Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Subterranean (2017), Edition: Deluxe Hardcover, 264 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: In his thirtieth year, Penric fell in love with light ... Learned Penric, a sorcerer and divine of the Bastard's Order, travels across the sea to sunlit Cedonia on his first covert diplomatic mission, to attempt to secure the services of a disaffected Cedonian general for the Duke of Adria. However, nothing is as it seems: Penric is betrayed and thrown into a dungeon, and worse follows for the general and his kin. Penric's narrow escapes and adventures�??including his interest in a young widow�??are told with Bujold's remarkable energy, wit, and humor. Once again, Bujold has created unforgettable characters and a wondrous, often dangerous world of intrigue and sorcery
User reviews
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Penric and his resident demon Desdemona are on a mission to a neighboring country to make contact with a disaffected general and to convince him to come to Atria. Penric was chosen largely because he spoke Cedonian. He arrives in the country, is arrested and imprisoned almost before he regains his
Penric comes to admire the general's sister Nikys who is a sensible woman and close to her brother. The three agree to flee together with Penric still hoping to convince them to come to Atria. They are pursued by a man Penric knows as Velka who is an employee of one of the general's enemies. Velka also has soldiers and a sorcerer of the Bastard's Order.
I enjoyed Penric's current relationship with his demon. It was nice to see him some years after we first met him and now grown into a scholar and wise man. Bujold's prose is crisp, descriptive and filled with quotable lines. My only complaint is that the story ended on a cliffhanger which will leave me waiting for further adventures.
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land legs, and manages to use magic to save himself when he is left to die. Meanwhile the general has been arrested, accused and treason, and blinded. His sister has been allowed to take him to her home where Penric appears. Penric again uses magic to save the general's vision and attempts to persuade him to come to Atria. Since the general never sent the letter asking for a place in Atria, he can't be convinced. There is some larger plot afoot. Penric comes to admire the general's sister Nikys who is a sensible woman and close to her brother. The three agree to flee together with Penric still hoping to convince them to come to Atria. They are pursued by a man Penric knows as Velka who is an employee of one of the general's enemies. Velka also has soldiers and a sorcerer of the Bastard's Order.
I enjoyed Penric's current relationship with his demon. It was nice to see him some years after we first met him and now grown into a scholar and wise man. Bujold's prose is crisp, descriptive and filled with quotable lines. My only complaint is that the story ended on a cliffhanger which will leave me waiting for further adventures.
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LibraryThing member alexyskwan
I actually don't have much to say, except that it was very much up to Bujold's standards. I still like Penric, and the story shows how he's grown older. I like the new perspective from the new character. The only thing I'm unhappy with is that it ended, and at a somewhat unexpected place. I'm
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waiting eagerly for the next story. Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Ah, lovely. More of Penric and Desdemona's relationship - it's been years (I think they say eleven years) they've been together, and their partnership is solid. Which is good, because this story throws them into some very new situations, and they're working at the thin edge of their combined
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abilities for a large part of it. Lots of uphill magic, for one - healing at a high level. The usual excellent description, dialog, and characterization - well, it is Bujold. Two new and interesting characters - I really want to see what happens with Nikys. Hopefully the next novella will be set much closer in time to this one than this is to Penric and the Shaman. There's a large episode in Penric's life that hasn't been written up, but is described here in, I think, sufficient detail - I don't need to know exactly his losses, the impact is clear without that. The events of this story may have helped, though. I do love the Penric stories. Show Less
LibraryThing member Herenya
Penric’s Mission is my favourite of these Penric novellas. Penric arrives in Cedonia with a message for General Arisaydia (I had to look up how to spell his name because, audiobook). Before Pen can deliver it, he is arrested and thrown into a bottle dungeon.
Meanwhile Arisaydia has been also
This is a gripping, high-stakes adventure with excellent character dynamics. I was initially surprised by how much time has passed between this book and Penric and the Shaman, but then really liked how this story fills in some of the gaps.
I would have listened this one twice if I hadn't had the next book waiting for me. (And then the audiobook was due back at the library, so I ended up buying the ebook.)
Meanwhile Arisaydia has been also
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arrested, albeit under rather different conditions to Pen, and Nikys, his widowed sister, tries to rescue him.This is a gripping, high-stakes adventure with excellent character dynamics. I was initially surprised by how much time has passed between this book and Penric and the Shaman, but then really liked how this story fills in some of the gaps.
I would have listened this one twice if I hadn't had the next book waiting for me. (And then the audiobook was due back at the library, so I ended up buying the ebook.)
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
Just have to love Penric and his crew!
Well that sucks! I was so drawn in to Penric and his happenings that before I knew it I was on the last page. The ending was far too abrupt. I need, indeed must get hold of what happens next!!
Note: I read the sequel (Mira's Last Dance) and am now much
Anyway in Mission, Penric enters into a secret diplomatic mission for the Duke of Adri that ends in unmitigated disaster with Penric imprisoned and the future looking grim. Desdemona as usual has a few pithy words to say! A well constructed world that opens up new vistas, with a fitting sense of humor and occasion.
Penric is altogether one of my favorite characters, and here his story just keeps on giving!
A NetGalley ARC
Well that sucks! I was so drawn in to Penric and his happenings that before I knew it I was on the last page. The ending was far too abrupt. I need, indeed must get hold of what happens next!!
