Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Publisher: EOS
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: 2002
“The Curse of Chalion” draws inspiration from medieval Spain for a setting divided into several realms including the land of Chalion, where most of the action plays out. As the story opens, we are introduced to the protagonist Cazaril, a former soldier and courtier recently freed from the depredations of a slave galley, who has returned to his home a much-changed man bearing scars on mind and body.
In search of a lowly position in a former master’s household, Cazaril is, to his surprise, instead elevated to the position of secretary and tutor to the Royesse Iselle, the sister of the Royse Teidez, who is next in line for the throne of Chalion. At first reluctant to take on this task, Cazaril soon finds Iselle to be a brilliant if strong-willedyoung woman who earns his loyalty.
His loyalty is soon tested as a summons comes from the Roya’s court at Cardegoss, and Iselle and Teidez must pack up and move to the court. Not only are they forced to confront the byzantine intrigues of the court, the curse of Chalion soon makes itself known, subtly twisting all those of the blood of Chalion. Even the gods make their hand in affairs known, adding another layer of complexity to the tangle.
This being my first experience with Bujold’s work, I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. Cazaril is a great protagonist and I particularly liked his wry sense of humor that often came into play throughout the story. Another strong point in my opinion was the mix of political intrigue with the religious belief in a pantheon of five gods, each representing different aspects.
However, it would have been nice perhaps to see the “villains” a bit more fleshed out beyond the usual power-hungry stereotypes, especially given the strong characterizations of Cazaril and others. Additionally, there is a fair amount of time spent on filling out the role of the Bastard (one of the five gods) as it relates to the story in particular, but in turn the other gods aren’t quite as detailed. This is not to say the religious aspects woven into the larger story aren’t otherwise well-done, however. As I read, I found it reminded me a bit of Katherine Kurtz’s Deryni books, with the weaving together of religion, political intrigue and a bit of magic.
In sum, I have to say I really enjoyed “The Curse of Chalion” a good deal, regardless of the minor issues.
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