Paladin of Souls

Lois McMaster Bujold, a celebrated author in fantasy and science fiction, immerses us in a dark, troubled realm where the struggle to save endangered souls unfolds. Three years after the widowed Dowager Royina Ista escapes the madness that confined her in Valenda, she grapples with the bittersweet cost of her freedom, haunted by memories, regrets, and secrets that threaten her land's survival. As she embarks on what seems a simple pilgrimage, a more sinister force stirs. The vital border fortress of Porifors looms to the north, steeped in memories of past wars and the formidable Golden General of Jokona. Unbeknownst to Ista, her small group of pilgrims is not wandering freely; they are under watchful eyes—humans, demons, and gods alike. When her retinue is attacked, a mysterious warrior nobleman appears to aid them, fighting fiercely like a berserker. Yet, Ista's unease grows as she discovers his dark secrets intertwine with her own, woven by the inscrutable gods. In her dreams, she senses the threads pulling her toward fateful encounters and daunting choices. The gods' past commands led her land to devastation, and now, once again, they have chosen Ista as their instrument, compelling her to comply, for better or worse.