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Penric and Desdemona (Publication order) #5
Penric's Fox
Some eight months after the events of Penric and the Shaman, Learned Penric, sorcerer and scholar, travels to Easthome, the capital of the Weald. There he again meets his friends Shaman Inglis and Locator Oswyl. When the body of a sorceress is found in the woods, Oswyl draws him into another investigation, and they must all work together to uncover a mystery mixing magic, murder, and the strange realities of Temple demons.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2017
647 people are currently reading
1422 people want to read
About the author
Lois McMaster Bujold
191 books39.3k followersLois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children.
Her fantasy from HarperCollins includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife tetralogy; her science fiction from Baen Books features the perennially bestselling Vorkosigan Saga. Her work has been translated into over twenty languages.
Questions regarding foreign rights, film/tv subrights, and other business matters should be directed to Spectrum Literary Agency, spectrumliteraryagency.com
A listing of her awards and nominations may be seen here:
http://www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bu...
A listing of her interviews is here:
http://vorkosigan.wikia.com/wiki/Auth...
An older fan-run site devoted to her work, The Bujold Nexus, is here:
http://www.dendarii.com/
Her fantasy from HarperCollins includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife tetralogy; her science fiction from Baen Books features the perennially bestselling Vorkosigan Saga. Her work has been translated into over twenty languages.
Questions regarding foreign rights, film/tv subrights, and other business matters should be directed to Spectrum Literary Agency, spectrumliteraryagency.com
A listing of her awards and nominations may be seen here:
http://www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bu...
A listing of her interviews is here:
http://vorkosigan.wikia.com/wiki/Auth...
An older fan-run site devoted to her work, The Bujold Nexus, is here:
http://www.dendarii.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 509 reviews
November 25, 2021
Further story-telling strides have been made since the first two installments of Pendric and his demon, Desmonda. This is a straight-up mystery that brings the gang of the second book--Idris, Oswyl and Penric--all back together for some investigation and demonic problem-solving. I rather liked it, although it still really, really feels like when I was fifteen and into reading Mercedes Lackey. As I mentioned to a friend, this is the grilled-cheese/tomato soup combination of the fantasy world.
"Oswyl huffed the sigh of a man perpetually unsurprised that his luck was not in. 'Worth checking.'"
Three and a half stars, but likely mood-based ones.
"Oswyl huffed the sigh of a man perpetually unsurprised that his luck was not in. 'Worth checking.'"
Three and a half stars, but likely mood-based ones.
May 23, 2021
Third in the series of Penric fantasy novellas by Lois McMaster Bujold, and I'm kind of getting into these! Penric, scholar and sorceror (courtesy of Desdemona, the demonic spirit that shares his body), Penric's fishing expedition with his friend Inglis (the shaman from the prior book, Penric and the Shaman) gets interrupted by Locator Oswyl, who wants Penric's and Inglis's help with another murder case. The body of a sorceress has been found in a remote wood, with two arrows in her back, and no sign of what happened to the valuable demon that she hosted.
As far as they can tell from their investigations, everyone liked the sorceress, so they have a hard time telling who killed her and what their motive was. The other half of the investigation - what happened to her demon and where is it now - offers a few more clues. As they get deeper into the case, one part of the case begins to illuminate the other.
For a murder mystery this was ... well, not as twisty as I might have expected or hoped. But otherwise I enjoyed this adventure of Penric and Desdemona. They're interesting characters with an appealing, odd friendship.
As far as they can tell from their investigations, everyone liked the sorceress, so they have a hard time telling who killed her and what their motive was. The other half of the investigation - what happened to her demon and where is it now - offers a few more clues. As they get deeper into the case, one part of the case begins to illuminate the other.
For a murder mystery this was ... well, not as twisty as I might have expected or hoped. But otherwise I enjoyed this adventure of Penric and Desdemona. They're interesting characters with an appealing, odd friendship.
December 19, 2017
Returning to the land of the Five Gods to an earlier point in Penric's life, we're treated to a rather untraditional whodunnit.
This murder isn't just about a sorceress. Her demons are also victims. And where will they go? The funky world of shamanism, of course, with all the problems that encompass. Loss of identity, living one's life out in another's body, etc.
That's bad enough, but there's rather more intrigue and this is a full-fledged mystery.
In some ways, this has a bit more going on than the other Penric novellas, but it's also probably my least favorite. The world-building is top notch and I love Desdemona and Penric, but I suppose I just wasn't feeling it today. *sigh*
Still enjoyable for all that!
This murder isn't just about a sorceress. Her demons are also victims. And where will they go? The funky world of shamanism, of course, with all the problems that encompass. Loss of identity, living one's life out in another's body, etc.
That's bad enough, but there's rather more intrigue and this is a full-fledged mystery.
In some ways, this has a bit more going on than the other Penric novellas, but it's also probably my least favorite. The world-building is top notch and I love Desdemona and Penric, but I suppose I just wasn't feeling it today. *sigh*
Still enjoyable for all that!
February 1, 2024
Mysteriously this is the fifth book as published in the series, but the third book chronogically. I was advised to read them chronologically so I will. The story in Penric’s Fox follows on immediately from Penric and the Shaman.
This book opens with Penric and Shaman Inglis spending a quiet day fishing which is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of Locator Oswyl. The body of another sorcerer has been found murdered, this time shot through by two arrows. The big problem is where has the sorcerer's demon gone.
This book is a murder mystery in fantasy land. They follow up clues, interview suspects and generally act like detectives. However when Pen gets into a serious fight it is Desdemona's magic which saves him. And of course the eventual discovery of the demon is all magic.
Another very enjoyable read. Now on to the next one!
This book opens with Penric and Shaman Inglis spending a quiet day fishing which is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of Locator Oswyl. The body of another sorcerer has been found murdered, this time shot through by two arrows. The big problem is where has the sorcerer's demon gone.
