The Adventure of the Demonic Ox

A Penric and Desdemona Novella, Book 14

De: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

When sorcerer Learned Penric hears of the suspected demonic possession of an ox at his brother-in-law’s bridgebuilding worksite, he thinks it an excellent opportunity to tutor his adopted daughter and student sorceress Otta in one of their Temple duties: identifying and restraining such wild chaos elementals before harm comes to their hosts or surroundings.

What begins as an instructive family outing turns anything but routine when a mountain search becomes a much more frightening adventure for Penric and his charges. What is undergone there by both mentor and students will yield lessons both unexpected and far-reaching.

©2025 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Fantastic Listen

Another great listen from a master writer and a great performer. Its only problem is that it is so good that I listened to it nonstop. As it came available at midnight, so much for a nights sleep.

The kids are alright

This tale harkens back to many previous P&D stories and gives a glimpse of the future of the next generation.

Wonderful Story and Great narration

I love Penric ad Dez stories. Its like reading a letter from an old frriend now. Some excitement, adventure and family news and life moving forward

A satisfying rendition as always

Their story continues. these books are short. I have the privilege of being satisfied with the story, yet wanting more. An amazing telling. Great job to all involved with this production

I love the Penric books!

The World of the Five Gods is fascinating, and so is Pen’s herd of children, born and adopted. Desdemona is always a delight. My husband and I look forward to the next in the series, as always.

The kids took first place

Could have done without the dog getting hurt, he was fine but I was worried about him for some time.

The Next Generation

This is another sweet story of Penric's and Desdemona's growing family, perhaps a little too sweet. There's no real villain (the dog doesn't count) and no political intrigue to balance the innocence of the child protagonists, Instead, our author appears to be tying up the loose ends, setting everyone on a path to a hopeful future.

I have enjoyed her stories and Grover Gardener’s presentation.

The only issue I have had with them is they are to short and don’t develop the story. If someone hadn’t already read most of her Penric series, I am not sure folks would get much out just reading the novelas. My main issue is that since they are half of a novel they cost twice as much. I certainly would not have spent the money if there was a different presenter

Childrearing

This author has come to have children and babies on her mind entirely too much of the time. This story is a collection of rehashed characters from previous stories, mostly children. Penric is doing childrearing, and often just tells the children of something from a previous story. The ox...makes a few token appearances. And there is another baby born at the end of the story. Really, other people's children are not very interesting. This author is capable of great writing when she has adult characters, no children or babies or pregnancies, and an interesting world. The Vorkosigan series is mostly great, especially the ones with Miles Vorkosigan as the main character. Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls are great. Sharing knife is mostly good. The first 3 Penric stories are good, though too short.

Surprising dud from Bujold

Lois Bujold is usually, reliably amazing - but I think she phoned this one in