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Spectrum Literary Agency, Inc.
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Science Fiction. In this novella set in the World of the Five Gods and four years after the events in Penric's Demon, Penric is a divine of the Bastard's Order as well as a sorcerer and scholar, living in the palace where the Princess-Archdivine holds court. His scholarly work is interrupted when the Archdivine agrees to send Penric, in his role as sorcerer, to accompany a "Locator" of the Father's Order, assigned to capture Inglis, a runaway shaman charged with the murder of his best friend. However, the situation they discover in the mountains is far more complex than expected. Penric's roles as sorcerer, strategist, and counselor are all called upon before the end.Bujold delivers an astonishing tale that is not soon forgotten.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Not unexpectedly fun. Nice to see Penric a bit more grown-up, not tripping over his own feet as much - and his partnership with Desdemona has settled down, too. Of course, here he gets into another entirely new situation, and trips in some new and different ways... Also nice to see what the shamans
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have got up to since the Hallowed Hunt; doesn't look like they've learned much, actually, they're still cut-and-try. One interesting thing was that a lot of the story was not from Penric's point of view - some from him, quite a bit from the shaman, and some from the Locator - which last are quite amusing, as his view of Penric changes rapidly. An excellent story; I will happily read it again (in fact, I went back to check on the Locator's title and got drawn in for a chapter or three) and look forward to more of these stories. Show Less
LibraryThing member JudithProctor
The Bastard has a way of steering people to where he needs them rather than where they want to be. Prayers are not always answered in the way expected.
A good story and an expansion of our knowledge about shamans as Penric tries to work out if one man is guilty of murder and how to rescue the
A good story and an expansion of our knowledge about shamans as Penric tries to work out if one man is guilty of murder and how to rescue the
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sundered spirit of another. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladycato
I adored the first Penric novella--and a return visit to the setting of the Curse of Chalion--and this second novella delivered almost as much joy. This time, Penric is a bit older and more accustomed to his resident demon, but he has much to learn as he's called to help in a case of a rendered
This is another addition to my awards-consideration list for 2016. I'm going to face some tough decisions in the novella category.
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spirit and a shaman run amok. I love the theology Bujold created here--really, I could geek out over that alone, but the characters are fantastic, too. It was especially interesting to see how Penric was viewed through the eyes of other characters. This is another addition to my awards-consideration list for 2016. I'm going to face some tough decisions in the novella category.
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
Five Gods World novella--a winner!
Ok, I'm officially in love with Penric! He exhibits that combination of humour, compassion, thoughtfulness and gentleness wrapped up in a wryness that's wonderfully humane.
In this world of the Five Gods, Lord Penric, is now a divine and sorcerer of the Bastard's
In this second novella, Penric is called on to seek out an escaped murderer, but what he finds is so much more! Along with the Senior Locator, Penric is sent to track down a renegade shaman Inglis, accused of murder.
As usual Penric confounds all as he investigates this case. Oswyl, the Locator (of the Father's Order) is frequently confounded by Penric. That Penric by his very youth and laid back appearance is frequently underrated by all he meets--is a strength, as Oswyl discovers.
Inglis, the shaman, confronted by the God of xx is nicely wrought.
I do like Penric's reflections about the gods and humour and the further small insights about the gods and demons he gives us.
Penric advising Oswyl is priceless: ' “A bit of free theological advice. Do not deny the gods. And they will not deny you.”... "Dangerous habit, mind you. Once you start to let Them in through that first crack, They’re worse than mice.”'
As always with anything Lois McMaster Bujold writes, very very satisfying.
A NetGalley ARC
Ok, I'm officially in love with Penric! He exhibits that combination of humour, compassion, thoughtfulness and gentleness wrapped up in a wryness that's wonderfully humane.
In this world of the Five Gods, Lord Penric, is now a divine and sorcerer of the Bastard's
Show More
Order, a depository for the demon combinations he's named Desdemona, a conglomerate of twelve.In this second novella, Penric is called on to seek out an escaped murderer, but what he finds is so much more! Along with the Senior Locator, Penric is sent to track down a renegade shaman Inglis, accused of murder.
As usual Penric confounds all as he investigates this case. Oswyl, the Locator (of the Father's Order) is frequently confounded by Penric. That Penric by his very youth and laid back appearance is frequently underrated by all he meets--is a strength, as Oswyl discovers.
Inglis, the shaman, confronted by the God of xx is nicely wrought.
I do like Penric's reflections about the gods and humour and the further small insights about the gods and demons he gives us.
Penric advising Oswyl is priceless: ' “A bit of free theological advice. Do not deny the gods. And they will not deny you.”... "Dangerous habit, mind you. Once you start to let Them in through that first crack, They’re worse than mice.”'
As always with anything Lois McMaster Bujold writes, very very satisfying.
A NetGalley ARC
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LibraryThing member teknognome
A good fun, read. Penric & Desdemona continue to be as compelling as in Penric and the Demon, and I enjoyed seeing more of the world.
LibraryThing member Stevil2001
“He is very patient. Well, he would have to be, wouldn’t he, to work his art in a medium that takes more than a man's lifetime to complete.”
