Content warnings: If there’s one author I can depend on to write an absolutely delightful novella, it’s Lois McMaster Bujold. I look forward to her Pen and Des novellas every year, and this one lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Just once, Pen thought glumly, he’d like to get an answer to prayers, instead of being delivered as one.…
This novella is a direct continuation of Penric’s Mission, and it’s a ridiculously silly and fun romp that reminds me of a mishmash of Shakespearean plays. It’s another enjoyable story in the World of the Five Gods, but one that ends on, I think, a bit of a turning point for Penric. “In any case,” said Nikys, placating, “our roads…
This particular Penric & Desdemona novella jumps back to a little less than a year after my personal favorite of his novellas, Penric and the Shaman, so I was overjoyed to see Oswyl (the detective) and Inglis (the shaman) again. It was a bit jarring to go from much more – uh – Learned *snicker* Penric of Mira’s Last Dance…
The third novella in the Penric & Desdemona series features a new challenge for Penric – palace intrigue! And, a romantic interest! We’ve now skipped ahead another handful of years, and Penric has been loaned to the Duke of Adria, who has sent him on a secret mission to hire a Cedonian general. Only, of course, Penric (and Desdemona)…