Penric's Demon
By Lois McMaster Bujold
- Release Date: 2015-07-09
- Genre: Historical Fantasy
Description
On his way to his betrothal, young Lord Penric comes upon a riding accident with an elderly lady on the ground, her maidservant and guardsmen distraught. As he approaches to help, he discovers that the lady is a Temple divine, servant to the five gods of this world. Her avowed god is The Bastard, "master of all disasters out of season", and with her dying breath she bequeaths her mysterious powers to Penric. From that moment on, Penric's life is irreversibly changed, and his life is in danger from those who envy or fear him.
Set in the fantasy world of the author's acclaimed novels THE CURSE OF CHALION, PALADIN OF SOULS and THE HALLOWED HUNT, this novella has the depth of characterization and emotional complexity that distinguishes all Bujold's work.
Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF."
- Publishers Weekly
“A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.”
- Rave Reviews
“Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.”
- SF Site
about the author:
Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children. She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982. She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold to Baen Books, launching her career. Bujold went on to write many other books for Baen, mostly featuring her popular character Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, his family, friends, and enemies. Her books have been translated into twenty-one languages. Her fantasy from Eos includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series.
Reviews
From "Chalion" to "Five Gods"
5By flowergirl1133So happy to see (and read) another book in this series, even with the renaming of the series. I can highly recommend all Bujold's books. I first met her through the "Shards of Honor" audiobook in my library's Overdrive app...the result of which has been many truly enjoyable hours with Bujold, and another name on my favorite author list. So looking forward to "Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen", especially if it builds on the Vorkosigan books. May she write for another 30 years!Great read!
5By StukaSo when I first found out that a new novella was going to be released in the five gods series, I was beyond happy. And a fully enjoyed reading it. My only disappointment was that it was short, which was obvious as its a novella, and not a full length novel. My hope is that maybe Lois will continue the story in another full length novel in the future, because I really want to find out what happens to Penric next!Wheee! Love Penric!
5By Marina AriadneI had so much fun reading this. Once I finally found it under the title itself here, I pounced, I bought, I read...when I should have been sleeping. It starts out along the lines of No good deed goes unpunished, at the time Penric acquires his demon--or the demon acquires him. Penric's life changes completely from younger son of poor nobility about to contract an arranged marriage. Suddenly, he is a matter of theological concern--and no one will touch him, a situation I hope can change in a later story. This is not your parents' demon. Penric is a polite young man, and extends that to what is sharing his body. It reminds me of Johannes Cabal, in another delightfully humorous series my husband's been reading, where politeness towards supernatural entities makes one that much powerful. I giggled and laughed a lot through this story, set in a different part of Chalion. The dialogue's a joy, and the process of Penric & his "horse" getting to know each other and work together is as well. Go on, buy this and experience the ride!