This book is a murder mystery in fantasy land. They follow up clues, interview suspects and generally act like detectives. However when Pen gets into a serious fight it is Desdemona's magic which saves him. And of course the eventual discovery of the demon is all magic.
Another very enjoyable read. Now on to the next one!
April 5, 2022
"The exception always gets more attention than the rule. I’m not sure you should race off down this road too quickly.”
I've been impressed with other Lois McMaster Bujold novellas in this series and Penric's Fox is a solid addition. Despite the fantasy elements, this feels like a mystery with an interesting twist. In the story, Penric teams up with Shaman Inglis and Locator Oswyl to investigate the death of a sorcerer whose body is found in the woods. The action during the investigation is never intense, but the writing and world-building is good. 3.75 stars
I've been impressed with other Lois McMaster Bujold novellas in this series and Penric's Fox is a solid addition. Despite the fantasy elements, this feels like a mystery with an interesting twist. In the story, Penric teams up with Shaman Inglis and Locator Oswyl to investigate the death of a sorcerer whose body is found in the woods. The action during the investigation is never intense, but the writing and world-building is good. 3.75 stars
October 4, 2017
This was a sequel of sorts to Bujold's earlier novella Penric and the Shaman. It was set a few months after that one and saw a return of most of the characters we encountered there. Just like with Penric and the Shaman the focus here in Penric's Fox was around a murder mystery tale!
I actually liked this a little bit more than Penric and the Shaman but not quite so much as the other Penric novellas. This set of Penric's friends are growing on me but are still not as much fun as the ones we have met in other instalments of the series. The pacing in this story was better than the pacing in PatS which was likely the main reason I enjoyed it more. The biggest flaw in this story was the same one suffered by PatS. We did not get enough Penric and Desdemona interactions and this resulted in a little less humor in the story overall.
The mystery story arc was not intense or exciting but it definitely was intriguing and interesting and more than enough to make for an engaging enough novella. Bujold's stories tend to have a slow pace but are almost always quite engaging.
I did enjoy catching up with Inglis and Oswyl again and we got to met a few other interesting characters. The best of them being the unusual Lord Wegae!
All in all this was an entertaining enough read. I like Penric so I hope Bujold plans more novellas in this series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
I actually liked this a little bit more than Penric and the Shaman but not quite so much as the other Penric novellas. This set of Penric's friends are growing on me but are still not as much fun as the ones we have met in other instalments of the series. The pacing in this story was better than the pacing in PatS which was likely the main reason I enjoyed it more. The biggest flaw in this story was the same one suffered by PatS. We did not get enough Penric and Desdemona interactions and this resulted in a little less humor in the story overall.
The mystery story arc was not intense or exciting but it definitely was intriguing and interesting and more than enough to make for an engaging enough novella. Bujold's stories tend to have a slow pace but are almost always quite engaging.
I did enjoy catching up with Inglis and Oswyl again and we got to met a few other interesting characters. The best of them being the unusual Lord Wegae!
All in all this was an entertaining enough read. I like Penric so I hope Bujold plans more novellas in this series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
March 10, 2018
A novella about a sorcerer and a shaman trying to help out with a murder case in the woods and getting creative in a case of the victim’s soul passing to a mother fox. Penric, our hero, is a young man studying to be a sorcerer is this medieval low-tech society, but he is already blessed with a lot of powers through the spirit of a dead female sorcerer, Desdemona, the incarnated “demon” at residence inside him. I got a kick out of their often sarcastic inner dialog and conflicts over what to do. A great personification of the common sense we often get of having divided selves. Their partner on this caper is a professor of shamanism, Inglis, whom Penric is fishing with at the time of discovery of a woman’s body shot with two arrows. They have to do a lot of ordinary detective work while retraining use of their powers (which like in Harry Potter’s world is frowned upon in ordinary human society). Suspects must be considered among the aristocratic landowners, the shaman order, or the village people, servants, and tenant workers.
This is world-building in a microcosm. Bujold shines at how she throws you in the middle of the action and helps you swim in stages toward figuring out what’s going on. No big information dumps bogging down the narrative. Though a magical world, the issues at play in the characters’ concern are core human ones. We are given that demons like Desdemona and that in the elusive fox are souls incarnated in another person or creature that happens to be close at hand at the time a person dies. Temples of sorcery like to make sure that the succession of skill and wisdom are passed to prepared acolytes in their orders. Thus, this murder from a distance by arrow is especially heinous, as a great sorcerer’s soul came close to being lost. That the dead woman turns out to have been a powerful sorceress makes it likely the killer is quite powerful and dangerous to the public should the spirit in the fox vessel be warped or feel threatened.
My “B” star rating is a relative grade, given the host of the authors’ fantasy and sci fi books that I have loved at the 4-5 star level. I will avidly read anything of hers I get my hands on, and I have no regrets with this, a tasty buzz and not a fulsome feast. Undoubtedly, I missed the pleasures of this series beginning and Penric’s early experience with Desdemona as a rider, the novel gender collision and such. We are left with a pointer that Penric in a future volume will next get some mentoring on shaman ways from Inglis and learn all about their collective project to develop a leader with a “Great Beast” harnessed within.
This book was provided for review by the publisher through the Netgalley program.
This is world-building in a microcosm. Bujold shines at how she throws you in the middle of the action and helps you swim in stages toward figuring out what’s going on. No big information dumps bogging down the narrative. Though a magical world, the issues at play in the characters’ concern are core human ones. We are given that demons like Desdemona and that in the elusive fox are souls incarnated in another person or creature that happens to be close at hand at the time a person dies. Temples of sorcery like to make sure that the succession of skill and wisdom are passed to prepared acolytes in their orders. Thus, this murder from a distance by arrow is especially heinous, as a great sorcerer’s soul came close to being lost. That the dead woman turns out to have been a powerful sorceress makes it likely the killer is quite powerful and dangerous to the public should the spirit in the fox vessel be warped or feel threatened.
