World of Five Gods - Review
Link to the author's (L. M. Bujold) personal website
Book 1: The Curse of Chalion
Blurb: (From Book 1) A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril, has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, as the secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule.
It is an assignment Cazaril dreads, for it will ultimately lead him to the place he fears most, the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies, who once placed him in chains, now occupy lofty positions. In addition to the traitorous intrigues of villains, Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle, are faced with a sinister curse that hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. Only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics, can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge—an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous, and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death.
Review: I have nothing to say about this series that is not specific to the first book. That book is decent and can be considered a stand-alone. Such a stand-alone that I was unaware a larger series even existed. Please go read its review if interested, I currently have no plans to read any of the sequels.