The Curse Of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold is famous for her very atypical characters. She demonstrated this with her Miles Vorkosigan character, and she does the same thing with the Curse of Chalion. The main character, Cazaril, is an complex and fascinating character. He’s a man who’s been betrayed by everyone – once a great man, now recovering from years as a slave. Over the course of the novel, the hero undergoes a transformation from timidity to confidence. It’s one of those books where you become emotionally attached to the character – a skill that Lois McMaster Bujold has had many years to hone.Romance is also an important aspect of this novel, though this book is far more than just “a romance.” This tale is a good read for both men and women.The protagonist is a male character, but the loose sequel, Paladin of Souls, is told from the perspective of a woman, and arguably much more of a romance novel. I highly recommend the ladies check that one out.

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Paladin of Souls

Read "Paladin of Souls" which is a follow up book set in the same world as The Curse of Chalion.

You might also want to check out her Miles Vorkosigan Science Fiction series.

Sevenwaters Trilogy

Starts with Daughter of the Forest. Julian Marillier writes a very good romantic fantasy set in Celtic times. Read if you like the romance and character-driven narrative of The Curse of Chalion.

Kushiel's Dart

Kushiel's Dart is another romantic fantasy -- one of the more unique ones in the genre. You might like the books if you like Lois's handling of romantic relationships.

Booklists having this book

Best Romantic Fantasy Books

Romance in fantasy is a common theme. But what differentiates romantic fantasy books as a subgenre is how romance is a major part of the plot and the complexity of... Read more

Top 100 Fantasy Books

This list continues directly from where  the Top 25 Best Fantasy List ends, starting from #26 and ending at #100 (yes, I know the list shows #1, but 1 = 26).Frankly, there are... Read more

Best Feel Good Fantasy Books

Tired of grim dark stories where the nastiness of humanity is gleefully celebrated; where heroes and villains are often one and the same? Want a fantasy where good things are celebrated,... Read more

Other books by Bujold, Lois Mcmaster

The Curse Of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold did not start off writing fantasy, instead rising to fame in the early 1990s as a prolific science-fiction novelist, winning numerous accolades such as the Hugo, Nebula,... Read more

Paladin Of Souls

Paladin of Souls is the only book I know of featuring a middle-aged, retired queen on a pilgrimage, who is chalked up as mad—though personally I think she's just bored... Read more

The Hallowed Hunt

The Curse Of Chalion

Lois McMaster Bujold is famous for her very atypical characters. She demonstrated this with her Miles Vorkosigan character, and she does the same thing with the Curse of Chalion. The... Read more