Paladin of Souls - Lois McMaster Bujold

This is the second book set in Lois McMaster Bujold's Fantasy Kingdom of Chalion. It's not quite a sequel. The setting is the same, and only a couple of years have elapsed since the action in the previous volume, but the focus has shifted sideways, to centre on the previously minor character of Ista dy Boacia dy Chalion, with one or two other, formerly minor players, helping her along. The main heroes in the first Chalion book are present as back-drop, occasionally they send a letter, or get gossiped about, so we're up to date with their lives, but they don't intrude on the story. Ista is the Queen-Mother of Chalion, but no old lady. Some rough handling by a ...  Read the complete review