high opinion of any of those authors - but although this is undeniably epic fantasy, Bujold's writing far exceeds those other authors. I read the first chapter on my way to work - and after just that one chapter, the main character stayed in my head all day - I couldn't wait to read more. And today at work, I must admit, I had the book at my desk, sneaking a page here and there at opportune moments.... wink.gif

      Cazaril, a high-born military man who, through an act of treachery, was sold as a galley slave, has finally escaped - but barely with his life. He comes crawling back to the great house where he was employed in his youth - and, unexpectedly, finds himself in the position of tutor to a young princess, Iselle, and her handmaiden Betriz. This seemingly peaceful job may entail more than one might expect, however, considering the chaotic state of politics both within and without the kingdom of Chalion - and an evil curse that hangs over the royal family.
    • 5/5
      Bujold is unmistakably a master. I first saw her work serialized in Analog and I read all or most of the stories about Miles V years ago. With career and family, my reading went by the wayside for a long time. In rediscovering Bujold now, all I can say is, "wow!" The mastery shows on all levels. The story-telling is superb. The fluency and poetry of the writing is really impressive. The twists and turns of the plot are effortlessly dextrous, bringing surprises without ever failing to make sense. The world of Chalion is marvelously imagined and populated with wonderfully well-drawn characters. Bujold seems to like slightly broken protagonists - who nevertheless win in the end. She does it again here. The magic is well thought out. In particular, the five gods (Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, and Bastard) have the right balance between powers and constraints to make for conflict that really works. (They can only act in the world of matter through people, and only if those people are willing.) Altogether I found this book pretty awe-inspiring.
    • 4/5
      A very good book by the author of the Vorkosigan saga. It's a fresh, new universe and Bujold does an excellent job of not explaining too much. The societal structure and, most importantly, the theology of this world are revealed throughout the entire book.

      Theology and broken people are the focus of this book. The hero, Cazaril, is a broken man at the start of the book and through his ponderings we learn about the gods of this realm and the role they play in the society. Especially towards the end I felt the explanations were a bit vague, but this didn't hurt my overall impression of the book, which was very good.
    • 4/5
      This is one of the best epic fantasy pieces I have read in a while.
    • 5/5
      One of the things that really captures me is when an author deeply develops a character. This book had no shortage of that. The characters were so well crafted and truly both deep and unique. The writing was also wonderful. The word choice really was something so different than most of the books I read lately. The writing really blew me away. I enjoyed the story very much, but I feel like even if I was not in love with the plot, the writing and character development could have carried the book. That never came into play though because I like pretty much every aspect of this book.
    • 5/5
      "The Curse of Chalion", Lois McMaster Bujold's first foray into fantasy is a literally one of the best books in the genre I had read. The story follows Cazaril going from barely above being a vagabond to servicing as secretary and advisor to the young, yet intelligent princess of Chalion. Then Cazaril is forced to going to the royal court and soon finds that not only is he having to protect his charge and himself from human enemies of all kinds, but also the supernatural due to the actions of the a previous King but Cazaril himself.The world in which the story takes place is thoroughly thought from the political to the religious, societally from the royal court down to the peasant struggling to survive. From the start the religious and magical system Bujold built as an integral part of her world just grabs the reader in it's familiar elements to Christianity and New Age concepts, but also it's uniqueness and originality. But when the reader experiences the realm of The Five, Bujold writes it like a mystical experience that it's hard for a mere mortal to explain in words and the reader experiences that difficulty along with Cazaril.The sole issue I have with the story is the somewhat creepiness in the relationship between Cazaril and Lady Betriz, and the somewhat annoying trope of men not getting the signals from women that tends to invade many genres. However, the story isn't a romance and thus these "issues" don't really take away from the overall story."The Curse of Chalion" is a must read for any fantasy reader, it's highly recommended and now one of my favorite books.
    • 4/5
      This was a wonderful fantasy, definitely different than the normal run. A unique theology & take on it is the backbone of the tale, so it's far more than just another hero hacking his way through the bad guys. In fact, if that's what you're looking for, read a different book. This one has complex politics, a semi-broken hero, romance, horror, & far more.

      This broken hero is different than Miles from her Vorkosigan series in many ways, but if you like those SF yarns, you'll probably like this. It's even more powerful in its themes, though.

