Ista, Chalion's dowager royina recently released from a long-standing curse, undertakes a pilgrimage with, among others, an impious priest and a horse-woman turned handmaiden. The journey and its many challenges and discoveries change Ista's life. This wise novel about love, loss, and life's many mysteries, set against the backdrop of a world with demons and 5 gods -- won both the Hugo and Nebula Award for Best Novel. This novel can be read as a stand-alone but it's well worth the time to read all three novels in Bujold's series: THE CURSE OF CHALION, PALADIN OF SOULS, and THE HALLOWED HUNT.
"Buy this book! I don't care if you have to steal Junior's lunch money -- buy this book! THE CURSE OF CHALION is Lois McMaster Bujold at the very top of her form, which says a great deal indeed. She proves she's at least as good at writing fantasy as she is at science fiction: among the best in the business, in other words. Here she's created a fascinating world full of interesting people, all of whom feel real and convincing. And, in meeting Cazaril, her hero, even Miles Vorkosigan might acknowledge there are some problems he's been lucky enough never, ever to imagine."
- Harry Turtledove author of THE GUNS OF THE SOUTH and TWO FRONTS
"This sequel to "The Curse of Chalion" (2001), [is] rich in sumptuous detail and speculative theology... This engaging installment of Chalion's mythical history whets the appetite for new marvels yet to come."
- Publisher's Weekly
“A well-paced and exciting book, PALADIN [OF SOULS] is a perfect blend of might, magic, and character development.”
- Library Journal
“Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.”
- SF Site
“Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.”
- Locus Magazine
“A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.”
- Rave Reviews
"Boy, can she write!"
- Anne McCaffrey
“Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.”
- Chicago Sun Times
Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF."
- Publishers Weekly
"Bujold is also head and shoulders above the ruck of current fantasists as well as science-fictionists."
- Booklist
"Buy this book! I don't care if you have to steal Junior's lunch money -- buy this book! THE CURSE OF CHALION is Lois McMaster Bujold at the very top of her form, which says a great deal indeed. She proves she's at least as good at writing fantasy as she is at science fiction: among the best in the business, in other words. Here she's created a fascinating world full of interesting people, all of whom feel real and convincing. And, in meeting Cazaril, her hero, even Miles Vorkosigan might acknowledge there are some problems he's been lucky enough never, ever to imagine."
- Harry Turtledove author of THE GUNS OF THE SOUTH and TWO FRONTS
"This sequel to "The Curse of Chalion" (2001), [is] rich in sumptuous detail and speculative theology... This engaging installment of Chalion's mythical history whets the appetite for new marvels yet to come."
- Publisher's Weekly
“A well-paced and exciting book, PALADIN [OF SOULS] is a perfect blend of might, magic, and character development.”
- Library Journal
“Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.”
- SF Site
“Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.”
- Locus Magazine
“A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.”
- Rave Reviews
"Boy, can she write!"
- Anne McCaffrey
“Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.”
- Chicago Sun Times
Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF."
- Publishers Weekly
"Bujold is also head and shoulders above the ruck of current fantasists as well as science-fictionists."
- Booklist