My “B” star rating is a relative grade, given the host of the authors’ fantasy and sci fi books that I have loved at the 4-5 star level. I will avidly read anything of hers I get my hands on, and I have no regrets with this, a tasty buzz and not a fulsome feast. Undoubtedly, I missed the pleasures of this series beginning and Penric’s early experience with Desdemona as a rider, the novel gender collision and such. We are left with a pointer that Penric in a future volume will next get some mentoring on shaman ways from Inglis and learn all about their collective project to develop a leader with a “Great Beast” harnessed within.
This book was provided for review by the publisher through the Netgalley program.
June 15, 2020
3rd read: I always forget at the beginning what the plot of this one is (other than the fox thing) and then a third of the way through I go "OMG I love these three people investigating crimes - maybe the whole series will be about this! oh wait, the series is not about this...." Anyway, on this reread, I found the conclusion more emotional than usual (possibly just the PMS talking but also compassion, the utter waste of revenge, etc.) and then wondered if we'll ever see Oswyl again, because we totally need Oswyl back and DID he wander off into the sunset with Lunet??
July 7, 2018
This is part of a series that I prefer to read in chronological (as opposed to publication) order. I really like the build up and knowing some of the story behind characters that I might miss, otherwise.
These stories are delightful. They're small enough, and consistent enough, that I don't think I'll go too in-depth here. Pick an order and just start. Bujold's world is well-realized and Penric and Desdemona are great to spend some time with. I particularly like the application of chaos in the benefit of others. Very well-done.
These stories are delightful. They're small enough, and consistent enough, that I don't think I'll go too in-depth here. Pick an order and just start. Bujold's world is well-realized and Penric and Desdemona are great to spend some time with. I particularly like the application of chaos in the benefit of others. Very well-done.
October 1, 2021
“Think of this visit as an opportunity for a different kind of learning, then. Another day will put some other plate on your table, more to your taste, but do not waste the food in front of you.”
Penric, our demon carrying lead character, has finished his training and has been recognized as a member of the Bastard’s Order, one of the five religious pillars in the realm. He is now in the service of the de-facto ruler of Martensburg, an old lady archdivine who as a relative of the king of the Weald enjoys relative autonomy.
Penric also enjoys some autonomy in the carrying out of his duties, so he jumps at the chance to visit the capital city and to meet with two good friends he made in a previous episode: Inglis kin Wolfcliff, Fellow of the Royal Society of Shamans (on probation) and Locator Oswyl of the Father’s Order (a sort of policeman).
The meeting starts with some friendly fishing escapades and some curious metaphysical experiments with exploding worms, but this wouldn’t constitute a strong foundation for a thrilling novella. So the trio is send urgently to a nearby estate, there to deal with a murder incident.
A temple sorceress has been ambushed and her demon has escaped. Theoretically, this is an almost impossible feat, since demons have supernatural powers that give warning of danger and allow the host to evade it. So, whodunit?
>>><<<>>><<<
The investigation part of the novella isn’t all that special. Sibling rivalry in a noble family, spurned love and naked ambition take care of most of the motives. What makes the return to the world of the Five Gods truly memorable is the character driven storytelling and the subtle combination of magical schools : the theology that has Gods intervene directly in the lives of mortals, the demons that are aspects of chaos that can be tamed through re-incarnation and imprinting the successive personalities of their human hosts and the animal magic of the shamans who use a different kind of spiritual awakening in pets or wild creatures.
In the deep forest that borders the estate somebody is systematically hunting all the foxes. Penric and his friends must find the runaway animal before this secretive hunter if they want answers to the murder.
I enjoyed the visit almost as much as my two previous outings with Penric & Co. , but I thought the novella format is starting to show its limitations in terms of plot and character arcs. [Obviously the author felt the same way, because I read a few more in the series and she changed the formula after this from episodes of criminal cases to a more cohesive main plot].
The presentation remains very entertaining in the strong friendship between Penric and Desdemona, his multiple personality demon, despite their frequent differences of opinion. The world around them continues to expand and to pose new moral quandaries. The premise is far from exhausted and one of the main reasons for optimism lies in the fact that Penric is not really at heart an action hero, although he rises to the occasion every time violence is imposed on him. His core personality is defined by curiosity. He might be a temple sorcerer and a healer in training, but what he likes best is scholarship: research and experimentation. He is a practical scholar who reads constantly on a variety of subjects and who likes to test the limits of his supernatural powers. Many would be tempted to use power for fame or fortune or for bullying others into submission.
Penric invents a new way of printing books that uses demon magic, so that manuscripts that have been copied by hand by generations before him can now be distributed more easily, to spread knowledge far and wide. His bemused sponsor, the archdivine, asks for a percentage of the new business model, but she knows her wonderboy is not practical about money. He reminds her of an old song.
The bard was describing an itinerant scholar.
‘Joyfully he learned
joyously taught.’
Went about in rags, poor man, which I thought quite unfair.
I believe these books were joyfully written for our entertainment and, hopefully, for our education. Good selling numbers are a fringe benefit.
I have already decided to continue with the series.
August 30, 2018
Anyone who has read many of my reviews knows that I'm a huge LMB fan. Nonetheless, I have to give this installment of Penric a big "ehh". This one takes place soon after Penric and the Shaman, which is my second favorite of the Penric tales so far. It's a murder mystery of sorts, complicated by a missing demon. While there are some patented LMB sweet moments and quirky characters, I was not enthralled. Not enough going on, and not enough point to the story.
Also: this isn't out in audio yet, so I actually read the thing -- and yikes, it really needed a good copy edit. I would never have noticed the problems in audio, of course, but verrrry irritating to read. One of the hazards of publishing independently!
