Reviews

Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold

katieinca's review against another edition

5.0

I am a really, Really Big Fan of Bujold, so I was saving these for time of need. And then I forgot to take a backup book on a trip, and here we are! I had been assuming Penric and Desdemona were a couple, or perhaps siblings. I would never have predicted the actual setup here, and it's SO GREAT.

kzimm2024's review against another edition

5.0

I liked this one! Subtle humor with an honest voice, Penric is an intriguing and fresh character. Every once in a while I have to dive into some "clean" Science Fiction, kind of a reset for my reading.

Its reminiscent of M. Wells writing - the Raksura series- and I was compelled to start this series when I spotted one of the books on Subterranean Press' website, for The Physician of Villnoc. The cover really drew me in. It also has been on my feed for a while so hey, took the chance.

I like Des (the demon) and it was amusing that when her god had the chance to bring her back and end her existence, he spit her back out and said it wasn't her time yet. And she now adores Pen for his humility in saving her, he now has a partner for life.

rebeccazh's review against another edition

It is such a pleasure to go back into the World of the Five Gods series. I absolutely love this series; my favorite book is [b:Paladin of Souls|61904|Paladin of Souls (World of the Five Gods, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388350884l/61904._SY75_.jpg|819610]. Reading this book made me feel like rereading that. But anyway, Penric and Desdemona were so enjoyable to read about. Penric, especially, makes me feel so fond, although the book is a mere 100ish pages. His humility, respect/sensitivity and innocence makes him such a likeable hero.

kiola's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

sorbeth's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

Pleasant fluff 

tansy's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted

3.5

Sweet and straightforward tale of kindness rewarded. I'm not sure the world-building is strong enough for me to really get onboard with the series.

alyglynne's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

s0ngsparr0w's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

gossy's review against another edition

4.0

This novella wasn’t overly compelling or exciting or anything, but it was simple and sweet and I liked it.

Minor spoilers, mostly just describing the premise:

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The basic plot is that a young man gets possessed by (possession of? haunted by?) a demon, and instead of being angry or scared — at least, once he’s come to understand the situation — he instead promptly sets about trying to do harmless nice things for it. It’s very sweet, and an interesting contrast to the protagonists and plots of The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls.

being_b's review against another edition

All I kept thinking through this novella (and the four others in the series I read afterward) was that [a:T. Kingfisher|7367300|T. Kingfisher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1547408383p2/7367300.jpg] does it better. Why do we have to have the funny, earthy, wise and mischevious older women wrapped up in a young man's head rather than just out in the world themselves?