The Curse of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold (author)

HarperCollins, USA: 2001; 502pp

ISBN: 9780380818600

Genres: adventure, fantasy

Issues: loyalty, politics, power

After years of torture to body and mind, Cazaril longs for a peaceful homecoming. Instead he is given the task of educating and protecting the beautiful, impetuous Royesse Iselle.

As he settles into his job as tutor, Cazaril's painfully gained knowledge of the world, the uses and abuses of power, makes him aware that the girl is at enormous risk and not just from the political machinations of greedy courtiers. A dark curse hangs over the entire House of Chalion and all who are close to them. Can Cazaril protect the Royesse from both worldy and other-worldly evil? Only, it seems, with the help of a God – but which one and at what cost to his heart and soul?

Bujold is a skilful and imaginative writer who excels at creating complex plots and nuanced characters. In The Curse of Chalion she has excelled herself. Cazaril, with his flawed body and great spirit, is a wonderfully unexpected heroic figure, the epitomy of courage driven by ethics and love rather than a desire for riches, reputation or power. Chalion is a fully-realised medieval-style political state, complete with complicated relationships with its neighbours; relationships driven, as they are between real world nations, by religion, trade and military alliances.

As with many great writers, Bujold creates resilient, intelligent, strong-minded women and her narrative is driven by their actions as much as by Cazaril's. While containing all the elements that a fan of the genre may expect, Bujold has crafted an enthralling narrative with refreshingly innovative elements.

Highly recommended.

Sequel: Paladin of Souls