502 pages
This book was a very pleasant surprise. I had read it a while back and really did not remember much about it, and to be honest I have really been wanting a good fantasy novel to sink my teeth into. Our book club is very strange lately in the books that we have chosen (not really a bad thing), so a step back to something I know more about (fantasy) was welcome.
The story is that Cazaril comes home of Chalion, but his trials on the road have left him broken (both in body and spirit). Too many betrayals have left him a jaded man. To his surprise he is made a tutor to the princess Iselle. But there is a curse on the family and Cazaril must do anything he can to remove it.
This is the first book I have ever read by Bujold, and I came away impressed. The main characters, Cazaril, Iselle, and Betriz were very well done. There were a few other interesting lesser characters that were done well, but the focus of the story was with those three. One of the things our book club talks about from time to time is authors ability to make strong female characters. The female characters in the book are vvery well done. They are strong, but also compassionate. Iselle and Betriz do such a great job in trying to live there lives in a world ruled by men.
Cazaril was also great. I could definately relate to him, and I love the different take on the hero. He was broken and flawed and did things most heroes would not do. Especially the attempt to kill Dondo with death magic. That is just something heroes normally would never attempt, even if it was for the "greater good". I loved that aspect of his character and was refreshing. He was also limited by his health and was dying. These are things that are completely different to deal with than the normal heroes have to face. I thought it made him more human and I really connected with him.
I would have liked to see more of Di Jironal. Since he was the antagonist for the most part, more of him would have been welcome. How he got where he was, etc.
The plot was tight for the most part. There were a few coinidences that annoyed me a bit, but the gods were also manuvering things a bit. One of the nice things is that most of the resolution for the novel were handled intellectually. That doesn't mean there wasn't a good fight or two, and Cazaril definateliy could fight when the chips fell.
The curse itself was interesting in how it twisted people in different ways. For Orico it was his physical health. For Ista it was the visions and her "mental health". Di Joroinal, it was his lust for power. The curse itself was an actual character in this book. It was so much more than just a plot device.
My rating system
My Rating. Amazingly good read. 8.0 out of 10. A very different heroes path made this story shine. It took the normal preface for a fantasy novel and made it a little different. I would suggest anyone that loved a dark fantasy, to read this.
Best quote from book. "Events may be horrible or inescapable. Men have always a choice--if not whether, then how they may endure."
Cazaril was also great. I could definately relate to him, and I love the different take on the hero. He was broken and flawed and did things most heroes would not do. Especially the attempt to kill Dondo with death magic. That is just something heroes normally would never attempt, even if it was for the "greater good". I loved that aspect of his character and was refreshing. He was also limited by his health and was dying. These are things that are completely different to deal with than the normal heroes have to face. I thought it made him more human and I really connected with him.
I would have liked to see more of Di Jironal. Since he was the antagonist for the most part, more of him would have been welcome. How he got where he was, etc.
The plot was tight for the most part. There were a few coinidences that annoyed me a bit, but the gods were also manuvering things a bit. One of the nice things is that most of the resolution for the novel were handled intellectually. That doesn't mean there wasn't a good fight or two, and Cazaril definateliy could fight when the chips fell.
The curse itself was interesting in how it twisted people in different ways. For Orico it was his physical health. For Ista it was the visions and her "mental health". Di Joroinal, it was his lust for power. The curse itself was an actual character in this book. It was so much more than just a plot device.
My rating system
My Rating. Amazingly good read. 8.0 out of 10. A very different heroes path made this story shine. It took the normal preface for a fantasy novel and made it a little different. I would suggest anyone that loved a dark fantasy, to read this.
Best quote from book. "Events may be horrible or inescapable. Men have always a choice--if not whether, then how they may endure."
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