I'll still be buying the audio version when it comes out, but this one goes at the bottom of my Penric pile.
Also: this isn't out in audio yet, so I actually read the thing -- and yikes, it really needed a good copy edit. I would never have noticed the problems in audio, of course, but verrrry irritating to read. One of the hazards of publishing independently!
I'll still be buying the audio version when it comes out, but this one goes at the bottom of my Penric pile.
November 17, 2020
Jumping into the middle of a series is seldom the best option. But hey, I had a chance to finally read one of Lois McMaster Bujold's fantasy books, so I snatched at it. I've stayed away from her stuff, because the covers are terrible. Yes, I just said I judged her books by their covers. I am a terrible person. Fact is, many of them look childish or goofy. I assumed they were kiddy books. Yes, I ASSUMED!!! I'm batting a thousand for terribleness. Anywho, I found this novella on Audible for free and I don't usually pass up free, so here we are.
Penric's Fox is part of a decent sized series of shorter fantasy books that seem to follow the detective fiction style, where a demon-possessed sorcerer goes about solving crimes. Color me intrigued! I love mystery fiction and mashing it together with fantasy is a win for me! I really enjoyed the story and characters. Obviously, this being an ongoing series, the characters have backstories. Bujold seems to reference subject matter previously discussed in her canon. One of the only problems with his book for an idiot like me who jumps into the middle of a series, is that after the mystery is solved Bujold spends the remainder of the book tying up loose ends and continuing on storylines, presumably from previous books. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to begin at the beginning, and I think I will.
Penric's Fox is part of a decent sized series of shorter fantasy books that seem to follow the detective fiction style, where a demon-possessed sorcerer goes about solving crimes. Color me intrigued! I love mystery fiction and mashing it together with fantasy is a win for me! I really enjoyed the story and characters. Obviously, this being an ongoing series, the characters have backstories. Bujold seems to reference subject matter previously discussed in her canon. One of the only problems with his book for an idiot like me who jumps into the middle of a series, is that after the mystery is solved Bujold spends the remainder of the book tying up loose ends and continuing on storylines, presumably from previous books. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to begin at the beginning, and I think I will.
October 8, 2017
Penric’s Fox was the most recent addition to the World of the Five Gods and the Penric novella series. In this one, Bujold backtracks a little and gives us a pretty direct follow-up story to Penric and the Shaman, revisiting all the characters from that one while providing them with a nice little mystery to solve. In terms of all the Penric novellas, I think this one falls in the middle. The writing quality was great as always, but this one tended to be slow. There was some nice action towards the end and an upbeat ending. It also gave some more insight into a younger Penric who has more experience but definitely not the level of skill showed in the later novellas. Overall, another enjoyable Penric story!
January 24, 2024
I continue to enjoy this series. It's a compelling elaboration of the world, and this world is expertly and beautifully built. I very much like the characters, too, especially Penric and the wonderful Desdemona.
However. This book, for me, was marred by two things. Well, two things that are fair and one that isn't. So, the fair things: the serial novella format is a problem, because Bujold feels the need to explain everything at the beginning of each story, requiring inevitably clumsy infodumps. (Seriously, maybe just assume that anyone who picks up the fifth book in a series is already resigned to confusion?) It's so clunky. And, honestly, at this point it's clear that she's writing a novel, and I'd much rather she just ... actually write it. (But, yes, I do understand that there are sound financial reasons for the serialized novel format.)
My other, absolutely unfair complaint is that -- well. I thought this story was setting up for a sweet f/f background pairing, and instead it went in the direction of two, uh, parallel m/f background pairings. Relentless, unnecessary heterosexuality sometimes grates on me. Alas.
But, overall, this series continues to be great fun, and I'd give this entry four stars were it not for the infodumps. (PLEASE let her collect them all into the actual novel, with the infodumps edited out, at the end of this. Please please please.)
However. This book, for me, was marred by two things. Well, two things that are fair and one that isn't. So, the fair things: the serial novella format is a problem, because Bujold feels the need to explain everything at the beginning of each story, requiring inevitably clumsy infodumps. (Seriously, maybe just assume that anyone who picks up the fifth book in a series is already resigned to confusion?) It's so clunky. And, honestly, at this point it's clear that she's writing a novel, and I'd much rather she just ... actually write it. (But, yes, I do understand that there are sound financial reasons for the serialized novel format.)
My other, absolutely unfair complaint is that -- well. I thought this story was setting up for a sweet f/f background pairing, and instead it went in the direction of two, uh, parallel m/f background pairings. Relentless, unnecessary heterosexuality sometimes grates on me. Alas.
But, overall, this series continues to be great fun, and I'd give this entry four stars were it not for the infodumps. (PLEASE let her collect them all into the actual novel, with the infodumps edited out, at the end of this. Please please please.)
May 19, 2020
The overall story arc in this direct sequel to "Penric and the Shaman" was stronger. The murder investigation that is at the heart of this novella held more suspense than the story of the predecessor. The solution was foreseeable, but this didn't deduct much from the fun while reading. The Shamans from book 2 are back, this time with reinforcement and I just love them!
Another great addition to Penric's NCs is his 'employer' the Princess-Archdivine Llewyn kin Stagthorne who has all the wonderful features of LMBs bossy, motherly, know-it-all middle-aged women. There is a special place in my heart for those characters.
With all books where there are animals involved - and especially those that take place in your typical trigger happy medieval hunting culture - I felt a lot of anxiety from the moment on when the titular fox entered the stage and tried to prepare myself for any possible outcome. So I will probably read this one a second time with the knowledge of the ending and thus less distraction.
But for the time being on to novella 4 (hopefully again with the Shamans)
Another great addition to Penric's NCs is his 'employer' the Princess-Archdivine Llewyn kin Stagthorne who has all the wonderful features of LMBs bossy, motherly, know-it-all middle-aged women. There is a special place in my heart for those characters.
