Rating: 
Summary: Flawless.
Review: A perfectly woven mystery within the adventure, and a mystical dimension made far more real than fantasy writers generally do.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: Well writen toughtout book. Bujold create a very interesting world. Similar enough to our own world, yet vastly different in their religious beliefs to make the story interenting. I like her thought of worshiping five gods (father, mother, son, daughter, bastard) and how each represents a different aspect of the people, with bastard taking on all the leftovers (that leaves a touch of dry humor to the mix). Then there is the country at war with the one in the book, mostly because they don't believe in worshiping the bastard god. More about this group of people is brought about in the book two. What book one is mostly about is Cas. A man captured in war, vastly mistreated, who turns to the household he worked as page for as a youth. He has no remaining family and finds his resources limited. Luckly, he is remembered by the old matron who is still living and is given a job to tutor her granddaughter. Not to give the entire story away, he is thrown in the middle of court intrigue and a family curse. (Oh, there is also a beautiful girl who he moons over but thinks is out of his league--this part is predictable). The story is well written and the characters interesting, as well as well rounded. Cas is a bit too good to be true, but you can overlook it because he really does seem like a really nice guy, besides all these bad things keep happening to him.
Rating:
Summary: The start of another beloved series, I trust!
Review: There are a few things I have come to expect from Lois McMaster Bujold:
1. Intelligent and atypical main characters
2. Excellent world-building
3. Da*n good storytelling
4. Original ideas
The Curse of the Chalion did not disappoint me one iota on any count. Since the Editorial review does such a good job of summing up the plot, I'll forego that part in my review here. Fans of the author's SF series may be a little apprehensive about Bujold's foray into Fantasy; let me reassure them right now that they shouldn't be. Although her only previous Fantasy effort, The Spirit Ring, was a little below her usual level of excellence, TCOTC shows none of TSR's hesitant plotting. The story forges ahead fully confident and daring. In keeping with what you might expect from an author who earned her stripes for @ 20 years in SF, the fantasy world of TCOTC has underpinnings of logic and a natural order to stabilize the magical flourishes. This is a universe in which magic is a power much like gunpowder: the common folk may know about it, could theoretically get their hands on it and use it, but rarely have the desire to considering the well-known risks and consequences. Rather than being used as a device to solve plot problems or dazzle the reader, magic is left to the Gods...except by the foolish who just insist on making life a little too interesting for everybody else. The central character, Cazaril, is far and away the scene stealer in this book however. A brilliant minor nobleman who was betrayed four years ago into foreign slavery, he returns destitute to his birth land looking for a place to belong. It becomes obvious to everybody that his honor and wisdom are not to be underestimated, particularly when a few political enemies make that very mistake. Underdogs that rise and outshine the proud are a particular specialty of Bujold's; if Cazaril seems a little familiar to us longtime readers, remember that we wouldn't have our heroes any other way. Curse of the Chalion is a marvelous introduction to this new fantasy universe; it had that gripping, can't-put-down quality somewhere after the first few chapters. I now look forward to the next outing into this fascinating landscape of swordsmanship, intrigue and theological musings. In all, a brilliant read.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Rating:
Summary: my curse was I couldn't put it down [no spoilers]
Review: I was recently looking for a deep fantasy novel to read. Considering what I've read in the past, Amazon recommended this book. I didn't read the reviews per se, but looked at the editorial reviews and star rating and was encouraged to buy it. And I'm very glad I got it. I found the writing to be well done. Descriptions of the environment and the people placed me in the world. Not only the primary characters but those interacting with them were fabulously developed. Males and females were well represented. No inane bickering between characters, no head scratching as to why some person did something, but interactions for a reason. A well thought out story. The books realm of magic is fascinating. You don't have the typical spellcaster tossing "balefire" or the all-powerful-to-be but knows-nothing-now novice trying to survive with spontaneous magical feats with no logical explanation. This book has enough magic to satisfy. I thought there was little magic and few wizards in The Lord of the Rings and I found this comparable. It is more about the people, more about story, more about strange fate. Some obvious plot developments but some interesting surprises too. Check out the first chapter at a library or book store if this sort of writing interests you. You might want to get it to find out how it ends. :) I'm anxious to see how the world continues. This is a book I've recommended to a couple friends who like fantasy. Thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: Neither a curse nor a blessing
