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Paladin of Souls (World of the Five Gods, #2)

Lois McMaster Bujold

Start date: February 21, 2014

Finish date: March 20, 2014

Discussion leader: Andreas

Why we're reading this: Hugo Award Winner 2004
Nebula Award Winner 2004
Group Discussion February 2013
[close] Hugo Award Winner 2004
Nebula Award Winner 2004
Group Discussion February 2013

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Sep 29, 2013 Jim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3series, 1audio, fantasy, 2fiction

I read (listened to) this out of order, third instead of second. Not a big deal. The events take place soon after the first book, but the third is set centuries earlier, so doesn't impact it at all.

All three books had different readers. The first, told about a man was read by one. This one, about a woman, was read by one who did quite a good job.

Again, Bujold uses a damaged, ravaged soul as the focus of the story, except from the 'privileged' female perspective. Issa was simply a minor, piteous I read (listened to) this out of order, third instead of second. Not a big deal. The events take place soon after the first book, but the third is set centuries earlier, so doesn't impact it at all.

All three books had different readers. The first, told about a man was read by one. This one, about a woman, was read by one who did quite a good job.

Again, Bujold uses a damaged, ravaged soul as the focus of the story, except from the 'privileged' female perspective. Issa was simply a minor, piteous character previously, but events have freed her to find her own way again - sort of. The damn gods want a lot though & this woman has to rise to meet their demands or be crushed.

The nature of the gods & demons is much discussed again. It's a very cool system that Bujold sets up with limits & powers that are inventive & even appalling at times. Very human-like without the monochromatic view of most fantasies. Yes, there is good & evil, but sometimes its hard to tell one from the other, just like in real life. Other times it's obvious - there's definitely a goal - but the path getting through is quite twisty.

Most of all, the characters are quite human. The heroes have their faults, the villains redeeming characteristics & motivations. Even (especially?) saints are imperfect. The mix makes for a thoughtful, if action-packed & memorable tale.

I like the way Bujold handles horses in her books. I don't get the feeling that she's an expert on the subject the way Janny Wurts is, but she's certainly competent & understands both their strengths & frailties on a gut level. Horses get footsore just as riders occasionally get saddle sores. Wonderful! It's such a nice change of pace from the fantasy authors who think they're simply cars with hooves. Overall, this was a very 'real' fantasy firmly grounded in the realities of a Medieval society with all the little inconveniences that we no longer have to worry about & so many authors forget about.

I'm sorry to come to the end of these books. It's a great world that I will miss. ...more

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Feb 09, 2019 Robin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

Dowager Royina Ista dy Chalion is at loose ends now that her “madness” is over and the curse of Chalion broken. After her mother’s death, there is nothing to tie her to her girlhood home, and desiring an excuse to get away from her family, she decides that a pilgrimage may be a good idea. With a divine of the Bastard temple, Learned Chivar dy Cabon, Liss, courier cum lady-in-waiting, and a Chancellory guard commanded by brothers Ferda and Foix dy Gura, Ista begins her journey. However, after onl ...more

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May 01, 2014 Shhhh... Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance

I did not expect to love this, but I really really did. What's hilarious, though, is that this is a book with a forty-year-old protagonist and yet I picked it up in the YA section of the library. My choice of the book was actually by accident -- I thought it was a Sci Fi novel I'd been recced (it's high fantasy). Anyway, this book.

What I liked:

1. Ista was a demon-destroying BAMF. I adore come-into-their-power plot lines and this was hands down GREAT.
2. Subtle humor. All the courtly jokes about ...more

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Aug 20, 2008 Jim rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 3series, 2fiction, sword-sorcery, 1paper

I read this in paper format too long ago to review, but later listened to it as an audio book. That review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ...more

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