Scan barcode
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Slavery
Minor: Infidelity and Pedophilia
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
I was delighted to discover there was another one of these, and saved it up for a week I needed something cozy and entertaining. It was good fun and hit all the notes I was hoping for, but I hope if she decides to do another she brings back some of the great supporting characters she’s written in the earlier novellas.
lynguy1's review
4.0
THE ORPHANS OF RASPAY by Lois McMaster Bujold is the seventh book in the Penric and Desdemona series and takes place in the same setting as her World of the Five Gods series. While this fantasy book worked for me as a standalone, it would likely be even better if the series had been read in order. Penric is a temple sorcerer and has a resident demon named Desdemona. When the ship they are traveling in is captured by pirates, they are tossed into the hold of the pirate ship that already holds two children; Lencia and Seuka Corva. Will they be ransomed or will something else happen? Who are the Corva children?
Pen and Des are a somewhat odd duo, but the interactions between them sets a great tone. The characters are definitely someone you can root for and their goals and motivations are well-drawn. Bujold does a great job of world-building and this book is no exception to that. The prose is well-written and entertaining. The plot is suspenseful and generally fast-paced. The ending was action-packed and surprising, but I thought one aspect of it was a little too coincidental. In the epilogue, I expected something completely different would occur so I was surprised at how the book ended.
Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable book that reminded me once again why I enjoy reading books by one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of this series and recommend it to those that enjoy well-written fantasy.
Many thanks to Subterranean Press and Lois McMaster Bujold for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Pen and Des are a somewhat odd duo, but the interactions between them sets a great tone. The characters are definitely someone you can root for and their goals and motivations are well-drawn. Bujold does a great job of world-building and this book is no exception to that. The prose is well-written and entertaining. The plot is suspenseful and generally fast-paced. The ending was action-packed and surprising, but I thought one aspect of it was a little too coincidental. In the epilogue, I expected something completely different would occur so I was surprised at how the book ended.
Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable book that reminded me once again why I enjoy reading books by one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of this series and recommend it to those that enjoy well-written fantasy.
Many thanks to Subterranean Press and Lois McMaster Bujold for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
Poor Pen- this book had him spewing curses in a way not seen before as he was thwarted time after time. Its was super funny.
And Des was allowed to let loose with her powers of disorder, which made her really happy too. Pen goes from being a peaceful passenger on a ship (although upset at delays he faced) to being captured by pirates. He is dumped into the hold to find 2 young sisters there already (captured by pirates as well) and of course, becomes their protector.
Its a story of hurry up and wait and the fears men have of Sorcerers/Men of Faith. Pen lets the prisoners free in exchange for passage and they leave him behind! I could FEEL the frustration and I had no idea how this story would resolve itself. Slight spoiler: Adelis to the rescue. It was fun to see the destruction he caused and how they paid to get rid of him!
One thing I wish for? The story of Pen and Nikys as newlyweds, married couple and jut the everyday interaction we got to see during their adventurous courtship. It is missing, I miss it. 2 stories left :(
And Des was allowed to let loose with her powers of disorder, which made her really happy too. Pen goes from being a peaceful passenger on a ship (although upset at delays he faced) to being captured by pirates. He is dumped into the hold to find 2 young sisters there already (captured by pirates as well) and of course, becomes their protector.
Its a story of hurry up and wait and the fears men have of Sorcerers/Men of Faith. Pen lets the prisoners free in exchange for passage and they leave him behind! I could FEEL the frustration and I had no idea how this story would resolve itself. Slight spoiler: Adelis to the rescue. It was fun to see the destruction he caused and how they paid to get rid of him!
One thing I wish for? The story of Pen and Nikys as newlyweds, married couple and jut the everyday interaction we got to see during their adventurous courtship. It is missing, I miss it. 2 stories left :(
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I especially enjoyed this one. It's very exciting, and the orphans are endearing. I am continually impressed at how Bujold can fill in all of the details for readers new to the series without boring those of us who are binge-reading these one after another. I love how each story also includes a little more detail about the World of the Five Gods (and its religion - which I find endlessly interesting). At the end of this one, I literally laughed out loud when the island pirates paid a prince's ransom to Adelis to keep Penric from returning to their island.
ladyethyme's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately it reads more like fanfic than anything else, although there are a few humorous points of narration, there is again seems to be absolutely no character growth for Penric.
I find most unfortunate is that the author created this very interesting world, and a character with so much potential, and then simply refuses to explore it at any depth.
He has supernatural powers but somehow doesn't use them for 3/4 of the book, because "reasons".
They mentioned again how a way to kill a sorcerer is to drop him off of a ship and sail away… But that does not make any sense to me at all. Why doesn't he just destroy the ship? It would give him plenty of debris to cling to if nothing else.
Then, at the point of complete dismay and utter hopelessness, he is saved by deus ex machina intervention, which is absolutely ridiculous.
There is a reason that authors do not use this type of plot device much anymore, at least those with a mediocre understanding of plot construction and story development. It leaves the readers disappointed and lacking any real fulfillment of plot.
It also seems she has no problem at all the slavery, as she basically gives the slavers get off free, only having to agree to some nebulous 'deal' or whatever. I'd have burned them all to ash.
And frankly at the end it sounds like she's making more arguments for slavery than against.
I find most unfortunate is that the author created this very interesting world, and a character with so much potential, and then simply refuses to explore it at any depth.
He has supernatural powers but somehow doesn't use them for 3/4 of the book, because "reasons".
They mentioned again how a way to kill a sorcerer is to drop him off of a ship and sail away… But that does not make any sense to me at all. Why doesn't he just destroy the ship? It would give him plenty of debris to cling to if nothing else.
Then, at the point of complete dismay and utter hopelessness, he is saved by deus ex machina intervention, which is absolutely ridiculous.
There is a reason that authors do not use this type of plot device much anymore, at least those with a mediocre understanding of plot construction and story development. It leaves the readers disappointed and lacking any real fulfillment of plot.
It also seems she has no problem at all the slavery, as she basically gives the slavers get off free, only having to agree to some nebulous 'deal' or whatever. I'd have burned them all to ash.
And frankly at the end it sounds like she's making more arguments for slavery than against.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books - Penric is part Lord Peter Wimsey, part Lymond, and part Miles Vorkosigan with a touch of magic to make it more fun. I can't help but wish for the unwritten novel that these stories seem to surround but the pleasure is no less for all that.
iaraya's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
5.0
This is the seventh in a series of fantasy novellas about Penric and Desdemonda, Desdemona being a centuries-old demon and Penric being the young man in whom she is currently resident. I've become very fond of both Penric and Desdemona, and this novella did not disappoint. I love the sureness of Bujold's prose and the underlying compassion. There is fantasy aplenty and a fair amount of violence, but there is also humor and kindness, even tenderness. Near the end, there's a paragraph that underlines the importance of kindness, bringing to the foreground a quality that underpins the story as a whole. A pleasure throughout. Highly recommended.
Update 7/12/2022: re-read this and liked it even better. The paragraph near the end that I singled out before moved me very much. 4.5 out of 5 kindly stars in a time when I value kindness more and more.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Update 7/12/2022: re-read this and liked it even better. The paragraph near the end that I singled out before moved me very much. 4.5 out of 5 kindly stars in a time when I value kindness more and more.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
xjennoe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0