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Paladin of Souls

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Paladin of Souls

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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About this listen

 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 Chalion.

Yet something else is free, too, something beyond deadly. To the north lies the vital border fortress of Porifors. Memories linger there as well, of wars and invasions and the mighty Golden General of Jokona. And someone, something, watches from across that border: humans, demons, gods.

Ista thinks her little party of pilgrims wanders at will, but whose? When Ista's retinue is unexpectedly set upon not long into its travels, a mysterious ally appears, a warrior nobleman who fights like a berserker. The temporary safety of her enigmatic champion's castle cannot ease Ista's mounting dread, however, when she finds his dark secrets are entangled with hers in a net of the gods' own weaving.

In her dreams, the threads are already drawing her to unforseen chances, fateful meetings, fearsome choices. What the inscrutable gods commanded of her in the past brought her land to the brink of devastation. Now, once again, they have chosen Ista as their instrument. And again, for good or for ill, she must comply.

Don't miss Lois McMaster Bujold's first book about Chalion, The Curse of Chalion.©2003 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Historical Romance Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Rich in sumptuous detail and speculative theology....This engaging installment of Chalion's mythical history whets the appetite for new marvels yet to come." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Bujold couldn't characterize badly if threatened with a firing squad, and what really keeps one turning the pages is the fascinating cast of characters, not that the plot is anything to sneeze at." ( Booklist)
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The book was a great listen and I really enjoyed it. It's a very exciting story.

Great story

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istas character echoes the experience of so many real women. the loneliness and heartbreak and misery of being of no esteem to themselves. her struggle and triumph is poingant, a breath of hope to us all.

istas heart

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There is something about Lois McMaster Bujold's books which keeps drawing me back. I've read this one twice as hard copy and made myself give a decent gap of more than a year before downloading it to listen to. I was not disappointed. The narration is very good. Her characters are interesting (perhaps with the exception of Ferda and Foy, as I could never remember which was which) and the world she has devised is thought provoking. It's definitely not a sword and sorcery style of fantasy, but one in which fantastic elements blend credibly into the more 'mundane' aspects of the plot.

engrossing

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At 16 hours of first class story, this audiobook is excellent value for money. I've read Paladin of Souls several times, but I got something new out of hearing it read. I'm new to audio books: they're great it you want to do something while you read, and I'm finding they alter the way you consume a story, so you notice things you'd missed before. A lot of Bujold's books are read by actors with strong American accents, which doesn't fit the story to me. Kate Reading has an attractive English accent, is a clear reader - I always know which character is speaking - and gives a great characterisation of Ista, the protagonist,

First class tale & reader!

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The Curse of Chalion is a favourite book of mine with one of the best lead characters ever written. I had read Paladin of Souls before but had forgotten much of it. A reread by audiobook proved to be a fabulous idea. Ista is a great character - an older woman with a very dark past. The audiobook reading brought out the humour of the novel amongst the adventure. I had to speed up the reader slightly to 1.20 as I found it slightly too slow but otherwise it was close to perfect.

Fantasy led by an older woman and better thus

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loved it. i listen to it over and over again. I love the characters and the setting.

exceptional

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I loved it and hoped it would never end! Brilliant writing, story, characters, plot, pace. Such a pleasure.

brilliant in every way

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A wonderful fantasy book. Surprising, richly imagined, hugely enjoyable. And very well read too. I haven’t listened to the others in the series yet, but will now.

You can trust this author

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely - a literate and well written fantasy with a female protagonist. The world-creation, with its very different theology, is immaculate and believable and the characters are well drawn. Ista, the heroine, grows before your eyes (or ears) into a person of real power who can at last be at peace with her past.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Paladin of Souls?

When Ista is walking as a hostage to meet the Princess at the head of the Army that has successfully besieged the castle. She realises that she has lost her link to the Gods and has just to rely on herself - her vulnerability is very moving.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I have read the book, and enjoyed it, but was held spellbound by the audiobook. Kate Reading brings wisdom, warmth and crisp characterisation to the story.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I enjoyed the story and the storytelling. Sometimes laughed at the wit, and other times touched by sadness. Always gripped and had to keep on listening!

Any additional comments?

One of my favourite audiobooks of all time - and I have read a lot!

Fine fantasy, beautifully read

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Lovely! Beautifully read, and a steady development in plot that carries you onwards through the book reluctant to take a break. I will track down more of Ms Bujold's work - I thoroughly enjoyed The Curse of Chalion as well. Highly recommended.

Loved it - now what do I listen to?

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