The Hallowed Hunt

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Mrs. Bujold has tied with Robert Heinlein for the most Hugo Awards ever received by a single author. All of her Hugos were for the Miles Vorkosigan stories that were, admittedly, the best space opera ever written. Now she has turned her fine talents and absolute gifts for characterization to the fantasy genre in the Chalion series. The Hallowed Hunt is the 3rd book in that series, but much like her Miles novels, each one stands alone as a whole and completely unabridged story. On May 24th, The Hallowed Hunt hits the shelves at your local bookstore. My advice? Be there!

The first I heard of this book was at ConDFW III in Dallas, Texas, where Mrs. Bujold was the Guest of Honor. She read a chapter from her manuscript there. I liked what I heard, but what can you decide from a chapter? I am on the list (at most of the publishers) to review upcoming books. They send out what is called an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for a review of the upcoming book. I got lucky and hit the lottery at Avon/Eos for this one. I immediately read it and turned in my review. Basically, what it said was, "This is a great book! Buy It! Read it! Collect it! Whatever, just get it and read it!"

The Hallowed Hunt is the story of Ingrey kin Wolfcliffe, a minor Lord and last scion of his family branch of a clan that dates back centuries. He has socially questionable stigmas that lead him to be happy as a minor functionary and chief "unsociable" problem solver for a minister of the kingdom. That is, he was content, until the crown prince is murdered by a beautiful woman of his clans. Oh, let's not forget to mention that the Gods are involved, that it turns out they've been involved for centuries, and did I mention that the woman is landed, single, and beautiful? Boy! Is Ingrey in trouble or what?

Ingrey is the most likeable anti-hero I've ever read. Thomas Covenant is an untutored cad next to Ingrey. With her unparalleled abilities to make characters worth identifying with, Mrs. Bujold grabs you and holds you with Ingrey and shakes you for all you're worth. Its a non-stop story, fun, adventurous, and spell-binding. Do you smell that? Smells like a movie deal to me....

This one gets my 1st-ever 5 star rating! Just get it and read it. You'll be very glad you did.