-
The Physicians of Vilnoc
- A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $17.47
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Assassins of Thasalon
- A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An unholy attack upon his brother-in-law, General Arisaydia, pitches sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon, Desdemona, headlong into the snake pit of Cedonian imperial politics. But they will not travel alone. The mission from his god brings Penric some of his strangest new allies yet and the return of some of his most valued old ones.
-
-
Another excellent addition to the series!
- By Peter on 08-11-21
-
The Hallowed Hunt
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile. It falls to Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff to transport the prince to his burial place and to bring the accused killer, Lady Ijada, to judgment. The road he travels with his burden and his prisoner is fraught with danger. But in the midst of political chaos, magic has the fiercer hold on Ingrey's destiny, and Ijada herself may turn out to be the only one he dares trust.
-
-
Magic and Kingship in the Land of the Five Gods
- By Rose on 04-25-07
-
The Sharing Knife, Volume 1
- Beguilement
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Young, pregnant Fawn Bluefield has just fled her family's farm to the city of Glassforge, where she encounters a patrol of the enigmatic soldier-sorcerers known as Lakewalkers. Fawn has heard stories about the Lakewalkers, who are wandering necromancers with no permanent homes and no possessions except the clothes they wear and the mysterious knives they carry. What she does not know is that the Lakewalkers are engaged in a perilous campaign against inhuman and immortal magical entities known as "malices".
-
-
Not really my thing
- By Eric C. Zawadzki on 08-27-09
-
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Cousin to imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, Ivan is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, his chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril.
-
-
We are finally allowed to see Ivan without Miles.
- By Barbara Kindle Customer on 11-06-12
-
Proto Zoa
- Five Early Short Stories
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Protozoa is a word from biology via the Greek, meaning "first animals". These short stories were indeed among the first life spontaneously generated in Lois McMaster Bujold's nascent writing career. Along with an introduction by the author, this collection features the short stories "Barter", "Garage Sale", "The Hole Truth", "Dreamweaver's Dilemma", and "Aftermaths".
-
-
5 good shorts
- By IreneMBBT on 07-23-20
-
The Spirit Ring
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In an alternate Renaissance Italy where the church regulates magic and licenses magicians, fiery Fiametta Beneforte wants to be more than her goldsmith-mage father's unpaid apprentice. But when the Duchy of Montefoglia is laid under military and magical siege, she unexpectedly must join with Thur Ochs, a young Swiss miner and foundryman, to tap their skills in both metalwork and necromancy to rescue her father's soul and combat an evil sorcerer.
-
-
Well written Supernatural-Fantasy
- By IreneMBBT on 07-29-19
-
The Assassins of Thasalon
- A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An unholy attack upon his brother-in-law, General Arisaydia, pitches sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon, Desdemona, headlong into the snake pit of Cedonian imperial politics. But they will not travel alone. The mission from his god brings Penric some of his strangest new allies yet and the return of some of his most valued old ones.
-
-
Another excellent addition to the series!
- By Peter on 08-11-21
-
The Hallowed Hunt
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile. It falls to Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff to transport the prince to his burial place and to bring the accused killer, Lady Ijada, to judgment. The road he travels with his burden and his prisoner is fraught with danger. But in the midst of political chaos, magic has the fiercer hold on Ingrey's destiny, and Ijada herself may turn out to be the only one he dares trust.
-
-
Magic and Kingship in the Land of the Five Gods
- By Rose on 04-25-07
-
The Sharing Knife, Volume 1
- Beguilement
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Young, pregnant Fawn Bluefield has just fled her family's farm to the city of Glassforge, where she encounters a patrol of the enigmatic soldier-sorcerers known as Lakewalkers. Fawn has heard stories about the Lakewalkers, who are wandering necromancers with no permanent homes and no possessions except the clothes they wear and the mysterious knives they carry. What she does not know is that the Lakewalkers are engaged in a perilous campaign against inhuman and immortal magical entities known as "malices".
