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Available
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Series
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Publication
Spectrum Literary Agency, Inc.
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: An unholy attack upon his brother-in-law General Arisaydia pitches sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon Desdemona headlong into the snake pit of Cedonian imperial politics. But they will not travel alone. The mission from his god brings Penric some of his strangest new allies yet, and the return of some of his most valued old ones.This novel-length story takes place two years after the events of The Physicians of Vilnoc..
User reviews
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
When Penric saves his brother-in-law from a sorcerous attack it starts the wheels in motion that certainly has his saint’s hands in the mix. After setting a trap for the assassin to try again they capture her and find out that she the Bastard God very much is upset about how his saint has been
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blackmailed to do these murders and sets Penric on the road to set things to right. Since he will have to travel back to Cedonia, there will be some cameos from the previous books when he went in to recruit and then rescue the general that became his brother-in-law. As usual Bujold writes a wonderful story, and it is great to see these characters on the page again. I can’t wait for the next adventure. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
The first full novel in the Penric and Desdemona series, The assassins of Thasalon is as delightful as the rest of the stories in the five god world, and the extra depth and texture afforded with the longer format makes it a great read.
Pens brother in law is the target of an assassination attempt
Pens brother in law is the target of an assassination attempt
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that Pens resident demon, Desdemona, foils, setting them on a mission for their god that takes them from the streets of Orbas to the palaces of Thasalon, resulting in a reshuffling of the reign of the empire, as well as a severe intervention by their god, the Bastard. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
Penric and Desdemona have to face murderous sorcery! and twisty politics, and plans as usual don't last through encounters with the enemy, or even with allies. A very satisfying outing for our two in one or 10 in one or n in one protagonist(s).
LibraryThing member LisCarey
Two years after The Physicians of Vilnoc, an assassination attempt on Learned Penric's brother-in-law, General Adelis Arisaydia, fails only because Penric is right there with him, and Desdemona, his demon, is paranoid and alert. What's disturbing about this attempt is the method: a sorceress
A Temple-trained sorcerer wouldn't do that; it would cost them both their powers and their standing as a sorcerer, because the White God would immediately take and destroy the demon. A hedge sorcerer wouldn't do it because they wouldn't have the knowledge or the training to try. Who is this assassin, and what is her motive?
There's reason to think that the motive may lie in the deteriorating political situation in Cedonia, where Arisaydia has both enemies, and people who may value him as a potential ally. When Penric sets a trap, using Arisaydia as bait, the capture of the sorceress-assassin reveals a plot that to General Arisaydia and Duke Jurgo might seem almost like normal politics, but to Penric, a Temple sorcerer of the Bastard, is both sacrilegious and horrifyingly cruel.
Arisaydia is soon off, in secret, accompanied by an emissary from Cedonia, to Cedonia, to accept the offer he's received from one side in the conflict, with, more or less, Duke Jurgo's blessing. After appealing to his Order for a Saint, Penric is also off to Cedonia, with some unexpected company, and by a faster route.
We meet old friends as well as new ones. The plot they're off to confront is dangerous, and the deteriorating situation might be further destabilized by them, given who the chief plotters appear to be. Even some of Penric's allies have good reason to have mixed loyalties.
This is the first novel-length Penric story, and we learn more about Penric, his friends and allies, sorcery, and even the theology of the world of the Five Gods. We get some wonderful new characters, too, and the life stories of the regulars continue to move forward.
An excellent addition to the series. Highly recommended.
I bought this book.
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attempts to kill Arisaydia by the use of her demon-given powers. A Temple-trained sorcerer wouldn't do that; it would cost them both their powers and their standing as a sorcerer, because the White God would immediately take and destroy the demon. A hedge sorcerer wouldn't do it because they wouldn't have the knowledge or the training to try. Who is this assassin, and what is her motive?
There's reason to think that the motive may lie in the deteriorating political situation in Cedonia, where Arisaydia has both enemies, and people who may value him as a potential ally. When Penric sets a trap, using Arisaydia as bait, the capture of the sorceress-assassin reveals a plot that to General Arisaydia and Duke Jurgo might seem almost like normal politics, but to Penric, a Temple sorcerer of the Bastard, is both sacrilegious and horrifyingly cruel.
Arisaydia is soon off, in secret, accompanied by an emissary from Cedonia, to Cedonia, to accept the offer he's received from one side in the conflict, with, more or less, Duke Jurgo's blessing. After appealing to his Order for a Saint, Penric is also off to Cedonia, with some unexpected company, and by a faster route.