I never got into this story. Partially, there's a lot of backstory to absorb at the beginning, as this is the second is a series, and Bujold isn't very
I never got into this story. Partially, there's a lot of backstory to absorb at the beginning, as this is the second is a series, and Bujold isn't very
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new reader friendly; it took a lot of (confusing) time for me to work out the relationship between Penric and his demon. Partially, the mechanics of magic in this world are very complicated, which might be useful if you're writing a series, but I felt like I was drowning in technical detail sometimes. Unfortunately, the plot is really based in such magical minutiae more than anything else. And partially, the characters just didn't ever grab me. I'm not sure why I am supposed to care about Penric based on this story in itself. He didn't really face any interesting challenges or do anything particularly noteworthy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Herenya
I have been really enjoying Bujold’s novellas about Penric and Desdemona; they're well-written and often amusing.
Penric and the Shaman is set a few years after the first book. Penric is assigned to a temple Locator, Oswyn, who is tracking a shaman accused of murder.
The story switches between
I liked how Penric and the Shaman connected to The Hallowed Hunt - there is confirmation that is set generations after The Hallowed Hunt, and I suspect Inglis and Oswyn are both descended from certain characters… I also enjoyed the eventual banter, and I’m hopeful that there will be more of it in the most recently-published novella, Penric and the Fox.
Penric and the Shaman is set a few years after the first book. Penric is assigned to a temple Locator, Oswyn, who is tracking a shaman accused of murder.
The story switches between
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these three male characters’ points of view. I listened to the audiobook and found the POV switch caused a tiny moment of confusion whenever I resumed the story until I worked out whose POV I was in the middle of.I liked how Penric and the Shaman connected to The Hallowed Hunt - there is confirmation that is set generations after The Hallowed Hunt, and I suspect Inglis and Oswyn are both descended from certain characters… I also enjoyed the eventual banter, and I’m hopeful that there will be more of it in the most recently-published novella, Penric and the Fox.
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
Very enjoyable short story. Penric is slightly older and much more confident. I liked seeing him from the POV of 2 other characters, to whom he is more than a little scary. I'd love a full novel about Penric.
LibraryThing member Petroglyph
This is the second in a series of six (so far) fantasy novellas by Bujold. I think they're pretty good, the way they focus on emotional and psychological character building rather than flash-bang magic. But they don't require much mental effort. Ideal for reading in bed.
LibraryThing member LisCarey
It's four years after the events of Penric's Demon, and Penric is fully trained and invested as a divine; he's now Learned Penric. And of course, a sorcerer. He's serving at the court of the Princess-Archdivine. He is continuing his mostly scholarly work, as he and Desdemona become better
A killer shaman is dangerous; he can't pursue one without a sorcerer and at least a small armed troop. Unfortunately, Oswyl has had a difference of opinion with the sorcerer and troop originally assigned to assist him. They've gone off in pursuit in a direction he thinks unlikely on the evidence, and he's asking the Princess-Archdivine to supply the sorcerer and troop he needs.
She does, and the sorcerer, of course, is Penric.
The rather dour Oswyl is not initially impressed by Penric's youth and seeming inexperience, or by his cheerful, sunny manner. Despite this, they work fairly well together, tracking the shaman, Inglis kin Wolfcliff, accused of the murder of his best friend.
When they find him, of course, the situation is more complicated than official reports have suggested, and Inglis needs Penric's help, while the Acolyte serving the village where he's found needs Inglish's help.
Penric, Oswyl, and Inglis all have a lot to learn, and very little time to learn it in.
The story is told alternately from the viewpoints of Penric, Oswyl, and Inglis. The World of the Five Gods remains a fascinating and enjoyable one, and I look forward to more stories set there.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
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acquainted and better at working together, when a Locator of the Father's Order arrives seeking assistance. He's been assigned to seek and bring back to Easthome a shaman accused of murder.A killer shaman is dangerous; he can't pursue one without a sorcerer and at least a small armed troop. Unfortunately, Oswyl has had a difference of opinion with the sorcerer and troop originally assigned to assist him. They've gone off in pursuit in a direction he thinks unlikely on the evidence, and he's asking the Princess-Archdivine to supply the sorcerer and troop he needs.
She does, and the sorcerer, of course, is Penric.
The rather dour Oswyl is not initially impressed by Penric's youth and seeming inexperience, or by his cheerful, sunny manner. Despite this, they work fairly well together, tracking the shaman, Inglis kin Wolfcliff, accused of the murder of his best friend.
When they find him, of course, the situation is more complicated than official reports have suggested, and Inglis needs Penric's help, while the Acolyte serving the village where he's found needs Inglish's help.
Penric, Oswyl, and Inglis all have a lot to learn, and very little time to learn it in.
The story is told alternately from the viewpoints of Penric, Oswyl, and Inglis. The World of the Five Gods remains a fascinating and enjoyable one, and I look forward to more stories set there.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The second novella in this setting is set several years after the previous one. Penric is working with someone of the Father’s order to track down a possible murder suspect that seems to be a shaman. He is comfortable in his role as a divine and has a good working relationship with his demon.