-
-
Not really my thing
- By Eric C. Zawadzki on 08-27-09
-
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Cousin to imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, Ivan is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, his chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril.
-
-
We are finally allowed to see Ivan without Miles.
- By Barbara Kindle Customer on 11-06-12
-
Proto Zoa
- Five Early Short Stories
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Protozoa is a word from biology via the Greek, meaning "first animals". These short stories were indeed among the first life spontaneously generated in Lois McMaster Bujold's nascent writing career. Along with an introduction by the author, this collection features the short stories "Barter", "Garage Sale", "The Hole Truth", "Dreamweaver's Dilemma", and "Aftermaths".
-
-
5 good shorts
- By IreneMBBT on 07-23-20
-
The Spirit Ring
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In an alternate Renaissance Italy where the church regulates magic and licenses magicians, fiery Fiametta Beneforte wants to be more than her goldsmith-mage father's unpaid apprentice. But when the Duchy of Montefoglia is laid under military and magical siege, she unexpectedly must join with Thur Ochs, a young Swiss miner and foundryman, to tap their skills in both metalwork and necromancy to rescue her father's soul and combat an evil sorcerer.
-
-
Well written Supernatural-Fantasy
- By IreneMBBT on 07-29-19
-
All Systems Red
- By: Martha Wells
- Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
- Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All Systems Red is the tense first science fiction adventure novella in Martha Wells' series The Murderbot Diaries. For fans of Westworld, Ex Machina, Ann Leckie's Imperial Raadch series, or Iain M. Banks' Culture novels. The main character is a deadly security droid that has bucked its restrictive programming and is balanced between contemplative self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans.
-
-
Good...but...
- By Steve on 07-20-18
By: Martha Wells
-
Swordheart
- By: T. Kingfisher
- Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle's estate...and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws...and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all.
-
-
refreshing
- By Ijw on 04-14-21
By: T. Kingfisher
-
Saint of Steel Series # 1
- Paladin's Grace
- By: T. Kingfisher
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three years later, Stephen is a broken paladin, living only for the chance to be useful before he dies. But all that changes when he encounters a fugitive named Grace in an alley and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now the pair must navigate a web of treachery, beset on all sides by spies and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind....
-
-
Really weird. Also gruesome. Graphic sex scenes.
- By Dragondreamer on 08-25-21
By: T. Kingfisher
-
Necessity's Child
- Liaden Universe: Arc of the Covenants, Book 1
- By: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller
- Narrated by: Eileen Stevens
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The kompani see none as an enemy, and yet few as friend. The kompani exist in many places, living quietly in the shadows, thriving off the bounty that others have no wit to secure, nor skill to defend. Their private history is unwritten; their recall rooted in dance and dream. The Clan Korval is in many ways the opposite of the kompani. The interstellar trading clan is wealthy in enemies, and fortunate in friends. Korval protects itself with vigor, and teaches even its youngest children the art of war
-
-
Excellent addition to the Liaden Universe
- By CRussel on 02-08-14
By: Sharon Lee, and others
-
Beyond
- Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire's exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Korda's father set out to gather magicians in the hopes of one day finding a way to escape and protect the people of the Duchy from tyranny.
-
-
Baron Valdemar for the win!
- By Carey on 09-16-21
By: Mercedes Lackey
-
The Wizard's Butler
- The Wizard's Butler, Book 1
- By: Nathan Lowell
- Narrated by: Tom Taylorson
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For five grand a month and a million-dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn't care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year. But they didn't tell him about the pixies.
-
-
I LOVED this book!
- By Kristin Butner on 04-24-21
By: Nathan Lowell
-
The Witness for the Dead
- By: Katherine Addison
- Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the young half-goblin emperor Maia sought to learn who had set the bombs that killed his father and half-brothers, he turned to an obscure resident of his father’s Court, a Prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead. Thara Celehar found the truth, though it did him no good to discover it. He lost his place as a retainer of his cousin the former Empress, and made far too many enemies among the many factions vying for power in the new Court. The favor of the Emperor is a dangerous coin.
