The readers can download Paladin of Souls Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.
Summary
Three years have passed since the widowed dowager Royina Ista found release from the curse of madness that kept her imprisoned in her family's castle of Valenda. Yet her newfound freedom is bittersweet, and so the road-escape-beckons. As Ista and her little party of pilgrims wander at will, they are unexpectedly set upon, but a mysterious ally appears, a warrior nobleman who fights like a berserker. The temporary safety of her enigmatic champion's castle cannot ease Ista's mounting dread, however, when she finds his dark secrets are entangled with hers in a net of the gods' own weaving. What the inscrutable gods commanded of her in the past brought her land to the brink of devastation. Now, once again, they have chosen Ista as their instrument. And again, for good or for ill, she must comply.
Out of all the audio books I've listened to, I gotta say 'Paladin of Souls' takes the cake. The first book, Curse of Chalion, was already top-notch, but this one? It blew me away! I was so engrossed that I ended up marinating in cold water for a solid 3 hours just so I wouldn't have to hit pause. Now that it's finished, I'm genuinely bummed out. Can't wait for more adventures with Ista and Di Cazirel!
'Paladin of Souls' was an amazing book. There were certain conversations that completely captivated me as they provoked deep contemplation within me. When a fantasy tale has the power to convey meaningful insights about life that resonate in the real world, it goes beyond mere entertainment. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the protagonist in this book was a secondary character from 'Curse of Chalion,' despite the two books having mostly separate storylines. Out of the three audiobooks I've listened to, this one has been my absolute favorite.
This audiobook, "Paladin of Souls," is absolutely fantastic. The storytelling is superb, and in my opinion, it surpasses the already remarkable "Curse of Chalion." And let me tell you, that was one heck of a story as well. It's refreshing to come across a captivating fantasy tale that stands on its own without any comparisons to "Lord of the Rings." The characters undergo significant growth throughout the narrative, and I found listening to it an absolute delight.
Paladin of Souls is an absolutely captivating and intriguing novel! The deeper I delved into it, the more impossible it became for me to tear myself away from it.
Kate Reading, with her clear and thoughtful voice, did an outstanding job narrating the book. She effortlessly switched between a light British accent for the main narration and protagonist Ista, and skillfully brought the male characters to life with gruff voices and the younger women with higher voices. The portrayal of older characters with cracked voices was just spot-on.
This book is packed with action, featuring demonic attacks and daring raids, as well as romance with charismatic lords and enchanting kisses. It pairs perfectly with Bujold's The Curse of Chalion. While each novel can be enjoyed on its own, they complement each other beautifully. Both are exceptionally well-written, captivating, and thrilling stories that explore intriguing concepts of gods, demons, and free will. The earlier novel focuses on the male perspective, with the hero being the grizzled ex-soldier and ex-slave Caz, while the later book provides a refreshing female perspective, centered around the selfless yet life-affirming Royina Dowager Ista.
Ista is an incredibly strong and relatable female character, and the supporting characters like Foix, Goram, Liss, and dedicate dy Cabon are equally appealing and convincing. The complex situation involving the brothers Arhys and Illvin, Arhys' wife Catty, a demon, and Ista, is both fascinating and deeply moving.
Overall, this audiobook is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking an enthralling listening experience.
I was a bit hesitant to purchase this book. I absolutely adored The Curse of Challion, but the concept of a fantasy novel authored by a woman in her middle age, with a female protagonist in the same age range, didn't really capture my interest. However, I'm pleased to say that I managed to overcome my initial skepticism and gave it a listen. And boy, am I glad I did! This book delivers an outstanding story that truly captivated me. The only downside I encountered was the challenge of keeping track of the characters' names and relationships. Perhaps this wouldn't have been an issue if I had opted to read the book instead of relying on the audiobook.
The language and formal tone reminiscent of the medieval era, along with the brevity of battle descriptions compared to the extensive deliberations on post-battle attire, give this book a uniquely feminine vibe. However, it manages to create vivid imagery that will stay with you, and its exploration of spiritual themes sets it apart from other fantasy novels.
You ever notice how when you're really into a kick-ass audio book, you just kick back, take your sweet time, and soak up the story? Well, let me tell you, 'Paladin of Souls' is NOT one of those gems. I've been a member for a couple of years now, and I've developed a serious audio book addiction. I hop in my car, fire up the book on my trusty PDA, and hit the road. Whether it's a quick 15-minute jaunt or a marathon 4-hour drive, you better believe I've got a book playing.
But let me tell you, this particular audio book had me so bored and annoyed that I found myself speeding up just to get to my destination, all so I could warn others about this snooze-fest. Now, the other book by this author was marginally better, but even that one left me feeling frustrated. The potential for a gripping plot just fizzles out and leaves you feeling empty-handed. As if that wasn't bad enough, the narration by Kate Reading, who I usually enjoy in Jordan's unabridged works, was downright grating in this one.
So do yourself a favor and hang onto your hard-earned credits, my friends. Don't waste your time and gas on this disappointment.
There isn't much I can really say about it. If you're looking for an exhilarating, mind-blowing kind of story, then this book definitely doesn't fit the bill. I guess that pretty much sums it up. Oh wait! Yeah, that actually sums it up!
I thought "Paladin of Souls" was a solid follow-up to "The Curse of Chalion," which I also liked. The storytelling in these books is truly one-of-a-kind. While the setting and titles have a medieval feel, the heart of the story lies in the fantastical theology of its religion. This aspect really captivated me and added an intriguing layer to the books.
Hey Lois McMaster Bujold,
So, my first taste of your writing was with The Warrior's Apprentice, which was my entry point into the whole Vorkosigan saga. Gotta be honest, Lois, I just didn't get it. I couldn't understand what all the hype was about. But I decided to give you another chance since you seemed like a cool lady and all. That's when I picked up The Curse of Chalion, and boy, did it blow me away! I absolutely adored the story, especially Cazaril. I couldn't wait to dive into the next book in the trilogy, Paladin of Souls. But damn, Lois, it felt like I was back in Vorkosigan territory again. I couldn't believe it was the same author who wrote Chalion #1. Now, I get that books within a series can have different perspectives in terms of time and place, but even with the same character (well, kinda the same character, since he became a she in book 1), the writing and style felt completely different. What made you switch it up like that?
In conclusion, I still think I'll come back to your work, thanks to "Curse." But because of those other two books, it might be a while.
Wishing you a happy New Year, Lois,
r.
Loading...
10 comments
Or use one of these social networks