We meet old friends as well as new ones. The plot they're off to confront is dangerous, and the deteriorating situation might be further destabilized by them, given who the chief plotters appear to be. Even some of Penric's allies have good reason to have mixed loyalties.
This is the first novel-length Penric story, and we learn more about Penric, his friends and allies, sorcery, and even the theology of the world of the Five Gods. We get some wonderful new characters, too, and the life stories of the regulars continue to move forward.
An excellent addition to the series. Highly recommended.
I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Of course I couldn't stop, and I read it all in...not quite one sitting, but one day. And stayed up too late to finish. Lovely - very like the novellas, but a slightly broader and more complicated (yes, more) story. Not a lot of direct godly action - a couple times, plus a lot of...possible
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influencing of events. The Bastard is deeply concerned with this - as we learn pretty early on, there's some very nasty twisting of rules, of all levels, going on here. Treason is the minor matter; the theological crimes are even greater. And it all comes out right, with a lot of loose ends tied off very neatly (and some new ones generated, of course). A lot of old friends show up, and some very rich new characters - we should be seeing a lot more of Aleksia, and (I hope) of Iroki. And like the novellas - my first thought on finishing is "that was great!" and my second is "I want more...". A great addition to the series - worth reading, and definitely worth rereading. In fact it made me want to reread the whole series, in order. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Penric would be perfectly content to stay in Vilnoc translating texts and spending time with his daughter and pregnant wife. But when an assassination attempt targets his brother-in-law and the method is unique, Pen's god sends him and Desdemona to Thasalon to solve the problem.
Pen is traveling
Upon arrival, they seek the assistance of Lady Tanar Xarre and her mother. Tanar is the fiancé of Pen's brother-in-law Adelis. She is wealthy and politically connected but not part of Minister Methani's party. She is also excited to pave the way for her fiancé to return to Thasalon. While Pen is more interested in the theological part of his mission and needs to bring the Saint in contact with the rogue Learned Tronio, he realizes that he is neck deep in the political implications too.
This was another engaging episode in the further adventures of Pen and his demon Desdemona. I really like the relationship between the two of them. I also like Pen as a teacher setting Alixtra on her path of demon-tending.
The plot was engaging and fast-paced. The world building was excellent and the characters all well-written.
Pen is traveling
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with a Saint of his order and the would-be assassin who was spared by his god. The saint is Blessed Iroki who would rather be fishing and the assassin is a young woman named Alixtra who was forced into her new career because of threats against her five-year-old son. Alixtra was given a demon by a Learned in the Bastard's order at the urging of Minister Methani who is one of the minor Emperor's regents. She is completely ignorant about demons and what her responsibilities toward them are. As they travel back to Thasalon, Pen gives her a quick course in the theology of demon handling.Upon arrival, they seek the assistance of Lady Tanar Xarre and her mother. Tanar is the fiancé of Pen's brother-in-law Adelis. She is wealthy and politically connected but not part of Minister Methani's party. She is also excited to pave the way for her fiancé to return to Thasalon. While Pen is more interested in the theological part of his mission and needs to bring the Saint in contact with the rogue Learned Tronio, he realizes that he is neck deep in the political implications too.
This was another engaging episode in the further adventures of Pen and his demon Desdemona. I really like the relationship between the two of them. I also like Pen as a teacher setting Alixtra on her path of demon-tending.
The plot was engaging and fast-paced. The world building was excellent and the characters all well-written.
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LibraryThing member JudithProctor
Another great book in the Penric and Desdemona series.
Penric's brother-in-law General Arisaydia, narrowly escapes being assassinated by a sorcerer.
As killing by a sorcerer results in the loss of the sorcerer's demon, Penric is doubly involved in trying to capture the assassin. There are
The story dives deeply into the murky waters of Cedonian politics, which allows us to re-meet Arisaydia's finacee, Lady Tanar and her confidante/bodyguard, the delightfully lethal Bosha.
My favourite new character is a saint of the Bastard, Iroki. I just love his experiences while fishing. He's a fundamentally laid-back (or lazy depending on your point of view) man who likes nothing more than to relax by the water, sometimes fishing, sometimes just pretending to. I can see why the Bastard likes him - many people ask gods for something. Very few invite them to chill out and relax...
Penric's brother-in-law General Arisaydia, narrowly escapes being assassinated by a sorcerer.
As killing by a sorcerer results in the loss of the sorcerer's demon, Penric is doubly involved in trying to capture the assassin. There are
Show More
theological implications as well as a desire to protect his family.The story dives deeply into the murky waters of Cedonian politics, which allows us to re-meet Arisaydia's finacee, Lady Tanar and her confidante/bodyguard, the delightfully lethal Bosha.