-
-
Same feel, not as satisfying as Goblin Emperor
- By CalyEk on 07-02-21
-
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
- By: T. Kingfisher
- Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fourteen-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter, and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance. But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. And in an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona's worries.
-
-
A tour de force unimaginably good
- By Joella Berkner on 10-21-21
By: T. Kingfisher
-
A Darker Magic
- Mage-Officer of Mars, Book 1
- By: Glynn Stewart
- Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two years ago, Lieutenant Commander Roslyn Chambers stood witness to the surrender of the last remnants of the Republic. Fueled by atrocity against Mage and mundane alike, the secessionists who waged war against the Protectorate of Mars are finally defeated. Now, a special commission from the Mage-Queen of Mars takes Roslyn deep into the former Republic to hunt the architects of that atrocity. Mages who betrayed their own, the creators of Project Prometheus must be brought to justice. But hidden from even the Republic, Prometheus has woven magic and technology together once more.
-
-
Meh.
- By Prydonian on 05-26-21
By: Glynn Stewart
-
The Choice of Magic
- Art of the Adept, Book 1
- By: Michael G. Manning
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 20 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The ancient magic of wizards was anything but dark. It was the enlightenment that lifted humanity from the squalor of superstition, and the worship of fell spirits and capricious gods, but those days are gone. The shining glory of the sorcerers burned away the subtlety of wisdom, replacing it with easy power, held only in the hands of the elite - a new age built upon the elemental supremacy of aristocrats and the ignorance of the masses.
-
-
Here's my opinion...
- By Amazon Customer on 06-17-20
-
The Hills Have Spies
- Valdemar: Family Spies, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this new series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, Heralds Mags and Amily must continue to protect the realm of Valdemar while raising their children and preparing them to follow in their footsteps.
Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry's dream is to follow in his father's footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion.
-
-
Great continuation of the series!
- By Peter on 06-28-18
By: Mercedes Lackey
-
Clockwork Boys
- Clocktaur War, Book 1
- By: T. Kingfisher
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A paladin, an assassin, a forger, and a scholar ride out of town. It's not the start of a joke, but rather an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. T. Kingfisher's new novel begins the tale of a murderous band of criminals (and a scholar), thrown together in an attempt to unravel the secret of the Clockwork Boys, mechanical soldiers from a neighboring kingdom that promise ruin to the Dowager's city.
-
-
Enjoyable, entertaining adventure
- By Elisabeth Carey on 08-06-19
By: T. Kingfisher
Publisher's Summary
When a mysterious plague breaks out in the army fort guarding Vilnoc, the port capital of the duchy of Orbas, Temple sorcerer Penric and his demon Desdemona are called upon by General Arisaydia to resurrect Penric’s medical skills and solve its lethal riddle. In the grueling days that follow, Pen will find that even his magic is not enough to meet the challenges without help from dedicated new colleagues - and the god of mischance.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Physicians of Vilnoc
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 09-01-20
Hopeful recount of humanity v. epidemic
Hopeful parallel with current SARS COVID epidemic. A Potpourri of Penric remembrances, without spoilers. No mean feat. Good evening's listen, Grover Gardner an ever dependable bard.
Penric works at his brother-in-law's army camp, then the surrounding town and healing temple, faced with a spreading epidemic. Army doctors and orderlies, and public health figures - Mother Goddess healers, butchers, cooks, janitors, householders - care for patients, wonder about cause and cure, and cope with fear, exhaustion and grief as they do. Much recognition given to good nursing technique, which Penric notes as he weals and woes his p.o.v. through the killing fever, ever afraid for his own wife and baby in the midst of it. Kudos to caretakers and other exhaustive workers. Bujold shows with bright vignettes a respectful description of the driving curiosity, creative imagination, and application of scientific method which, cooperatively shared among many thinkers and doers, solves any medical puzzle.
