Reviews

The Assassins of Thasalon by Lois McMaster Bujold

maeve_spry's review

3.0

Desdemona light

Saw a review that suggested the characters are overpowered... think it’s more that the combination of characters was seriously unbalanced. All in all it’s a good story, and a welcome addition to the Penric universe.

lizbusby's review

4.0

So wonderful to read a new Penric and Desdemona adventure, as always. More intrigue and detective shenanigans in this one, which is a nice return to form after some non-detective adventures. Exploring a possible loophole in the established system makes for a good hard magic fantasy. And I was happy that several threads from other books are resolved by the ending. There's nothing genre shattering about this series, but that's not what this book is attempting to be. This series has always felt very Sherlock Holmes to me--you're here because you love watching these characters find their way out of a puzzle, and that's just great for me.

davidsms's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

mousie_books's review

3.0

This series is like a warm hug. :)

Lois McMaster Bujold's writing is so good. This series is very scholarly (i.e. SAT vocab) as befits Penric.

Spoiler

Alixtra, bearing a baby demon, is sent to assassinate General Arisaydia, but is thwarted by Penric. (Demons can be used to murder once, and then the Bastard will claim them back.) Adelis is pulled back into Thasalon politics (The homeland that framed him for treason and blinded him.), and secretly ventures back home to help with a coup. Penric stays to lure and trap Alixtra. When the Bastard deems her an innocent patsy and refuses to take her demon, Penric sees it as a sign that they must rescue her son (held as hostage), and reclaim Learned Tronio's (the sorcerer behind the plot) corrupted demon.

They succeed, but the coup rendered unnecessary when Lady Tanar (Adelis's betrothed -- long delay due to the whole fake treason thing) assassinates Menthani (the mastermind, and Tronio's co-conspirator). Menthani is sundered for the blasphemy in using demons in this fashion. Tronio's demon is taken up by the bastard, and he is captured to stand trial. Adelis is cleared, and finally marries Tanar. Alixtra is pardoned (but exiled) due to the Bastard's judgement.

Penric's second child is on the way!

jkshields's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

fantasticraccoon's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

2.75

khrystalynne's review against another edition

adventurous relaxing medium-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

books4days's review against another edition

4.0

A full-length Penric and Desdemona novel! With this one completed, I've finally completed the series to date (not sure if Bujold plans to write more in this series or the World of the Five Gods generally). Penric and Desdemona are, as usual, very powerful, and this time are send to complete a God-given mission (from the Bastard, obviously!) in a dangerous country Penric only barely escaped from in a past (mis)adventure. Plenty of twists and turns, but lacks some high-stakes suspense some of the other stories have had.

albernikolauras's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Penric and his normal chaos. I remember enjoying this one and the introduction of some new and interesting characters. If you have reached this point in the series, then it is exactly what you came here for but not one of my favorites. Ultimate comfort read - despite the assassinations.

eol's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.0