Note: I read the sequel (Mira's Last Dance) and am now much
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happierAnyway in Mission, Penric enters into a secret diplomatic mission for the Duke of Adri that ends in unmitigated disaster with Penric imprisoned and the future looking grim. Desdemona as usual has a few pithy words to say! A well constructed world that opens up new vistas, with a fitting sense of humor and occasion.
Penric is altogether one of my favorite characters, and here his story just keeps on giving!
A NetGalley ARC
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LibraryThing member Dokfintong
Lois McMaster Bujold is probably my favorite author. "Penric's Mission" is a fun novella continuing the story of Learned Penric and his daemon Desdemona. Penric goes on a secret mission but is betrayed and thrown in prison. He is also thrown into the warm and ample bosom of young widow Nikys Khatai
As always Ms Bujold's writing skills deliver an amusing and believable story.
I received a review copy of "Penric's Mission" by Lois McMaster Bujold (Subterranean) through NetGalley.com.
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who is intent on rescuing her brother disgraced General Arisaydia.As always Ms Bujold's writing skills deliver an amusing and believable story.
I received a review copy of "Penric's Mission" by Lois McMaster Bujold (Subterranean) through NetGalley.com.
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LibraryThing member gabarito
So good! I enjoyed it thoroughly. As with all Penric novellas, my only complaint is I wish it was a full length novel.
LibraryThing member LisCarey
Penric has been through some big changes since the events in Penric's Fox. His studies with the shamans in Easthome completed, he returned to Martensbridge, where his medical abilities became greatly in demand. Very greatly in demand--and only for the most serious cases. The Princess-Archdivine
And the Duke has sent him to Cedonia, to make contact with a general who wishes to take service in Adria.
Unless, of course, the letter from the general is a forgery.
Penric finds himself plunged into danger and intrigue immediately upon disembarking in Cedonia. Hit on the head from behind, dumped in a bottle dungeon, and intended to drown, his challenges are only beginning.
Penric continues to develop as a character, and his story continues to advance, as we continue to explore more of the world of the Five Gods. This is a novella, so it's hard to say anything more without engaging in inexcusable spoilers, but in character, pace, and convincing world-building, it's good, solid Bujold storytelling.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
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Llewen has died, and so has his mother. In the end, it was too much loss, and he moved to Adria, first to serve the White God's archdivine there, and then to serve the Duke.And the Duke has sent him to Cedonia, to make contact with a general who wishes to take service in Adria.
Unless, of course, the letter from the general is a forgery.
Penric finds himself plunged into danger and intrigue immediately upon disembarking in Cedonia. Hit on the head from behind, dumped in a bottle dungeon, and intended to drown, his challenges are only beginning.
Penric continues to develop as a character, and his story continues to advance, as we continue to explore more of the world of the Five Gods. This is a novella, so it's hard to say anything more without engaging in inexcusable spoilers, but in character, pace, and convincing world-building, it's good, solid Bujold storytelling.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The third novella in the life of Penric sees him settled in his life as a divine and on a secret covert mission that fails as soon as he goes ashore. Things work out in the end and you find out what has happened to him in the years previously. The nice thing is the story does wrap up everything but
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you also know there is more that could possibly be written about him in the future. Wonderful storytelling as usual for Bujold and the plus with this one and the other stories about Penric if you read them out of order you are not completely lost. Show Less
LibraryThing member jsabrina
This is an enjoyable series, but in this story about a covert mission gone utterly awry, Penric seems even more like Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan: clever, brilliant, resourceful, confusing to those around him, and prone to babbling to 'himself' (in Pen's case it's to his demon) especially when tired.
That said: this is an engaging story with all the tropes of a classic adventure tale: a secret mission, betrayal, daring escapes, clever strategies, a bit of desperation, a bit of magic, a bit of luck, and a hint of romance.
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This isn't all bad, given what a marvelous character Miles is, but does make him seem more familiar than not. And I keep hoping Bujold will give us more of Des as a unique being.That said: this is an engaging story with all the tropes of a classic adventure tale: a secret mission, betrayal, daring escapes, clever strategies, a bit of desperation, a bit of magic, a bit of luck, and a hint of romance.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
This entry in the Penric & Desdemona series is the longest so far - really a proper novel rather than a novella - and it begins a new story arc rather than being a self-contained plot. It takes place about 5 years after the events in "Penric's Fox" when Penric has a new superior, the brother of the
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Duke of Adria. I missed Oswyl & Inglis but the story is quite exciting. Show Less
LibraryThing member elorin
Penric's on a covert diplomatic mission when he's arrested and thrown in a hopeless prison. Of course he doesn't die (there's 6 more books) and this is the tale of how he got out and what happened then.
I enjoyed exploring Penric's healing talents more and as always learning about Desdemona 's prior
I enjoyed exploring Penric's healing talents more and as always learning about Desdemona 's prior
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lives. The gentle romance is heartening. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-11-02
Physical description
257 p.; 5.7 inches
ISBN
1596068442 / 9781596068445
Local notes
Sorcerer Penric, who is possessed by a clever chaos demon named Desdemona, has his clandestine mission of diplomacy to Cedonia upended when he finds himself gravely injured and imprisoned in the darkest of dungeons.