Rating: 
Summary: An Intelligent Story WIth Great Characters
Review: Author Lois McMaster Bujold is best known for her "Vorkosigan" novels. That "The Curse of Chalion" is not another one of those excellent adventures is one of the few faults of this marvelous and intelligent book.Cazaril is a man who has been through life's wringer. Caz is a former soldier of the nation of Chalion, who when taken prisoner was sold as a galley slave. The broken remnants of a shattered man have walked across two countries in the hopes of finding some menial service and a warm place by the fire in service at the castle where he served as a page in his youth. Instead, he finds himself swept up in events seemingly beyond his control, and is appointed as the royal tutor and secretary to the Royesse Iselle, as well as tutor to Iselle's older companion, Lady Betriz. Iselle's younger brother, Royse Tedeiz, is the heir to the throne of Chalion, and as a result, Cazaril ends up with his charges amidst the scheming, plotting and corruption of the Royal court, where the childless Roya is not well, and vultures in human form are waiting to swoop in for what scraps of power can be obtained. Worse for Caz, he finds himself forced to defend his young charge from enemies from his own past, as well as newer foes. But more is at work than mere political corruption. A curse is at work, blighting the entire royal house. To his horror, Cazaril finds himself forced into the position as a pawn of the gods, a place that no man should be. This is an intelligent book, and Ms. Bujold paints her characters, especially Cazaril, with an exquisite touch. The author has created a vivid and vibrant world, with an intriguing theology, well defining the costs of what it means to be a "saint" of the divine. The sole flaw of this book is that it is perhaps a bit on the short side, with certain matters being resolved a bit too quickly. As a result, the true rating of this book is 4.5, but 5 stars have been awarded due to the superior nature of this novel. If you've only read Ms. Bujold's outstanding sci-fi works, "The Curse of Chalion" provides a great chance for the reader to see the consistent excelence of this author. Get this book!
Rating:
Summary: A terrific, inventive fantasy
Review: Bujold is one of the best writers in SF and probably the best writer of characters EVER in that field. Now she has translated her abilities and creativity into the top fantasy novel I have read this year. Her created world, with its five-god religion (five very ACTIVE gods), is completely absorbing. As usual, her characterization is superb and you really feel you know these people personally by the end of the book. I hope this is a big seller and persuades her to write more in this world. I am deeply impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Miles But Worth a Look
Review: While I enjoyed this book it was certainly no Vorkosigan Saga, but then again, it shouldn't necessarily have to be. The story was interesting enough and the main character, Carazil was a nice variant on the reluctant hero. I can't find any direct link between Carazil and Miles except that both suffer from physical deformities (interestingly enough the back seems to be a popular location - Miles is twisted and hunchbacked - Carazil has the scars and adhesions of whippings). Nevertheless, Carazil is his own man. I liked him and rooted for him although a romance with a woman 15 years younger??? C'mon! I also thought that while Iselle was a strong female character, there really wasn't anything special about her. I've read dozens of fantasies with 'strong' female characters and frankly Iselle was a little to cookie-cutter for my taste. Too perfect. A good student, clever, not tempted by the flatterers, etc. Some flaws would have made her much more interesting. As for her world building, it was serviceable. A somewhat prototypical medieval world even if borrowing heavily from medieval Spain, still has its castle and hierarchy of power (I agree with a previous reviewer that the titles were unnecessarily complicated). What I did enjoy was her take on religion and magic in this world. The idea of a 'professional saint' was quite novel and fit well into the story. Bujold's writing is polished but I had trouble with some of her dialogue, the emphasis and accents seemed misplaced to my ear. This will doubtless improve as she continues to develop her characters. Overall a servicable work but nothing that will knock your socks off. A pleasant diversion for a rainy afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: I loved this book. The author has a way of pulling you into the story and not letting go. While I am not fond of series book, I would definitely look forward to a sequel of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Growing on me
Review: This book's been growing on me since I first read it, and I keep finding little snippets of ideas, characterizations, and plot twists sifting up into consciousness, to delight and amaze. I'll be rereading this one for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Don Quixote Saves the World and Gets the Girl
Review: I have enjoyed the Vor series as well as her earlier work, but "The Curse" is not only a remarkable piece of work in it's own genre but will, I predict, become a classic. My only regret is that it was too short.
Rating:
Summary: Bujold at her Best
Review: I don't know what the hell is going on, but I like it. The last few months have seen a spate of unexpected fiction from unexpected places. Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David came from left field. Damn good storyline that is NOT your standard fantasy fare. Heroes that maim and kill their best friends out of envy, and do NOT marry the princess.... Neil Gaiman body slams the reader with American Gods. A damn fine read that has little to do with anything you have ever imagined, yet speaks to anybody who has ever spent any time smoking ... while doing time in the SCA. Meaning all you people out there reading this review should buy the damn book. Bujold also came out of left field. Her last foray into fantasy, the Spirit Ring, was a miserable failure (I couldn't even finish it). Her last few science fiction books, though lauded by bribed reviewers, were sad (in comparison to her other books--overall they were ordinary, tired, decent). This once great author had sunken low. This single book, however, justifies Bujold's entire existence. Buy the damn thing. Enjoy it. Then buy her early Vor books. Fine, fine, damn fine books.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another masterpiece!
Review: At first I was somewhat disappointed that this was not another Vorkosigan book, but once I started reading, I could not put this down. While the action is not quite as non-stop as the Miles books, it still moves along at a good clip. When we are first introduced to Cazaril, our hero, he is homeless and penniless, reduced to stealing clothes from a dead man. Formerly a great young warleader, he had been betrayed and sold as a galley slave. After being freed, he heads for the household where he once served as a page, hoping to beg for a position as a kitchen servant. Instead he is given the position as the secretary/advisor to the King's half-sister. He pledges to protect her, and when they are recalled to the corrupt capital city to attend to the dying king, his pledge is truly put to the test. Assailed by treachery and disaster on all sides, the royal family is under a terrible curse, and the gods want Cazaril to break it. And the only way to do that is for a man to die three times for the House of Chalion. Cazaril is a fascinating character, full of dry wit and intelligence, and watching him careen from slave to secretary to reluctant saint makes for a very entertaining read. The secondary characters, from the slimey Lord Dondo to the strong-willed Royesse Iselle and her companion Lady Betriz are well-drawn and interesting as well. Lots of action & intrigue, fascinating characters, a well-drawn world, even a little romance--there is something in this book for everyone. You will not regret reading it!
Rating:
Summary: Bujold explores spirituality
Review: Bujold has created a new world and set of characters and told a compelling story. I expect most of her fans, like me, are anxiously awaiting the next installment in the Miles Vorkosigan saga. This book is excellent in its own right, but I can't help wondering if it is a sort of etude on the subject of spirituality (her invented religion is well crafted and internally cohesive, and quite interesting). If Miles is not to be a sort of Napoleon, which was my original assumption, perhaps she is going to take him in a spiritual direction. I can't wait to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but Vorkosigan stories are better
Review: As an avid fan of Lois Bujold and her Vorkosigan series, I read this book with a good deal of anticipation. I found it a reasonably interesting fantasy, but not as good nor as fun as the previous fiction. I found the structure of the fantasy world less compelling than classic fantasy like the Earthsea trilogy or Lord of the Rings. But I think what I missed most was the humor in the Vorkosigan series. I didn't get many laughs reading this. Also, Vorkosigan novels tend to be propelled along by one damn thing after another, while this seemed to drag along in comparison. Despite these reservations, the Curse of Chalion is worth reading; it's not Lois Bujold's best novel though. Try Memory, Cetaganda, Komarr or A Civil Affair first.
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