      I wasn't totally thrilled with the reader. His accents & low voice were a pain at times, but he didn't really hurt the story. He might add to it for some.
    • 5/5
      I've been told by many people that this is a really good book, and I have to agree. Aside from having good characters, good character development and a good story, I very much like the image portrayed in The curse of Chalion of the way the gods interact with the world. I like how the saints tend to be rather wary of their gifts and how in the end, that's not the gods fault; they have to work with the tools at hand just as much as we do. Cazaril's bemusement at the end was very well described; I loved his conclusions about how the gods marvel at the ways of matter as we do at the possibilities of spirit. Despite the protagonist of this book being male, I'm impressed with the way it does not give short shrift to its female characters. Some of them may be young to begin with, but they show great courage, determination and wisdom, as well as kindness and friendship, especially when they grow into their power. Chalion's society may view women as less than men, none of its characters see that as anything other than another rule that can be used to advantage in their political games. A lovely book, I must certainly check out more books by this author!
    • 5/5
      Re-read. So good! Fantastic world-building and characters.
    • 4/5
      Rarely have I read almost stereotypical fantasy executed as well as this. The plot is nothing special, but the characters are delightful, believable and memorable. This is old school fantasy of a time before George R. R. Martin, and it is perhaps one of the finest examples I have read.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this fantasy/adventure novel. The characters were interesting and unique, the plot was captivating, and the world was creative and compelling. I feel that it is a "mature" fantasy in that it does not rely on stock patterns or characters; there is a complexity and uniqueness to it that distinguishes it from your run-of-the-mill fantasy. The main character is not at all your typical handsome, perfect hero, and there are very strong female characters. There is romance, but it is subtle, lovely, and believable.

      I was so drawn in to the story and the world that when I finished the book I felt as if I was still partly living in the world - I wasn't ready to leave it and I certainly wasn't ready to start a new book. Books that do this for me are my favorite ones, and that is really the highest recommendation I can give a book. Needless to say, I am looking forward to reading the two subsequent novels set in the same world!
    • 5/5
      Sometimes you read a book and while reading have all kinds of ideas for what to say in your review but then you're finished and find yourself staring at the blank review space with no clue how to begin.

      Curse of Chalion is different from other fantasy novels. We don't have the young, orphaned hero being thrust into the middle of events but Caz instead, an old (not really but for medieval times ancient xD ), broken man who seems to grow "younger" over the course of the story. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't grow younger physically but mentally. Before he came back to Chalion he had given up on everything. On himself, on life, and all he was hoping for was a warm spot by the fire in the kitchen to spend the rest of his days. Thankfully, Bujold doesn't let him. He kicks him through the door so he can take his first steps towards a new life, and it was absolutely wonderful to watch his transformation to a witty, wise and strong man, who with the love and care of and for others overcomes his past experiences that had left him broken.

      Curse of Chalion is a wonderful change of pace from your regular fantasy novel. Characters you have come to love don't just die. Loose ends actually get tied up in the end. And yes, the ending is happy. Very refreshing.
    • 4/5
      In The Curse of Chalion, Bujold weaves a fantasy world with a fascinating religion. The main character, Cazaril, is manipulated by the gods to play a large role in removing the curse from the land of Chalion. Cazaril himself is pragmatic, competent, and humble--in essence a very likable character, though occasionally the humility is overdone--but finds himself confused by and sometimes a little resentful of the vague hints at what he is supposed to do. I had a good time reading how Cazaril dealt with the many problems thrown his way, while at the same time exploring the world and its unique theologies. I do with the main antagonist, dy Jironal, was a little bit more cunning though--he was billed as a competent and ruthless strategist, but never quite lived up to it.
    • 4/5
      I love the Miles books, and so wanted to read more Bujold. I'd read this previously, years ago, but wanted to re-read so I could go on and read Paladin of Souls and The Hallowed Hunt. I like this book. The different stages of the story fit together well - Cazaril returning, impoverished, and trying to fit back into society, the royina trying to escape her arranged wedding, Cazaril giving his all to try and break the curse. The characters are great - they think about what is happening, and do the best they can in the circumstances. Although there are a few fantasy cliches and highly unlikely coincidences, they are all very readable. The first time round, I found the main romance felt very implausible (there's a large age gap, and a pupil/teacher imbalance) but I was expecting it this time and saw more of the foreshadowing.
    • 4/5
      A surprisingly sweet and heart-warming read, given the plot's heavy reliance on rape and pain. Lots and lots of pain. Whooee. Caz out-agonizes Frodo, Harry Potter, and Harry Dresden together: he spends about 80% of the book simultaneously dying and being eaten alive by a vengeful spirit. Probably only Supernatural tops this for the sheer (and often literal) hell it puts the protagonist through. And no, these aren't Harry DresPotter-style injuries where the fight continues with the protagonist apparently impervious to pain due to narrative convenience adrenaline. Caz hurts. A lot. Emotionally and physically. Enough that (most of the time) he can't keep on as though nothing has happened. Other than Caz, I found most of the characters far too flawed to be particularly likeable, although this is possibly because most of them are not only the cause of their own problems, but are also tend to treat Caz badly. I tend to avoid reading about relentless suffering, so this wasn't really my type of book, but poor Caz...every time the world dealt him another punch in the gut, my heart re-melted.

