For a while, I’ve wanted to read a fantasy book that’s different from all the rest. I’ve noticed that all fantasy novels I’ve read till now (barring His Dark Materials) have some elements that really become cheesy after a while. Among other things, they are:
- Novels are always set in medieval times
- Plots revolve around main people getting separated
- Inordinate focus on swords
- People spend time traveling on horseback
- There’s some terrible fate lying over the world
So I picked up The Curse of Chalion because I had read that it was something different from the usual. And it was. For a change, I saw a hero who didn’t have any super duper powers or potential to be a superman, but was just a well meaning sort of fellow. The Gods however, play a huge role in the book and one of the best aspects was that there was no “Satanic god” or “Dark one” or anything like that. Even the God called “The Bastard” is a benevolent, well meaning chap.
I also really enjoyed the single narrative line of the book. Unlike The Wheel of Time series, the entire book is told through the perspective of one person – the hero (if you want to call him that) Cazaril. There are no swords, no doom threatening the world and only a little bit of separation of the main characters. Instead of focusing on the people, the book focuses on the plot more than anything else and the end result is a very well told story.
A goodish part of the book focuses on Cazaril using his wit and experience of court life to keep his young royal charge safe. He himself is delightfully unassuming and the last thing he wants is to draw attention to himself. The book also espouses the fact that being touched by the Gods isn’t a blessing that it’s made out to be, but rather a burden.
So there’s no great glory for doing the work of God in this world. In fact, you undergo just the slightest touch of madness.
I’ll be reading the sequel next called Paladin of Souls next, and I expect it to be as good as the first. In any case, I’ll write a review on it when I finish it!
Sounds like a welcome change. I too am jaded against run of the mill fantasy. After Tolkien and Pullman little else satisfies.I'll definitely put this one on my list.
@Thurman
One unusual fantasy book that I strongly recommend because its magic system is unlike anything I've ever seen is The Runelords – first four books. They make a complete story.