Wonderful

This is a really wonderful book, and it's great to find it unabridged on Audible. It spins an absorbing story around a minor and seemingly very unheroic character from *The Curse of Chalion*, the widowed Ista (note: you do not have to have read *The Curse of Chalion* to enjoy this, although you may well want to read it afterwards.)
Ista is 40 and seemingly rather defeated by life, having suffered the death of her husband and son and a prolonged bout of divinely-induced madness. She decides to set out on a pilgrimage to escape from her confined life at court, but quickly finds that the gods have not yet done with her. It's the kind of narrative that keeps you guessing - just when you think you've sussed out where it's all headed it suddenly takes a sharp turn in another direction. Nevertheless it comes to a very satisfying conclusion. I find it the kind of book that's a real pleasure to re-read because it's fascinating to see how the author sets up plot and character developments a long way in advance.
I suppose my one minor quibble is that the narrator sometimes makes Ista sound a bit too feeble and self-pitying, particularly to begin with. That said, she is a character who grows in strength and self-confidence in the course of the novel, so presumably the narrator was trying to reflect this. Other than this I found the narrator excellent: the different characters are voiced very effectively, and she manages to distinguish between the different levels of narration (narrator's voice, Ista's internal thoughts, Ista's speech, etc.) very clearly.
Overall, this is a strong character-driven novel with a clever and satisfying plot. I thoroughly recommend it, even if you're not normally into fantasy novels.

9 people found this helpful

Just fabulous.

What a beautifully crafted and exquisite fantasy novel, which fully desrerves the awards it has received. I have been hesitating for sometime whether to add it to my collection and I'm so glad I did.

The author did a magnificent job sculpting Ista, the main character, full of knowledge, beautiful emotion and strength within. Ista is no ordinary person and following her story you will lose yourself for hours. There are so many layers to her personality.

On the first thought, a strong heroine might appeal more to female readers, however I would recommend this book to anyone with a little bit of willingness to endulge yourself in a good and captivating story.

Kate Reading did a splendid job. It's a pleasure to listen to her voice, which so easily expressed all humanly possible feelings: happiness, sadness, fear, wisdom, love, excitement and so many others.

Listening to 'Paladin of Soluls' was a simple pleasure.

3 people found this helpful

First class tale & reader!

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,

2 people found this helpful

engrossing

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.

2 people found this helpful

Fine fantasy, beautifully read

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!

1 person found this helpful

A masterpiece of storytelling and narration

If you could sum up Paladin of Souls in three words, what would they be?

Intelligent moving fantasy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters are all beautifully drawn, with charm and deftness.

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

Kate Reading is a great fit for this story, which is centred around a mature female character. It was the best narration I have encountered so far on Audible.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

The book had a perfect balance of deft narrative, humour, charm and suspense. It also packs a genuine emotional punch. The narration fits the style of the story perfectly and the whole fits together to form a tremendous package.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it - now what do I listen to?

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.

1 person found this helpful

brilliant in every way

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

Fantasy led by an older woman and better thus

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.

exceptional

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