With all books where there are animals involved - and especially those that take place in your typical trigger happy medieval hunting culture - I felt a lot of anxiety from the moment on when the titular fox entered the stage and tried to prepare myself for any possible outcome. So I will probably read this one a second time with the knowledge of the ending and thus less distraction.
But for the time being on to novella 4 (hopefully again with the Shamans)
Read
July 8, 2018I've been saving these for the right occasion. Last night being far too hot to sleep for the third night in a row, I turned on the light at a quarter to three a.m. queued the story up, and spent the rest of the night reading this quietly wonderful addition to the Penric tales.
The characters are delightful, especially Penric and his very old chaos demon Desdemona. The use of Des's chaos magic was interesting here, as well as the exploration of shamanic magic. I particularly liked Lunet, the shaman with a fox spirit, and Wagae, the nearsighted book geek who ended up as a baron, but still retains his scholarly habits.
The mystery is mild--Penric guesses at the solution a little less than halfway through--but what makes the story engaging is the character development. Though there is a nifty action sequence.
Now I have to fight the urge to read the next . . . otoh if I end up sweltering sleeplessly tonight, too, I will consider that permission to read the next.
The characters are delightful, especially Penric and his very old chaos demon Desdemona. The use of Des's chaos magic was interesting here, as well as the exploration of shamanic magic. I particularly liked Lunet, the shaman with a fox spirit, and Wagae, the nearsighted book geek who ended up as a baron, but still retains his scholarly habits.
The mystery is mild--Penric guesses at the solution a little less than halfway through--but what makes the story engaging is the character development. Though there is a nifty action sequence.
Now I have to fight the urge to read the next . . . otoh if I end up sweltering sleeplessly tonight, too, I will consider that permission to read the next.
Read
February 29, 2024Back to form for this series! Penric investigates a murder and finds himself liaising with a very wary and magical mother fox. Extremely cosy and heartfelt.
January 8, 2025
hot fox shaman lady do you want to hang out on thursday, when i am free, on thursday. together.
February 26, 2020
I liked this a lot, though not as much as I did Penric and the Shaman. On the other hand, I dearly loved that two of the characters from that book showed up again here, and I hope that means it's a trend.
The story is more straightforward a mystery than the first two (chronological) books, which may be why I didn't love it; I have a tendency to compare books within a series, or by an author, and rank them accordingly. By comparison to most other fantasies I've read in the last year, this is still miles ahead. But it is straightforward, and what makes it appealing is the wonderful characterization and Bujold's knack for bringing minor characters to life.
I've read the first three Penric novellas in the omnibus Penric's Progress, but I'm reviewing them separately, and after reading all three I went back, as Bujold suggests, to read the introductory essay. It was an excellent look at the thought process, and writing process, that went into this series and the World of Five Gods in general. I recommend anyone who's been more diligent than I in reading the novellas as they were published take a look at that essay, for the sake of a better understanding.
Now I have to decide if I'm going to get the remaining books as novellas, or wait around for Penric's Travels in May or June or whatever. I have to say I've been seduced by the gorgeous covers...
The story is more straightforward a mystery than the first two (chronological) books, which may be why I didn't love it; I have a tendency to compare books within a series, or by an author, and rank them accordingly. By comparison to most other fantasies I've read in the last year, this is still miles ahead. But it is straightforward, and what makes it appealing is the wonderful characterization and Bujold's knack for bringing minor characters to life.
I've read the first three Penric novellas in the omnibus Penric's Progress, but I'm reviewing them separately, and after reading all three I went back, as Bujold suggests, to read the introductory essay. It was an excellent look at the thought process, and writing process, that went into this series and the World of Five Gods in general. I recommend anyone who's been more diligent than I in reading the novellas as they were published take a look at that essay, for the sake of a better understanding.
Now I have to decide if I'm going to get the remaining books as novellas, or wait around for Penric's Travels in May or June or whatever. I have to say I've been seduced by the gorgeous covers...
August 11, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
When I saw the announcement earlier this week that there was a new Penric and Desdemona novella, I immediately ran (figuratively, of course) to Amazon to buy a copy, and dropped everything to read it immediately. This series of novellas, set in Lois McMaster Bujold’s World of the Five Gods, are absolutely marvelous treats, every single one. And Penric’s Fox is no exception.
Penric’s Fox, while being the fifth book in the series in publication order, is actually the third book in the series’ internal chronology, taking place, as the blurb says, about eight months after the events in Penric and the Shaman. And it feels like it takes place a few years before the events of Penric’s Mission.
If the above paragraph is a bit confusing, there’s a surefire way to resolve your confusion. Read the series from its marvelous beginning in Penric's Demon, our first introduction to Penric, his demon Desdemona, and a terrific introduction or re-introduction as the case might be, to the World of the Five Gods.
Penric, with Desdemona’s cooperation and assistance (and occasional snark from the sidelines) becomes a Learned Divine of the White God, Lord Bastard, the “Master of all disasters out of season”. As the series progresses we see Penric, who is a very young man at the beginning of his tale in Penric's Demon, grow into the change in his fortunes and the unexpected role that has been thrust upon him.
While each of his adventures is a bit different, in this particular story Penric finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation. And for once, in spite of his somewhat infamous bad luck, he is the investigator and not the suspected perpetrator. Although, again because of his infamous bad luck, he very nearly becomes one of the victims.
Penric and his friend, the shaman Inglis, are called to the scene of a murder, as is their friend Oswyl, one of the local investigators. This case needs all of them. The woman who was definitely murdered by the two arrows in her back, was, like Penric, a Learned Divine of the Lord Bastard. So not only is she dead, but her demon is either dispersed, meaning equally dead, or missing, having jumped into the nearest available host, quite possibly but hopefully not the killer.