Review: I read The Curse of Chalion because I was looking for a stand-alone fantasy novel (I'm hesitant to commit to a series after the Wheel of Time debacle), because I hadn't read any of this award-winning author's work, and because of the many glowing reviews here. It's obvious many people have loved this book. I had more mixed feelings about it, but I'll try to give my reasons why honestly. I simply hope that being honest instead of glowing doesn't draw unhelpful marks. Unlike several other non-glowing reviewers, my criticism doesn't come from the author's 'dabbling' outside of the sci-fi genre in which she's established and honored. Readers (and publishers) do authors a great disservice if, and when, we pigeonhole them in that way. My criticism focuses on the more practical areas of the story and writing themselves. The most significant flaw is, in many scenes, the writing is overdone or too descriptive and thus slows the pace considerably or else simply proves distracting. (It reads like a final draft, instead of a professionally edited manuscript.) For example, here's an exchange between a man and woman who have become attracted to each other, though an obstacle remains between them. She asks: "Do you think I lack courage?"
"Never that," he breathed.
She addressed her feet in a growl. "I'd storm heaven for you, if I knew where it was." So I respectfully disagree with the back cover blurb that this is "writing as good as it gets." It's competent and in some places clever, but hardly Pulitzer-caliber. Overall, I felt the book could have been edited down to three-fourths of its length and been not just as good, but better. It does accelerate nicely to an ending that ties up all the loose ends (but uses a pretty amazing/eye-rolling coincidence to make the ending possible). Also, the main character's self-effacing nature--his great competence in seeing everything except how wonderful people think he is--does become tiresome after a while. And other than him, the characterization is unremarkable. On world-building, the theological system created here is impressive, as is its integration into a well-done calendar, court fashions and funeral rites. There are five gods in Chalion: the Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, and Bastard. Each has his or her own colors and devotees, and while it's a well-developed pantheon, it raises a strange question: where did the Bastard come from, if not the Father and Mother? Also on world-building, the lack of a map greatly inhibited some of the scenes in which the characters discuss plans for traveling or military action. At the core of this book, there's a good story to be found, but you have to be patient, especially through the slow middle chapters. I'd recommend it as either a used paperback purchase or a library loan for fans of medieval court intrigue or this particular author. Three neither-regretful-nor-glowing stars for a novel that's hardly a curse, but not quite a blessing either.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific "other" Bujold novel
Review: Lois McMaster Bujold is a novelist who's work is so good that it's almost impossible to characterize her stuff in any conventional sense. Even her more "minor" novels, such as "Cetaganda" or "The Spirit Ring," are interesting and well thought out; her "major" novels, such as "Mirror Dance" or "A Civil Campaign" (among others) are all of that and the bag of chips besides. :) Yet I found it hard to classify "Curse of Chalion," partly because it was so different from anything else Ms. Bujold had ever written before. It's a classic hero's journey, yes; Lupe dy Cazaril, swordsman and scholar, had been left behind on purpose due to an enemy's callous act, and nearly died several times as an oarsman on a slaveship before his ship was liberated. After fleeing the ship and being nursed back to health, Cazaril makes his way toward the one woman he believes might both be powerful enough to help and be moved enough by his plight to help him -- the Provincara dy Baocia. Once there, the Provincara begs his aid; seems her granddaughter, the royesse Iselle (basically, the princess, who's third in line to the throne of Chalion) needs a tutor. She's too wild and willful for most women tutors, who don't respect her mind well enough; Cazaril, who's literally seen Hell itself, isn't afraid of her, or of anything (though he doesn't realize it). He takes her on, in the process also teaching her lady in waiting, Betriz dy Ferrej, daughter of the castle warder. Because the Provincara is the mother in law of the dowager royina, Cazaril doesn't have to fear for his life. Yet there's danger stalking the kingdom; danger of a type never seen before. And it's up to Cazaril to figure out the danger, stop it in its tracks, and then pick up the pieces . . . if he can. Sound interesting? It's even more interesting than that to read, as there's a highly involved theology going on with the Five Gods (Father, Mother, Daughter, Son, and Bastard), the courtly intrigue is spot on, and the dangers inherent for crowned heads laid plain for all to see. This is one of my favorite books, even if I can't really classify it in the "Bujold pantheon," as it's simply so different from her previous work. But that doesn't matter; read this book. You'll enjoy it, you'll appreciate it, and you might even learn something from it. Five stars, highly recommended. Barb Caffrey
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: the only thing wrong with this book is that it wasnt long enough/isnt a series. It was a fabulous read and the characters were very real >> i wish i could forget it so i could read it again!
