Thursday, July 3, 2025

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

Paladin of Souls My Rating: 4.8


Three years have passed since the widowed Dowager Royina Ista found release from the curse of madness that kept her imprisoned in her family's castle of Valenda. Her newfound freedom is costly, bittersweet with memories, regrets, and guilty secrets -- for she knows the truth of what brought her land to the brink of destruction. And now the road -- escape -- beckons. . . . A simple pilgrimage, perhaps. Quite fitting for the Dowager Royina of all Chalion.

While I initially missed the presence of Cazriel from The Curse of Chalion, I was immediately drawn into Ista’s journey—and quickly fell in love with her as a character. Her wit, weariness, and quiet strength pulled me in from the first chapter. Ista’s dry humor and unique perspective on the world made her one of the most relatable and refreshing protagonists I’ve read in a long time.

What I appreciated most was the deep emotional and spiritual thread running through her story. It’s rare to see a middle-aged heroine not only take center stage but do so with such grace, vulnerability, and growth. The supporting characters were just as well-developed, adding layers of richness and purpose to Ista’s path.

Bujold’s writing continues to shine with beautiful prose, intelligent plotting, and thoughtful worldbuilding. Paladin of Souls is both introspective and adventurous—balancing divine mystery with deeply human struggle. I can’t wait to start book three!

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