Lois McMaster Bujold is probably best known for her science fiction stories, space opera involving the noble Vorkosigan family of the planet Barrayar. Books in that series have won so many awards, its pretty amazing -- and some of them, like Mirror Dance are among the best science fiction books I have ever read.
In the last few years, Bujold has been moving into fantasy. She has a great talent for drawing conflicted and interesting characters, and I loved her two fantasy novels The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls. While set in the same country, and with the second featuring a minor character from the first, each can be read as in independent novel rather than as a series. (The same can be also be said for her science fiction books, as some of the Vorkosigan books do not need to be read in order, either).
She has a brand new fantasy book out now, called The Hallowed Hunt. Because Bujold wrote it, it went right to the top of the stack of things to be read.
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Prince Boleso is dead - slain by the noblewoman he had intended to defile.
Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff has been dispatched to the remote castle of the late, exiled, half-mad royal to transport the body to its burial place and the accused killer, the Lady Ijada, to judgement. Ingrey's mission is an ugly and delicate one, for the immanent death of the old Hallow King has placed the crown in play, and the murder of his youngest son threatens to further roil already treacherous political waters. But there is more here than a prince's degenerate lusts and the fatal retribution it engendered. Boleso's dark act, though unfinished, bestowed an unwanted, mystical "gift" upon proud, brave Ijada that must ultimately mean her doom - a curse similar to the one with which Ingrey himself has been burderned since boyhood.
A forbidden spirit now inhabits the soul of Ijada, giving her senses she never wished for and an obligation no one sane would desire. At once psychically linked to the remarkable lady and repelled by what she carries within, Ingrey fears the havoc his own inner beast could wreak while on their journey, as he fights a growing attraction...and an equally powerful compulsion to kill.
The road they travel together is beset with dangers - and though duty-bound to deliver Ijada to an almost certain execution, Ingrey soon realizes that she is the only one he dares trust. For a malevolent enemey with designs on a troubled kingdom holds Ingrey in his sway - and without Ijada's aid and love, the haunted lord will never be able to break free and realize the great and terrible destiny bestowed upon him by the gods, the damned, and the dead.
Bujold has won more Hugos for best novel than any other living author, tied for most ever given with Heinlein. She has also won Nebula awards, among many others.
www.dendarii.com is Bujold's official website
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Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
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