BOOK REVIEW

Paladin Of Souls (Chalion Book 2) by Lois McMaster Bujold. Hugo and Nebula Awards

(Brought to you by kat impatientreader.com)  Desperate to break free from her stifling country estate, Ista the Queen-Mother decides to go on pilgrimage and gathers some fun young people for her retinue:  a spirited girl courier, two warrior brothers, and a fat lusty priest.  Off they go, creaking from inn to inn for about 70 pages while Ista feels bitter about life. 

Some much-needed tension is interjected when she starts having visions of a handsome nobleman under a sleeping-beauty-type enchantment.  Then she and her retinue are threatened by an invading barbarian army from across the border. They are saved and given shelter by Arhys, a handsome castle commander – but he's not the one from Ista's vision.  Much danger follows including barbarian ambushes and sieges and demon-possession.  I consider the author a terrific writer (her Vorkosigan series is wonderful as is The Curse of Chalion), but I'm sad to say that I found it hard to like this particular book.  The plot seems repetitive and preposterous, and Ista is too self-pitying.  Paladin of Souls is the sequel to the much better The Curse Of Chalion.  You can find Paladin of Souls on Amazon.com through this link:

Paladin of Souls

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