Penric and the Shaman

The Penric & Desdemona Series, Book 2

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2016 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Way too short

Another delightful and well written Novela by Lois McMaster Bujold. The author has the uncanny ability to humanize her characters to the point where the reader wants to know them more, to be friends with them, and misses their absence after the story is finished. In the grand tradition of Miles Vorkosigan, Penric is another such character, and this Novela was way to short a look into this hero's adventures. It is my true hope that the Author will continue to develop this character and that Grover Gardner will turn these tales into audio books. The tales of Penric and Desdemona are highly recommended.

Intriguing story

Both story and narrator were excellent. I enjoyed the contrast between sorcerer and shaman. Interesting theological concepts

I love to hear Gardner reading Bujold's words

Makes Penric reminiscent of a tall Miles, now that he's grown into a self assured certified Devine.
Highly recommend :)

Wonderful!

I so enjoy Lois McMaster Bujold's characters, and Grover Gardner's reading highlights their personalities perfectly.

More developed characters

The longer length of the second novella allowed for deeper character and plot development. Penric reminds me of the dowager queen in the second book of the Challon series. The same refusal to be awed during extraordinary circumstances.

short but good

A very good follow-up to Penric's Demon. Light-hearted and explicitive of Shamans & Demons World-of-the-5-Gods-style.

Wonderful eveeytime

I have listen to this book dozens of times. the story is great and the narrator is amazing. I am not big on referring books, but this series is the best.

Let the story take you away!

Penric and his Demon Desdemona are tasked to track down a renegade, and possible killer Shaman, so with the blessings of the temple, and in his roll as protector and Sorcerer for the Bastard God's Order, Penric readies himself. What you've got to know as a follower of the Bastard God, is that things are seldom as they seem, and the situation in the mountains is complex... Plus, there's a deadline. Catch up with the renegade before the passes are closed by the snow! Penric, along with his Demon Desdemona, will need to use all their wits in order to sort out the Truths of the Gods and Shamans!
So, grab the book and let the story take you away for a few hours! Plus, I don't think you can go wrong when you listen to a book narrated by Grover Gardner!

worth purchasing

This author has numerous excellent books and this series has an excellent performer. This is the combination that makes listening to stories so compelling. This may be the fourth time I have listened to this story.

I wish they were longer 🥲

I know I talked about wishing the first book was longer but I really didn't want this one to end. I really got into the world, the mystery, and the characters. The plot pattern in this one reminded me of how she would set up some of her books in the Vorkosigan Saga and it was beautiful and nostalgic for me. Great book and I'm looking forward to the next ones!