My favourite new character is a saint of the Bastard, Iroki. I just love his experiences while fishing. He's a fundamentally laid-back (or lazy depending on your point of view) man who likes nothing more than to relax by the water, sometimes fishing, sometimes just pretending to. I can see why the Bastard likes him - many people ask gods for something. Very few invite them to chill out and relax...
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LibraryThing member jsabrina
I've enjoyed all the Pen and Des books, but this is the first one I've awarded five stars.
Pen is, in many ways, a reactionary hero. He doesn't go out looking for adventures or problems to solve. He would much rather be at home with his beloved family. But being a homebody does not match well with
LMB is one of my favorite authors, and her ability to create wonderful characters is one of her most notable strengths. Assassins has a particularly vivid supporting cast, characters who I would be delighted to read about in their own books.
Pen is, in many ways, a reactionary hero. He doesn't go out looking for adventures or problems to solve. He would much rather be at home with his beloved family. But being a homebody does not match well with
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serving a god of chaos and mischief. The problem which drops into his lap this time brings legal and theological consequences as well as danger, which is perfect the perfect combination for Learned Divine Penric.LMB is one of my favorite authors, and her ability to create wonderful characters is one of her most notable strengths. Assassins has a particularly vivid supporting cast, characters who I would be delighted to read about in their own books.
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
Demons and assassination! Now there’s a combination!
I think Demon carrying sorcerer Learned Penric is one of my favourite fantasy heroes.
When Penric’s brother-in-law General Arisaydia is attacked by assassins from Cedonia and demons are involved Penric knows something is very wrong. It seems
Penric and Blessed Iroki, a saint of the white God’s order, find both sorcerers and demons distraught. Many have been coerced into actions that go against the Gods’ rules for Temple Demons.
Once again a rich and unexpected episode in the World of Five Gods pantheon that ratchets up my appreciation for Bujold’s writings.
BTW, according to the Subterranean Press website there are apparently a limited number of signed hardback copies.
A Subterranean Press ARC via NetGalley
I think Demon carrying sorcerer Learned Penric is one of my favourite fantasy heroes.
When Penric’s brother-in-law General Arisaydia is attacked by assassins from Cedonia and demons are involved Penric knows something is very wrong. It seems
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someone is embezzling demons. Penric contacts his order’s Chapter House and to his surprise is sent a Saint to help investigate the outrage. It seems they will be required to go to the source of the problem, Cedonia. All this as Arisaydia has been asked to return to his country. The same country he’d been hunted from. The same country that desired his death.Penric and Blessed Iroki, a saint of the white God’s order, find both sorcerers and demons distraught. Many have been coerced into actions that go against the Gods’ rules for Temple Demons.
Once again a rich and unexpected episode in the World of Five Gods pantheon that ratchets up my appreciation for Bujold’s writings.
BTW, according to the Subterranean Press website there are apparently a limited number of signed hardback copies.
A Subterranean Press ARC via NetGalley
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LibraryThing member Herenya
This is set after The Physicians of Vilnoc and is the first novel-length Pen and Des tale. After an attempt is made on Adelis Arisaydia’s life, Pen sets out to capture and question the sorcerer-assassin, expecting to then see her stripped of her demon and handed over to face justice. But the
I enjoyed the reappearances of characters from previous books and the progress on long-standing plot-threads. I also liked seeing Pen as a scholarly mentor. (Meanwhile Pen’s wife stays home, which is definitely what she’d want to do, but I wish there was some way for her to still have an active part in the story.)
Interestingly, Penric is five years older than he was in The Prisoner of Limnos and, as I read that in 2017, so am I…
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white god has other ideas -- there’s someone more dangerous who needs to be brought to justice.I enjoyed the reappearances of characters from previous books and the progress on long-standing plot-threads. I also liked seeing Pen as a scholarly mentor. (Meanwhile Pen’s wife stays home, which is definitely what she’d want to do, but I wish there was some way for her to still have an active part in the story.)
Interestingly, Penric is five years older than he was in The Prisoner of Limnos and, as I read that in 2017, so am I…
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LibraryThing member elorin
Penric is a good father and a good husband. As a good brother-in-law he accompanies Adelis to a council with the Duke, after which all hell breaks loose. A rogue sorceress has to be caught, but when the white god makes his will known there's nothing for it but a trip to Thasalon.
I craved a longer,
I craved a longer,
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more in depth story with Penric and Desdemona and it was everything I hoped for. Show Less
Original publication date
2021-05-10
Local notes
Penric & Desdemona, 10
DDC/MDS
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