Bujold also acknowledges and discourages the impulse to blame "the other" for epidemic origin and spread of disease, while clearly outlining causal factors. An outlier settlement camp of longstanding POWs are alienated by their enforced status. They self-isolate in response, exhibit ignorance of external science, dominance of their cultural superstition, and disrespect of women, with the result that information pointing to the cause of the fever just happens to reside in taboo female memory, unspeakable. Penric, our hero, cleverly disguising his understanding of their language while among them, thus has an inspired Aha! moment, and he adds their factoid to his accumulating trove to find The Answer.
The army general, faced with death inside his camp, exhibits military response, even to the extreme of execution for minor infraction of regulations when it spreads disease. Penric, when human frailty undermines science, gets angry, and can respond with information, instruction, and conscription for nursing duty to enlighten misbehavers, because he serves a god who is not so Martial.
Message: It's not 'them v. us', we are all us, together, ideally cooperating and acting with compassion, forgiving misbehavior and extending nurture and education to get everyone pointed in the same direction: restored health for all, the only lasting and ultimately also selfish goal.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- QCLady
- 10-16-20
Too Short!
By that I mean over too soon. Love Penric and Desdemona, But girl, you don’t write these fast enough! And Grover Gardner, you are the perfect narrator. Just perfect.
Ms Bujold is my favorite author, Andorra reads lot of stuff. Started with Lord Miles, that I read at least once a year and recommend to as many people who will listen. Love everything you write. Like some better than others, but love them anyway.
More please, just more.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Avery
- 08-15-20
Another perfect escape into intelligent fiction
One of the things I like most about Lois’ books is the mind-expanding effect they have on my understanding of the world around me. I loved every word of this story. Thank you Lois!!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Fitzwibble
- 08-12-20
I love them all, but this one may be a favorite
I think I enjoy these more "slice of life" stories of Penric and Desdemona. However, it's still a story about dealing with a desperate epidemic, past failures, and someone attempting to kill him, so it's not exactly staid.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Holly
- 03-14-21
Prescient plague story for our times
Prescient plague story for our times, with the introduction of a couple new characters that are keepers. But next time, please let Penric stay home with his daughter and charming family, please? Very nice meshing of the magical world and practical day-today life. Well-crafted. Lovely narration.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jackson Petro
- 09-28-20
A Penric Story for Quarantine
Will Penric be able to handle his plague better than we have handled ours? A timely novella for Quarantine listening.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gr
- 09-13-20
Sad the tales are over
About 10 years ago I discovered the Vorkosigan Saga books and became a huge fan of Lois Bujold. She has a wonderful way of blending adventure, excitement, and humor into her stories. By the time you finish one of her books, her characters feel like old friends. Over the last two weeks, I have listened to all of the Penric and Desdemona Novelas, and I wish they were longer and that there were more of them.
This Novela finds Penric and Desdemona trying to solve the mystery of a strange sickness ravaging the army.
I look forward to when the next Novela, or dare I hope, a full-length Novel featuring Penric and Desdemona is added to the World of the Five Gods. Grover Gardner is one of my favorite narrators and should you choose to listen to this book, you will not be disappointed.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Marti Peterson
- 04-29-22
What can be causing a rash of illnesses?
I love these 5 gods stories! I sympathize with Penric trying to save those that are ill, take on an apprentice, deal with military rules, solve the mystery of the disease vector . . . all while wishing so much to be home with his new baby.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Barbara Ann McGrane
- 04-24-22
just right!!
i am in love and must now look for more stories about Pen and Des! enjoy!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MaGGot
- 02-28-22
Always subtle, understated, yet engrossing
Lois McMaster Bujold is a master of her craft.
I did not like her style of writing at 1st ( Vorkosigan Saga). I put it down and restarted several times. Now I enjoy it.
I still have to fill my blood 🩸 lust with Martha Wells (Murderbot) tho.