Penric's Demon: Penric & Desdemona Book 1

I loved this little book! I've read everything Bujold has written as soon as I could find it. Her writing is so good. Her descriptions of the people and places in this world she created are so layered and interesting. I like the people very much, especially the goodness and kindness of the most central characters.

Loved it! It was a real treat to be back in the World of The Five Gods. The visit was all too short (I'm a very fast reader) but thoroughly satisfying and we can only hope for more, more, more!

Anne in Virginia

LMB sets this tale in the Five Gods universe -- I've read it twice already. Penric gets his demon by accident, but they click almost immediately. The grumpy old saint warns Penric that the gods undoubtedly have an interesting future in store for Penric and his demon Desdemona --this is NOT a blessing. I do hope Bujold will let us go along for the ride!

Another good one from Lois Bujold. This is a welcome addition to the Five Gods universe - and the ending leaves some hope we might see some more of Penric and his demon. Here's hoping! More, please, Lois!

Loved it, but expected to since it was written by Lois McMaster Bujold. My only complaint was that it ended just as I was really getting to know Penric and Desdamona. While I don't at all regret the price I paid for this novella, I hope there will be a nice long book for Penric at some time in the future.

Pendric's Demon is a nice twist on demons in the Chalion universe. Lord Pendric gets a female demon and Lois Bujold gets to twist male and female stereotypes in the context of a sweet story. A great addition to the world of the Five Gods.

Thoroughly enjoyable, I'm sorry to say... But it captures the spirit of the rest of the series/sequence. I still don't like being suspended as to in what part of sequence of the original tale this story takes place, or how it will/should/could influence anything. I'm grumpy, though!!!

Another good one from Lois Bujold. This is a welcome addition to the Five Gods universe - and the ending leaves some hope we might see some more of Penric and his demon. Here's hoping! More, please, Lois!

Loved it, but expected to since it was written by Lois McMaster Bujold. My only complaint was that it ended just as I was really getting to know Penric and Desdamona. While I don't at all regret the price I paid for this novella, I hope there will be a nice long book for Penric at some time in the future.

Pendric's Demon is a nice twist on demons in the Chalion universe. Lord Pendric gets a female demon and Lois Bujold gets to twist male and female stereotypes in the context of a sweet story. A great addition to the world of the Five Gods.

Thoroughly enjoyable, I'm sorry to say... But it captures the spirit of the rest of the series/sequence. I still don't like being suspended as to in what part of sequence of the original tale this story takes place, or how it will/should/could influence anything. I'm grumpy, though!!!

I will read any thing written by Lois McMaster Bujold, so of course I bought this novella as soon as I learned of it. It is set in the world of her Chalion series but does not require familiarity with that world for enjoyment. Penric is a young man on his way to his betrothal party when he stops to help a woman who has fallen ill on the road. What happens then sends his life spinning off track in ways he could never have imagined. Penric is a fun character. He is good-natured and easy-going, with a "roll with the punches" kind of attitude. I loved how his courtesy toward the demon shocks everyone, including the demon. When the story ended I wanted more. I'm glad that there is now another Penric story available. I wonder if he will eventually get his own book. In any case, if you are a Bujold fan you will love this. If you have not read the Chalion series this is a nice way to dip your toe in the water. If you like it I highly recommend reading The Curse of Chalion, my personal favorite of her fantasy books.

A well-written YA novella that should please readers who liked the Chalion series. However, my enthusiasm is restrained by my general disinterest in short fiction -- it ends just as one is getting interested.

I hate short stories and that's what this was. This book does not begin to compare with any of the three previous books in this series. This is just a brief boy gets demon, and learns to live with it period. nothing else. this was a huge disappointment to me. where is the rest of the story? the author introduces that characters and ends the book. I almost feel the author of the previous books was NOT the author of this one. Give me more depth, more plots, more twists, anything!
this is one of my favorite authors, so when I say I"m disappointed... I mean it!

Novella of the 5 Gods Universe, set approximately 150 years after "The Hallowed Hunt." Trying not to be spoilery:

Penric is a pleasant, somewhat naive seeming young man, setting off for his betrothal cermony. Lagging behind the rest of his party, he comes across an unexpected occurence on the road, which changes his life forever.

This novella adds quite a bit of knowledge to the way one of the 5 Gods and minions, function.

Any new offering by Bujold is cause for celebration. Her world building is intricate; her characterizations intense, and I devour them too quickly on the first go-round. Time to reread this latest offering, which I enjoyed immensely.

Novella of the 5 Gods Universe, set approximately 150 years after "The Hallowed Hunt." Trying not to be spoilery:

Penric is a pleasant, somewhat naive seeming young man, setting off for his betrothal cermony. Lagging behind the rest of his party, he comes across an unexpected occurence on the road, which changes his life forever.

This novella adds quite a bit of knowledge to the way one of the 5 Gods and minions, function.

Any new offering by Bujold is cause for celebration. Her world building is intricate; her characterizations intense, and I devour them too quickly on the first go-round. Time to reread this latest offering, which I enjoyed immensely.

Bujold writes WELL, as she always does. Whether you have read everything she has ever written, or have not yet read any of her books, if you like the idea of a demon, you should give this story a try.

The only complaint I have with Penric's Demon is that it is too short! I wanted more! Ms Bujold has created a wonderfully different world filled with colorful characters and bizarre situations and complex personalities. Plus gods and demons. If you never read Lois McMaster Bujold, I urge you to take a read. You will be left with the desire to read all of Lois McMaster Bujold's writings.

