Paladin of Souls
Score Modern
What it's about
Three years after being freed from a curse of madness, Ista, the widowed dowager queen of Chalion, is still haunted by memories, regrets and guilty secrets. Desperate to escape her family's castle, she sets off on a simple pilgrimage. But the road leads north to the border fortress of Porifors, where something deadly has also been set free, and the gods have a task for her.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo, the Nebula and the Locus awards. It's a rare fantasy with a middle-aged heroine, and readers love its wit, its romance and its thoughtful theology.
You'll love it if you liked
Barrayar, The Way of Kings or The Name of the Wind
Good to know
It follows The Curse of Chalion and is best read after it, though it stands alone. It starts quietly and builds to a thrilling second half.
Quick answers
Is Paladin of Souls worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo, the Nebula and the Locus awards. It ranks #244 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 82.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Paladin of Souls about?
Three years after being freed from a curse of madness, Ista, the widowed dowager queen of Chalion, is still haunted by memories, regrets and guilty secrets. Desperate to escape her family's castle, she sets off on a simple pilgrimage. But the road leads north to the border fortress of Porifors, where something deadly has also been set free, and the gods have a task for her.
How long does it take to read Paladin of Souls?
About 11 hours (456 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Paladin of Souls won?
Hugo Award winner (2004); Nebula Award winner (2004).
What should I read after Paladin of Souls?
If you liked it, try Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson or The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
By the numbers
- Readers79 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller20 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Hugo Award winner (2004) and 1 more win.
Where it ranks
- #32 of the 461 fantasy books we rank
- #122 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #244 of the 2,819 books we rank
Won
- Hugo Award winner (2004)
- Nebula Award winner (2004)
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
