Ista is a middle-aged dowager, once driven mad by the gods' curse. Now free, she sets out on a pilgrimage — and gets dragged into a new divine crisis. Bujold writes a fantasy heroine who is past forty, past caring about propriety, and absolutely done with gods meddling in her life. Hugo and Nebula winner.
Mild romantic content — mature and earned.
Skip if you dislike:
Moods: Warm Feminist Spiritual Middle-Aged Heroine
Tropes: Older Heroine Divine Quest Second Chance Road Journey
Recommended — Ista appears in it, though this works standalone.
Yes — and the book is better for it. Refreshing in a genre of teen chosen ones.
Hugo and Nebula for Best Novel — rare double win.