Book Review

The Hallowed Hunt
by Lois McMaster Bujold

This is the third (and final, as of this writing) book in the Chalion series. It is much more intrigue-oriented than the previous two books, and is thus much more intricate in its plot and theology. While this makes for an enthralling story, it does take a little away from the characterization. I ended up feeling less close to the people in this book, even though I was fascinated by what they were doing and what was happening to them.
The story takes place far from Chalion and the locales of the first two books, in a distant kingdom that has a shadowy past of tribal culture and shamanic magic. It is the consequences of this magic that is the ultimate center of the tale, but there are many other things drawn into it all. Bujold does a good job of weaving the personal relationships and fates of the characters into a much larger web of politics and spirituality to create a story of multiple and multi-leved redemption.

(no subject)

Today is my and Other Kenjari's third anniversary. It feels both as if we've been married forever, and as if the wedding was just yesterday. Both ways are a really good feeling, though. And finally, I think we are going to have a good anniversary celebration. The first year we went out for a lovely dinner and watched a romantic movie; and then I discovered that I'd developed a rather violent allergy to wine. Last year I was at the Oregon Bach Festival, all the way on the other side of the country. This year, we're going to Vermont for the long weekend. We're staying at a lovely bed and breakfast that has private cabins off in the woods for couples - we've reserved one of the cabins, of course. We're going to drive around, go for hikes, and lounge around reading novels. I'm not bringing any composing work with me. Other Kenjari and I are just going to be together and relax. We'll be away from Saturday until Tuesday, out of both phone and e-mail contact.