I found this book rather amusing in its concept and enjoyed it. I was just really digging into the story and waiting for the real story to begin as to the adventures of a boy and his demon and then it ended - I was disappointed...hugely disappointed. I was hungry for a good tale and like going to a restaurant the serves only nouvelle cuisine with its itty bitty portions...no matter how tasty - when you go home you either have to stop at the first fast food restaurant you come to or dive face first into the refrigerator once you get hone. I liked Penric and I liked meeting his daemons...but it wasn't enough and I don't want to pay for the rest of the series for fear I will have paid for nothing -this was really nothing more than the first chapter in what would likely have been a really nice book. Hope the author does something about that.

Wonderful short story... except, its very short, and it ends just when the story is getting interesting. It almost feels like the authoress simply got tired of it and didn't want to keep going. So 3 stars - for a story both wonderful and disappointing at the same time.

Penric's Demon is fine as a short story, but when stacked up next to the Five Gods novels it just isn't very interesting. There's not much added to the theology of the world and the character adventures just don't have enough meat on the bones to carry any interest past the last page.

An interesting concept in an interesting world by a great fantasy writer. Unfortunately I can't recommend it because the story goes flat quickly and the two small sequels go downhill even more. There is no story.

She is my favorite author, but this has the feel of something rushed out to make the next boat payment. By far the least exciting thing that I have read of hers. I got to the "Author's Note" at what turned out to be the end of the story and was sure there was a misprint. I paged to the end certain that she couldn't just end there. Being the worst thing she has written doesn't make it bad, but if you aren't familiar with her books start with anything else she has written.

THIS IS A PIRATE EDITION - FOR GOODNESS SAKES!Penric's Demon DON'T BUY IT! THE PUBLISHER IS BOGUS & RIPPING LOIS OFF - the store SCREWS UP AGAIN. ohhhhhhhhh this makes me angry
THE AUTHORIZED VERSION IS PUBLISHED BY SUBTERRANEAN AND IS COMING OUT IN MAY

I usually like Bujold. But the price to length content was bad. It was priced as a regular hardback. But it had the length of a novella. Clearly a pot-boiller churned out by the author and living on the reputation of previous books set in this universe. Give it a pass.

As always, a well written piece that is deceptive in its simplicity. A return to the World of the 5 Gods, and taking place after Hallowed Hunt, an exploration of integrity, self discovery and earnestness. Nothing earth shattering or deeply revelatory, at least not on my first read, but a pleasure to read the work of such a fine crafts woman.

I just finished reading Penric's Demon and loved every bit of it. I had wondered how the temple sorcerers and others had received their demons. This story gave an excellent picture of other than royal (The Curse Of Challion and others) society.

My only issue is after I finished it I came to Audible to get the othe books about this world and they weren't here. Please correct this issue.

I love everything that Lois McMaster Bujold has written; I've never been disappointed. I'm thinking that this book is an introduction to a new character - this is a different take on magic that I've seen before. Looking forward to the next installment!

An adorable little story with cohesive characters, world-building and an interesting take on demons and possession. Also it is nice to see a story where basically being a good and honest person really pays off.

A fun look at one of the longer-lived of the Bastard's demons, and the chaos that it brings when it's former rider dies on the road home to the Order's chapter house. Also a coming of age for Penric, himself. I'm not sure how well this would read without having read the other books in the world of the Five Gods, but for me it was pure candy.

I'm a big fan of the Chalion series, and the Bastard is my favorite god because he really does throw everything into chaos. The relationship between Penric and his demon is the best thing about little novella. I didn't want the book to end, and that speaks for itself.

Love the Chalion universe. Penrick's a sweet boy who gets saddled with (or perhaps more acutely 'by') a demon and thus becomes a sorcerer.

Not deep and meaningful like her Chalion novels but fun and satisfying nonetheless.

Celtic witch-queen comes to the aid of minor Norman catholic nobility and their village. The clash of cultures between well-intentioned people is nicely handled by appealing characters.
As always with Bujold's books, I'm eager to read the prequel and the sequel.

I love all of Lois McMaster Bujold's stories, but the World of Five Gods series (formerly known as the Chalionverse or 5GU) resonates most powerfully. There is an underlying goodness and optimism to the tales, a look at our better selves. And then there's the dark side of humanity too, where seemingly reasonable people do horrible things for reasons that are perfectly clear - to them. The conflict is riveting, the characters finely drawn, the writing exquisite.

Penric's Demon is a wonderful addition to the series. My sole complaint is that I want more! The story is delightful and perfectly self-contained, but I can't help but hope the author will follow up someday. Penric and his demon are characters I would love to meet again.

I'm a big fan of the Chalion series, and the Bastard is my favorite god because he really does throw everything into chaos. The relationship between Penric and his demon is the best thing about little novella. I didn't want the book to end, and that speaks for itself.

Love the Chalion universe. Penrick's a sweet boy who gets saddled with (or perhaps more acutely 'by') a demon and thus becomes a sorcerer.

Not deep and meaningful like her Chalion novels but fun and satisfying nonetheless.

Celtic witch-queen comes to the aid of minor Norman catholic nobility and their village. The clash of cultures between well-intentioned people is nicely handled by appealing characters.
As always with Bujold's books, I'm eager to read the prequel and the sequel.