Amy B. (BaileysBooks) reviewed on 8/21/2011 + 491 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

This is technically the third book in the Chalion trilogy. However, (other than the gods) there is really no character or plot overlap from books 1-2 at all.

Unfortunately, I feel like this trilogy started to lose momentum rather than gain it as the series continued. This book introduces a completely unique cast of characters. The complex religious quandary and quest for resolution gets a bit murky around the edges and does require the imagination to stretch a little bit more than usual, even for the fantasy genre.

Like Paladin of Souls, the book was ok but I would not call it great. I read it because I had read the other two, but I cannot say that I would recommend this book in the same way that I would recommend The Curse of Chalion. (That is, if I recommend this one as a stand-alone at all!)

In short, it was an ok story but by far the weakest of the three. Bujold really did have something special going with The Curse of Chalion. It's a shame she couldn't find a way to keep that particular piece of momentum going.

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