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.

Another fun Penric adventure

I love Bujold's writing and have very much enjoyed the novella length tales about Penric and Desdemona (the Demon of Chaos with whom Pen is partnered). The audiobook readings by Grover Gardner add another dimension to the story. I understand that the third novella in the series, Penric's Mission will come out on audio in February, and I can hardly wait!

Shamans and sorcerers, may the five gods help us

Lovely short story, a continuation of 'Penric and his demon'. Penric has finished his studies a year ago and is working for the Princess who paid for them. She has a little side job for him, which is not quite going as expected.

Extent book

It felt very emotional to me, i am very pleased with the narrator and the interpretation, looking forward to the third book.

Penric Rides again

Very fun and enjoyable read w/ a light feel,deft humor, and a moving plot line... It's lighter fantasy w/ an airy and easy mood... The exploration of life's grief and guilt is touching w/o being corny...This book brings together story elements from the previous and integrates the magical systems from the previous books w/ style... These last two Penric novellas are as good as anything heretofore in the series... As good as the 1st book in this fantasy universe... Penric and Desdamona are as likable as most any fantasy pairing/team... The narration is perfect and the story has a wonderful pace making it a real page turner... Can't wait for the next installment!!

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.

Fine storytelling

I really have no criticism at all, and doubt myself for the three stars initially, so raised it, but I think this is because I very much missed reading about Penric's schooling in the four years skipped and hoped Desdemona would have a bigger role. And--I tend to give Bujold five stars. As always, with Lois McMaster Bujold--finely crafted and complex, with appealing characters. Grover Gardner is an excellent reader.

listened to it three times in a row.

I have a hard time visualizing Penric as a blonde, or as young, but I love the stories anyhow

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.

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!

Excellent installment

In this second installment, we get a story set four years after Penric’s Demon, when Pen has completed his schooling quickly, with Desdemona’s help. We also find out it’s set a century after The Hallowed Hunt, and involves a descendant of the kin Wolfcliff clan.
Pen’s patron, the Princess Archdivine has tasked him to accompany the Senior Locator, Oswyl, on his mission to find the Shaman Inglis kin Wolfcliff. Of course, the Gods had to get involved.
I’m glad I didn’t review these books the first time I read them, as I would not have written anything worthwhile. LMB is in fine form in this one. All TWOTFG; in fact, all her books are worth your time.
Grover Gardner is one of my all-time favorite narrators.
Recommend on all levels.

Another short bite of a tale with the five gods

I am enjoying the development of Penric through these stories, and already looking forward to the next installment.

Penrick grows

I loved it

I particularly like the happy relationships with the gods.
Penrick has developed and likes to mystify the other characters.

A beautiful little gem of a story

Like all the Penric stories this is a perfectly crafted little gem, wonderfully read by Grover Gardner. Perfect to warm oneself by on a snowy February day.