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This is set in the same world as Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls, but a different era in a different part of it.
Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff has been sent to investigate the death of Prince Boleso, and bring his killer, Lady Ijada dy Castos, back to the capital to face judgement. There is no real mystery about the circumstances, as she killed him in self defense during his attempt to sacrifice her as part of a forbidden ritual, however, the tense politics and corruption around the pending succession of the throne of the dying Hallowed King make the path to a just ruling very much in question. Additionally, the interruption of the ritual has released strange, poorly understood magic.
In terms of review, I'm going to copy paste this part across all three five gods books I've read. The theology and magic are excellent. The characters are strong, and, while in desperate circumstances and compelled to take impossible risks, do so in bold and interesting ways. There's some setup to get into the action, but Bujold weaves the stories together in a way that keeps the action flowing while making it impossible to predict what will happens next, in a way that never feels forced or unearned.
This is set in the same world as Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls, but a different era in a different part of it.
Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff has been sent to investigate the death of Prince Boleso, and bring his killer, Lady Ijada dy Castos, back to the capital to face judgement. There is no real mystery about the circumstances, as she killed him in self defense during his attempt to sacrifice her as part of a forbidden ritual, however, the tense politics and corruption around the pending succession of the throne of the dying Hallowed King make the path to a just ruling very much in question. Additionally, the interruption of the ritual has released strange, poorly understood magic.
In terms of review, I'm going to copy paste this part across all three five gods books I've read. The theology and magic are excellent. The characters are strong, and, while in desperate circumstances and compelled to take impossible risks, do so in bold and interesting ways. There's some setup to get into the action, but Bujold weaves the stories together in a way that keeps the action flowing while making it impossible to predict what will happens next, in a way that never feels forced or unearned.
