Read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge.
Cazaril has escaped from slavery, and for refuge, seeks the safest place he can think of, the noble household where he served as a page when he was a boy. But once there, to his surprise, he’s named the secretary-tutor to the sister of the heir to the throne. This assignment will bring him back to the crown city of Cardegoss, where the men that sold him into slavery have gained the ear of the king, and worse, threaten the life of his royal charge. What Cazaril does to save the Royesse makes him the tool of the gods, the only man who has the chance to lift a curse on the entire royal house of Chalion.
I’ve had Bujold’s books on my radar for some time now, mostly because my friend B adores her (though in B’s case, it’s the Vorkosigan books she’s into – one of which I do have in the ‘to read’ pile). I’ll admit, I’m not sure how I managed not to read any of her books before now. This story was amazing – I read it in a day, because I absolutely had to find out what happened to Cazaril next. He’s definitely one of the best heroes I’ve come across in a while – wonderfully flawed, completely over his head, but willing to do whatever he can do regardless.
I do believe I have a new author that needs their entire works added to my Bookmooch wishlist…
The North Wind and the Sea 
I adore Bujold's writing and Curse is one of her best. I think you will love the next book set in Chalion: the Paladin of Souls. It doesn't have Cazaril, though.
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I actually picked that up at a used bookstore this past weekend, before I'd started on Curse of Chalion. I was really excited when I realized it was in the same world.
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