      To me, one of the highlights was the incredibly well-imagined religion of the world and Bujold's ability to capture and convey the wonder and mystery of the gods. She creates a five-member pantheon: Father, Mother, Daughter, Son, and the ever-ambiguous yet ultimately necessary Bastard. Her world, with its practical take on saints and the fascinating way in which the gods could touch mortals while leaving them with free will, left me with a lot to think about. Seems like Bujold, bored with her areligious Vorkosigans and the far too lucky Miles, released a veritable flood of miracles, gods, and submissive agony.
      hover for spoiler
      Actual review when I have a spare moment.
    • 3/5
      Meh. Started out okay, ended as expected about 100 pages prematurely.
    • 5/5
      I'm so picky with my fantasy books but I have to say that this book is now one of my all time favorites! Such an interesting story and plot and the characters are amazing. I was skeptical of the summary at first but oh boy. If you are looking for something good to read, pick this book!!! The others in the series are amazing too but this one is the best.
    • 5/5
      A fine tale and hard to put down. You are entirely drawn into the world of Chalion
    • 5/5
      A majestic tale, sweeping across several stages in the protagonist's life. I appreciated the adroit twining of all the threads in the story, especially as the saga moved towards the end. The dénouement was very satisfying.Bujold's story telling is excellent ~ as I read Curse, it was marvellous how well she wove the plot and stayed true to her theme. I think the book was a very complex construction and a lesser writer would have had the threads muddled and lost me.
    • 4/5
      The Curse of Chalion is a high fantasy novel that stands on its own, although I’m told that there are sequels. The book opens with Cazaril, still recuperating from being enslaved upon a galley ship, returning to the noble household where he once served as a page. There he is assigned as secretary-tutor to the sister of the heir to the throne. The assignment will carry him into the capital and the midst of political intrigue and a deadly curse.I know a lot of people who really love The Curse of Chalion, but it didn’t have quite the same effect on me. It’s not that I disliked it or regret reading it. It’s just that it’s not a book I’d consider ever reading again or worth keeping my copy of. I’m having a lot of difficulty coming up with why this is, but I think it’s mainly a matter of personal preference. The Curse of Chalion is inspired by/based on the Iberian Peninsula during the 1400s, and it does have the taste of historical fiction about it (perhaps fans of Guy Gavriel Kay would like this one). There are fantasy elements, such as the curse, but the world in general feels more historical.My favorite aspect of the book was the source of the fantastical – the fictional religion. The culture Cazaril lives in worships five gods, the Father, the Mother, the Daughter, the Son, and the Bastard. Everything magical relates to these deities and the worship of them. At the very opening of the book, for instance, Cazaril finds the body of a man killed using death magic, which is essentially a prayer to the Bastard. Despite this early introduction, the magical aspect doesn’t really come into play until about two hundred pages in. Not so coincidentally, that’s the same point where the previously slow pacing starts to pick up.I think the characterization of the lead, Cazaril, was very well done. He feels older and more tired than the typical fantasy hero, but he’s still devoted to his cause. Royesse Iselle was also particularly well drawn, a strong willed young woman beginning on the path to becoming a savvy politician. A few of the secondary characters such as Betriz could have used a bit more characterization. This is especially true when it comes to the villains, as Dondo felt like the stereotypical rapey bad guy. On the bright side, there’s a number of important female characters who are generally well written, and there’s a plot relevant gay character who doesn’t die.I feel like people who like A Song of Ice and Fire might stand a chance of liking The Curse of Chalion, due to the low magic setting and political story line. The Curse of Chalion isn’t what I would term grimdark though, despite the abundant use of rape and brutality in character backstories. As I mentioned before, fans of Guy Gavriel Kay might also enjoy this novel. Or, if you haven’t read much fantasy but like historical fiction, this could be a good crossover for you.Review originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
    • 5/5
