Testimony of Mute Things

A Penric & Desdemona Novella

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

A contentious Temple conclave brings sorcerer Learned Penric and his demon Desdemona, in support of his superior Princess-Archdivine Llewen of Martensbridge, to the disputed Carpagamon border town of Occo. There, the uncanny pair will tangle with dangerous new intrigues and old histories, that will test their magical skills, their wits, and their hearts.

©2025 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

A Bujold novella is always a pleasure.

One of the best pieces of worldbuilding, characterization and sheer fun in fantasy. I love Penric and Des, plus all the rest of the wonderful cast.

why no chapters?

I am loving all of the Penric books, it is almost like revisiting Miles. However, this particular one has no chapters, unlike all of the others that I have listened to. I makes it difficult to keep your place and easily go back a little if you are interrupted and need to reset. Very inconvenient audiobook production, and I find it very annoying.

It is good to get more of the Princess Arch Divine.

Great Narration. The voices are so good.

This installment fits nicely between “Penric’s Fox” and “Penric’s Mission.”
“Testimony of Mute Things” gives us more reason to like the Princess, allows us to see a less jaded Pen, and it was fun getting a glimpse of someone who is later introduced in “Mira’s Last Dance.”

I hope the orphan boy Pen and his colleague take an interest in will show up as an adult in later books.

(There is another addition. But I prefer to reread “Masquerade In Lodi,” as a flashback read next to “The Orphans of Raspay.” “Lodi” is great. Although I feel that one eases us into some information that “Mission” dumps on us spectacularly. “Lodi” is mostly there to explain the people Pen recommends to the young pirate. So that is where I read it.)

Well done!

I like how Lois tied in the initial meeting of Master Stobrec to Penric that is mentioned in Penric’s Mission, and foreshadowing how he will ultimately get to Adria. As usual totally loved it!

Excellent installment

I love the Penric and Desdamona series. I enjoyed how this novella went back to the earlier portion of his career. Lots of time and stories to mine from their lifetime and I’m looking forward to more!!