ois McMaster Bujold's fantasy novel The Curse of Chalion was deservedly nominated for both the World Fantasy Award and the Hugo Award (for Best Novel). The book tells the story of Lupe dy Cazaril, cat's-paw of the gods, whose self-sacrifice through death-magic delivered the land from a decades-old curse. In the sequel, Paladin of Souls, a minor character from the previous book steps to center stage.
Once a queen, and now a middle-aged widow in a backwater town, Ista dy Chalion leads a quiet life. A quiet, discontented life. What she needs is a vacation and a chance to sort out her future in a setting free of her servants' zealous mollycoddling. Ista hits on the idea of a pilgrimage—not because she bears any love for the five gods, but because a pilgrim traveling discreetly under an assumed name can leave the majority of her servants behind.
Capturing the dowager queen of Chalion would prove a great prize for a rival nation, and Ista's peaceful journey is quickly terminated by Jokonan raiders. They tie Ista to her horse, and ride hell-for-leather for the border. But the gods have other plans for Ista, and they send the gallant, handsome, courageous Lord Arhys to rescue her. If only he weren't married. If only he weren't dead. If only he weren't married to a demon sorceress who keeps his dead body animated with
the life force of his brother.
Instead of contemplating her future, Ista must sort out a muddle of sorcery and murder. Luckily, the gods want to help her, endowing her with psychic gifts. Unluckily, Ista has endured the gods' painful attentions in the past, and she would rather do without their gifts and tasks. The crisis spins out of control as Lord Arhys's castle falls under siege by the prince of Jokona and his entire army. Can Ista and her reawakened powers withstand the assault of a centuries-old demon?
Unfamiliar deeds in a familiar fantasy setting
There's a lot of Tolkien-spawned product on the shelves. It's a pleasure to find a writer who can take the familiar fantasy settings so beloved of readers and put her own skillful stamp on them.
One of Lois McMaster Bujold's strengths is her ability to create heroic characters that transcend fantasy norms. How many fantasy heroes have we seen whose adventures kick off when their pubescent hormones start to flow? How many times do we follow the search for the lost father and/or secret royal heritage? Bujold opens a wider world for her readers, one where adventures may still be ahead of you even if you're over 40.
It's traditional for fantasy heroes to start in a low place—often the scullery—and end in a high place. Ista's rank in society couldn't begin in a higher stratum, but 20 years of living under a curse have left her spirits low indeed. It's satisfying to see her awaken to life and to love. The story never wavers from Ista's point of view, and her tart observations splash a little humor into a tale that includes many somber moments of atonement, loss and pain.
Bujold's land of Chalion follows the established rules of medieval fantasy—swords, not guns; magic, not legerdemain; castles and dungeons, not condos and malls. The spark of invention gleams brightest in the creation of the five deities, with their exalted agendas. The gods treat the humans as generals treat their officers and troops, mindful of the sacrifices demanded but still answering one's prayers for help by throwing someone else into harm's way. And Bujold never shies away from challenging her characters. Just when it seems they've earned a breather, back they go into the frying pan.
