Rating: 
Summary: Another masterpiece
Review: Here is an author that knows how to write about people. Her characters are deep, real and believable. The main character, Cazaril, starts the story scarred, traumatized and rapidly thrown in over his head by events. He carries his baggage and his scars, if not proudly, then at least honorably. Cazaril, unlike so many fantasy heroes, is an adult wrestling with adult problems. It's a refreshing reminder that adventures can start in the middle of life, too. The politics in particular are well thought-out, consistent and ruthless. This plot is rich, fast paced and complex.The Saint (when you finally figure out who it is) has some of the best lines in the book. I couldn't help laughing out loud and even misting up at the end. The book grabbed me emotionally. It is exceptionally well written. Don't expect to be able to put it down. The Curse of Chalion is a stand-alone novel, not part of any series and in a completely different universe from her Vorkosigan novels. (I'm told that there is a sequel on the way and I actually hope not. The story ended perfectly - all the loose ends neatly tied up.)
Rating:
Summary: A royal curse and worse
Review: The Curse of Chalion is Lois McMaster Bujold's second fantasy novel. Known mostly for her science fiction Miles Vorkosigan series, she has rarely dabbled in fantasy. I haven't read her first one, The Spirit Ring, but if this is any indication, I should run out and buy it immediately. The Curse of Chalion is a wonderful tale, beautifully told with flare and style. I've been a huge fan of the Vorkosigan series for a long time, and I think Bujold is one of the best writers out there. It still took me a little bit of time to decide to try this book. Am I glad I finally did, though. The Curse of Chalion is a fantastic book. Bujold shows her masterful characterization ability with a cast of unique and interesting people. Cazaril is the ultimate reluctant hero. He just wants to be left alone. He wants to join the Provincara's household, under the radar of his enemies, and live out his life in peace. When it's shown that destiny won't allow him this luxury, he tackles his job with resigned dedication. He has a gentle sense of humour, and he has a very sweet romance with Betriz, the Royesse Iselle's lady in waiting. When the three of them are together, conspiring or trying to decide what to do as events go from bad to worse, the dialogue is snappy and each of them bring their own point of view to the proceedings. These are not cardboard characters. The romance slowly grows, appearing one-sided at first, but Bujold slowly reveals that the feelings are mutual. By this time, of course, Cazaril thinks he's going to be dead soon, so he tries hard to push her away. I found the whole thing tragic and I really felt for them. There are far too many characters to go into great detail of how individualistic they are, but let me talk about the villain for a minute. In dy Jironal, Bujold creates a truly three-dimensional villain. He has a lust for power, but he is also practical. He works with Cazaril when he has to, and his plans are thought out well. Cazaril and his compatriots are forced to actually out-think him rather than winning due to the villain's stupidity. There aren't any "moustache-twirling moments," though a couple of times in battle come close. However, those can be attributed to the stress of the situation. I was really impressed with dy Jironal, and there was true tension in the situation. Would Cazaril be able to defeat him? Probably, but only because it doesn't seem like it will be a book with a downbeat ending. But the doubt is always there, as dy Jironal maneuvers Cazaril into one desperate move after another. The plot is very interesting as well. Cazaril is fighting a war on two fronts. He's trying to prevent dy Jironal from taking power by getting the Royesse's brother under his power for the inevitable time when the current ruler dies. But this is only peripheral to the curse that's hanging over the Royesse's family. Cazaril has to fight a war on both sides, as he tries to figure out a way to end the curse and still deprive dy Jironal of his ambitions. The plot has a sort of epic feel, in that Cazaril ends up journeying all over the land, but it is also a very intimate plot. What it boils down to is that Cazaril must save a young woman for whom he has great respect and affection, as well as having romantic feelings for her assistant. This sort of plot would not be very interesting if it wasn't for the characters, so it's imperative that Bujold populate her story with interesting people. Thankfully, she does. Finally, I have to compliment Bujold on her world-building. It shouldn't surprise any readers of the Vorkosigan series that she creates a vivid, detailed world full of intriguing complications, people, lands and politics. The political situation is very realistic, with some break-away provinces, neighbours who have to deal with their own insurrections and a nice combination of allies and enemies to Chalion. The line of succession in Chalion is very realistically managed and the whole thing ties together nicely. Where I must really compliment Bujold, though, is in the use of religion. The world has five gods, The Mother, The Father, The Sister and the Brother, along with the ... Some countries do not believe in the ..., though. When someone dies, part of the funeral is to have a representative from each god come to the funeral, release its sacred animal, and see which animal will go to the deceased. Whichever god's animal does this is the god who has taken the spirit of the deceased. If no animals go to the corpse, then the spirit is doomed to wander the land, or something else has happened. This becomes very important in the story, and is the first indication that Cazaril is going to have a lot more to deal with than he planned. Bujold creates a very interesting religious system, and then makes it very important to the plot. Ultimately, I can't recommend this book enough. It dragged very slightly in the middle, but it's almost unnoticeable. That's the only flaw I can pick out in this book. If you're a fantasy fan, you really should pick this one up. If you're a Vorkosigan fan but have been reluctant to try a Bujold that's not a Vorkosigan book, don't be. Take the plunge and pick this one up. You won't regret it. Bujold's hit another home run.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Truly One of the Best!
