Reviews

The Assassins of Thasalon by Lois McMaster Bujold

wordnerdy's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021-book-115.html

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/10/2021-book-223.html

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/05/2023-book-86.html

I love that McMaster Bujold is just periodically dropping new books in her Penric and Desdemona series, because I super enjoy them! In this one, assassins are after Penric's brother-in-law, so he has to go on a mission to deal with that (and some related magical stuff), accompanied by a Saint and an unexpected new student. Lots of political shenanigans and a MURDER ensue! Can Pen and Des save the day? Good humor here AND a puppy, what’s not to love? A.

marti4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.75

mey's review against another edition

adventurous funny relaxing medium-paced

4.0

milkmir's review against another edition

5.0

*audiobook (Grover Gardner)

gtbenathan's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

It was a penric book and therefore quality. Doi need to say more?

zinlizzie's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

helengarrawayauthor's review against another edition

5.0

I love the Penric and Desdemona series. I'm always happy to see there is a new story, and this one was longer which was a bonus. I wish there was more Adelis. He is such a great character, he would add much interest and humour, I think!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, though I did feel there was a touch of repetitiveness about it. That may have been with all the reminiscing of the chaos Penric brings to any tale! Nothing to do with Desdemona of course!

vailynst's review against another edition

4.0

Notes:

I enjoyed the first half more than the last. As always, it's nice to dive back into the world of Penric & Desdemona. =)

welkinvault's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A full length novel for once!  A gorgeous compassionate and humourous adventure of Penric and Des.  I was going to say cosy, but some of the assassins concepts are actually quite ghastly, if gently told.  

Penric is becoming more Milesian everyday (the fans of the Vorkosigan stories will know what I mean) but with the wit and intelligence interwoven with a layer of calm and patience (with Des spinning the chaos).

Nice to get another story involving Bosha and  Lady Tanar.  And the fish loving Saint is a joy (and used just sparingly enough,  much more of Iroki and his fish tales and it would have been annoying).

Truly Satisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Murder

acardattack's review against another edition

5.0

Another absolute cozy and wonderful tale in the life of Penric, Des and their loved ones. Loved we got to return to characters like Bosha and meet the wonderful Saint Iroki. Good twists and turns and loved the intrigue focused story

Now I must wait for the next one... Edit just found another just came out a month and a half ago!