Paladin of Souls - reading_fox's review
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1reading_fox
Paladin of Souls by lois Bujold
My review
The 2nd part of the Chalion series, events transpire directly after the end of Curse, which isn't required to have been read before, but will be of benefit. The story comes to a complete end here, the third part of the series hallowed hunt, does not feature any of the characters from the first or 2nd.
An unusual character is chosen for our heroine - middle aged, widowed, female, and recently bereaved of her son as well, - perhaps suitable for a piece of literary fiction in human angst, but seldom the choice of fantasy writers. However Lady Ista is who we have got, and she has a suddenly strong character, now that her 'madness' has passed. Irreverent, she curses the day the Gods involved themselves in her life, but determines nevertheless, that a pilgrimage around some of Chalion is a suitable excuse to relieve the tedium of life in a castle. In this she is inspired by the courier Liss who seems to Ista to have a carefree life of freedom. All proceeds dully with Ista paying scant attention to her travelling Divine's rote sermons until the party is captured by a roving warband from the neighbouring country. Here Ista learns firsthand the perils of war, and once again comes face to face with a God.
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as either the preceding or following works. Somehow the language isn't light, and Ista just doesn't have the same banter about her that the other protagonists carry off. It's all understandable given the characters involved, but a shame. There are some great lines, but not as many. The setting is somehow slightly less believable too. I wasn't convinced by the explanation for the prevalence of demons, nor the motivations of many of the 'enemy'. There is distinctly more romance involved, which is handled well, and marred only slightly be the comedy zombie.
Not as good as the others but enjoyable enough.
Any thoughts comments or discussion welcome.
My review
The 2nd part of the Chalion series, events transpire directly after the end of Curse, which isn't required to have been read before, but will be of benefit. The story comes to a complete end here, the third part of the series hallowed hunt, does not feature any of the characters from the first or 2nd.
An unusual character is chosen for our heroine - middle aged, widowed, female, and recently bereaved of her son as well, - perhaps suitable for a piece of literary fiction in human angst, but seldom the choice of fantasy writers. However Lady Ista is who we have got, and she has a suddenly strong character, now that her 'madness' has passed. Irreverent, she curses the day the Gods involved themselves in her life, but determines nevertheless, that a pilgrimage around some of Chalion is a suitable excuse to relieve the tedium of life in a castle. In this she is inspired by the courier Liss who seems to Ista to have a carefree life of freedom. All proceeds dully with Ista paying scant attention to her travelling Divine's rote sermons until the party is captured by a roving warband from the neighbouring country. Here Ista learns firsthand the perils of war, and once again comes face to face with a God.
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as either the preceding or following works. Somehow the language isn't light, and Ista just doesn't have the same banter about her that the other protagonists carry off. It's all understandable given the characters involved, but a shame. There are some great lines, but not as many. The setting is somehow slightly less believable too. I wasn't convinced by the explanation for the prevalence of demons, nor the motivations of many of the 'enemy'. There is distinctly more romance involved, which is handled well, and marred only slightly be the comedy zombie.
Not as good as the others but enjoyable enough.
Any thoughts comments or discussion welcome.
