The Hallowed Hunt

A magnificent epic tale of devotion, possession, obsession, and strange destiny from the author of the Hugo Award-winning Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold.

The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile — and Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff must transport the body to its burial place and the accused killer, the Lady Ijada, to judgment. With the death of the old Hallow King imminent and the crown in play, the road they must travel together is a dangerous one. And though he is duty-bound to deliver his prisoner to an almost certain death, Ijada may be the only one Ingrey dares trust. For a monstrous malevolence holds the haunted lord in its sway — and a great and terrible destiny has been bestowed upon him by the gods, the damned, and the dead.

"The absorbing third installment in Bujold's epic fantasy series (after The Curse of Chalion and the Hugo-winning Paladin of Souls) links a disinherited swordsman hero with a beguiling damsel accused of murdering a royal prince in a land worshiping five gods, menaced by encroaching neighbors and swarming with ancient magic and lethal political intrigue. Lord Ingrey kin Wolfcliff, sent by the kingdom's sealmaster to fetch orphaned Lady Ijada to trial, soon learns they both unwillingly bear animal spirits received in forbidden power rites stretching centuries back into the primeval Weald. With the aged Hallow King now dying, Ingrey and Ijada journey toward the king's hall at Easthome, falling into a love that appears doomed, while Ingrey's powerful fey cousin, Lord Wencel, spins a cunning web of bloodthirsty ambition that binds them to him in an unholy trinity. Though the book's complicated magical-religious structure requires considerable suspension of disbelief, Bujold brings to life a multitude of convincing secondary characters, especially skaldic warrior-poet Prince Jokol and his ice bear, Fafa. Bujold's ability to sustain a breathless pace of action while preserving a heady sense of verisimilitude in a world of malignant wonders makes this big novel occasionally brilliant — and not a word too long. Agent, Eleanor Wood. (June 1)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Bujold's third installment...bears testimony to the author's talent for creating inventive and appealing heroes and exotic worlds. Political intrigue, shamanic marriage, and dynastic drama combine for a topnotch addition to most fantasy collections." Library Journal

"Bujold's reworking of a classic romantic situation is distinguished by its setting in a well-crafted world and masterly creation of characters whose fates will keep readers turning the pages." Booklist

"Well worth exploring, offering a new twist on Bujold's addictive mix of suspense, romance, heroism, politics, and unconventional religion." Mythprint

"The Hallowed Hunt holds the most appeal for Bujold fans. Fantasy readers will love it, especially those into court intrigue. There's enough of a romance thread to carry over into fans of that genre too. Most highly recommended." Infinity Plus

"Paladin of Souls is still my favorite of this series...but for a third book in a series, this is excellent. As a confident, page-turning fantasy that avoids being just another map quest, I recommend it; if you liked the earlier Chalion books, I recommend it even more strongly. (Rating: 8/10)" Eyrie.org

One of the most respected writers in the field of speculative fiction, Lois McMaster Bujold burst on to the scene in 1986 with Shards of Honor, the first of her tremendously popular Vorkosigan Saga novels. She has received numerous accolades and prizes, including the Nebula Award for Falling Free and three Hugo Awards for Best Novel: The Vor Game, Barrayar, and Mirror Dance; as well as the Hugo and Nebula Awards for her novella Mountains of Mourning — she has, in fact, won more Hugo Awards for Best Novel than any other author with the exception of Robert A. Heinlein. Her previous novel, The Curse of Chalion, was on the final ballot for both the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards for Best Novel and it won the Mytheopeic Award. The mother of two, Bujold lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.