• click here to return to the homepage •
or 
Home > Categories > Books > Fantasy > The Curse of Chalion review
Lord Cazaril has been in turn a courtier, castle-warder, and captain; now he is but a crippled ex-galley slave seeking nothing more than a menial job in the kitchens of the Dowager Provincara, the noble patroness of his youth. But Cazaril finds himself promoted to the exalted and dangerous position of secretary-tutor to Iselle, the beautiful, fiery sister of the heir to Chalion's throne.
Amidst the decaying splendour and poisonous intrigue of Chalion's ancient capital, Cardegoss, Cazaril is forced to confront not only the powerful enemies who once bound him to a Roknari oar but also the malignant curse that clings to the royal household, trapping him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death for as long as he dares walk the five-fold pathway of the gods.
The Smell of the Moon
Windows Vista Timesaving Techniques for Dummies
The City of a Hundred Rows - 1 - City of Dreams and Nightmare
Darkglass Mountain: 3: The Infinity Gate
Super Finn
Super Diaper Baby 2 - The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers
The big book of everything for boys
Santa's Busy Reindeer
Spirit Animals: Tales of the Great Beasts
Jake in Space: Mercury Rising
Can You See What I See? Big Book Of Search-and-Find Fun
Coming Home
The Last CuentistaProduct reviews...
Review by: tucker (Karl)
Dated: 8th of August, 2004
"But, this is a fantasy book..." I always say that when I think of this one. I just can't understand it really... I mean, I don't really like fantasy much, I prefer harder sci-fi, something with funky physics and the "outta this world" factor... but I kinda like this one. :)
I don't know if it's the 'Dark Secrets and Black Magic' theme that does it, or if it's the stunningly real characters, or the twisted plot that shows you that you just have to laugh at some things, no matter what world you live in.
I was really taken with the Job-like quality of Cazaril's fate... how, despite his best efforts, he just can't seem to get out of the way when the "Oh-Hell Fairy" comes to visit. When the Fate's decide to pick a scapegoat, they just seem to roll his number time after time. There are times like that in everyone's life, making his plight seem just that bit more deserving of your sympathy.
Overall, a wonderful book. I was half-way through when my first copy was stolen from my car, so it was with great pleasure I received a second copy for replacement from the kind people at Harper Collins (NZ). Many thanks, it has been wonderful finishing this off. :)
Random listing from 'Books'...
This is a book of memories. Some of them are my own. Some of them belong to others. They are as true and as fallible as any memories - distorted by time and distance and a writer's choice of words.
Ben Brown writes of that quintessentially New Zealand way of living that may not change the world or even ripple its waters, but is replete with meaning.
Gathered from the tobacco-green valleys of the Motueka River where he grew ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life - is the source from which self respect springs."
Joan Didion (1934 - ), 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem'