Review: It is seldom that I have the chance to award 5 stars to any piece of work, in fact this is the first time since I have been writing reviews here on Amazon. This one deserves every star! Start with a wonderfully original story premise, add characters that live, breath and seem to pull into their world. Intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat and a little touch of romance to lighten the heart. Mix this together and you have The Curse of Chalion. I read this first as a favor for a librarian wanting me to evaluate it a young adult literature. No foul language, no sex, and just a bit of violence necessary for the story line. Young adult lit, you bet it can pass the test, but please don't let this scare you away. This story loses nothing by not including these little bits of the 'adult' world. This is a well-written story with interesting and well-crafted characters. I couldn't put it down and I don't think you will be able to either. The Curse of Chalion is not one of the Vorkosigan stories, it's better, much better. I had to buy this on in hardback, I wore out the paperback I had. For anyone who likes a little romance, fantasy, intrigue and action I don't see how you could do any better than this one. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Joy to Read
Review: The Curse of Chalion is a joy to read. The characters, the action, the world unfold in a breathtaking manner that left me yearning for more, but the words themselves shine. Bujold uses words more masterfully that most writers in the SF/Fantasy genre and it is that use of language that propels this book from being one of the best fantasy books to being one of the best novels I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Loyal service in a world of occasional miracles (not magic)
Review: I am fond of all Bujold's books, especially now that Miles Vorkosigan is maturing. But The Curse of Chalion is, in my opinion, her very _best_ single book so far. It is certainly the only book, from any author, that I have reread so quickly (and so often) after first reading. This is more a political romance than an adventure. It is a story of despair, loyal service, and sacrifice in a world that feels the light touch of its gods at every death, yet so lightly that the occasional miracle is unexpected. A collection of miracles (including the title curse) is central to the story, but never as a heavy-handed deus ex machina. Instead, the personal and public histories (and conflicts) of the characters, the countries, and the curse are woven together as deftly as any well-polished retelling of a fairy tale.
Rating:
Summary: A very bold book.
Review: I read somewhere that Bujold had been accused of leaving religion out of Barrayar; well, she makes up for it here. This is a fantasy novel, but the realistic underpinings are not hard to spot: Isabella of Castile, Ferdinard of Aragon, and the reunification of Spain. The Moors, here called the Roknari, are given Viking characteristics. If we were in fanboy-land, which fortunately, we're not, the hero would be a cynical mercenary. But Bujold's in charge, so we get an awkward man who without being unworldly, is helplessly virtuous. A not very popular notion these days, virture being thoroughly out of style, but at least Bujold does not give us ye olde 'virtuous characters are so difficult to make interesting' rationale. She has no difficulty at all in making Cazaril interesting, mainly because she actually has imagination. The humour is more oblique than in many of the Vorkosigan books, but then it's also more subtle (I particularly liked Cazaril's assurance to Betriz that the villain is making up to her for political reasons.) I've seen plenty of faked-up religions in fantasy novels; but this is one of the few I found convincing, even fascinating. The scene where Cazaril meets his goddess is particularly good. Since I didn't much like "The Spirit Ring" I didn't expect to like this novel as much as I did. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent fun
Review: Can anyone spin a smart, entertaining tale better than Louise Bujold? When I want a fun read that contains a well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and quality writing, I turn to Bujold. Chalion is a stand-alone novel that follows a war-weary (forcibly) retired soldier through the twists and turns of palace intrigue and one family's little domestic trouble (a multi-generational curse). If you need a break from the nth installment of the lastest epic, decade-spanning fantasy spectacular, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story in a well thought out fantasy world
Review: This book is Bujold's best non-Vorkosigan fantasy yet. It is a stand alone novel that is much better than many of the current fantasy offerings on the shelf for sheer quality of writing and enjoyment in reading. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down as really wanted to know how it ended, always the sign of an above average novel, when you don't stall at some point and have to make yourself pick up the book to finish it. This book is the story of Cazaril, a man who thinks he has been broken by the reverses life has bought him and only wants a quiet corner of the world to spend the rest of his days. What he wants and what he gets are two different things, because the old family friend who he asks for help ends up giving him the job of tutor and secretary to the princess (royess) of Chalion (her grand daughter) who is living in the household. Cazaril did not expect this and the consequences for him and the entire country will not be anything he has forseen. This book explores themes of renewal, redemption and the workings of the gods and universe. It is a feel good, and exciting novel. Bujold's non-Vorkosigian fantasy has noticeably improved over the years and I will be quicker next time to pick up her novels outside the Vorkosigan universe.
Rating:
Summary: her best yet
Review: Please get this one!!! A wonderful read, reminds me of the best of David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, and Terry Brooks who have authored some of my favorite books.
If you like any of these authors, then you will undoubtedly put this book on your keeper shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Book...
Review: This is a very good book for the fantasy genre. Especially if you're anything like me and find yourself searching for something fresh. If you've noticed there's pretty much a huge drop off in quality of fantasy books after Jordan, Goodkind and Martin. Buy this book and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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