Review: "The Curse of Chalion"

Bujold, Lois McMaster. The Curse of Chalion.
New York: Eos-HarperCollins, 2001. 442 p.

Brief Teaser

Cazaril has survived war, betrayal, and the galley-master's lash.

Naturally, his troubles have just begun.

As servant to Royesse Iselle of Chalion, Cazaril braves both sword and intrigue in order to protect his charge in the royal court of Cardegos. Arguably "blessed," touched by a patron god, Cazaril must also find a means to end a terrible curse upon the royal line, lest a kingdom be doomed.

Notes and Possible Spoilers

Bujold created a delightful, entertaining, and thoroughly engaging world in this novel. Patterned after our own world's 15th century Spain, Chalion feels warm, vibrant, and lived-in. The characters have strong, distinct personalities that infuse their archetypes, whether they be "Loyal Servant," "Princess," or "Scheming Usurper."

I was impressed by the magical elements Bujold has created for her world, though perhaps "miracles" and "curses" would be a more accurate descriptors. The eponymous curse twists its victims such that their virtues and strengths become their undoing, and while the novel's five gods, archetypal and easily apprehended by the reader--Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, and Bastard--are active in our world, they can only work through humans who have offered themselves up to the gods' will. With a rare exception, there is no flashy special effects magic. Rather, the strengths and virtues of those touched by a god are their primary resources, though there is some indication that the gods can manipulate events toward producing a desired outcome. However, it's no joy to be a god-touched saint; as one character phrases it: "The gods do not grant miracles for our purposes, but for theirs. If you are become their tool, it is for a greater reason, an urgent reason. But you are the tool. You are not the work. Expect to be valued accordingly."

In addition to the above, there are moments of fierce action, tender romance, and sufficient political intrigue to satisfy the most ardent Machiavellian. If you enjoy these elements in your fiction, then I heartily recommend The Curse of Chalion.

Buena lectura.

Series

Book one of the "Curse of Chalion" series.

Descriptors

Fantasy
Low-magic
Mythic Fiction
Political Intrigue

Similar Authors

Jacqueline Carey

Awards

2002 Mythopoeic Award

~A thousand times ...