The demons in this universe carry the accumulated wisdom of all their previous hosts, somewhat like the Trill symbionts in Star Trek. The demon's death would be a great loss, equal in many ways to the murder of the human host, and just as tragic.
Inglis the shaman turns out to be necessary to the puzzle because the evidence eventually begins to suggest that the demon jumped into the body of a vixen fox, which may have driven both the demon and the fox more than a bit mad. And of course the local investigator is there to figure out who shot the arrows, murdered the woman, and why.
It’s a tangle, that only gets more tangled as the three investigate. What was the motive for the murder? Learned Divines have no property, and the woman’s jewelry and purse were still on her person. She might have been murdered in the hopes that her demon would jump to her killer, but not when death is delivered from that great a distance. Or the killer may have been after the demon’s death, and the woman was just collateral damage.
Finding out just who, just why, and just how, will take the combined skills and talents of everyone involved – whatever their powers and whoever their protectors.
Escape Rating A-: This is a quick and absolutely marvelous read. The only thing keeping this one from being an A instead of an A- is that it does require previous knowledge of the series. Also, while it is complete within itself, I just plain want more. So there.
There’s a part of me that wants to simply squee at this point, but that’s not terribly useful to anyone else.
One of the things I love about this series, and this is a bit meta, is that the author has created a religious system that is both well thought out and actually seems to work. Religion is usually glossed over in SF and Fantasy, and mostly seems to either incorporate or bash real-world religions and their adherents. The Five Gods in the World of the Five Gods are not myths, they really do real things in this world. It’s a theology that actually functions. And it’s different in some really neat ways, starting from the personification of the Lord Bastard himself.
But the things that make this series work so very well are the characters of Penric and Desdemona themselves. Penric’s perspective is always interesting, frequently humorous, and occasionally more than a bit ass-backward. He’s often the fool who rushes in where those angels fear to tread, but at the same time, he cares so much and tries so hard. Desdemona, in spite of not having a body of her own, truly is a separate character. She acts as a combination of big sister, mother hen, conscience and confessor, in equal portions. Instead of treating the idea of a female demon in a man’s body as a joke, which could have happened and would have spoiled everything, they are truly partners, and it’s wonderful.
It is not necessary to have read the Chalion books, from which the World of the Five Gods derives, to enjoy Penric. If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into epic fantasy, or see if the wonderful worlds of Lois McMaster Bujold are your cup of tea, Penric is a great place to start.
When I saw the announcement earlier this week that there was a new Penric and Desdemona novella, I immediately ran (figuratively, of course) to Amazon to buy a copy, and dropped everything to read it immediately. This series of novellas, set in Lois McMaster Bujold’s World of the Five Gods, are absolutely marvelous treats, every single one. And Penric’s Fox is no exception.
Penric’s Fox, while being the fifth book in the series in publication order, is actually the third book in the series’ internal chronology, taking place, as the blurb says, about eight months after the events in Penric and the Shaman. And it feels like it takes place a few years before the events of Penric’s Mission.
If the above paragraph is a bit confusing, there’s a surefire way to resolve your confusion. Read the series from its marvelous beginning in Penric's Demon, our first introduction to Penric, his demon Desdemona, and a terrific introduction or re-introduction as the case might be, to the World of the Five Gods.
Penric, with Desdemona’s cooperation and assistance (and occasional snark from the sidelines) becomes a Learned Divine of the White God, Lord Bastard, the “Master of all disasters out of season”. As the series progresses we see Penric, who is a very young man at the beginning of his tale in Penric's Demon, grow into the change in his fortunes and the unexpected role that has been thrust upon him.
While each of his adventures is a bit different, in this particular story Penric finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation. And for once, in spite of his somewhat infamous bad luck, he is the investigator and not the suspected perpetrator. Although, again because of his infamous bad luck, he very nearly becomes one of the victims.
Penric and his friend, the shaman Inglis, are called to the scene of a murder, as is their friend Oswyl, one of the local investigators. This case needs all of them. The woman who was definitely murdered by the two arrows in her back, was, like Penric, a Learned Divine of the Lord Bastard. So not only is she dead, but her demon is either dispersed, meaning equally dead, or missing, having jumped into the nearest available host, quite possibly but hopefully not the killer.
The demons in this universe carry the accumulated wisdom of all their previous hosts, somewhat like the Trill symbionts in Star Trek. The demon's death would be a great loss, equal in many ways to the murder of the human host, and just as tragic.
Inglis the shaman turns out to be necessary to the puzzle because the evidence eventually begins to suggest that the demon jumped into the body of a vixen fox, which may have driven both the demon and the fox more than a bit mad. And of course the local investigator is there to figure out who shot the arrows, murdered the woman, and why.
It’s a tangle, that only gets more tangled as the three investigate. What was the motive for the murder? Learned Divines have no property, and the woman’s jewelry and purse were still on her person. She might have been murdered in the hopes that her demon would jump to her killer, but not when death is delivered from that great a distance. Or the killer may have been after the demon’s death, and the woman was just collateral damage.
Finding out just who, just why, and just how, will take the combined skills and talents of everyone involved – whatever their powers and whoever their protectors.
Escape Rating A-: This is a quick and absolutely marvelous read. The only thing keeping this one from being an A instead of an A- is that it does require previous knowledge of the series. Also, while it is complete within itself, I just plain want more. So there.
There’s a part of me that wants to simply squee at this point, but that’s not terribly useful to anyone else.
One of the things I love about this series, and this is a bit meta, is that the author has created a religious system that is both well thought out and actually seems to work. Religion is usually glossed over in SF and Fantasy, and mostly seems to either incorporate or bash real-world religions and their adherents. The Five Gods in the World of the Five Gods are not myths, they really do real things in this world. It’s a theology that actually functions. And it’s different in some really neat ways, starting from the personification of the Lord Bastard himself.
