pickI was on a mini-vacation at the shore with my family this weekend, and I spent a good chunk of time reading this book. It later occurred to me that there were other things I could have been doing during my son‘s nap, but since I don‘t remember them now I must not regret it much 😄 I loved this book. It was like the perfect combination between the Vorkosigan saga and the female-centered fantasy I grew up with (Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce).
I‘m loving the worldbuilding in this book—Bujold doesn‘t explain the deities or this legend of “the virgin and the water jar,” because Ista wouldn‘t have any reason to explain them. I‘d love to hear the story, though!
Funny that I‘ve gone from reading a book with a main character named Isa to one with an Ista. And that‘s after reading 2 books with major characters named Constance!
pick“Triple crown” winner of Hugo, Locus, & Nebula awards. Unique for fantasy, the protagonist is a middle-aged woman, Ista. I loved her from the first! Act 2 lost itself a bit, but what a strong finish.
Excessively recurring character descriptions, especially about weight, aged this book beyond its years (2003). But the world-building & Ista‘s weary soul reminded me of Ursula K. Le Guin‘s Earthsea, and comparison to Le Guin is a compliment from me.
#whatwouldyoudo 1️⃣ Dowager Royina Ista dy Chalion 2️⃣❤️. 3️⃣ Ista is wonderful. She is intelligent and courageous. She does what she wants, takes risks and doesn‘t care what anyone thinks. She‘s also a mother of two! 4️⃣ @Jacob_Peyton @flapjack
pickLove Lois McMaster Bujold‘s work! I am invested in the characters and the story almost from page one. Her characters are so intelligent and witty. Easy to see why this won the Hugo and the Nebula. 5.0/5.0 #2019
pickIf you want to read a book about how a middle aged woman who ends up enslaved by her families‘ expectations and her own perceived uselessness, do not read this book. If you want to a story about how a middle aged woman finally get to reach her epic potential when finally released from her duties of wife/widow, mother, and daughter, read this inspiring book! May our lives continue to adapt, grow, and be full of love! #hugoaward
#Litsy321Favorites @Jess7
3 - Fantasy, SF, young adult
3 - Lois McMaster Bujold, Nnedi Okorafor, Tamora Pierce
3 - Paladin of Souls; The Outlaws of Sherwood; The Trumpet of the Swan
2 - @missevievelyn @erinreads
2 - Kramer Books (DC) and the FOL book store
2 - Book Riot and TeeTurtle
1 - Read to Me tee
1- the hammock
1 - all of them!
A friend just highly recommended this book to me, the second in the Curse of Chalion series. She hit a bunch of my keywords in recommending it... it's going on the TBR ASAP! Has anyone read this? If so, what did you think?
pickI do think you need to read the Curse of Chalion before this book. It just makes it a more enjoyable experience and you can really get under Ista's skin. She is a fascinating character and I was so happy that we got to follow her story. I have read this book several times and always find something new. Love it.
GIRL POWER! Features a mature female lead. Bujold is creative and talented. Her fantasy is unique and has such well fleshed out worlds. This book, like the first book, The Curse of Chalion, is excellent. Check it out if you enjoy fantasy and like an interesting world and theological system.
Paladin of Souls | 
