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McMaster Bujold is best known for her science fiction writing, but this is a fantasy novel. What attracted me to it was it being a “stand-alone” novel. I am kind of getting sick and tired of seeing that I have to read three or more 800 page books to get to the conclusion of a story. That has become the norm in the fantasy genre. Funny thing is that she has turned this into a series. The sequel however follows one of the minor characters three years later and doesn’t have to be read to get a conclusion to the events in “The Curse of Chalion”. Side note: The sequel was the book that gave McMaster Bujold her “Double” in 2004.
Here is a description from Library Journal via Amazon.Com:
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Betrayed by an unknown enemy into slavery, former soldier and courtier Castillar dy Cazaril escapes his bondage and returns to the royal household he once served. Entrusted with the teaching of the sister to the heir to the throne of Chalion, Cazaril finds himself drawn into a tangled web of politics and dark magic as he battles a curse that threatens the lives and souls of a family he has come to love.
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There are two descriptions given on Amazon.Com, and the one I didn’t quote goes into greater detail and almost acts as a review. One thing it points out I totally agree with: the “evil” characters are believable. They don’t create havoc because they are supposed to. They are motivated by real and believable reasons. If they need to use discretion in their actions, it is used. If they need to just sit back and be patient, then they are patient. If they need to give in to someone even though it goes against their plan, they accept. The reader doesn’t get to go too deep into their minds, but the way they are presented and talked about by other characters gives them depth through realism.
All the characters are well drawn out and believable. Though I was starting to have a bit of a problem with royesse (princess) Iselle, one of the two characters Cazaril was tutoring. For someone so young she is shrewd and well versed in court politics. Now in some ways it may not be so unbelievable, since there are many that are intelligent beyond their years. And credit to McMaster Bujold for giving her qualities that kept the character believable in other areas.
One of the best things that the author did with this book is adding many other elements to all the characters that give this story very real emotions. The elements of self sacrifice and even romance, along with loyalty and a deep caring for those that are close to you. And like everything else about this book, there is just the right amounts to enhance the story, not overdoing it. It makes for great characters.
The story itself is gripping. I was not exactly sure where it was going (which is always a good thing), and was taken in very quickly. It is a ways in before the reader learns of the curse. (I did kind of a mental double-take, “Oh yeah, the story is about a curse.”) I also liked how certain things weren’t overplayed or overwritten about within the storylines. Again, just enough to enhance the story. Especially one of the journeys that Cazaril takes. Some authors could have used 50 to 60 pages going into great detail what happened during the time on the road. But she highlighted what needed to be highlighted, and got on with what was important.
Another very interesting point was the magic. There isn’t a whole lot of it, but what is there is tied to their religion. And it is very well done and simple, in my opinion. I have not read many fantasy novels with a lot of magic, but I get the sense that there are quite a few where the magic is so easy to do and is endless, or is so complicated and there are appendices in the back of the book with descriptions and explanations. Plus it always adds more intrigue with fantasy novels when you add religion into it. The politics always become more interesting. Again, just my opinion. To make it central to any magic being used only made it that more interesting.
McMaster Bujold’s writing style is very accessible and also very pleasing to read. This book was written with a very nice sense of prose, especially for a fantasy novel. Yet those that don’t want to struggle through the book with a dictionary don’t have to. The story is gripping and kept me at least guessing. For fantasy fans, I would recommend this novel without a doubt. Especially people that don’t want to get sucked into a mega-page epic series.
8/10
