Finally, finally, finally - how long have I been suffering for this? - a new fantasy book actually worth the time it takes to turn the pages and devour the words.

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. I understand she's a sci-fi author, but she appears to have seen the light, and this is wonderful fantasy. Marvellous main character who I never got tired of following around. Diverse and interesting support characters, none of whom annoyed overly. Actual, like, innovative concepts, and a tight plot, and prose that reached the delightful in patches.

It's not world-changing, or jaw-dropping, or anything drastic like that. It's just nice, solid, decent fantasy, and I've been waiting so long for some of that. Thank the gods. (All five of them.)