Paladin of Souls (World of Five Gods #2) by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Curse of Chalion

Paladin of Souls is the second book in the World of Five Gods series by Lois McMaster Bujold. In the previous book, we had watched as Royess Iselle and her family was freed of a generations-long curse. In this book, we find ourselves with Ista, Iselle's mother and the dowager royina, newly released from her curse, makes up an excuse to leave the manor where she has been exiled, and begins her own adventures/attempts to save the realm that her daughter rules.

Here's the thing. Ista is a forty-something widowed mother of two with a history of mental instability. She is god-touched and her inner sight leads to some interesting interactions that she has with others. She's not your run of the mill fantasy heroine. And that makes this such an intriguing read. This is the story of a woman growing and learning and changing and she's doing it all after having led an already fully life.  

It's complex, it's beautiful, and it's a pleasure to read from the very first page. Huge thumbs up from me. 5/5 stars