Scan barcode
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
I love Bujold, and I love the humor and humanity in this series. I was glad to see Bujold pick up Penric’s feelings about being a physician again, even though reading about a mysterious epidemic wasn’t really what I was looking for in early 2021.
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
The Physicians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold is the eighth book in the Penric and Desdemona series. Bujold brings great characters and world-building to this suspenseful fantasy. Penric (Pen) is a temple sorcerer and shares his body with a 200-year-old chaos demon he has named Desdemona (Des). In return, Des gifts him with powers as a Temple Sorcerer and the knowledge she has gained over her lifetime. A mysterious illness breaks out at the army fort guarding Vilnoc and General Arisaydia (Pen’s brother-in-law) asks him to use his medical skills to aid the sick. Is it a contagion or contamination? Can magic even help?
Pen and Des are a somewhat odd duo, but the interactions between them sets a great tone. Pen’s family dynamics are also evolving and it will be exciting to see how that grows in future books in the series. The characters are complex and definitely people you can root for and their goals and motivations are well-drawn.
The plot is suspenseful and generally fast-paced. The prose is well-written and entertaining. Bujold does a great job of world-building and this book is no exception to that. Some readers may have a problem reading about a potential plague with everything that has happened and still is happening with Covid-19. However, I was immediately drawn into the situation and was trying to help Pen solve the cause of the illness. Can it even be cured? What is its source? Will Pen succumb to the illness?
While this short novel (or long novella) doesn’t have as much in the way of action as most of the author’s books have, it is suspenseful and gives Pen a different type of challenge. It also shows how stressful the situation can be for medical personnel as well as those that are sick and their families. Additional themes include religious dynamics, family, collegial respect, superstitious fears, magic, fatigue, stress, and suspicion of those that are different from oneself.
Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable novel that reminded me once again why I enjoy reading books by Bujold, one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of this series and recommend it to those that enjoy well-written fantasy. While the book worked for me as a standalone, it would likely be even better if the series is read in order. I recommend that readers start with book one of the series to get the most entertainment out of the novels.
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. Publication date is currently expected to be July 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Pen and Des are a somewhat odd duo, but the interactions between them sets a great tone. Pen’s family dynamics are also evolving and it will be exciting to see how that grows in future books in the series. The characters are complex and definitely people you can root for and their goals and motivations are well-drawn.
The plot is suspenseful and generally fast-paced. The prose is well-written and entertaining. Bujold does a great job of world-building and this book is no exception to that. Some readers may have a problem reading about a potential plague with everything that has happened and still is happening with Covid-19. However, I was immediately drawn into the situation and was trying to help Pen solve the cause of the illness. Can it even be cured? What is its source? Will Pen succumb to the illness?
While this short novel (or long novella) doesn’t have as much in the way of action as most of the author’s books have, it is suspenseful and gives Pen a different type of challenge. It also shows how stressful the situation can be for medical personnel as well as those that are sick and their families. Additional themes include religious dynamics, family, collegial respect, superstitious fears, magic, fatigue, stress, and suspicion of those that are different from oneself.
Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable novel that reminded me once again why I enjoy reading books by Bujold, one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of this series and recommend it to those that enjoy well-written fantasy. While the book worked for me as a standalone, it would likely be even better if the series is read in order. I recommend that readers start with book one of the series to get the most entertainment out of the novels.
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. Publication date is currently expected to be July 31, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
Another solid, interesting, story of adventure with a mystery and lots of dry humor. Love Pen, he is so sweet as a father- the phrasing of how he accredited Nikys with making him a father in reality, awww.
Disease travelling in the blood, spread by insects (don't want to give away too many spoilers), is very on point with today. Great story!
Disease travelling in the blood, spread by insects (don't want to give away too many spoilers), is very on point with today. Great story!
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really need to slow down reading this series because I'm going to run out soon, but I just can't stop. There is something about the stories and the audio narration that are so comforting, even this one, which was a bit more stressful due to the peril of an unknown disease.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing beats Bujold for complex storytelling that sweeps you along on a ride with characters that live and are deeply human and compelling. It's a novella but a deeply satisfying one.
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve pretty much gobbled up the series in one go. I’m a firm fan of Bujold’s writing. Interestingly the series started out in an episodic fashion with significant intervals between each one. The later ones are more serial with each one starting either immediately or very shortly after the previous one.
My only criticism is that Penric and Nikys did rather start to resemble Miles and Ekaterina at times.
I do hope they’re collected into a physical anthology at some point. I prefer to have physical things to read
My only criticism is that Penric and Nikys did rather start to resemble Miles and Ekaterina at times.
I do hope they’re collected into a physical anthology at some point. I prefer to have physical things to read
klmoran's review against another edition
4.0
I had to check the pub date on this one. I love Penric and Desdemona and enjoyed their take on the plague. I felt part of the catharsis it must have been to write this during the pandemic.
cmbohn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the eighth 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'm very fond of both Penric and Desdemona, and liked this novella greatly. That said, for anyone considering reading this during a pandemic (as I just did), be warned that it deals with a plague outbreak, which I found a bit discomfiting. 4 out of 5 witched stars.
Update: 7/13/2022. Re-read this. Still very good.
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: 7/13/2022. Re-read this. Still very good.
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
funny
inspiring
reflective
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