      Cazaril returns from working as a slave on a galley ship to find respite with his old friend, the Provincara, thinking he can live out his days in quiet on her estate. Her granddaughter, a royesse and relative of the ruler of Chalion, is in need of a secretary-tutor and the Provincara neatly puts Cazaril into that role. He attempts to keep his head down and avoid the men who were out to kill him, but forces outside of his control seem to be pulling him into politics and the ultimate outcome of the ruling family of Chalion.Oh, this fantasy hit all the right spots for me as a reader. It was complex, throwing you right into Cazaril's situation and ever so slowly opening up to reveal the religion, political intrigue, and titular curse of Chalion. It's intricate worldbuilding at its best, bringing you to an intense finale. If you love high fantasy, good characters trying their best to make tough decisions, and a smattering of humor, definitely give this a try.
    • 4/5
      The premise: ganked from Wikipedia: Lupe dy Cazaril, a castillar (a knight or minor baron), returns home to the Royacy (Kingdom) of Chalion a broken man, though he is only in his mid-thirties. "Caz", as he is known to his friends, had defended a castle during a long siege, only to be ordered to surrender it. Afterward, a jealous enemy had seen to it that he was not ransomed (as were the rest of his men), but sold into slavery, spending several years as a galley slave before finally escaping.His old noble patroness finds a use for him as a tutor for her granddaughter, the Royesse (Princess) Iselle, half-sister to the king, and her companion, Lady Bertriz. Despite his ardent desire to live a safely low-profile, peaceful life, Caz finds himself drawn into a strange journey of dangers both spiritual and temporal as he seeks to dispel the debilitating curse that hangs over the royal family of Chalion.My RatingLike, Not Love: It took a long time for me to really warm up to the story, but once I did, I was engrossed. Not in love: it's a good tale with very fleshed out characters, interesting but minimal magic, and a fascinating religious pantheon, but it's a book to commit to in that it doesn't sweep you off your feet from the get-go. Still, it's well-plotted, and the Caz reminds me very much of the much loved characters from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Not a perfect hero, but a little flawed, a little haunted, but a whole lot of heart. By time I finished, I found the book to be an interesting mix of George R.R. Martin and Ellen Kushner, in that it's a character-driven, political fantasy that's light on magic. Despite the slow start, I was quite engaged by the end, and I'm very willing to read the sequel, A Paladin of Souls. When time allows, that is, as the TBR pile is simply too big at this point. But The Curse of Chalion a good book, and I'm quite glad to have read it.Review style: I read this book a bit early in the month, but I was seriously concerned that it would take me a while to read it, and then my concerns were well-founded for a period. However, I ended up finishing the book in a timely manner and not writing the review right away so I'm a little fuzzy, despite notes. Don't worry, I have plenty to discuss, it's just not as fresh in my mind. :) As usual, what I liked and what I didn't, with obvious spoilers due to this being a book club pick. The full review is at my LJ if you're interested, and as always, comments and discussion are most welcome.REVIEW: Lois McMaster Bujold's THE CURSE OF CHALIONHappy Reading!
    • 5/5
      Cazaril, presumed dead, has returned from being betrayed and sold as a galley slave. He's returned to a place of honor as the tudor and secretary for a young Royesse (Princess).

      This story of palace intrigue and double-crossing is told from the Cazaril's POV.

      Great world building in this book! There's a bit of magical religion that weaves the whole story together.
    • 4/5
      Cazaril returns to a noble house thinking to beg a lowly position as a page but finds himself rewarded for past service with the position of secretary-tutor to Iselle, sister of Teidez who is destined to rule Chalion. The problems only really start for Cazaril when Teidez, along with his sister, is summoned to court where an old enmity resurfaces which may have ramifications for his ward and her brother.Although this is a fairly standard fantasy trope it is, as I have come to expect from the author, well-written with excellent characters that bring the story to life. It does have a bit of a slow start as the scene is set but it all proves necessary in the end. It’s not an action-oriented tale but more political manoeuvring and while there are some bits of fighting along the way it’s not what drives the story on. While this book is part of a series (there’s a sequel & a prequel along with some novella’s) it is fully contained and can be read as a stand-alone novel. I’m not averse to reading more from this world though at some point.
    • 5/5
      I am a real fan of Bujold in any case, but this is quite a new departure for her, a very different setting from the Vorkosigan universe, and putting a lot of meat on the bones of the ideas first hinted at in "The Spirit Ring". I thought the use of theology and religion was quite superb.

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