But the things that make this series work so very well are the characters of Penric and Desdemona themselves. Penric’s perspective is always interesting, frequently humorous, and occasionally more than a bit ass-backward. He’s often the fool who rushes in where those angels fear to tread, but at the same time, he cares so much and tries so hard. Desdemona, in spite of not having a body of her own, truly is a separate character. She acts as a combination of big sister, mother hen, conscience and confessor, in equal portions. Instead of treating the idea of a female demon in a man’s body as a joke, which could have happened and would have spoiled everything, they are truly partners, and it’s wonderful.
It is not necessary to have read the Chalion books, from which the World of the Five Gods derives, to enjoy Penric. If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into epic fantasy, or see if the wonderful worlds of Lois McMaster Bujold are your cup of tea, Penric is a great place to start.
February 2, 2024
This novella follows chronologically after Penric and the Shaman, and the same three main characters are back, solving another murder mystery in which demons and animals are involved, hence the need for Penric and shaman Inglis. Although Penric comes up with the correct theory midbook, it is still enjoyable to see how the action develops in order to prove him right. In the fight with the murderer and in the last discussion with his Princess Archdivine, Penric is talking and acting exactly like Miles. Of course, he gets his way.
June 12, 2024
Murder-mystery that gives even more insight into the inner workings of both demons and shamans.
I found this novella to be a tad weaker than the novellas that come before it, not because of the style or writing, but because of the subject matter. I'm not the biggest fan of mystery or crime fiction, so this definitely is outside of my most comfortable zone.
I found this novella to be a tad weaker than the novellas that come before it, not because of the style or writing, but because of the subject matter. I'm not the biggest fan of mystery or crime fiction, so this definitely is outside of my most comfortable zone.
January 18, 2018
I received this book through the publisher via Netgalley.
The Penric and Desdemona series is such a cozy delight, and the fifth novella continues that experience without missing a beat. The plot follows like a fantasy melded with a murder mystery: a woman found dead in the woods, with Penric and friends called to solve not only the riddle of her murder but to find where the woman's demon-ally went after her body expired. There are false leads and suspect interviews and, of course, the titular fox. I'm always a bit sad when these novellas end because I feel like I relate to Penric as a friend, and I like to spend time with him.
The Penric and Desdemona series is such a cozy delight, and the fifth novella continues that experience without missing a beat. The plot follows like a fantasy melded with a murder mystery: a woman found dead in the woods, with Penric and friends called to solve not only the riddle of her murder but to find where the woman's demon-ally went after her body expired. There are false leads and suspect interviews and, of course, the titular fox. I'm always a bit sad when these novellas end because I feel like I relate to Penric as a friend, and I like to spend time with him.
October 27, 2021
Picking up some time after the end of Penric and the Shaman, Penric and Inglis look forward to a day off, fishing. Too bad Oswyl was called to the scene of a murder, and realizes that he’ll need the skills of a Learned Sorcerer and a Shaman to figure out the truth behind what appears to be the senseless killing of a Divine, who led a blameless life.
The investigation unearths secrets of the family upon whose land the woman’s body was found, while also giving us a few wonderful moments between Penric and his patron
Princess-Archdivine Llewen. Of course Des is terrific with a pointed word or good insight, leading to the resolution of the case and a fox and her kits taking up residence with the local shamans.
Penric’s gentle personality and Des’ occasional jabs at his assumptions are welcome, and this instalment, like the others I've read so far, was quiet and calming reading.
The investigation unearths secrets of the family upon whose land the woman’s body was found, while also giving us a few wonderful moments between Penric and his patron
Princess-Archdivine Llewen. Of course Des is terrific with a pointed word or good insight, leading to the resolution of the case and a fox and her kits taking up residence with the local shamans.
Penric’s gentle personality and Des’ occasional jabs at his assumptions are welcome, and this instalment, like the others I've read so far, was quiet and calming reading.
July 17, 2021
Lois McMaster Bujold is fast becoming my all-time favourite author (Orson Scott Card previously held this honour). She writes fabulously, has the most wonderfully gentle protagonists, and, no matter the genre or the series, can always be relied on to provide a beautiful, heart-warming journey.
Depending on your perspective, Penric's Fox is either the third book (chronologically) or the fifth book (in publication order) in the Penric and Desdemona series. As it heavily features characters introduced in book two (Penric and the Shaman), I chose to read it third and am (so far) glad I did. I had the characters and events of the previous book fresh in my mind and I think this added to the experience (though it's certainly not necessary).
The story is set less than a year after Penric and the Shaman. Penric is in Easthome, accompanying Princess-Archdivine Llewen to a family event and taking the opportunity to visit his friends, Inglis, still on probation from the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Shamans, and Oswyl, now assisted by Junior Locator Thala.
When a female sorcerer is found dead in the woods, Oswyl requests Penric's help to track down her demon whilst he searches for the perpetrator. With Inglis lending what help he can, the gangs back together and anything's possible.
Whilst the hunt was interesting, it was the start, fishing together by a river, and the end, with Penric sitting at Llewen's feet, that had me melting into a puddle of goo. Penric is by no means submissive–he's more than capable of standing on his own two feet–but he isn't scared to show his softer, more metrosexual side either, and doesn't feel the need to make a room cower. He protects the weak and the vulnerable–whether they're suspected murderers, demons or foxes–and loves nothing better than his books and his scholarship. We need more heroes like him; he's a lesson to us all.
My only small sadness is that we didn't see as much of Desdemona as I'd imagined. We get some quips, and her show of power towards the end is impressive, but I would have loved to have seen more of their budding companionship. I'll hope for more in Penric’s Mission.