Rating:
Summary: New genre, but same great Bujold
Review: As is always true of Bujold's books, _Curse_ is excellent. It isn't as deep into magic and such as many fantasy books are, so even if you aren't a fan of fantasy, you'll likely enjoy this book. It's more of a spiritual type of fantasy world, where the gods and goddesses grant miracles - more like the ancient Greek world than a fantasy type world. I did have trouble at the start of the book because so many things were mentioned that hadn't yet been explained (the religion, gods/goddesses, colors, etc). As the book goes on, Bujold explains everything clearly. So, as long as you have faith that everything will come together, the first part will be more of a building of suspense than irritating in its lack of explanation. The characters are all very strong, unique, and multi-dimensional. Bujold does an excellent job as always of making strong female characters in a world where they are considered to be under the rule of men by their society. Bujold does a great job making the world in which the characters live come to life. The plot was very strong, and all the loose ends came together by the end, leaving a sense of "wow!" when you finish it. I will be re-reading it soon. I recommend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Bujold does it again - in another genre!
Review: This foray into the fantasy world carries with it Bujold's wonderful ability to create a rich world and characters with, well, character! There's that self doubt, and striving to do your best that makes so many of her characters likable. My one wish for the characters would be the little spark of humor that goes so well with the pathos.
While I still love the Miles stories the best, this is well worth buying reading, re-reading and keeping. And its worth continuing.
Dear Ms. Bujold, please keep writing, anything and everything!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: When you pick up a truly great novel for the first time, you can usually tell that you're encountering a masterpiece by the end of the opening chapter. So it is with "The Curse of Chalion". The story opens simply, with a man wandering on a road towards a distant castle. He talks briefly with a group a soldiers and investigates a site where an extremely deadly and secretive form of magic was recently employed, while a few tantalizing hints about his horrifying past are revealed. Best of all, though, is the language. Like all good authors, Lois McMaster Bujold is capable of employing her words, sentences, and paragraphs to maximum effect. Although only a few lines are devoted to describing the landscape, the word choice is so vivid that readers won't have any trouble visuzlizing what she is describing. Equally important, though, is the fact that Bujold handles her main character, the centerpiece of the story, extrordinarily well. All things considered, this is a character-driven novel, and it stands as one of the few fantasy novels that has triumphed in that manner. As we see the main character recovering from the years that he spent at war and as a captive of the enemy, the process of his mental and physical recovery remains realistic throughout, sometimes brutally so. Likewise, his reaction to the events around him and his relationships with other characters are always plausible. Bujold's dedication to realism extends to the minor characters as well, although some of them are a bit simplistic. The final major advantage of "The Curse of Chalion" is the plot. This book eschews the stereotypical 'good guys vs. bad guys' storyline in favor of a situation where an entire royal family, and almost the entire cast of characters is struggling against a curse that has been brought on by the actions of an earlier King. It's fast-moving and contains some real surprising twists and turns right when you least expect them. I close by adding that the treatment of religion in this book is unique and refreshing. There's a fascinating polytheistic religious system which the action of Gods and various supernatural creatures affects people's lives in some rather surprising ways.
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