/lit/ - Literature

>>22678324
The Curse of Chalion, World of the Five Gods #1 - Lois McMaster Bujold (2001)

Cazaril, 35 years old, is bereft of all that he once had save the raggedy clothes he wears. Half his life has been in the military, though that ended when he was sold into slavery through betrayal. Having now escaped, he trudges towards where he spent time as a page for the provincial ruler. Though broken in body and spirit, he struggles on. Better days are soon to come for him. To his bewilderment, he finds himself having become a tutor to two teenage girls, a princess and her handmaiden. He becomes ever more involved in the battlefield that is courtly life.

This is a very character focused book, both in terms of introspection and what matters. The vast majority of that involves daily life at the palace and the court intrigue that entails. There's the occasional fight and some adventure, though it all results from the moves that players have made against each other. That means it's much more talking than anything else. Threats, demands, manipulation, bribes, accusations, and gossip abound. When those fail there's blackmail, beatings, and assassination to fall back upon. There's also some romance, a considerable amount of flirting, and a few unwanted advances. Despite the dark moments, it tends more towards being uplifting and triumphal by the end. I found this to be very refreshing and invigorating. I wouldn't call it a feel-good fantasy, but it's certainly closer to that than what I mostly read.

The Curse of Chalion has some historical inspiration and basis from the ending years of the Reconquista in the 15th century. One of the main differences is that their religion has five gods, who meddle in human affairs when possible. There are many religious customs and rituals to appease them. Various sorts of miracles are possible by the saints though they are mostly for the benefit of the god's agenda rather than anything else. However, death magic can potentially be used by anyone. If it's successful it takes both the life of the user and the target. There are theological conversations that discuss the particulars and implications of their religion. Aside from this there aren't really any other fantastical elements. It's the sort of book that could be called something like secondary world historical fantasy.

I ended up enjoying this more than anything else I've read this year and it's among the most I've enjoyed any fantasy novel. There's almost nothing with which I take any issue. It may not be exactly what I want, but it's close enough. One a different note, it's truly astounding and frustrating how different books can be from the same author. It'd a lot easier to be able to dismiss an author without any concerns if it could be assumed that all they write would be received in a similar way. If the rest in this setting are anywhere as pleasing as this was, then it'll definitely be among my favorite series.

Rating: 5/5

Paladin of Souls, World of the Five Gods #2, Lois McMaster Bujold (2003)

Three years after the events of the previous book, Ista is now forty years old and deeply unsatisfied with her life despite the curse having been lifted. From birth she was brought up to be someone who'd marry into greatness, so she couldn't ever be herself. When she came of age and married the king the role she had to play was even more false and tormented. Even after being widowed and secluded, the anguish from the curse and trauma she endured left her without a self. Grief and loss were her world entire. The crushing weight of expectation began at birth and seemed it would not relent until death. Now at forty, her life half over, she wonders if she can begin to live as herself. Perhaps there's yet remains time to experience life, embrace the world, and see what exists outside of what has been forced upon her. After glimpsing what her life could've been, she resolves to go on pilgrimage despite her fears of relapsing into madness. She doesn't do so for a religious reason, but to save her soul, and if that's not possible, then to at least to lighten the burden upon it. Though she wants nothing to do with the gods any longer, one of the gods sees this as an excellent time to have their will worked through her. What ensues is a tale of mystery, magic, murder, demons, gods, love, war, self-discovery, and acceptance.

Ista is the sole viewpoint character and the only one from the previous book to be in this one in a significant role. Past characters make brief appearances and are mentioned in passing, but this is almost entirely about the new cast. Whereas the first book was about courtly life, intrigue, and adventure, this one is traveling for the first quarter then exploring a mystery for rest of the time that's much more than it initially seems. Although it's rather different from the first book I greatly enjoyed it anyway. Overall I prefer the first book, though that may change in time, as this has greater strengths in some areas than the previous one did, primarily in terms of being a character study. Ista's story is one that I personally find to be very compelling. It's often very introspective and deals with how to navigate relations with both the self and others. I found it to be fascinating how she comes to terms with the life she's lived and is able to move on from it, step by step.

Based on what I understand this is as far as the story goes in chronological terms. As far as I know all other works in this setting take place in the considerable past. Regardless, I'm eager to read them, as this book has shown that what really matters is simply that Bujold is writing in this setting. Even more so it's about how meaningful it feels. I don't mind reading entirely for entertainment, however if it can also be meaningful, then there's little else I'd want from it.

Rating: 5/5

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The Hallowed Hunt, The World of the Five Gods #3 - Lois McMaster Bujold (2005)

Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff, twenty four years old, has been ordered to investigate the murder of Prince Boleso. The prince had been sent away because he had murdered, skinned, then butchered one of his manservants. Lady Ijada killed him because he attempted to rape her during a forbidden forest ritual involving animal sacrifice and their spirits. Ingrey must return to Easthome with Boleso's salt preserved corpse and Ijada so that they both stand trial, the former before the gods and the latter at court. Ingrey and Ijada immediately fall into a peculiar relationship with an unexpected power dynamic. All five gods and their representatives, a sorcerer of immense power, and the nobility influence their actions. A plot centuries in the making unfolds. All the pieces on the board must think they're moving themselves rather than being moved.

The Hallowed Hunt has a completely new cast, aside from the gods, and takes place in a previously unmentioned land. I've seen this described as a trilogy of standalone fantasy novels and while I think that's somewhat arguable for the first two that's definitely true for this one. I don't know quite how to sum up what this one is about without spoiling a lot, but even I did, I think what it is about is rather underwhelming. For the most part the characters lack agency and go where they're supposed to and do what they're forced to. What saved this book for me was the writing. It was nice enough to read, even though most everything else was lacking. This was especially the case for the mastermind antagonist's motivations. When they were revealed I was vastly disappointed because of how petty it was.

Of the three books this one has the most romance by far. I wouldn't have minded as much, but it just seemed to happen because the plot needed it to be. It was oddly developed and there's a slight bit of shifter stuff as it deals a lot with animal spirits. It may be unfair of me, but the kind of paranormal romance it made me think of definitely detracted from my enjoyment. I also don't think they made a good couple in general, or were that interesting of characters. I don't know what happened with this book, relative to the previous two.

I'd say this one is an optional read. The first two are great and this one is alright, though the comparison to the previous books hurts it. My first thought was to give this 3.5 rounded up, mostly out of inertia, but after writing this and thinking it over, I don't think I can. There's simply not enough that I liked about it, but even so, it's still a close call. Next in the setting is the dozen or so Penric and Desdemona novellas. I expect them to be at least somewhat better than this was.

Rating: 3.5/5

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