Depending on your perspective, Penric's Fox is either the third book (chronologically) or the fifth book (in publication order) in the Penric and Desdemona series. As it heavily features characters introduced in book two (Penric and the Shaman), I chose to read it third and am (so far) glad I did. I had the characters and events of the previous book fresh in my mind and I think this added to the experience (though it's certainly not necessary).
The story is set less than a year after Penric and the Shaman. Penric is in Easthome, accompanying Princess-Archdivine Llewen to a family event and taking the opportunity to visit his friends, Inglis, still on probation from the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Shamans, and Oswyl, now assisted by Junior Locator Thala.
When a female sorcerer is found dead in the woods, Oswyl requests Penric's help to track down her demon whilst he searches for the perpetrator. With Inglis lending what help he can, the gangs back together and anything's possible.
"You will gratify me tonight by introducing yourself as Learned Lord Penric kin Jurald of Martensbridge, instead of your usual contraction." "Too wordy, Your Grace. It offends my sense of literary economy."
Whilst the hunt was interesting, it was the start, fishing together by a river, and the end, with Penric sitting at Llewen's feet, that had me melting into a puddle of goo. Penric is by no means submissive–he's more than capable of standing on his own two feet–but he isn't scared to show his softer, more metrosexual side either, and doesn't feel the need to make a room cower. He protects the weak and the vulnerable–whether they're suspected murderers, demons or foxes–and loves nothing better than his books and his scholarship. We need more heroes like him; he's a lesson to us all.
'You're feeling guilty about lying to a fox? Des asked, amused. Only you, Pen. / Or, perhaps, to a demon. Or both. It would depend on how events played out. Ah. Yes. Periodically, I am reminded why I like you.
My only small sadness is that we didn't see as much of Desdemona as I'd imagined. We get some quips, and her show of power towards the end is impressive, but I would have loved to have seen more of their budding companionship. I'll hope for more in Penric’s Mission.
July 23, 2018
5 stars for this direct sequel to 'Penric and the Shaman'.
A review that contains more than "Squeeee" may be forthcoming. Once I come out of my good book coma, that is.
ETA: I am so happy the author went back in time to fill in some of the years between 'Penric and the Shaman' and 'Penric's Mission'. Our Penric is still young and optimistic in this one.
The plot is a simple mystery--who killed a young Temple sorceress? and why?, with the added what happened to her demon?. Not a spoiler--all is resolved and solved by the end. The joy comes from the author's handling of all the characters. A few parts had me in tears; other parts led to gentle laughter.
Bujold is incapable of flat writing and it is obvious that she enjoyed writing this one. May she continue to enjoy writing about Penric, so that I can continue to enjoy reading about him.
ETA: March 2018 Of course I had to re-read this when I got my hardback copy.
Still wonderful.
A review that contains more than "Squeeee" may be forthcoming. Once I come out of my good book coma, that is.
ETA: I am so happy the author went back in time to fill in some of the years between 'Penric and the Shaman' and 'Penric's Mission'. Our Penric is still young and optimistic in this one.
The plot is a simple mystery--who killed a young Temple sorceress? and why?, with the added what happened to her demon?. Not a spoiler--all is resolved and solved by the end. The joy comes from the author's handling of all the characters. A few parts had me in tears; other parts led to gentle laughter.
Bujold is incapable of flat writing and it is obvious that she enjoyed writing this one. May she continue to enjoy writing about Penric, so that I can continue to enjoy reading about him.
ETA: March 2018 Of course I had to re-read this when I got my hardback copy.
Still wonderful.
November 28, 2020
“You’re feeling guilty about lying to a fox?” Des asked, amused. “Only you, Pen”
Despite the confusing numbering system, this is Bujold’s third novella in the Penric thread. Part of a greater corpus but stands well by itself. The right balance of backstory and plot momentum.
“There is no question people can get theology wrong, too.” “People can get almost anything wrong,” sighed Oswyl. “Theology cannot be an exception.”
Fuller development of characters and the usual spate of ethical issues. Bujold uses fantasy as adeptly as science fiction to challenge her readers to think.
“‘Joyfully he learned/joyously taught.’ Went about in rags, poor man, which I thought quite unfair.”
“Probably had spent all his money on copyists. One must make choices, after all.”
Despite the confusing numbering system, this is Bujold’s third novella in the Penric thread. Part of a greater corpus but stands well by itself. The right balance of backstory and plot momentum.
“There is no question people can get theology wrong, too.” “People can get almost anything wrong,” sighed Oswyl. “Theology cannot be an exception.”
Fuller development of characters and the usual spate of ethical issues. Bujold uses fantasy as adeptly as science fiction to challenge her readers to think.
“‘Joyfully he learned/joyously taught.’ Went about in rags, poor man, which I thought quite unfair.”
“Probably had spent all his money on copyists. One must make choices, after all.”
April 1, 2025
I am continuing to devour these audiobooks at a ferocious rate! In this third adventure, Penric's vacation is rudely interrupted by a murder; he is pulled into the investigation because of his particular demon-given talents. The victim herself was a temple sorcerer; but who killed her, and why, and where her demon fled after her death are all obscure. This is a clever little bottle episode in the series. I look forward to reading more!
February 5, 2019
Mini-Review:
I planned to listen to this one last because I know it takes place before the part I'm at now in the series but I'm glad I went ahead and listened to it first. It was a nice mix of humor, Pen's drive to learn and a little mystery to solve. Fun look into the world and more info about the magic + demonic relationships.
I planned to listen to this one last because I know it takes place before the part I'm at now in the series but I'm glad I went ahead and listened to it first. It was a nice mix of humor, Pen's drive to learn and a little mystery to solve. Fun look into the world and more info about the magic + demonic relationships.
January 8, 2023
Penric's Fox takes place eight months after the events of Penric and the Shaman. This is a murder mystery that results in a missing demon. So Penric and his Shaman friend have to help local law enforcement find the murder and figure out where the demon went. This story was interesting, and also had a cute fox.
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