The actual murder isn’t a mystery but the real mystery is what happens when they catch up with the missing shaman. Overall a great story and it can be read without having read the previous story since the reader is easily caught up with what has happened before.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley
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This book you learn about shaman that don’t correspond to the Five Gods religion but seems to also be just fine with them. The actual murder isn’t a mystery but the real mystery is what happens when they catch up with the missing shaman. Overall a great story and it can be read without having read the previous story since the reader is easily caught up with what has happened before.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
This second novella in the Penric & Desdemona series starts several years after the first one ("Penric's Demon"). Penric has become a divine in the Bastard's order as well as the scholar he had wanted to be as a boy and, of course, a sorcerer due to his possession of the demon Desdemona. I really
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enjoyed Pen's interactions with Desdemona & also the 2 new characters introduced in this book - Locator Oswyl (from the Father's order) & Shaman Inglis. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
Now trained as a temple sorcerer and a divine and seconded to the Princess Archdevine's household Penric's calm life is wearing on Desdemona until a Legate of the Father comes requesting help tracking a murderous Shaman. One wonders at what point the Gods started meddling to harvest an endangered
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soul. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
Lois McMaster Bujolds writing is always smooth and engaging, and her Five Gods world as engrossing as her other creations.
The stories of Penric are fairly straightforward and low stake, but has a lot of heart, not least due to the very personable character of Penric, and his unflinching kindness
Reading this story is like a warm embrace and rather entertaining.
Penric is invited along on a manhunt for a fugitive shaman, and ends up finding him, saving the soul of several recently deceased from sundering in the process.
The descriptions of the rural mountain life that they encounter in their search is reminiscent of the rural setting of some of the Naismith/Barrayar settings, but wholly its own.
The stories of Penric are fairly straightforward and low stake, but has a lot of heart, not least due to the very personable character of Penric, and his unflinching kindness
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and willingness to be charitable towards the world and ability to make the best of the situation.Reading this story is like a warm embrace and rather entertaining.
Penric is invited along on a manhunt for a fugitive shaman, and ends up finding him, saving the soul of several recently deceased from sundering in the process.
The descriptions of the rural mountain life that they encounter in their search is reminiscent of the rural setting of some of the Naismith/Barrayar settings, but wholly its own.
Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This second novella in the Penric & Desdemona series starts several years after the first one ("Penric's Demon"). Penric has become a divine in the Bastard's order as well as the scholar he had wanted to be as a boy and, of course, a sorcerer due to his possession of the demon Desdemona. I really
Grover Gardner is magnificent narrating these stories...
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enjoyed Pen's interactions with Desdemona & also the 2 new characters introduced in this book - Locator Oswyl (from the Father's order) & Shaman Inglis.Grover Gardner is magnificent narrating these stories...
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LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
Penric and the Shaman (World of the Five Gods (Publication) #3.6) by Lois McMaster Bujold is in a series but I have not read the earlier books and feel I might have missed something. Although the author tried to catch the reader up I still felt I was behind. I may not have read this series but have
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read many books from this author so I knew I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed. Full of great fantasy, the supernatural, mystery, and adventure. Because the dialogue was made for another time/world it was at times difficult to read and I had to reread a couple of times. Even the story line itself as it was keeping with the ancient dialect. Enjoyable read overall. Thanks NetGalley for providing me this wonderful read. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
PENRIC AND THE SHAMAN continues the story of Penric who accidentally became a carrier of a demon. Now having completed his training as a sorcerer and a divine, he is working as a scholar. When an Investigator comes looking for a sorcerer to help capture a shaman who might be a murderer, Penric is
Inglis is desperately looking for another shaman who can help him move his friend's soul to its proper final rest. Unfortunately, the shaman he needs was killed in a landslide a couple months previously. Luckily, he hasn't moved on but has been waiting for something.
It takes Penric to find a way to a happy ending for all the persons involved. I like the way Penric has grown into his role as sorcerer and divine. I also liked how his mild mannered appearance allowed people to underestimate him.
I enjoyed this novella and would be glad to read more of Penric's adventures.
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drafted. Inglis kin Wolfcliff has been accused of killing his best friend and allowing his soul to be sundered rather than reunited with his god. Inglis is desperately looking for another shaman who can help him move his friend's soul to its proper final rest. Unfortunately, the shaman he needs was killed in a landslide a couple months previously. Luckily, he hasn't moved on but has been waiting for something.
It takes Penric to find a way to a happy ending for all the persons involved. I like the way Penric has grown into his role as sorcerer and divine. I also liked how his mild mannered appearance allowed people to underestimate him.
I enjoyed this novella and would be glad to read more of Penric's adventures.
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LibraryThing member elorin
I had a little understanding of what a shaman in the world of the five Gods is, having read the three books starting with the [Curse of Chalion]. I enjoyed this story, again wishing it was longer, and the dogs were my favorite characters. A line stuck in my head about praying in front of altars and
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not to them. I might find the exact quote later. Show Less
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novella — 2017)
Original publication date
2016-06-23
Local notes
Penric & Desdemona, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Bujold |